Castle

Dial M for Mayor is the 14th episode of the first series of Castle, the American crime‑drama that made Nathan Fillion a household name as the roguish mystery novelist Richard “Rick” Castle. He teams up with detective Kate Beckett, played by Stana Katic, to solve a murder that drags a local politician into the mix. The episode aired back in 2009 on ABC and is essentially a stand‑alone whodunit, so you don’t need to have watched the whole series to follow the story. The plot kicks off when a woman is found dead inside her car, a seemingly random hit‑and‑run that quickly spirals into a political scandal. Beckett’s precinct discovers that the victim was linked to Mayor Robert Weldon, a long‑time friend of the town’s elite. As Castle and Beckett dig deeper, they uncover a web of blackmail, campaign money and a few too‑many secrets that make the mayor look a lot more crooked than his campaign slogans suggest. The episode balances the usual banter between the leads with a tidy investigative thread, and the climax lands with a classic Castle twist that feels familiar yet fresh. Honestly, the episode is a mixed bag. The chemistry between Fillion and Katic is brilliant and keeps the dialogue lively, but the pacing drags a bit in the middle while the mayor’s back‑story feels a touch under‑cooked. Compared with later Castle stand‑outs like “The Fifth Page” or even the more procedural vibe of Bones, this one feels dated – the fashion and some of the tech look a little 2000s‑ish – but it’s still surprisingly good for a first‑season effort. Rated TV‑14 for moderate violence, language and some sexual content. Fair warning: there’s a graphic car‑crash scene and a few moments of intense suspense that might be a bit much for younger viewers. If you’re after a light‑hearted detective caper with a dash of political intrigue, give this episode a go – just don’t expect it to redefine the genre.