Yes the ratings started to go down in season 7. Episode 1 of season 7 were way down to 2.2 in the 18-49 group and 10.493 total and the season ended up at 1.57 18-49 group and 8.47 total viewers.Episode 1 of this season was way off from those numbers and the season numbers are real low ( all these numbers from both seasons do not include DVR playbacks, just raw numbers). At least the show runners in season 7 were smart enough to realize that 6/23 was a major problem and had it corrected by 7/6. And here in 8/18 we are still playing with Loksat. I think one of the problem that caused the low ratings on 8/1 was the story line we heard all last summer of a devastating wedge and split of Rick and Kate caused the character (Toks) was playing. Over 3 million fans had enough of that kind of story line after 6/23, and left. Yes it is water under the bridge and we should just get over the bad story line this year has. Castle said it the best in season 5 episode 1 when he told Ryan that once you ring that bell you can not unring it. The Dr has it right ABC in just marketing a product to get more people watching. But maybe it would have been better for them to have gone back to the real heart and soul of Castle, the real reason it was so great for so many seasons We have only 5 episodes left before what we have known as Castle might be gone forever. I hope Fillion and Katic and the other 5 sign on for another season, and lets us all know up front it is the finale season like the Menalist did and Bones is doing . And let it go out on a positive note in stead of just closing the doors and running off in the middle of the night leaving the fans hanging.

The slide in ratings began in season 7, as a result of 6.23. Season 8 began with record low numbers and has never recovered. The Loksat storyline didn’t help and neither what appears to be one of the leads working three days a wreek.But that’s water under the bridge, filming is finished for season 8, post production work is all that remains and choosing which of the two endings the fans will seen.

Why wasn’t ABC concerned about it fan base after episode 2 of this season. Maybe if we had a better story line we could have been working our way back to the hay days. The show has always been about Castle and Beckett and they moved away from that this season. I sure hope this works out for us with only 2 episodes left and All hell lets loose.

yah,.. I agree with Dr.Cane
this episode air May 2, very crucial sweeps time for bubble show,ABC try to get “new viewers” to help hold/boost ratings,
I just check IMDB firefly TOP rate TV #17 and they have fanbase I think.and maybe jewel more influence for firefly fanbase.

There’s probably more truth in what you say than not. I’m sure ABC is trying to have Castle hold that 1.1 demo and the 625 mil viewers . Long gone are the hay days of 2.4 demos and 12.62 mil viewers.