Castle and Beckett are called in to investigate an 'Officer Down', but soon realise that they're actually dealing with a male stripper. While investigating the surprisingly cut-throat world of acting and male strip clubs, the team discover a connection to a complex investment scam.
Tropes:
- Informed Attribute: Derek Brookner was meant to be the future big success of his acting class, but whenever he is shown in recordings, he comes across as being fairly wooden in his acting. This may be just his ex-girlfriend's biased view even in-universe, as Ryan and Esposito show distress at having to watch his demo reel.
- Mama Bear: Castle takes a moment to tell his mother how much he loves her and how difficult it must have been for her as a single mother. She then lays out a few of her more difficult (humiliating) roles, including "secretary".
- Mood Whiplash: Beckett's initial resolution to investigate the apparent "Officer Down" quickly dies down when Lanie confirms that the victim is just a stripper.
- Paper-Thin Disguise: Derek's look as Jesse Mandalay is just him with dyed grey hair to look more mature.
- Shout-Out: When the escort agency's owner assumes that Ryan is there to audition, he mentions that the Twilight look is in at the moment.
- Spotting the Thread: The evidence indicates that Rebecca Dalton is the most likely suspect for Derek's death as the money for his investment scam was going into and out of her accounts, but Beckett notes that this doesn't work as one of the suggestive withdrawals took place during Paris Fashion Week, which no former model would miss.
