ABC’s ‘Castle’ season 8 finale spoilers: First details on Stana Katic – Nathan Fillion story in ‘Crossfire’
Monday, May 16 is probably going to be forever known as a day of reckoning for fans of “Castle.” It’s the date of the season 8 finale, and an episode that could end up being very well the final episode of the series, depending on what happens with ABC’s decision. If nothing else, we know that it is the last episode featuring Stana Katic as a series lead.
The network released a synopsis for the episode (entitled “Crossfire”) recently, and it does make it clear that lives will be on the line as the LokSat investigation comes to an end:
“With their best lead in hand, Castle and Beckett are ready to take on LokSat. But an unforeseen twist puts their case – and their lives – in jeopardy.”
One of the oddest things about this episode at present is that the producers don’t even have the ending officially locked in for this episode just yet. There were two separate ones filmed depending on what the network decides, so obviously the hope here is that some executive decides what to do with the show by the time this episode airs; otherwise, we run into a situation where we really could have an ending that is frustration mounting on top of all of the frustration fans already feel at this point.
Ultimately, we do feel like one way or another, ABC will at least know what they are doing with “Castle” by the time this episode airs … even if that is not completely known to the fans yet.
TvFan
May 6, 2016 @ 12:33 am
Yeah if Beckett’s gone I’m done watching it. They might as well make it the series finale.
Majma
May 5, 2016 @ 12:48 am
In hindsight, it seems the executive producers were in collusion with Mr. Fillion to end Season 8 with the firing of Stana Katic and the possible death of Kate Beckett. It appears this was the objective from the time the show was renewed last May. Hence that crazy interview Mr. Fillion gave at ComicCon to TV Line. What a shame such a good actor couldn’t get over his issues with his leading lady! I believed that the horrible storyline in the fall episodes was going to lead to a Happy Ending for Mr. & Mrs. Castle with a Baby Castle. Many other, did as well. We were duped. Personally, I feel the fans of the show were used and abused since the finale of Season 6, but far, far more this year. Good luck to Mr. Fillion if he thinks this trick won’t come back to haunt him in his career.
If Channing Dungey and the rest of the ABC execs have any guts, they should override this decision based on the overwhelming reaction not only of the fans, but the trade newspapers, magazines, and social media sites that also condemned this ridiculous decision. If Stana Katic and Tamala Jones are not brought back for a Season 9, I hope the show does gets cancelled.
Supposedly, a decision is to be made by Friday of this week. My guess is that it will not be announced until ABC ‘s Upfront press conference, which will be the day after the Castle season finale. I want to believe in a Hollywood miracle and have a Season 9 with the full cast. Unfortunately, that probably will not happen. However, I am still going to dream we get that Happy Ending!
NickR
May 5, 2016 @ 11:43 pm
If Beckett is out, the series is done for me.
Leo
May 3, 2016 @ 10:18 pm
ABC is rolling the dice to see if a PI working with his friends in the NYPD and his daughter can attract an acceptable audience while working with a smaller budget. The entire enterprise is an attempt to keep the once flagship series afloat I wonder what the boundaries will be, a 1,o demo with 5.95 mil viewers be sufficient , cause that’s about all I can see it attaining.
Charles Neale
May 4, 2016 @ 2:06 pm
Leo yes I think you have it right. I really don’t see it working.
Leo
May 4, 2016 @ 3:52 pm
It depends on what boundaries ABC is willing to set for ultra competitive Mondays. Could be ABC is hoping stay relivent on that day and time slot.
Charles Neale
May 4, 2016 @ 4:09 pm
True, we shall see what happens.
Leo
May 4, 2016 @ 4:32 pm
Remember the large number of fans that were screaming for RC to devorce KB when she walked out on him, those are most likely the people who’ll watch Castle 2.0
Buddy
May 3, 2016 @ 6:44 pm
I read somewhere that the ABC execs would make a decision on May 4th or 5th as to whether or not there will be a season 9. Of course we, the fans, will not know until the end of 8×22 what “might” happen. We will know if Beckett dies but probably not whether there will be a season 9.
Patricia Jacobs
May 3, 2016 @ 6:16 pm
What was Beckett’s line in one of the earlier seasons about ‘running around with the funniest kid on the playground and it not being enough’? Well, that’s what the remaining viewers are faced with in a potential Season 9. Beckett was the heart of the show. Beckett’s storyline was the substance…the thread that held the show together. I’m not sure how one person’s ego could be permitted to guide the creative decisions down a path of destruction for the show. ABC is not only losing one of its top shows but the legacy of that show just as West Wing was a legacy for NBC. Castle is nothing without Stana Katic and her portrayal of Beckett. I stopped watching with the announcement of Stana Katic’s release. I don’t want to see how they’re going to kill the character off. This is not the show we all invested in to see this type of ending. It may work for Grey’s Anatomy but NOT Castle. I refuse to waste my time just watching the funniest kid run around the crime playground!
Jim45
May 3, 2016 @ 5:03 pm
Rick Castle is unlikable.
Fillion has mentioned this many times. Rick hasn’t changed since the day we met him. He has always been an egotistical buffoon, but charming.
The major redeeming factor for Rick has been the love shown to him by the women around him – his mother, his daughter and the wounded stranger who is the handmaiden of justice. In every episode we could see their love for him and most importantly the love he earned from the handmaiden. If they loved him there was hope for his redemption. He would be more than he was. We cheered for him in his struggles. Not any more.
The women and their roles in Rick’s life have changed. His mother and his daughter are cardboard cutouts of the characters that they used to be. Martha is a self-absorbed airhead who flutters in and out of his life. Alexis is condescending and self-righteous without having earned it. Beckett has gone from bold to neurotic.
Each of the critical women in Rick’s life spends much less time with him than they used to. Martha and Alexis have become very self-absorbed, not showing any emotions let alone their love for Rick. Only Beckett is given any time to show her affection for him.
The new Rick Castle is not likable now because we do not see him being loved. In their effort to emphasize Rick TPTB have reduced the amount of time we see the women around him being loving toward him and he them. This lack of emotion has drastically reduced his likability. (Ironic? ) All the audience has left is a character who is a selfish know-it-all without hope of redemption.
luvmymusik
May 3, 2016 @ 6:12 pm
Maybe to you Rick is unlikable but not to me. I’m not sure why every series featuring a male & female as co-stars has to always end in marriage. The same happen with Bones and their stories have actually gone down hill. I enjoy the characters working together not necessarily sleeping together. Why does marriage always have to be the end game in a lot of shows. The daughter and mother have gotten older so don’t see them necessarily acting the same as they did when the series started and I wouldn’t expect them to fall all over Rick which most of the time is not something that happens in real life. Castle is still my favorite show and not looking forward to see it ending someday.
Destiny42
May 4, 2016 @ 1:22 am
Rick has let himself go. Kate is the only one worth watching. If he is indeed a bully, hopefully his career is dead.
Charles Neale
May 3, 2016 @ 5:01 pm
Figures ABC has no clue what they are doing. How to end a beloved show of the fans,I foresee a bad ending for the fans.What a pity.
Leo
May 4, 2016 @ 3:00 am
ABC knew exactly how 8.22 would end the minuet they terminated SK. That was done weeks ago.