SEASON FINALE
CASTLE STRUGGLES TO KEEP BECKETT SAFE AS SHE HUNTS DOWN THE MAN WHO SHOT HER, ON THE SEASON FINALE OF ABC'S "CASTLE"
"Always" -- When the murder of an Army veteran puts Beckett on the trail of the man who shot her, Castle must decide how much he's willing to sacrifice to keep her safe. As secrets are revealed and feelings are put on the table, the lives of the detectives at the 12th Precinct may never be the same, on the Season Finale of "Castle," MONDAY, MAY 7 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
"Castle" stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Penny Johnson Jerald as NYPD Captain Victoria Gates, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.
Guest Cast: Tahmoh Penikett as Cole Maddox, Judith Scott as Evelyn Montgomery.
"Always" was written by Terri Edda Miller & Andrew Marlowe and directed by Rob Bowman.
On pins and needles to see it, but will be left hanging for sure!
ReplyDeleteThey sure make is sound nail biting... Can't wait to see what comes of this.
ReplyDeleteNeloanjelo.
Wow this sounds awesome it says that he struggles to keep Beckett safe so I'm guessing something might happen to her during the episode. Now that the press release is out hopefully the episode stills will be out soon as well
ReplyDeleteHe's willing to sacrifice EVERYTHING to keep her safe!
ReplyDeleteEven Alexis? What if Castle's family is threatened the same way Montgomery's family was? All because he was trying to save Beckett from herself...I mean do you think that could even be an issue or do you think Martha and Alexis will be a side story that has nothing to do with the case?
DeleteI think Castle will tell her that he's willing to sacrifice his being with her if that's what it takes to keep her safe and that he could not bear to watch her die again.
DeleteBeckett will see this as the ultimate testimony of how much he loves her and she could very well then prove the same by a willingness to give up her quest to be with him.
Talk about emotional!
@Chris -- I agree with that.
Delete@Anon11:30 AM
I think it's unlikely Alexis & Martha will be in physical danger; Beckett is the primary target & this episode is already plot-heavy.
The main people in mortal danger I think will be Beckett, Castle, & Ryan-Esposito for their investigative role.
I think Martha won't have much to do in this episode, aside from maybe giving Castle words of encouragement or warning him to be careful/stay safe.
Alexis will be having a graduation speech scene of some kind. I think the Alexis-subplot will involve Castle worrying about empty nest syndrome since Alexis will be going off to college soon. (It's possible that fear of loneliness will push Castle even closer to starting a serious relationship with Beckett).
My other guess is Alexis will choose to go to Stanford sometime over the next 2 episodes, despite being rejected for early Admission. This would mirror the fact that Beckett also went to Stanford and it would encourage Castle to get over his feelings of rejection.
Anon 11:30, I don't know how likely it is, but it's totally plausible that Alexis/Martha could be in danger if it is discovered that Castle/Beckett are doing any investigating. He's basically taken the place of Montgomery in terms of trading silence and keeping Beckett in line in exchange for her safety; Montgomery's family was part of the deal, so why wouldn't Castle's be? It'd be pretty dark, but you could be on to something.
DeleteWhat if Castle will have to choose between going after Beckett to protect her while she's chasing the sniper and going to his daughter's graduation?
DeleteI can imagine Alexis speaking and adressing kind words to her father trying to identify him in the crowd but he isn't there...
It's been a whole week with no substantial castle spoilers...I'm dying here! Even this press release doesn't say much, the only thing we didn't know was about the Army veteran, and that doesn't do anything to calm my impatient shipper heart! I have very mixed feelings about finale spoilers. On one hand, I want all the spoilers as soon as they can give them because I'm always hungry for more, wanting to know what will happen, whether what I really want will happen, on the other hand, I want to remain spoiler-free this time, this one time, because I want to be fully surprised!
ReplyDeleteI think at the end they will be all suspended, because third secret, secret about Montgomery past is biggest thing. Its not coincidence that Gates is from IA.
ReplyDeleteI think you may have hit the nail on the head... the 12th precinct FAMILY agreed to keep quiet about Montgomery and the circumstances of his death.... the wife is back, truths come out, nothing will be the same!
DeleteThat's true Anon 11.42 AM. Captain Gates also told Kate back in Rise that it would be a cold day in hell if she let a cop, any cop, investigate their own shooting, so it will be interesting to see how Iron Gates handles the fact that Kate will be after the guy who shot her.
DeleteAnother thing to remember about Captain Gates is she has been concerned before about revelations that could harm or destroy the NYPD if they ever got out. Remember back in Hero's and Villains she didn't want the fact that Officer Hastings had been masquerading as one of the Lone Vengeance's leaking out, as it would've been a bad look for the NYPD. It will be interesting to see whether she chooses to suspend the detectives (and kick out Rick) for withholding information that incriminated Roy Montgomery, or if she decides to brush things under the carpet to avoid the inevitable bad publicity that would follow if it ever got out.
I'm guessing that "Undead Again" will be an episode focussed on a voyage of rediscovery of sorts for Rick and Kate. Supposedly Rick's wild theories will start flying, especially after a witness apparently claims the victim was killed by a Zombie! I think that both Rick and Kate will realize how good they are together all over again as a team, but not to the extent that feelings are revealed as that is a major part of the finale.
Michael Auseillo's "blind item" appears to be strongly hinting that it will be Caskett that gets their freak on in the finale. That will be awesome but there is so much other stuff going down in this finale that I like most people can't wait to see it! I get the feeling that those who have been repeatedly saying that Season 4 has been a waste of time for them (since Pandora aired funnily enough and not before) will be coming on sites like this to compliment Andrew Marlowe and will pretend that they never actually hated Season 4 lol. I hope I'm right!
I like the point you make at the end. I think people just hate this arc because they're impatient. I think a few years from now when people are re-watching the seasons they're gonna love these episodes because they're exciting!
DeleteAnon 12:20, I have thought much about what Gates said in Rise, and once they figure out Kate & the gang are after her shooter, I have no doubt but that Gates will take her off the case (unless they withhold info. from Gates like in Dial M for Mayor). The thing is, I'm not so sure how/when they'll figure out the significance of who they're after. NYPD has the sniper rifle, so however the army vet is killed, ballistics won't be a match. I'm thinking either Smith contacts Castle and lets him know he should reign Beckett in, or the team does figure it out a little further down the line a la Lanie matching DNA (which had no matches but was flagged after her shooting) or there's a suspicious coincidence, like the army vet victim was somehow linked to the dead SEAL whose rifle was used...
DeleteOr (crazy theory) Smith is the army vet, and when he turns up dead, Castle will have some scrambling to do...
The ex-military guest star will show up at some point--I think he will be able to fill in some of the blanks.
DeleteI am still not convinced that the guest-star is the sniper.
I was awakened by an interesting scene in my head today. Wouldn't it be dramatic towards the end of the season finale if the military sniper, who they have been looking through out the episode, shows up in the shadows of Castle's office as Castle comes home, says hello to his mother and daughter at the end of the case... all is well. Castle enters his office, does not notice the sniper, Castle goes to his bedroom to sleep and the episode ends with the sniper looking at Castle's smartboard with Beckett's mother's case on it, realizes that Castle is just as dangerous to the bad guys as Beckett looking into the case and as the scene fades to black you realize that now Castle and his family are in as much danger as Beckett.... fade to black. Bring on Season 5. Whew! thanks for letting me get that scene brain. hee hee
DeleteWhoa! That is one scary scene!
Delete"... on the table..." LOL Did AM write this press release himself? It uses his favourite, overused phrase.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least the episode sounds interesting... though I wish we hadn't had to wait a whole season to get some resolution. It almost feels like they're running two series now: one with the regular (often fun) cases and the other with the serious "who killed Johanna Beckett" case. They've diverged so much that they don't seem to mesh together so well anymore. Keeping those two aspects of the show separate for most of the season did more harm than good, I'm afraid. I hope they can find their way back to Castle awesomeness in Season 5.
What's going on 'on the table' now? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?
DeleteHO.....LY.....CRAP! Why is it not May 7?
ReplyDeleteEpisode stills HERE! (hyperventilating)
ReplyDeletehttp://itsnotaboutthebooksanymore.tumblr.com/
omg! looks so good! i want more!
ReplyDeleteHere you have some stills of 4x23:
ReplyDeletehttp://itsnotaboutthebooksanymore.tumblr.com/
I was one of those "get them together now" people, but actually figured out that there might be something better...what I really want to happen is that they finally declare their love for each other, but then something happens which keeps them apart. For instance, the guy who is going after Beckett now turns against Castle when he finds out that he would hurt Beckett the most by hurting Castle.
ReplyDeleteThe situation would be completely different, because they secretly know that they want to be together, but they can't show it to anyone else. All the meaningful glances from Beckett would finally make sense to Castle. It would create funny scenes, as well as heartmelt-moments when they finally can't stand being apart anymore and give into their feelings.
Yes, I think I'd be a fan of a secret Castle-Beckett relationship :)
The guy who went after Beckett doesn't want to hurt her, per se; he wants to keep her quiet/from investigating. Castle has essentially the same agenda, for different reasons. From bad guy perspective, if Castle got killed, nothing would stop Beckett investigating. I could see him threatening Beckett with bodily injury to Castle/his family, but Beckett would have to know about it/have the opportunity of preventing it for it to be effective.
DeleteWell, apart is a bit too much for my taste, but one of the things I would like to watch (and I'm sure AWM would just LOVE to write) would be those two together and not telling anyone about it.
DeleteI mean, they were bad enough hiding their feelings from other people when they weren't acknowledging them, I can only imagine how hilarious they would be if they had "all the card on the table".
Ausiello has upddated his May Sweeps Scorecard, it says "Number of onscreen firings/resignations/major job changes: 2" I'm still betting on Beckett resigning or being fired at the end of the season
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it could be that. Maybe she ressigns and Castle get the job change by leaving the shadowing. ??????????;)
DeleteI agree - it seems likely that Gates will find a reason to fire/suspend Beckett, or pressure her to resign.
DeleteI don't think Castle will experience a "job change" since his real job is writing...also he is supposed to be a famous author, which makes it unlikely that he would lose his book deal.
I still think the cliffhanger might be Castle getting arrested. It would be especially emotional if Beckett loses her badge and can't do anything to help him....
I like especially this one photo from stills where everything is covered in mist but our Duo very sharpen, kinda symbolic.
ReplyDeleteCastle sacrificing something... here's a possibility...
ReplyDeleteCastle finds the Dragon or the Sniper and finds out he's going to kill Beckett... so he says "kill me instead," but doesn't know that Kate is there. She overhears and realizes how much he stilll loves her. She takes out the sniper and then confesses her feelings and yay theyre together! :)
the sniper is supposed to be back next season
Deleteoh right, maybe she just scares him off haha
DeleteI thought only the guest star with the military connection was confirmed for season 5, not the sniper....
DeleteI think that Beckett will capture/kill the sniper, but he will end up being the tip of the iceburg of some other threat. (Which I assume will involve the military guest star.)
Actually, it's a two episode arc. For all we know, he could show up in Undead Again and be killed in Always.
Deletehow much Castle is ready to sacrifice..
DeleteI think Caslte won't be at the graduation speech ceremony because he will be protecting Kate while she's hunting her sniper.
I can picture Alexis speaking and thanking his father during her speech but Castle is not there. This would be a good balance. I do not think Alexis will be hurt, I do think Castle won't be there and we all know that the graduation is a very important step in his daughter's life. Simply Castle must choose between Kate and Alexis and he will try to save the life of the woman he loves.
I saw a priest, a church and something that Montgomery's wife's home. Beckett running towards the house in fire (already just smoke). I'm cofused, I don't know what to think right now. Just one thing: I saw Castle andd Beckett walking together holding a cup of coffe each and...smiling.
ReplyDeleteAnon. from Spain
"As secrets are revealed and feelings are put on the table, the lives of the detectives at the 12th Precinct may never be the same".... YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited for this episode!
ReplyDeleteAlso. that picture with Castle and Beckett smiling at each other once again... gave me shivers!
Does anyone one else think there is a link from Gates being in IA and then being placed there .... like the NYPD suspected a cover up. Also.... maye soemthing bad at Alexis's speech.......???
ReplyDeleteDidn't Molly Quinn tweeted weeks ago she was getting ready for her stunt? :O
DeleteYup. About 3 days before they started shooting the finale.
DeleteI just worry that if something bad happens to Alexis then Castle will stop working at the precinct forever. Heck, I would think less of him if he didn't since he's clearly putting his daughter in harm's way.
DeleteLet them do anything but kill off another main character....and for heaven's sake please not the Boys.... :/
ReplyDeleteIf a main character dies, my bets are on Gates or Martha!
Delete(I don't think anyone will die though...so don't worry about that.)
insahyne: I was wondering the same thing, especially when the title cryptically reads: 'the lives of the detectives at the 12th may never be the same again'. Fact is, they need to up the ante from what was an absolutely spectacular finale last May and one sure way to accomplish this is to pop Ryan or Espo. It would be a complete shocker but if they're looking for the bandstand, this would be it...
ReplyDeleteI don't think they would kill off Ryan or Espo; they provide essential comic relief on the show.
DeleteLosing Cpt. Montgomery made the precinct a bit grim, but killing off Ryan/Espo/Lanie would go too far since they are all really close...especially if they are planning season 5 to be more lighthearted.
Also, if they axe Esplanie, who would show up 'esplaining the facts of the case?
Lol... or the facts of life to Castle and Beckett?
DeleteI just looked at the Castle set photos for the latest episode and compared them to the spoiler photos; and to me, it seems like after they all have a chat with Evelyn, they leave the house and as they get into the car, Evelyn's house explodes in flames. Beckett runs back but it's too late... Go see for yourself. ;) on YouTube or on google.... OMGOSH!!!!! I just can't wait (I have a friking test that week)!
ReplyDeleteI thought that, too, but there's an extra cop car there, like they get called to a scene and as they get there, boom...
DeleteSo did anyone else notice that Castle, Beckett, Ryan, Esposito and Lanie are all dressed in dark blue/indigo?
Delete...Lol even Evelyn is wearing a blue sweater!
It probably doesn't mean anything, but I still found this to be a little amusing. :D
Esposito's wearing a red shirt. Isn't that symbolic?
DeleteHaha, I guess--I think it just means Esposito marches to the beat of his own drummer.
Delete... or it could be signifying something ominous & terrible such as his imminent demise or injury!!!
..but I find that to be unlikely :P
They don't have to kill one! They could just disband the team (temporarily)...
DeleteAny more news about the secret couple identity set to do the dead in May sweeps?
ReplyDeleteWell, I've read from some other fans that someone asked the reporter or host or... Ya know what I mean and he didn't directly say yes but he said its a couple who are humans which rules out the Vampire Diaries people, which leaves us with...drum roll... Castle and Beckett!!!! Its what I think anyways... And same goes with other people
DeleteI'm 99.9% sure it's Castle & Beckett... he held a Q&A the other day via Twitter and 'favorited' someone who asked if it was Castle & Beckett. And he RARELY 'favorites' things.
DeleteI can totally see those stills fit into Heat Rises scenes.
ReplyDeleteIf they kill of Espo or Ryan, I will be seriously angry.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do hope that they don't leave us hanging with Caskett as well. What with Tamala talking about huge cliffhangers...well. it's got me worried.
About the explosion, I really think they're hinting at the 12th exploding. So yeah even if I do cringe away from the thought of it, they might make us think (hopefully they won't actually go ahead with it) that one of the boys or both are MIA.
I was convinced that the explosion would be purposely done to mislead the sniper and fake Kate and/or Castle's death, but after looking at the pics from the episode I have a feeling Monty's wife's house blows up. We'll see!
ReplyDeleteRight? It would be easier for Kate to pursue this investigation if the dragon team thought she were dead. She could hide out at the Castle loft for the summer :). Or she could have to stay away from everyone for awhile, like, say, a 3 month hiatus...
DeleteGuys. What if Castle goes into Evelyn's house without the team, to talk to her. Beckett and the boys find some lead that indicates that something bad is happening at the house. They race to get there. They start running up the driveway and then BOOOOM! The team goes flying to the ground, with a final look of the remains of the house up in flames. Beckett lets out a blood-curtailing cry of Castle's name before the screen goes black. [Goes to Commercial]
ReplyDeleteI'm just thinking up ideas of what would seem cool.
ctv promo 4X22
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2rmgvct3o8M
I saw it!! Tell me that very first zombie they show isn't Castle!!! Is it???
DeleteWhat's Castle gonna do next season? I thought that he had a 4 book deal of Nikki Heat books. And what we have seen so far is one book per season. If my math adds up correctly, then wouldn't he be finishing his last book during the summer break. Do you think Gates is gonna have warmed up to Castle enough to let him stay on even though he doesn't have to?
ReplyDeleteHe'll probably get another book deal.
DeleteFrom the pics it seems all three boys are out with Kate looking stunned, so Castle does not seem to be in danger b/c of the fire.
ReplyDeleteCastle-fan.org has the 'undead again' ctv spoiler.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like that Castle's secret come out in Always too
ReplyDeleteso another thing to handle in the finale.I really don't know how they will put all this stuff in an 42min.episode.
I guess if these two are Ausiello's blind item then we have to wait untill season 5 to watch them to be together maybe that's the cliffhanger they start to kiss walk into
the bedroom and then the light's go out.At season 5 i am sure Mr.Marlowe find some new obstacle to keep them apart.
I think at the end of undead Beckett and castle get together and in the morning she turns his tv on and finds castles secret.. I hope they get together and either have a secret relationship or he helpswith cases from home or something because I don't think gates will let him work there when they are together.. Also at Alexis graduation I think castle and Beckett will both be there buy something happens and Beckett takes off and Alexis knowinghow much her dad loves her lets him go after her even though it breaks her heart a little..
ReplyDeleteWell, I've seen it and loved it! in particular, the daughter's speech given @ graduation!
ReplyDelete