I bought a bunch of S1 DVDs for various people for Christmas. I figure that is a good way to introduce the show because a) they'll get it during a time where many will have some down time so they will be likely to be able to watch b) they can start from the beginning.

I don't think you necessarily have to watch from the beginning to like the show but I think that if anything can get people hooked, this will.

My personal favorites are "Home is Where the Heart Stops", "Fool Me Once" & "When the Bough Breaks".

Here's my pick:

"Always Buy Retail" – one my favorite season 1 episodes, funny and I really liked the case.

"Hell Hath No Fury" – the first episode I ever watched, totally hooked me to the show, esp with the very last scene! ;)

"Fool Me Once" – looooved this ep! Had me laughing and kept me guessing about the case.

I believe for a "new-view-ee" perspective they would need this order:

1) Why:  1x01  "Flowers for Your Grave"

2) Teamwork/pure Fun:  2x02  "Fool Me Once"

3) Current/Because:  2x11  "The Fifth Bullet"

I love all the episodes for differnt reasons – the story/plot or the scene or characters or hilllarious funny moments (i.e. bathroom) or sexy moments.. There, that's what I'll be doing to "hook" new viewers unless it's a Castle night and we'll be watching it LIVE on ABC  :o)

my top picks :

either flowers for you grave or hell hath no fury …just to explain things..both awesome episodes :D

fool me once – a definite must watch :D last scene will be forever priceless

vampire weekend – the cherries scene=who wouldn't get hooked after seeing that?

Gosh, I'm amazed any of you can pick "just three" episodes for your "top three."  I, unfortunately, have about 8 episodes in my "top three" category, LOL.  Good thing my graduate work is in Sociology/Criminal Justice instead of Math, yea yea? 

Perhaps I should just list the "events" in the episodes that I think are really pertinent.

1.  First episode because it gives the background.

2.  Episode in which Beckett shows us her ring/watch and explains why she wears them (sets up her Mother's Death)

3.  Last Episode of Season 1, shows that Beckett has a limit and that Castle didn't recognize it.  Literally sets up a change in relationship.

4.  First Episode of Season 2, resolves Number 3 above with a hint that Castle is beginning to understand Beckett a bit better.

5.  Episode with "smell like cherries"–sets up a "covert" sort of feelings between the two (with the recognition of this by supporting cast)

6.  Episode(s) with Molly and Beckett getting together…that is setting up a different sort of relationship between C and B.

7.  Last new episode…set us up with a "parallell" relationship (amnesia guy and his ex) that is a mirror of what C and B might be like.  More importantly, both C and B had "fond thoughts" of the relationship of amnesia guy and his ex and expressed them to each other. 

So, you see, I can't pick "just 3 episodes".  Rather I picked several "events" that are especially important for the story lines of Beckett's Mother's murder, and C and B relationship movement.

Well, I introduced the show to my friends who watched/love "Generation Kill". As you know, Jon Huertas played Poke Espera on GK. I had them watch "Vampire Weekend".

I also told my friends who watched Firefly to check the show out. They liked it from Pilot episode on. :)

I'd show a friend the following episodes:

- A Chill Runs Through Her Veins – laser tag scene, Beckett gets frustrated that she can't figure the case out and reaches out to Castle for help (big step for her), and the role playing in the apartment (Ok, if we're married, I want a divorce, etc.), Beckett finally tells Castle about her mother, Esposito's line: If you tell her I did this, I WILL make you bleed.

- A Rose Forever After – not only because I think Alyssa Milano was great, but because it gave Beckett a window into Castle's past, Beckett struck a nerve when she said Kyra was a "real" woman and that she didn't think he went for that type, and he simply said "It was a long time ago." Finally, Kyra says to Beckett, "He's all yours," and Beckett catches the bouquet at the wedding.

- Vampire Weekend – just a really fun episode!

1x01 Flowers For Your Grave

1x05 A Chill Goes Through Her Veins

2x04 Fool Me Once

Graffiti said:

Castle said:

Esposito fans should be sure to watch the episode coming up, I hear it will feature Jon Huertas heavily

Good work on recruiting viewers :)

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 Those posts about upcomming episodes were in January (now it's almost April).  The episode referenced is Sucide Squeeze. It's the one with the Cuban baseball player that was found dead at the begining of the show and as it turned out ………… did it. "Lots" of spanish spoken in the episode so Esposito did a lot of translating.