ABC’s ‘Castle’ season 5, episode 19 review: The 100th episode delivers

Anytime your show makes it to 100 episodes, the first thing that you should really do is take a very massive bow. It’s not often that you can really manage such a feat these days, especially when networks are quick to cancel a show at a moment’s notice.

For “Castle,” getting to this milestone Monday night may have been even more rewarding in that the road was not always easy. Despite coming on as a midseason replacement with a short order, Nathan Fillion and company persevered. The battled through the first few weeks, did enough to prove they were worthy of the fall, and then they took a place behind the “Dancing with the Stars” results show. Thanks to everything from promotion to repeat performances, the show now have a consistent and devoted following.

This episode really felt like a giant thank-you from executive producer Andrew W. Marlowe (who made a cameo in the episode), the crew, and all of the actors for sticking with the show. After all, the central “mystery,” a supposed murder that Rick saw while cooped up inside of his apartment due to an injury, was just a part of a very elaborate scheme for Beckett to throw him the surprise birthday part for the ages. We admit: we never saw this ending coming, and this is with combing over the sneak peeks prior to the episode airing. It was just so nice to see a happy moment on a show that has waded through some pretty serious stuff, and for the characters to all have a chance to partake in some various silliness. (Ryan and Esposito’s “Charlie’s Angels” pose may be one of the greatest things ever.)

We don’t say this lightly, but we reckon that “The Lives of Others” may end up being in the top 5 of the show’s greatest episodes ever. Luckily, it just so happens to also be a milestone.

If you want to check out some more fun courtesy of “Castle’s” 100th episode, you can do so over at the link here.

Photo: ABC