ABC’s ‘Castle’ season 7 spoilers: See Stana Katic, Nathan Fillion in ‘Bad Santa’ photos

Come a week from Monday, we are going to be at the end of the road for “Castle” in 2014, but hopefully it will be with an episode that still proves itself to be rather entertaining.

This particular installment is entitled “Bad Santa,” but we don’t expect a Billy Bob Thornton cameo much like we had during a recent episode of “The Big Bang Theory.” Instead, this episode seems to revolve around someone dressed as Santa doing some less-than-desirable things, and also Castle finding himself involved in a case that involves both the mob and also a part of his past.

This part of his past seems to be tied somewhat to the larger mythology of the season, and also his kidnapping many weeks ago that stirred up so much in the way of controversy. The photos that were released by ABC don’t hint that much at that, but you do have this delightfully creepy image of Santa.

On a cheerier note, we hope that this episode does somewhere allow for some fun moments and happy times, since this is the first Christmas together for Nathan Fillion’s Rick and Stana Katic’s Kate since their wedding. Given Beckett’s own history with sadder Christmases in the past, we really are hoping that this one can be especially good for them.

After this episode, new installments should begin again around January 12. The week before, ABC is airing a three-hour premiere event for “The Bachelor” that will keep things from starting then.

What do you think about these photos, and do they raise your expectations for this winter finale? Let us know right now with a comment, and head over here to grab a preview now for Monday night’s new “Last Action Hero.” Also, sign up to get some further TV news / clues sent right to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)