Castle - Den of Thieves, S02E21

I think Castle was trying to kill me with delight this week. Not only did we get a great Esposito (Jon Huertas)-centric episode, but it was full of great (and attractive) guest stars. And awesome sparring.

When a thief is found tortured to death in his car, homicide and robbery team up, bringing Det. Tom Demming (Michael Trucco) into the lives of Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) and Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion). Oh wait, we met him the morning before, when he was at the gym where Beckett works out, and already demonstrated a clear attraction to her. And she to him.

It didn't take long for Castle to feel left out, and say quietly to himself "Two weeks ago, I saved your life twice."

During the first interview of the first person of interest, Esposito's connection to the case was revealed when his anger over past injustice and the murder of his partner overcame sense, and he had to be held back. His feelings became more confused when his dead partner's prints were discovered on the body of the victim, proving him alive, and proving that his death had been faked 3 years ago so that he could disappear. And Esposito's rage was not abated by the arrival of Lt. Stan Holliwell (Scott Cohen), who had investigate his partner before the faked death and now resumed that investigation.

With so many players in the game, suspicion was hard to nail down, although they determined that a cop, some cop, was a mole, and likely the guilty party. Naturally, Demming, who had just transferred from Esposito's former precinct and who had asked specifically for the case, looked good for it, to Castle's delight. Even Beckett, who was clearly aware of the chemistry, fully planned to prove guilt where it existed.

And then we got the hottest sparring session on television this year, with Kate and Tom at they gym, sweaty and sexy, while Castle, Esposito, and Ryan (Seamus Dever) stole his phone to check his records. But Tom was aware of what they were doing, and let them take the phone before telling of his alibi - couching little league for disadvantaged children.

In the end, in a show down between Esposito, his not-dead-anymore partner, and Holliwell, the murderer was caught, and the man he had tried to take down's name was cleared. It was very sweet when Esposito introduced Ryan as his partner to his former partner, and then introduced Castle as his other partner.

What was even more sweet was the triangle developing between Beckett, Castle and Demming. Demming had the decency to ask Castle if anything was going on between him and Beckett before he made a move. He sensed the chemistry between himself and the detective, but he wanted to make sure he wasn't misinterpreting and that he wasn't moving in on another guy's girl. You have to respect him for that.

But you can't help but feel a little sorry for Castle who clearly has feelings, and who doesn't like to lose, but who still plays fair.

How is this romance going to progress? And how will it affect the connection between Castle and Beckett? So few episodes left, so much excitement still to be had!