Season 8 Episode 22 - "Crossfire" Review (Series Finale)

‘Castle’ : Always

By Lisa Caputo

2016-05-17

Castle and Beckett embark on one final battle to take down Loksat before finding their own “happily ever after” ending

A little over seven years ago, Castle began its journey. It was a new take on a crime procedural, the brilliant vision of creator Andrew Marlowe that introduced us to the world of Rick Castle, Kate Beckett, and a wonderful collection of their friends and family. It was a story about fate, about friendship, about partnership, and above all else, about love. What began as one of network television’s most unique new shows, cleverly combining all forms of storytelling into one compelling and intriguing tale, soon became a series that would captivate viewers and pull us in for an epic love story for the ages. At its core, the story has always been about Castle and Beckett, a writer and his muse, and a couple destined to find their way together no matter how hard they tried to fight their feelings. Fate brought them together, obstacles kept them apart, but ultimately love brought them back, time after time. In one another, they found what they had always been missing in their lives and in their hearts, constantly challenging one another and forcing each other out of their comfort zones. This was the story of true love, of soul mates, the power of the bonds that would forever bind these two together, and their journey towards finding their happily ever after. On Monday night, that journey came to an end.

Penned by co-showrunners for season eight, Alexi Hawley and Terence Paul Winter, and directed by the legendary Rob Bowman, who also directed the very first episode of the series seven years ago, Monday’s “Crossfire” was never meant to be the series finale. But after an unexpected series of events over the past month, events that sparked a rollercoaster of emotions and reactions, this season finale ultimately became the series finale. Fortunately, with the possibility of cancelation always being a consideration at this point in the run of the series, Hawley and Winter opted to shoot two versions of the ending, one that would serve as the season finale ending and propel the show into its ninth and potentially final season if they had received a renewal, and one that would give the viewers a satisfying end to the series should the network elect not to move forward with a new season. Had they not had that foresight, we perhaps would have never been given a proper ending to the story.

The hour was very much like a classic Castle season finale, filled with dramatic emotion, heart-pounding suspense, and plenty of twists and turns within the story, all meant to build towards a guard-dropping moment of peace before the final shocking twist would serve to launch the story into an epic cliffhanger ending. Even still, it had more than enough within the details of the story to pay homage to the run of the series, the love story between Castle and Beckett, and the relationships amongst the rest of the characters, all giving a sense that the Castle team had prepared for the worst and wanted to ensure this episode could serve, if needed, as the final chapter for the series.

What was interesting about the case of the week was that it allowed the NYPD investigation to intersect perfectly with Castle and Beckett’s investigation into Loksat, essentially leading Ryan and Esposito into the Loksat mystery to aide their friends in their hunt for justice. As the hour progressed, it became clear that nothing was ever as it first appeared, something that perhaps should have been a warning sign for what was to come. From Castle and Beckett’s sting that went awry, turning out to be nothing more than a trap, to Mason saving them only to earn their trust so he could find out who else knew about Loksat, to the many twists and turns both Castle and Beckett faced as they attempted to escape their own separate captures to find their way back to one another, to the final shocking ending that revealed that Caleb was the true man behind Loksat, attempting to kill Castle and Beckett so as not to continue being hunted by them again when they eventually figured out the truth, there was certainly never a dull moment throughout the hour.

But there was much more to the episode than the twists and turns or the shocking revelations. At its core, it was a fitting ending to the story, one that focused on family and protecting the ones you love. Beckett tried to protect Ryan and Esposito by withholding the truth from them until Vikram spilled their secret to enlist their much-needed help. And not long after, it was Ryan and Esposito who took their turn protecting their Captain, selflessly putting themselves in the line of fire to keep Beckett safe and allow her to honour her promise to Castle that she would stay at the precinct and out of harm’s way, at least for the time being. Meanwhile, Castle enlisted Hayley’s help to protect Martha and Alexis while he opted to return to the precinct to be by his wife’s side and keep his promise to help her take down Loksat for good.

Despite the clear separation of Castle and Beckett through much of the episode, their scenes both together and apart were often focused on their relationship, the power of their everlasting love, and the lengths they would go to in order to find their happy ending. In fact, some of the highlights of the episode were while these two were apart, both describing their love with such moving words, first while Castle was being interrogated by the chilling sociopath, Mr. Flynn, and then while Beckett was seemingly being lured into danger by Mason Wood. Unable to filter his honesty, Castle poured his heart out to Flynn about his wife, telling him, “I fell in love with her. I had never met anyone like her. Beckett makes me laugh, she challenges me. I became a better man.” And when asked if he would go back and change his path to never have met her, all to avoid facing the certain doom in front of him at this point, he strongly told Flynn, “No, I wouldn’t.” Meanwhile, Beckett expressed her love for Castle when Mason questioned her about it, telling him, “I’m crazy for him. He’s the love of my life and he understands the sacrifices that I have to make to do this job.” And when Mason attempted to get into her head, expressing how sorry he was for her having to carry around the weight of trying to find justice for others, Beckett simply told him, “I don’t carry it alone.”

In a fitting way, this final hour of the series was one that allowed Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion to shine, both in their scenes together and their individual performances apart as well. Their on-screen chemistry has long been at the center of the success of Castle, but so often that chemistry has not been dampened when the two are not on screen together. The love between these two characters has shone through even in the darkest times and even when they were apart, something that is a true testament to the actors as well as to the writers and directors who helped shape this story. Fillion’s performance when Castle attempted to fight the truth serum in order to not reveal who else knew about Loksat was heartbreaking beyond words. The pain of knowing that he was helpless to protect his family and friends, unable to prevent the truth from coming out of his own mouth that would put a target on each and every one of them, that pain was evident in every fight to restrain himself, every unintentional confirmation that he fought so hard to hold in, and every tear that streamed down his face when he had failed to protect his loved ones as he had always done so selflessly in the past. Meanwhile, Katic’s performance showcased her ability to evoke such power and meaning in the simple details, from the frustration Beckett displayed when they had lost their Right Hand Man lead, frustration that masked the desperation and absolute fear within her that we have so rarely seen, to the strength within her to go after Mason on her own and play his game long enough to wait for him to drop his guard and make her move, to her moments of pain as she wondered if Mason was telling the truth about Castle’s demise, having only seconds to process if she believed him or not before having to face her adversary again and fight for her life as well. But, as always, it was within their scenes together that Katic and Fillion shone the brightest, portraying one of television’s most iconic couples in a way that only they could. What these two brought to this series was something every showrunner hopes to find and few rarely do; pure magic.

In the end, it was Castle and Beckett’s love that gave both the strength to fight this fight and finally take Loksat down, bringing the final mystery of the series to a close. And back at the precinct in one of the last scenes of the episode, the viewers were given their chance to say goodbye to each of the ensemble characters who have shaped this show in their own profound ways. As much as the story has always been about Castle and Beckett’s love, it has also been about their friendships, partnerships, and family bonds with all of these other incredible characters. Amidst the sweeping emotion of Robert Duncan’s powerful musical score and the brilliantly warm and welcoming lighting from cinematographer Dave Perkal and director Rob Bowman, each group of characters were given a chance to have their final farewell. As Castle reunited with Martha and Alexis, a proud Hayley stood back and smiled, knowing her place as part of the family, though very much their willing guardian as well. Ryan and Esposito shared a moment with their Captain and friend before warmly inviting Vikram to join them for a celebration together at the bar. Beckett and Lanie shared their final scene together, the best friends exchanging a loving hug before Lanie headed off to join the guys. And Beckett smiled as she looked back at Castle, Martha, and Alexis, letting them have their moment together while knowing she would always be very much a part of that family forever. It was an emotional and fitting farewell to the ensemble cast who we will always remember for their incredible work on Castle; Susan Sullivan, Molly Quinn, Tamala Jones, Seamus Dever, Jon Huertas, and season eight newcomers Toks Olagundoye and Sunkrish Bala.

The peace was soon to be broken, though, as the episode neared its close with Castle and Beckett returning home together to the loft. The two separated to different rooms as the hopeful musical score began to fade into an ominous silence, signalling the shocking twist just seconds before it was upon us. Castle got a sudden spark of curiosity, one that came to him in classic Castle fashion by the simple action of turning on the burner on the stove, prompting him to point out to Beckett that it seemed odd that Mason would not have used his incinerator to dispose of Caleb’s body, choosing instead to burn him so publicly and with evidence left behind. It was a realization that came minutes too late as Caleb himself emerged from the shadows, the true man behind Loksat, and fired a bullet into Castle’s chest. As Beckett rushed out from their bedroom, gun drawn and her voice filled with that same desperate fear again, not knowing if Castle was alive or dead, she showed no hesitation in engaging in a harrowing gun battle with Caleb. Trading bullets back and forth, Kate stood her ground and continued towards him, despite the danger to her own life, finally firing a fatal shot into her enemy and ending Loksat’s reign of terror once and for all. But when the shock and adrenaline wore off and the blood began to seep down her shirt into view from under her jacket, Beckett fell to the ground herself, clearly shot and deeply wounded just as her husband was.

Using every ounce of strength left within them, Castle and Beckett slid across the kitchen floor towards each other until they were able to lay side-by-side and clutch their hands together. If these were their final moments on this earth, they wanted more than anything to spend them together. It seemed as though Mr. Flynn’s prophecy had come true; “Everything ends in tragedy, even an epic love story like yours.” It really is true, everything eventually ends in tragedy. Death itself will always be a tragedy and one day Castle and Beckett’s story will come to an end when death parts them, giving a tragic end to their epic love story. But that day had not yet come.

Instead, Simon Doyle’s prophecy was shown to be the true future for Castle and Beckett, their epic love story continuing just as fate had always had in store for them and a respectful homage to the path Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller had envisioned for this couple through Doyle’s words in that episode years ago. As a moving voiceover played of Castle and Beckett’s infamous exchange from the very beginning of their story, an exchange that made Castle fans everywhere first fall in love with this story and these characters, we were transported through the walls of first an empty loft and then a home filled with photos, toys, and books. After going back seven years to hear those infamous words from Castle and Beckett just at the beginning of their story, we jumped ahead seven years into the future instead, seeing a trio of children who were once little Castle babies, children Kate and Rick now chased after and hugged and laughed with, the family they were once told by Doyle they would have. We may not know how they survived their shooting, who saved them, or what happened immediately after that. We may not know if this was the event that finally showed Beckett the truth her father had once asked Castle to help her see; that her life was worth more than her mother’s death, prompting her to put down her badge and embrace the boring life she had once dreaded but now seemed to long for. All that matters, though, is that they got their happily ever after. They beat the odds. They found a way to have their promise of “always” come true.

So here we are, at the end of the journey. “It would have been great.” “You have no idea.” As captivated as we were by those words at the time they were first spoken, they stand even truer today; we had no idea. No idea that this story would capture our hearts in a way that will forever stay with us, no idea how powerful “just a television show” could truly be, and no idea that we would have had eight seasons of memories that we will never forget. This was a great love story for the ages, one that will continue to live on in our hearts, our minds, and our souls.

Always.

"Castle" Commentary - Beating The Odds

‘Castle’ Commentary: Beating the Odds

By Lisa Caputo

2016-05-14

A personal commentary on the cancellation of “Castle” and what it means for the story, the characters, the cast and crew, and the fans

It has been a month no Castle fan could have ever predicted. With filming wrapped and fans gearing up for the final five episodes of this eighth season of the memorable series, there were those who were hopeful the recent return to the classic storytelling and tone of the show would set the stage for a renewal for a ninth and potentially final season. It had been a season of ups and downs, splitting the fandom between those who felt the dramatic separation of the show’s main characters had taken the story down too dark a path and those who embraced a return to the once often-used method of putting the characters through hell and back to see them come back together stronger than ever. Once the Castles were reunited and their attempts to hide their reconciliation were over, it seemed as though the fandom had also somewhat reunited, many now finding enjoyment in the storytelling again as the show returned to its roots and one episode after another seemed to showcase more classic Castle moments, tones, and the chemistry amongst all of the characters that we have known and loved for eight seasons. But all of that was torn apart when news broke ahead of the April 18^th episode, the ironically-titled “Backstabber”, news that revealed that ABC had opted not to renew their contracts with both Stana Katic and Tamala Jones and made it clear they had plans to move ahead with a ninth season without its leading lady and one of its most beloved members of the ensemble cast. It was news that tore the fandom apart once again, yet also united many, prompting fans and media outlets from around the world to take aim at the network with an onslaught of criticism. Even still, amidst all of the campaigns and backlash being thrown at the network, it seemed inevitable that they would be moving forward with a ninth and potentially final season without Katic and Jones, especially as news broke almost daily over the past week or so that contracts had been renewed for many of the other cast members. But this past Thursday, twenty-four days after the news broke that ABC had made the devastating decision to move on without two of the show’s most beloved female stars, including the pivotal better half to the titular character, the network finally made a wise choice; they opted to cancel the show.

So here we are. Eight seasons of incredible storytelling, eight seasons of characters we have invested in and believed in, eight seasons of experiencing the highs and lows that can only be felt by an audience when a show does things right, even if they may ruffle some feathers along the way by not doing what some may want them to do, and it all comes down to one last episode. Fortunately for the fans, the Castle team opted to shoot two possible endings to what will now be the series finale on Monday night (or Sunday night here in Canada). One was meant to provide a satisfying conclusion to the series, something done just in case ABC had opted not to renew the show for another season, while the other would be a traditional cliffhanger ending to propel the story forward into its ninth season if it had been given a renewal instead. But as much as Monday’s finale may find a way to bring the story full-circle and have Castle and Beckett move forward with their lives in the proverbial “happily ever after” way, something many fans feared would be impossible if the network went ahead with a Beckett-less ninth season, this is still far from the ideal situation and far from the type of ending this show, its fans, and the cast and crew deserved to have.

In an age of television where many networks bank on promoting a season as “the final season” in order to draw in viewers who have left along the way and make the most of a final, often shortened season, of a long-running series before taking a chance on a new show in an established timeslot, it still boggles my mind that this was not the case with Castle. Thirteen episodes would have given the writers plenty of time to tie up loose ends, find a way to give all of the characters a proper conclusion to this chapter in their lives, allow the cast and crew to also have the chance for a proper goodbye after working together for seven years, and give the fans a chance to enjoy the final steps along this incredible journey, all to prepare for a finale that would give the story a true sense of closure without feeling rushed or as if opportunities were missed along the way to wrap up the storylines in a satisfactory way. This is perhaps where I find myself feeling most frustrated and angry by the decisions made in the past month. At the end of the day, none of this had to happen the way it did.

Whether this was the network brass making a hasty decision to shave some money off of the show’s budget without the foresight to see what it would lead to, or whether it was more along the lines of what the reported rumours have pointed to, it truly does not matter. If this was a network “business” decision, it was a poor one and there were much better solutions to cutting down the budget to produce a shortened final season that would have had financial benefits, especially when such a season would have had a focus more on the stories of the characters than anything requiring high production values or elaborate sets. They could have gone back to their roots, spending more time at the precinct or the loft than on location, using existing sets to keep costs lower. In other words, stick to more of the proverbial “bottle episodes” that keep costs down but typically also focus more on the characters and their interactions to keep things simple yet effective. At the same time, if this was something that happened because of behind-the-scenes issues amongst the show’s co-stars, a rumour that has been widely reported as the reason for Katic being asked not to return for a ninth season, this also has me confused as to why those involved could not find a better solution here. Truly, the set of a television show is just like any other workplace and not all co-workers are going to get along. The cast and crew are a collection of different people with different personalities, beliefs, approaches to their jobs, interests, and backgrounds. Not everyone is going to get along with everyone else, especially those who are vastly different in many ways to themselves. But, just like in any workplace, there is an expectation to remain professional and do the job you are hired to do. One would think that after seven years of working together and being touted as one of the most pleasant working environments in the industry, something nearly every guest star has commented on along the way, the cast and crew were doing exactly what they should be doing. So why, seemingly quite suddenly, would that all go awry to the point of one co-star supposedly demanding the other not continue on with the show? Why not continue that professionalism, continue doing whatever you had to do to keep the set a positive one, a professional one, and one that kept everyone employed for as long as you all could be? Why let either a personal or professional dislike of one of your co-workers ultimately ruin everything you and your entire cast and crew had worked for over the past seven years? When the alternative would have been sucking it up for just another four months to be able to shoot a shortened final season and end the series on a high note, why not take the higher ground and ensure the legacy of this show would be a positive one rather than one that could have sparked a new “Castle” curse in Hollywood?

Perhaps that may be why I have a hard time believing the rumours as they currently stand. Why would any working actor in such a competitive business do something that would not only put someone else out of work, but also risk themselves being out of work as well? Of course, there is the possibility that they never believed it would come to this, that they honestly felt that they could continue the show without their co-star and carry it themselves, and perhaps they never believed for a second that there was any danger of it all backfiring. But the trouble with these sorts of rumours is that there is never truly a way of knowing the truth until someone spills the full story later on down the line. Sure, there seems to be evidence that would support the rumours, but is that really evidence of the truth or were the rumour created because of that evidence? What came first, the chicken or the egg? It is somewhat like those old 3D puzzles from back in the day, where you would stare at this odd pattern on a page long enough for your eyes to stop focusing on anything specific, something that would ultimately allow you to see the incredible 3D image hidden in the pattern. But sometimes, no matter how hard you tried, you just could not see it. Of course, as soon as someone told you what it was you should be seeing, that simple power of suggestion would immediately spark your brain to find the image your eyes were missing all along. So is it the power of suggestion that allows some to believe that the evidence supports these rumours or is that really the unimaginable truth behind what has happened to this beloved show? The truth will come out, likely sooner than later now that the series is coming to an end, and if the rumours are true, the fallout will be swift and just for those involved. Either way, though, it all comes down to this whole situation being one that could have easily been avoided, one that ultimately led to the series not being given the proper send-off it deserved.

When news broke around this time last season that Castle creator Andrew Marlowe and executive producer and fan-favourite series writer Terri Miller were exiting the show, this was devastating news to me. Not only were these two the heart and soul of the show from the very beginning, the voices behind the love story of Castle and Beckett, but this story had always followed Marlowe’s vision. Often, the worst thing that can happen to a series is to lose its creator and turn the story over to another showrunner. Inevitably, the story is bound to change in some ways as whoever is now taking the reigns opts to put their own vision on the screen instead. But despite the initial separation storyline this season being one that ruffled some fans’ feathers, I supported the direction the new co-showrunners opted to take the story down. It was a return to some more dramatic storytelling, a chance to push these characters beyond their limits to bring them back together in a more powerful way than ever before, and it was an opportunity to dig in to the very essence of both Kate Beckett and Rick Castle and force them to learn some vital life lessons in the process. At no point have I blamed the demise of Castle on them, nor do I believe for a second that either knew going into this season that it would be the last. My belief from all that I have seen and read this season is that the co-showrunners attempted to spark something new in the series, whether they made all of the right choices or not, in an effort to bring back a lot of the old core themes of the series, bring the fans back down that journey all over again with Castle and Beckett, and hopefully earn themselves a renewal for a ninth and potentially final season if all went well. Had they known what was to come and that this would be the final season, there is no doubt in my mind that they would have gone in an entirely different direction than the one they took, one meant to develop some new stories and springboard the characters into another season in the fall.

Alexi Hawley had been on the Castle writing team for years before moving on to write for The Following, eventually becoming the showrunner there for the show’s final season. And despite the fact that some fans claim he destroyed that show, the truth is that he took over as showrunner exclusively in the third season and the damage had long been done to the series during its shaky second season under creator Kevin Williamson. As someone who watched the series from beginning to end, and reviewed it for TV Guide Canada through much of the second season, its fate was inevitably sealed by a highly disappointing second season. If anything, Hawley retuned the show to its roots in the third season, bringing back that truly compelling cat-and-mouse game between its lead characters and digging even deeper into the psychological aspects of those characters. I was more than impressed by the storytelling in that third and final season and I think it was clear going into it that it would be the last season of the series so Hawley did his job to wrap it up in a satisfying way.

And co-showrunner for season eight, Terence Paul Winter, had been on the Castle writing staff since the show’s second season, someone who had written some of the most beloved episodes of the entire series. He was always a champion of the love story between Castle and Beckett and often wrote the episodes that centered a great deal around their relationship, ultimately giving viewers some of the most memorable moments between these two characters while also being the voice behind some of the most powerful episodes as well. There was no doubt that Winter knew the heart and soul of this series and knew exactly how to write for these characters. To me, there is still no doubt about that. Everything that happened this season was meant to challenge Castle and Beckett, to force them to see what they could lose if they were to lose one another, and ultimately push them past their own fears and doubts in themselves to overcome it all and become an even stronger couple for having gone through these harrowing times. And even in their darkest moments during their heartbreaking separation, the focus was still on how much they loved one another and wanted to be together.

Together, Hawley and Winter took us down a new path this season, one that was emotional and powerful and heartbreaking, while also always hopeful as we knew these two would find their way back to being at their best together. And once Castle and Beckett were reunited, both privately and then publically, the season returned to the same tone it had long had, though with a renewed sense that nothing would come between the beloved couple, ultimately the true purpose for the dramatic and difficult separation storyline that had taken place in the first half of the season. Together, they were set on taking down Loksat when the time was right and threw themselves into their other cases along the way, enjoying being partners again and getting the chance to work with their team again. Given that we do know there were things going on behind the scenes that limited the creative team in some ways, things beyond just the rumours and things that we know as factual information, such as Katic taking a couple of weeks off during the shooting season, including the week that the season premiere was being shot, and both she and Fillion having shorter shooting weeks than they once did. When one is working with having these leads away from the set for alternating days within a shooting week, one has to find a way to work around that, something that would have, whether in full or in part, led to the leads not sharing the same amount of time together on-screen. This is a difficult task for any writer to work with, trying to balance the story being told the right way with the limitations put on them by shooting schedules and days off and other such things. It will always be my stance that Hawley and Winter did the best they could do with the circumstances given to them and they seemed to be building the season towards Monday’s finale, one that would see Castle and Beckett take down Loksat for good, or seemingly so, giving them the opportunity to either ride off into the sunset if this was determined to be the series finale, or set the stage for a shocking cliffhanger ending that would leave their lives in jeopardy as they have been so many times in the past, again taking the viewers down another mirror of their journey before jumping into a fresh new story for the ninth and likely final season.

For me, someone who has enjoyed this season for introducing a powerful and emotional new story arc and bringing forth a new mystery and new challenges for Castle and Beckett, all with the expectation of pushing forward towards a final season in the fall, I feel it is an absolutely shame that this season has now become the unexpected final season instead. The thoughts of what could have been had anyone known a year ago that this would be the case, the thoughts of what these talented writers and showrunners could have done with the story instead had they known they were writing the final chapter in the story, and the thoughts that perhaps Marlowe and Miller could have made a return to pen the series finale had this decision been made long before the season had wrapped, all of this leaves me incredibly disappointed and ultimately heartbroken for all of those involved who will have to live with those same thoughts of what could have been.

So this is where we stand now. The series finale is just two days away and we had no idea this is where it would end until a few days ago. This is not how it was meant to end, not with an abrupt ending, not without giving the cast and crew a proper send-off, and certainly not without allowing the fans who have invested over seven years to this show to have the opportunity to enjoy every step along the final journey of this story. Everyone involved deserved better and the fact that all of this could have been done vastly differently, especially if ABC was intent on bringing the show back for a ninth and final season. But it is an example of that horrific domino effect that comes from one poor decision; the decision to try to move forward without one half of the couple at the center of this story. Had those making that decision had any foresight to see that the story would never work without both leads in tact, or that there would be such a backlash from fans and the media alike for these hasty decisions, perhaps they could have found a better solution and not forced all of this to go the way it has. But nothing will change that now, nothing can take that back, and there is no way to go back in time and ensure the proper decisions were made to allow the show to have the ending it deserved.

Even still, the time has come, albeit far too quickly and hastily, to say goodbye to our beloved story and the characters who we have believed in and invested in for eight seasons, as well as to all of the talented cast and crew members who made this show what it was for all of these years. While this may not have been the ending they all deserved, we should still consider ourselves fortunate to have been able to go along this journey with this story and these characters for so many wonderful years. I have been an avid television viewer for ages and I have rarely found a show that has had such a profound impact on me, something many fans around the world would relate to when it comes to Castle. It is actually true that this show changed my life in so many positive ways and the memories I have of my time as a fan, as a reviewer, as an interviewer, and as a part of a very special fandom will live on forever, as will the story that captured my heart for all of these years. Most shows these days never make it past their first season. Those that do rarely make it to the eighth season. And shows like this rarely find success, shows that are written for intelligent audiences, that rely on the story and the characters to prompt people to invest their time watching rather than using sex or violence or action to pull viewers in, and that stay true to the true craft and art of storytelling instead of selling out along the way.

Castle did what few shows of its kind do; it not only survived, it thrived. Marlowe presented viewers with a crime procedural that took a very different approach to any others of its kind on television, showcasing the personal stories and showing a lighter side to the job, pointing out that there is more to detective work than forensics and behavioural science, as well as pointing out that there is more to a human being than the job they perform daily. From the start, it had a tonal range unlike anything on network television, seamlessly combining comedy, drama, romance, suspense, and horror, often shifting through two or more tones in a single episode as well. Often, there were episodes that also touched on powerful and relevant social issues without ever coming across as preachy, and the show often excelled when it also tackled genre-specific material, always filled with clever pop culture references and inside jokes for fans to find woven amongst the stellar storytelling. Its use of subtext, always a specialty of both Marlowe and especially Miller, and its ability to tell the story through its details, sometimes so subtle they could be missed on a first viewing of an episode, all powered by such a talented cast and crew who could pull off these elements perfectly, that is what made itself stand out amongst the other shows on television. Then, at a time when network execs, critics, and viewers all seemed to still believe strongly in the Moonlighting curse, Marlowe stood his ground and opted to tell the story the way he had always envisioned it, bringing Castle and Beckett together as a romantic couple at the end of the show’s fourth season, breaking and then ultimately shattering the curse by continuing to tell a compelling story even after the “will they/won’t they” question had been answered. All of this will forever stand as the legacy of this show, one that crossed the boundaries of network television and set new ones instead, one that defied the norms and succeeded in spite of that. This was a story and a television show that truly did beat the odds.

As the show comes to its end, one that we can hope will leave us with a sense of closure and a satisfying conclusion to this part of the journey these beloved characters have taken us on with them, let us put these horrific few weeks behind us and enjoy the final chapter together in peace. There is no undoing what has been done, no sense in laying blame without proof yet of where that blame rightfully belongs, and nothing to gain by fighting amongst one another or attacking the cast and crew who we owe the last eight seasons to in the first place. We were blessed to have found a show that has made us believe in the possibility of joy, that has taught us that great love stories do still exist, and that has brought fans from around the world together in solidarity despite different languages and beliefs and viewpoints. We were a part of something special and it is time to join together to celebrate just how profound that really is. Nothing else matters now but sitting down on Monday to see how the story ends, our last chance to enjoy the final chapter of this epic love story for the ages.

Until tomorrow.

Season 8 Episode 19 - "Dead Again"

‘Castle’ : The Setup

By Lisa Caputo

2016-04-25

Castle and Beckett investigate the attempted murders of a man who just will not seem to die while also getting a massive break in their mission to take down Loksat

While much of this eighth season of Castle has pushed the envelope and explored new realms of its core storytelling, the past few episodes have done well to bring the show back to its roots, focusing on the NYPD team working perfectly in sync again, Castle and Beckett moving forward after some monumental challenges in their relationship, and a return to the wide range tonal range the show has long been known for. Monday’s episode continued that trend while exploring one of the most bizarre cases in the history of the series but the Castle team also found a way to bring the Loksat mystery back into focus as the story began its climb towards the final arc of the season, one likely to lead to a dramatic and suspenseful finale. In keeping with the typical formula of the series, there certainly seemed to be push within the hour to set the stage for one last major story arc this season as Castle and Beckett were given the break they needed to take down Loksat and end their quiet battle against perhaps their most dangerous enemies ever.

Helmed by a stellar duo of longtime Castle writer, Rob Hanning, and the legendary director, Bill Roe, Monday’s aptly-titled “Dead Again” found Castle and Beckett investigating the many deaths and rebirths of their latest victim, Alan Masters. While Alan’s ability to escape death puzzled had Lanie in a frenzy and kept the rest of the team puzzled throughout the hour, Castle believed they were in the presence of a real-life superhero. At times it was perhaps a bit too bizarre, even for this team known for getting “the weird ones”, it did well to present some interesting themes throughout the episode, even prompting Castle to take Alan under his wing in an attempt to help the bumbling wallflower use his second (and third) chance to actually begin living his life the way he wanted to.

Guest star Jonathan Silverman provided a wonderful performance as he portrayed Alan, a shy safety inspector who seemed to dream of more in his life but felt bound to his own reality even after escaping death. He and Nathan Fillion shared a number of hilarious scenes as Castle attempted to help Alan pursue a woman he had been pining over, too afraid to make a move as he believed she would reject him. Perhaps it was Castle’s own recent dreams of making the most of his life with Beckett that prompted him to want to help Alan live out his own fantasies, or perhaps it was his idealistic views of fate and love that pushed him in that direction. Either way, his heart seemed to be in the right place and despite actually putting Alan in even more danger by trying to help him seize the day, he ultimately brought Alan together with another potential love interest in Lanie.

Speaking of Lanie, it was a joy to see her finally involved in more than just the standard first few minutes of the murder investigation, this time allowing the character to become involved throughout the hour and in some very surprising ways. I have been critical at points this season of the lack of screen time given to Tamala Jones and this episode proved exactly why I have felt it would add a great deal to the story to have Lanie involved more. The chemistry amongst the team is undeniable and adding Lanie back into the mix heightens that chemistry even more. It was great to see her show support for Castle when he blamed himself for Alan’s second “death” and equally as heartwarming to see Beckett lend her support to Lanie later on as the usually confident M.E. began to doubt her abilities after incorrectly pronouncing Alan dead twice at that point in the episode. And Tamala did a stellar job showing the frustration and defensiveness Lanie was feeling when she was ultimately stumped, and certainly embarrassed, after her victim came back to life time and again. It added a lot to the episode and also gave Alan someone to relate to on a mental level, perhaps the beginning of a surprising yet fitting new relationship for both of them.

Throughout the hour, there were many great references to Castle and Beckett’s history together, from lines like “I’ve been thinking” or their classic moment of theory-building. In fact, that short exchange between them lead to one of the highlights of the episode as Lanie and Alan mirrored the Castles with their own hilarious theory-building moment, prompting Castle and Beckett to question whether or not that is what they sound like when they have their moments. Under her breath and clearly taken aback by what she saw between Lanie and Alan, Beckett quietly whispered to Castle, “Is that what we sound like?” with Castle hilariously replying, “I certainly hope not. I mean, it was cute but just overly cute.” And the two shared some other great moments throughout the episode as Castle attempted to convince Beckett to essentially leave their current life behind them and run away to start a new adventure together. While Beckett was resistant at first, not wanting to walk away from her newfound job as the Captain of the 12^th precinct and knowing they still had to put Loksat away, the idea certainly seemed to appeal to her more after it was revealed that Caleb had caught on to their mission and Loksat may not have been far behind him. As the two entertained the idea of running off to Paris to escape their lives and the danger they may be facing soon, Castle sweetly reminded Beckett of his commitment to her, telling her “As long as I’m with you, I’ll go anywhere.”

Speaking of Loksat, Kristoffer Polaha returned for another intense appearance as Caleb, making it known to Beckett that he had caught on to her investigation after one of Vikram’s searches set off an electronic alarm Caleb had put in place to alert him to anyone who may be snooping around for information. In one of the hour’s most powerful scenes, one that quickly and seamlessly spun the otherwise comedic episode into a much more serious and suspenseful one, Caleb confronted Beckett who ultimately pushed back just as strongly, the two going toe-to-toe with threats of what could happen should they cross one another. Stana Katic and Kristoffer Polaha have shared a number of strong scenes together but this one was perhaps the most interesting as it finally shed the cloaks they had both been wearing to keep the other from finding out their secrets while they fearlessly challenged each other. At times, Caleb seemed to be trying to protect Beckett, hoping to frighten her enough to keep her at bay and keep her from putting her life at risk to take Loksat down, while at other times he seemed desperate to save himself from her attempts to go after his boss, clearly knowing what that would mean for him as well. And at the same time, Beckett quickly flipped from trying to deny her involvement to being the Beckett we have come to know and adore over the years, the stoic hero ready to risk her life for the greater good, even making Caleb an offer to work together in order to do the right thing and take Loksat down for good. The result was a powerful scene between the two, with Polaha and Katic delivering a memorable and ultimately stirring performance between two people who really are not that much different from one another despite being at opposite sides of this battle.

While Beckett was extremely cautious at first with the information Vikram had discovered, clearly having learned her lesson from the past to not rush into a fight without being completely prepared, she was forced to throw that new strategy away and adopt her survival of the fittest attitude once Caleb had made it clear that her secret mission was no longer a secret. Even still, she used her intelligence, her heart, and her ability to read people to help assess the situation and offer Caleb a way out of the mess he had found himself in, a way to redeem himself and return to being the do-gooder he had been before getting involved with Bracken and Loksat, hoping he would agree to share his knowledge with Beckett and Castle to help them take Loksat down, once and for all. But Caleb left her with a powerful warning, one that seemed to resonate with her yet not spark the necessary fear within her to keep her at bay. He painted a chilling picture for her of what this moment between them could ultimately lead to, a moment she may look back on when her life flashes before her eyes in the seven seconds between the death of one’s body and then mind. It was a stirring warning, one that sent shivers up this reviewer’s spine, perhaps one that Beckett should have heeded.

In the end, Caleb surprised Castle and Beckett when they returned home to the loft after solving their case. On a side note, one would think these two would have better security after everything they have been through. But I digress… in the closing minutes of the hour, ones that once again turned the story back to the dramatic side as it focused one more time on Castle and Beckett’s pursuit of Loksat, Caleb provided the couple with a massive break in their investigation. Wanting Loksat to be taken down so he could be free and know he had done the right thing, yet being too terrified himself to take on this monster, Caleb handed Beckett a cell phone that was his only means of communication with his boss. On the third Monday of every month, Loksat would call with an electronic message, providing him with his latest instructions. Trusting Beckett and Castle to do what he could not bring himself to do, Caleb gave them the ammunition needed to go after Loksat, making Beckett promise him that she would see this through.

With that, Castle and Beckett took it all in as they came to the realization that Caleb had given them the key they needed to unlock this mystery and take the fight directly to Loksat without blowing their cover. And as the episode concluded, Beckett made a promise to her husband that they would finish this battle soon, telling him “When the time comes, we’re going to make it count.” Thus, the setup for the final arc of the season has been completed. On the third Monday of the month, the date of the May 16^th finale, that phone will ring and give Castle and Beckett the opportunity to make it count. Of course, it seems the writers have presented the audience with two potential outcomes through their clever hints of foreshadowing, and only time will tell which will come to pass; will Castle and Beckett take Loksat down and opt to walk away from their crime-solving ways to ride off into the sunset and make the most of their life together in peace and happiness, or will they suffer through those final seven seconds with their lives, and their regrets, flashing through their minds?

ONE WEEK LEFT!!!

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'Castle' Commentary : The Wheels Fell Off

‘Castle’ Commentary: The Wheels Fell Off

By Lisa Caputo

2016-04-22

A personal commentary on the news of ABC’s decision to move the series forward without cast members Stana Katic and Tamala Jones

A dark cloud has been hanging over the Castle fans this week, one that rolled in when news broke on Monday morning that ABC had elected not to renew the contracts of cast members Stana Katic and Tamala Jones. It is a cloud that has left fans either heartbrokenly speechless or extremely vocal, one that dampened people’s spirits about the remainder of this season and certainly the future of the series, and one that has forced many fans to question whether they can and will continue to support the show should the network move forward with a ninth season in the fall. I have long been a fan of the show, instantly hooked by the magic, the chemistry, the sense of family, and the stellar writing, and I have reviewed every episode of the series since partway through the fourth season. Time after time, I have been able to watch an episode and instantly find the words to capture the brilliance of the story. This week, it has taken me days to find the words to capture what this shocking news means to me, to my fellow fans, and to the story that we have all known and loved for years.

A POOR BUSINESS DECISION

While I have yet to see an official press release from ABC, multiple sources have suggested that the devastating decision the network made was nothing more than a cost-cutting business decision. In an effort to lower the budget for the series should they continue with a ninth season, the network opted not to renew the contracts of two of the original and much-loved cast members. This happens often with an aging series, that much is true, and while I may have been able to wrap my head around letting Tamala Jones go, only because they rarely had her character involved in the storylines this season anyway, I will never be able to wrap my head around letting one of the top-billed leads go. This is a show that lives and dies by the chemistry between the leads, complimented wonderfully by a talented ensemble cast. But if that chemistry had never been there, the show would have never found its place in the television landscape, no matter how great the writing was or how compelling the ensemble characters were. Because of the on-screen chemistry between Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion, the show resonated immediately with its fans, quickly growing a massive audience by the middle of its second season due to word of mouth and some intriguing storylines and big-name guest stars during that part of the season that drew viewers to the show in droves. Now, the network seems to believe the show can continue its success even after removing one of those leads, thus removing the core chemistry that made it a success in the first place.

While the ensemble cast has always been a central part of the story, a cast that has contributed massively to the success of the series by adding other compelling relationships amongst these characters, it is not a series that would be classified as a true ensemble series. Instead, it is a series with two leads, a will-they/won’t-they pairing that defied the traditional rules of network television and broke down the walls that had long existed since the feared “Moonlighting” curse forced other showrunners to avoid ever pairing the leads together, at least not on a permanent basis. Andrew Marlowe and the Castle team defied those rules, broke down those walls, and not only had their story survive the pairing of the leads but actually thrived as they pioneered a new concept that you could have a lead couple committed together in love and marriage without losing the magic and chemistry they had during their will-they/won’t-they phase. In fact, during Marlowe’s era, there were 81 episodes with Castle and Beckett apart and 70 episodes with them together and never separated as a couple, something that proves that the life of a series does not end when you allow the leads to be paired effectively.

So with a series that is powered by its primary and central relationship between its two leads, why would ABC view separating those leads permanently as being a wise business decision? Did they actually believe that they would not be risking a backlash from a large portion of the audience? While I never agree that the vocal online community in any way represents anything close to the actual majority of the viewers, I think in this case there is no doubt that all viewers of this show will stop and seriously consider whether they can watch Castle without Beckett. Those who watch the show every week but do not participate in the online fandom are not lesser fans of the show and while enough viewers have continued tuning in this season despite outcries amongst some factions of the online fandom who swore they would not watch the show, the show simply is not the same for anyone in the audience if you take away one of the leads. I know many viewers who watch the show religiously every week but have no interest in spending time online talking about the show or participating on twitter or other areas of social media. But that has no impact on whether or not they are just as captivated by this story as those of us who do extend our Castle experience online. That is why I have never supported using the term “casual viewer” to those who watch the show but are not part of the online fandom. They are not casual viewers, they watch every week and are just as enthralled by the characters and the storyline, they just opt not to go online to participate in discussions or be part of that portion of the fandom and there is -nothing wrong with that. And these viewers, just like us, may find it difficult to continue to watch this series without both of the leads on board. While there will always be fans who watch for other characters or actors or for the crime of the week, I do believe wholeheartedly that this show will have difficulties retaining even a significant portion of their audience if they do continue with a ninth season without Beckett. It just becomes too different a story, too different a show, and if anything in the history of television can be deemed as being a true “jump the shark” situation, this will be it.

ABC did not make a wise decision here, not at all, and whatever money they may save on cutting these two salaries, including the salary of one of the leads, they will likely lose it all from the backlash that will come from this decision, including the pivotal decline of merchandising, DVD sales, book sales, online episode subscriptions, and other such forms of revenue, not to mention significantly lower ad revenue should advertisers catch on to the danger here of having a much smaller audience next season after all of this turmoil. And this news has extended far beyond the borders of the online fandom. On Monday afternoon, the news was being reported here on our local Toronto news radio station, it was on the local television news that evening, and was also in the local newspapers the next morning. It was discussed on numerous entertainment shows, on various big-time Toronto radio stations the next day where the hosts who watch the show regularly were stunned and very upset about the news, and it has been all over the entertainment news websites as well. So this was not news that was limited to the online fandom, not by far, and the news spread like wildfire. Here in Canada, this has been one of the top shows for ages, ranking consistently in the top ten every season since I can remember tracking ratings and spent most of this season in the top five as well in the country. So it was huge news here and I would actually be interested to see how CTV handles the airing of the show next season should there be one. CTV has historically done well to stay ahead of the curve with this sort of thing and they may prove they are more aware heading into a ninth season that the show will not retain a similar audience anymore than even ABC.

Speaking of ABC, did they even consider the various other ways they could have cut costs for a ninth season? I am certainly not a network executive but I know enough about television production to know they could have done any number of other things to maintain the same cast next season yet trim the budget accordingly to keep it a profitable series. First and foremost, if you felt the series was ending its run and that it had a limited shelf life remaining, why not bring the entire cast back for a final season with a reduced number of episodes? This has become a standard on network television these days, the networks banking on the hype of a well-publicized “final season” drawing viewers back in, especially live viewers, because even viewers who may have left over the years or watched other programming live would feel compelled to tune back in and make sure they were involved in the next day’s watercooler discussion. There is a novelty to a final season for a long-running series, especially towards the end of the shortened season, because truthfully everyone who has ever enjoyed watching the show, even occasionally, will want to know how the story ends. So a shortened final season, if publicized even remotely, would spark the revitalization of the ratings again, including the live and same-day ratings, and with only half the number of episodes being produced for that season, the network saves half of their usual budget, all while being able to present a cheaper new show as a midseason series in January/February/March, one that would have the potential of retaining much of the Castle audience who would then have no other show to watch in that timeslot on Monday nights and likely be more inclined to try the new show than jump into another show mid-season that has aired since the fall.

There are other viable ways of cutting costs as well; less location shoots, using more of the existing sets rather than spending money to build new sets every week, limiting or eliminating the big-game guest stars and casting more unknowns for the guest roles, even attempting to negotiate new contracts for potentially less money but with added incentives and bonus to be able to complete the series under budget but give it the proper ending it deserved. Money is not everything to everyone so attempts could have been made to actually negotiate with the stars to see if proper compromises could be met. Again, I have no knowledge of what was or was not negotiated but from what we know of last year’s negotiations and what has occurred this year, it certainly seems as though this decision to omit Katic and Jones from a potential ninth season were made before either one made it to the negotiating table.

LACK OF RESPECT

Which brings me to my next issue with this decision; the absolute lack of respect it showed to two extremely talented actresses who deserved a heck of a lot better. Tamala was someone who was a very vocal supporter of the show, even when she, herself, was getting less screen time or less interesting storylines to chew on. She still championed the show, still promoted it every chance she had, and even made numerous appearances at various Castle conventions to give back to the fans. While Stana made less appearances herself at such events, typical of the type of expectations the networks usually have in terms of collecting revenue from letting their leads attend events, she was extremely giving of her time when it came to the fans, she was always very vocal about promoting the show and supporting the cast and crew, and was usually the biggest “shipper” out of her cast members as well. She believed in the story, she believed in her character, and she believed in her fellow cast and crew members, going to work every day for hours on end to deliver the best possible show and excelling at it. Had either chosen to leave the show on their own terms, I would have fully supported that decision because it should have been theirs to make. But that was not the case here as neither was given the choice. To be asked to leave a show you have worked on for seven years now for supposedly budgetary reasons must be a knife in one’s heart, especially for these incredible women who gave so much of themselves to this show, to their characters, and to the fans. Now, neither actress nor either character will have the chance to be given a proper farewell. They will not get the send-off they deserved, both on screen and off, and while that sometimes happens when a show is prematurely cancelled, this case is much different because there is a definite sense the network is opting to move forward with the series and neither Stana nor Tamala were invited to continue onward with it.

It is also highly disrespectful to the rest of the cast and crew, who are now robbed of that opportunity to knowingly part ways with two members of their family who they have shared their lives with for more than seven years now. Often, the departed cast members are asked to stay silent about such things until the network opts to break the news themselves, something meant to keep the details private until the time is right to release the news, just as many employees of any other company who are let go may be asked not to discuss the details of their termination with other members of that same company. I suppose it is bad for business whether in an office or in a television studio. But why did the network not have the foresight to inform the rest of the cast and crew of their decision? Why not present that news to them privately rather than allow them to find out when the rest of the world heard the news break on Monday?

CREATIVITY BE DAMNED

One of the most prominent issues that I have with ABC’s decision is that it stifles the creative aspect of storytelling. We have seen other cast members forced to leave the show, first with Ruben Santiago-Hudson departing due to Captain Montgomery being killed off at the end of season three and most notably Penny Johnson Jerald having her time on the show brought to a hasty halt at the end of season seven. But in both cases, as it should be, these difficult casting decisions were made to benefit the story and further the creativity of the stories being told as the show moved forward without these cast members. Montgomery’s demise was the culmination of a gripping storyline that found him at the root of Johanna Beckett’s murder, having felt so guilty for his part in her death that he took a young Detective Beckett under his wing and spent years protecting her and guiding her. In the end, he made amends for what he did to her by taking a bullet for her to save her life, ultimately being regarded as a selfless hero and impacting the other characters greatly. And Captain Gates’ departure was a necessary factor in allowing Beckett to take over as Captain of the 12^th this season, again not an easy decision as it forced out another wonderful cast member in Penny but done with the intention of furthering the creative storytelling and opening a new door for Beckett’s character to propel her forward.

But this decision adds nothing to the story. In fact, it detracts from it severely and in a way that may prove to be too crushing for a majority of the audience to accept when Beckett is no longer a part of the story when she has been such a central character for the entire run of the series. And it begs the heartbreaking question as to where the story can possibly go from here? In what way can this story continue believably without Beckett? And since the decision was made after the season finale had been shot, how can her leaving the show be dealt with in an effective way? How can Lanie’s departure be dealt with as well? Presumably, neither character will have a proper ending to their part in this story. The writers came up with two endings to the season finale, one that would end with a cliffhanger to propel the story forward should ABC renew the series for a ninth season and one that would end as more of a proper season finale should ABC opt to cancel the series and call it a day. But without knowing that Beckett could never return to the show in its ninth season and there being distinct signs now that the show will most likely continue forward without her and without Lanie, how could either of these already-shot endings give any viable closure for either character?

Truthfully, there were much better creative options if ABC wanted to continue mining the popularity of the series while also cutting costs. They could have opted for a spinoff, something that can be immensely successful when the spinoff takes one or more of the beloved characters from a show and puts them in a different setting or tells the story from a slightly different angle, still pulling in an audience who would be interested in seeing that other side of the story as told through some of the ensemble characters while never being forced to be compared to the original series because it is vastly different in the necessary ways. I would have gladly watched a spinoff with Ryan and Esposito. Perhaps after the birth of their second child, Jenny and Ryan decide to move out of the bustling New York City and into a quiet county upstate or in another state, somewhere their kids can ride their bikes safely on the quiet streets and grow up in a more innocent environment. Of course, Esposito decides to transfer to that county’s police department with Ryan, not wanting their partnership to end and also wanting to be close to the Ryan family as those kids grow up with their Uncle Javier always around. Imagine the fun these two could have working oddball cases in a quiet community where murders rarely happen but all kinds of interesting cases of other natures still need to be solved.

I would have also watched a spinoff that had Castle and Beckett opting to leave the city after escaping whatever Loksat danger awaits them as this season comes to a close. Perhaps the pair decide it is time to leave their life-threatening crime-solving lives behind them, move somewhere where they can enjoy their marriage and spend more quiet time together or perhaps plan to have children of their own and not have the threat of their lives being lost on the job anymore. In their absence, Alexis and Hayley take over the PI firm while intersecting regularly to work with Ryan and Esposito in their investigations as well. They could have retained all of the regular cast members, with the exception of Stana and Nathan, and continued to tell the story of these characters while leaving the door open for some guest appearances by the former leads, all of which would likely have a solid chance of retaining a large portion of the Castle audience while being a different series altogether.

But continuing with Castle in any form other than the form we have all known and loved is preposterous. I understand that there are many people this show employs who need the work and the security of their jobs and I do feel for those people, I truly do, just as I feel for the rest of the cast who would face being out of work if the network called it quits for this show and any potential spinoff series altogether. But it really is the nature of the industry and anyone who works on a television show knows their job could be done at the end of any season. Even if Castle continues and these cast and crew members remain employed, can anyone expect that it will last for more than just one season, potentially a shortened season at that? So they will still face unemployment next year, if not sooner should this new incarnation of the series fail miserably next season and end prematurely or come out of the gate with a limited season to begin with.

As a viewer, I may not have a financial loss at stake here like the cast and crew does, but I do invest my time and my energy to watching this show, reviewing the episodes every week, discussing and supporting and often defending the show on an almost daily basis, and ultimately taking time from other things I could be doing, including watching other shows and gaining enjoyment in those as well. So there is an investment the fans make as well and while I respect that by no longer supporting the show or possibly not even watching it ever again, I may impact the lives and livelihood of the cast and crew. But that is a choice every fan has the right to make and it is ultimately the nature of this business. Sometimes a show will resonate with viewers and they will choose to invest their time into it. Sometimes it does not. This show resonated with me, inspired me, and effectively changed my life in many ways for eight seasons and as much as I would have supported a spinoff of the series involving other characters, I honestly can not imagine finding enough enjoyment and inspiration in a new incarnation of the series that is so vastly different from the story I have been captivated by. Thus, I find it impossible to fathom that I would ever be able to support the show after this season. It has nothing to do with not wanting to support the cast and crew but it has everything to do with the fact that as a viewer, I have the right to choose what I invest my time and energy in and unfortunately, I simply have no interest in investing my time in a Castle that pretends to be the same show but is so far removed from that show by tearing apart the very foundation of what the story is truly all about.

RUINING THE STORY WITH ANYTHING BUT LOGIC

That leads me to the most pressing issue that I have with this decision. Beyond the disgusting way this has been handled, beyond the incredible disrespect it showed to not only Stana and Tamala but to all of the cast and crew as well as the fans, and beyond the heartbreaking impact it will have on how the story will be told from here on out, not even allowing for a proper ending for these immensely important characters, the thing I will never be able to come to terms with is the fact that this decision absolutely destroys everything this story has been about all along.

Marlowe’s vision for the series was clear from the very beginning. It was a classic love story for the ages, a story where fate brought together two very different people and who, despite their best efforts to deny their feelings and push each other away, found something within each other that made them better versions of themselves and kept them together over the years. No matter what they went through, no matter their often emotional ups and downs, no matter their heartbreaking struggles and their joyous happiness, these two were always meant to be. It was that final exchange between Castle and Beckett of the pilot that had many fans hooked right from the start; “it would have been great” / “you have no idea”. This was the start, this was the mantra of the series, this was the start of the great love story. And Beckett was right, we had no idea how great it really would be.

Along the way, Marlowe and his team put Castle and Beckett through a great deal of obstacles, personal setbacks, and immense challenges to help them find their way together because it was always about these two letting fate have her way and bring them to the point where they would push everything else away and commit to their love, a love that we watched grow for four seasons until these characters finally found their way to one another. And Marlowe made it clear through those first few episodes of the fourth season that these two would find their way. From their conversation in “Rise” to Beckett’s memorable line in “Head Case” where she confirmed through beautiful subtext that she believed in the idea that she and Castle could find happiness and love together, a line that has long been my own personal tagline for their story; “That’s what the great love stories are about, right? Beating the odds.”

So after all these two have been through, after all of their hardships and their struggles, and after all of the challenges and odds they have had to overcome, how could their story possibly end if not with them riding off into the sunset together to have their own “happily ever after” fairytale ending? Should the series continue for a ninth season without Kate Beckett, which it seems more than ever will now be the case, how can that possibly happen without absolutely destroying the very heart and soul of the show, without destroying Marlowe’s vision, and without destroying the love story that we have believed so strongly in for the past eight seasons?

There were only two options for the season finale; end it with a cliffhanger that leaves the lives of this couple hanging in the balance in case the show was going to continue without one of the two signing on for another season, or end it with a proper series finale that would have likely seen Castle and Beckett move forward with the next chapter of their lives knowing their story would continue together in love and joy, just without us getting to watch them anymore. So the happy series finale ending is out of the picture should the series move forward, which would make the final scenes with Stana Katic ones in which her character was in grave danger. No goodbye to her friends or family and certainly no goodbye to her husband. No happy ending. No more beating the odds to live the life filled with joy and love that she fought so hard for over the years. All of it will be wiped away with whatever explanation is given to start the new season in the fall, one that will not include Katic, thus one that will not include Kate Beckett. So does she die? Does she survive and run away again? Does she live but we never see her again for some even more ridiculous reason? In what possible scenario can we have Beckett no longer on the show yet we have Castle return to the fun and games of solving murders alongside Ryan and Esposito without the love of his life, doing what they always did together yet no longer having her there as his partner? Either we will have to witness the most unbelievable story of Castle surviving and wanting to carry on the work Beckett did at the NYPD, perhaps wanting to keep her legacy alive, something that warrants a great deal more sorrow and emotional pain for his character than would be typical of the usual tone of the show or we have to witness Castle apparently getting over his wife’s death entirely in one significant time jump to have the tone of the show return in a completely unrealistic way as we go back to the fun and games of solving crimes despite someone so pivotal to all of these characters having met her untimely end.

And ultimately, any scenario that continues to tell the Castle story without a happy ending for this couple is one that I feel goes against everything this story has always been about. Gone will be the friendships we loved between Beckett and Lanie, Beckett and Esposito, Beckett and Ryan, Beckett and Martha, and the relationship we always wanted to see between Beckett and Alexis that never truly came to fruition. And most importantly, gone will be that series-long concept that has been the real core of the story, that Castle and Beckett were meant to be together, that they would find love and happiness with each other that both deserved to find yet never believed they would find until they met one another. It negates all of that as well as the future these two were destined to have that we were once told about by Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller through “Time Will Tell”. Sure, the time traveller could have been an absolute quack after all and they were never meant to have three kids with Beckett becoming a senator later in her career. But the belief has always been that this man was correct in his predictions and that this would be the future we would all take comfort in knowing they would have long after their story was finished being told. Anytime a show ends, the fans need a sense of closure to that story, a sense that the characters will be okay and will live on in whatever way we have imagined they would. Marlowe and Miller gave us that future and that closure long ago with that episode but that is a future that now seems impossible to live up to given this current situation. If Beckett dies or leaves or meets any other untimely end to her relationship with Castle, all of that is out the window. Gone is the promise of “always”, gone is the happy ending they deserved to have, and gone is the idea that their love would beat the odds because we already know now the story must continue with Beckett, thus she and Castle could not have beaten the odds after all.

As a writer, I cringe at the thought of even presenting this idea but there is truly only one way I believe the heart and soul of this story can be saved should the series continue without Beckett for a ninth and likely final season; coma. Yes, I said it. As clichéd as it is, as much as it sounds more like a soap opera storyline than a Castle storyline, and as much as I loathe myself for even suggesting it, I think this is the only plausible way that the series can continue without Beckett but eventually lead to the happy ending she and Castle deserve, all while also maintaining the same tone of the show for the most part next season and allowing the other stories to be wrapped up before ending the series with the ending it should have had all along, not the one we are likely to be utterly disappointed by in a year or potentially less.

As crazy as it is, what I envision is that Castle and Beckett’s lives are left hanging in the balance at the end of this season, with it being revealed next fall that both did survive but Beckett’s injuries had forced the surgeons to put her into an induced coma. Perhaps Castle opts to put his money to good use and send his wife to the best doctors in the world, wherever that happens to be, and while he spends his time with her in this other part of the world as much as he can, he eventually gets convinced to go home to New York and make trips back and forth (off-screen, of course) to check on her while being updated regularly on her condition by the doctors. And perhaps Lanie has opted to stay with her, quitting her job at the 12^th to keep a watchful eye over her best friend while pushing Castle to return home to take care of the rest of his family since there’s nothing he can do for Beckett anyway. Or perhaps their life-threatening situation at the end of the season finale will be revealed to have been an intentional attack on them, prompting Castle to return home to work with the team there to find their attacker and bring them to justice. It would set a likely much more serious tone for the season in this case but would also bring out some fantastic emotional drama and give a potentially shortened final season a powerful push through however many episodes there would be.

Or the tone could vary as it always has, perhaps more serious to start the season with Castle looking for justice but easing up a bit as it takes some time and patience to get that job done with him solving other cases with the team along the way. While there would be moments of emotion and drama along the way, which I’m all for as long as it leads to something positive for the characters later on down the road, there would also be an opportunity to return to that light and comedic tone to the show as well at some points. So in a way, despite being a Beckett-less season, something that will ultimately turn many fans away regardless of what the Castle team does to move forward in season nine, there would still be that same well-known spirit to the show to appeal to other viewers who may stay with it and see it through to the end. And with Beckett still alive and getting the medical attention she would need, there would always be that hope for a happy ending for she and Castle. Of course, that would bring us to a true series finale, one that would have Beckett recovered enough to be brought out of her coma, once again overcoming the odds to have the happy future she deserves to have and that Castle deserves to have as well.  So the two end the series reunited, whether they can convince Stana to return for a final episode at that point or if they have to simply imply the ending via Castle sharing the news with his family and friends before rushing off to return to her and bring her home, and the love story of the show gets its happy ending while staying true to the vision its creator had all along, despite maybe going off the rails slightly out of necessity at this point.

PREDICTING THE SEASON FINALE

I have had a great many people ask me how I believe this season will end, so here are my thoughts. This is no way how I want it to end, rather how I think it will actually end based on what we know already and what we can assume at this point as well.

We know that there were two endings that were filmed and with the likelihood that there will be a ninth season, we can effectively rule out the happy series finale version. I could be wrong and I really wish I was but I suspect Nathan Fillion will or potentially has already opted to sign for a ninth season. The only true chance for season eight to be the end and thus see the series finale version (other than on the DVD set) is for the show to be cancelled, which seems highly unlikely after all of this, or for Nathan to choose to end it here by not renewing his contract on his own. But I honestly have no belief at this point that this will be the case so I am predicting we see the season finale version instead as they prepare to map out a distinctly and likely heartbreakingly different ninth season for the fall.

I believe Castle and Beckett will solve this Loksat mystery in the season finale, perhaps putting away those involved, or so it seems. After what will likely be a dangerous mission that leaves them both needing a long vacation, Beckett decides to take some time off and the two ride off to start their cross-country motorcycle trip, as foreshadowed pretty blatantly in the previous episode. My assumption would be that if this is the case, the series finale version would have had them literally riding off into the sunset together, ready to embark on the next phase of their life, and maybe even having Beckett throw out the idea to her husband that they will need to invest in a side car for one of the bikes as she believes it is time for them now to make an effort to add to their family. She is a Captain now and perhaps her ordeal with Loksat will have convinced her to stay at her desk more and leave the field work to her detectives so she can concentrate on being around to raise a family with Castle and focus on what is most important in her life. So they ride off into the sunset, ready to move forward with their lives and with the audience knowing they will now have their happy ending.

And, of course, if they were renewed and went with the season finale version instead, there would be an additional scene tacked on where, just as you think these two are going to live happily ever after now, the two get into a serious accident, either from another vehicle coming out of nowhere or perhaps something in the road that spins them out or throws them from the bikes, whatever the case may be, leaving both of their lives hanging in the balance. Was this intentional or a random wayward event? Was it someone they failed to put away from Loksat or someone working for them to get their revenge? Or was it a freak accident? Will they survive? This could have been the intended cliffhanger, though it will be much less effective now that we will know how it will continue in the fall. Even still, I believe this is the one we will see, whether in this specific incarnation or something else entirely, all leading to the same conclusion. The only change may be how the Castle team chooses to deal with the resolution of that cliffhanger in the fall. Either way, it will be without Kate Beckett, thus there are limited options as to how to continue the story without absolutely losing the story’s heart and soul.

SAYING “NIGHT” OR “UNTIL TOMORROW”?

Castle and Beckett have shared a great love story for the past eight seasons, a love story for the ages that was both timeless and also so relevant to today’s audience. Marlowe’s vision was a beautiful one, a story about two vastly different people who are immediately pulled together by fate but find their way to stay together because they both recognize, despite their protests, that their lives were better because of one another. Over time, they discovered the love we always knew existed between them and they fought hard to not only be together but also to stay together. Theirs was a love story we could all believe in. It was a great love story, one that like all great love stories, was about beating the odds. Instead, we may unfortunately have a tragic end to that love story, one that will destroy the very essence of what this tale has been about all along. We have no idea yet how this will end and if anyone can write themselves out of a corner, it would be the Castle writers. Even still, there is that dark cloud still hanging overhead, one that continues to ask the question, will we be saying “night” or “until tomorrow” when this season comes to its end?