The release party of an aging pop star's comeback album is spoiled when a young disc jockey is found murdered nearby. As rival record producers war with one another, Castle and Beckett must brave an industry where music idols will do whatever it takes to enjoy another minute in the limelight.
- Call-Back: Esposito mentions he was once featured in the NYPD calendar. Remember, it was a group photo. Two of the three letters he got were from his mom.
- Papa Wolf: Esposito takes a liking to and becomes protective of Joey, the 14-year-old thief, due to seeing a lot of his younger self in the kid. He refuses to let Joey get thrown into foster care or protective custody in juvie, even trying to take the kid in himself. By the end, he ensures Joey will turn his life around and stay out of prison.Esposito: [laying two guns on the table in front of the guy using Joey as his legman] This is my gun. And this one will be yours. You ever go near Joey, or any other kid, ever again, the story's going to go like this. You pulled that piece on me. And I had to defend myself. So I killed you. You understand me? Or should we play out that story right here, right now?
- Pay Evil unto Evil: Esposito warns Shane Winters that if he tries using kids to do his dirty work again, Esposito will kill him in faked self-defense. It's unclear if Esposito means it or if it's a bluff, but Winters takes it seriously.
- Shout-Out: The kid's wily. Esposito's wilier. "Wow, just like The French Connection."
