Ep 13. Limelight

In Castle season 6 episode 13, entitled "Limelight", Beckett and Castle investigate the death of a rising young pop star, whose body is found on stage during a rehearsal. As they delve into the victim's past, they discover that almost everyone in her life had a motive for murder. Meanwhile, Alexis pursues her dream of becoming a singer, much to Castle's chagrin. The case takes a personal turn for Castle when he realizes that the victim had once been managed by an old schoolmate, Liam Finch (guest star Josh Stamberg), who had been a rival of Castle's back in his theater days.

As Castle and Beckett investigate the murder, they learn about the cutthroat world of the music industry and the pressures that come with fame. They interview the victim's family, friends, and colleagues, and uncover secrets and lies that make them question everyone's motives. They also get a glimpse into the victim's private life, which reveals some surprising connections to some of the suspects.

Meanwhile, Alexis auditions for a singing competition and gets accepted. Her excitement is contagious, but Castle is worried that he may have to relive his past rivalry with Liam Finch, who is now a successful music producer. As Alexis gets deeper into the competition, Castle's fears come true, and Liam makes it clear that he still holds a grudge against him.

As the investigation progresses, Beckett and Castle start to piece together the clues and narrow down the suspects. They follow leads, interrogate suspects, and gather evidence, but the case takes some unexpected turns. The victim's manager, her producer, and her rival all have motives and alibis that make it difficult to pinpoint the killer.

As the episode reaches its climax, Castle confronts Liam and learns the truth about his past with the victim. Meanwhile, Beckett and the team finally uncover the killer's identity and motive in a shocking twist that ties everything together.

The episode wraps up with a heartwarming scene between Castle and Alexis, who reconciles with her father and assures him that he has nothing to worry about. Beckett and Castle also reflect on the case and the symbolism of limelight, and realize that fame can be a double-edged sword.

Overall, "Limelight" is a thrilling and suspenseful episode that combines murder, music, and drama in a way that only Castle can do. It explores the themes of ambition, jealousy, and revenge in the context of the entertainment industry, and features some great performances by the cast, including Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, and Molly C. Quinn. If you're a fan of crime dramas, musicals, or both, this episode is definitely worth watching.