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EPISODE

20. That '70s Show

When construction workers find the body of an infamous New York mobster who disappeared in the seventies, Beckett and Castle try to solve this three decade-old Mafia hit. Unfortunately, their only witness is a man who thinks it's still the 1970's, so to uncover what he knows, they must play into his delusion, and party like it's the last days of disco.

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Beckett is temporarily put in charge of the precinct while Gates leaves for a conference, and she and Castle are called in when construction workers unearth the remains of 1970s crime boss Vince Bianchi. His consigliere, Harold Leon ( Jon Polito ), is delusional and thinks it is still 1978. The detectives, with Martha's assistance, must re-create the era in costume and attitude so that Harold will fully cooperate in the cold case with Ryan and Esposito taking on Starsky and Hutch personas. The plan is a disaster when Harold clams up when Esposito breaks character and Gates returns early while the recreation is still going. Harold then tries to kill Vince's successor at a disco and it is discovered he was faking his delusions. Harold admits he forced himself to continue living like it was 1978 because he hoped it would help him discover the truth himself, and reveals he and Vince shared a secret that factored into his boss's death, which provides the clue that allows Castle and Beckett to solve it.

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