Castle season 8#ep173
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Castle season 8}}
{{Infobox television season
| season_number = 8
| bgcolour = #575757
| image = Castle Season 8.jpg
| caption = DVD cover
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Nathan Fillion
- Stana Katic
- Jon Huertas
- Seamus Dever
- Tamala Jones
- Molly C. Quinn
- Susan Sullivan
- Toks Olagundoye
}}
| num_episodes = 22
| network = ABC
| first_aired = {{Start date|2015|9|21}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2016|5|16}}
| episode_list = List of Castle episodes
}}
The eighth and final season of American crime-comedy-drama television series Castle was ordered on May 7, 2015, by ABC.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/american-crime-castle-agents-of-shield-agent-carter-galavant-secrets-lies-fresh-off-the-boat-renewed-abc-1201422717/ |title='American Crime', 'Castle' 'S.H.I.E.L.D.', 'Agent Carter', 'Secrets & Lies', 'Galavant', 'Fresh Off the Boat' Among ABC Renewals |author=Andreeva, Nellie |website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 8, 2015 }} The season premiered on September 21, 2015, in the United States on ABC, and the finale aired on May 16, 2016. The season consisted of 22 episodes.
On April 18, 2016, ABC and ABC Productions announced that Stana Katic and Tamala Jones would not return for Castle{{'}}s ninth season, should it be renewed.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/stana-katic-exits-det-kate-beckett-abc-castle-article-1.2605706|title=Stana Katic is out as Detective Kate Beckett on ABC's 'Castle'|work=New York Daily News|date=April 18, 2016 }} Despite several other cast members having signed on for a ninth season, on May 12, 2016, it was announced that the show would be cancelled instead; the final episode aired on May 16, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/05/12/castle-cancelled-season-9-beckett-stana-katic/|title=Castle Cancelled After 8 Seasons|work=TVLine|first=Michael|date=May 12, 2016|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|last=Ausiello|accessdate=May 12, 2016}}
Overview
Richard Castle (Fillion) is a famous mystery novelist who has killed off the main character Derrick Storm in his popular book series and has writer's block. He is brought in by the NYPD for questioning regarding a copy-cat murder based on one of his novels. He is intrigued by this new window into crime and murder, and uses his connection with the mayor to charm his way into shadowing Detective Kate Beckett (Katic). Castle decides to use Beckett as his muse for Nikki Heat, the main character of his next book series. Beckett, an avid reader of Castle's books, initially disapproves of having Castle shadow her work, but later warms up and recognizes Castle as a useful resource in her team's investigations.
Cast
=Main cast=
- Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle
- Stana Katic as Captain Kate Castle
- Jon Huertas as Det. Javier Esposito
- Seamus Dever as Det. Kevin Ryan
- Tamala Jones as Dr. Lanie Parish
- Molly C. Quinn as Alexis Castle
- Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers
- Toks Olagundoye as Hayley Shipton
=Recurring cast=
- Sunkrish Bala as Vikram Singh
- Juliana Dever as Jenny Ryan
Episodes
{{Main|List of Castle episodes}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 152
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = XY
|DirectedBy = Rob Bowman
|WrittenBy = Terence Paul Winter & Alexi Hawley
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|9|21}}
|ProdCode = 801Reg. #PA0001968523 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = On Beckett's first day as Captain of the 12th Precinct, a mysterious phone call sees her disappear without warning or explanation. As Castle, Ryan and Esposito try to find Beckett, helped by Alexis and a British P.I., Hayley Shipton (Toks Olagundoye), they discover that her team from the Attorney General's special investigations division have been killed—including Beckett's former partner in Washington, Rachel McCord—leaving her on the run from a group of contract killers. Castle becomes increasingly desperate to find Beckett, turning to the incarcerated William Bracken for help; Bracken warns that Beckett's obsession will ultimately consume her.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 153
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = XX
|DirectedBy = Paul Holahan
|WrittenBy = Alexi Hawley & Terence Paul Winter
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|9|28}}
|ProdCode = 802Reg. #PA0001967697 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Beckett and the mystery caller, a hacker named Vikram Singh (Sunkrish Bala), fend off the killers before a CIA agent named Rita (Ann Cusack), the wife of Jackson Hunt and Castle's stepmother, intervenes. Beckett and Singh start piecing the puzzle together: Singh encountered a project called LokSat and forwarded it on to McCord and her team, setting events in motion. When McCord was killed, he contacted Beckett. Rita supplements this with her own investigation into LokSat, revealing that Bracken had a partner who used CIA assets to smuggle drugs into the country during the events of "In the Belly of the Beast", and using the proceeds to bankroll Bracken's presidential campaign. Bracken is killed in prison by his partner Loksat and his team. Reuniting with Castle and her team, Beckett realizes that the conspiracy has not been brought to heel and that the Attorney General is a part of it. However, Bracken's partner remains at large, and his prediction that Beckett will be consumed by her obsession comes true when she leaves Castle.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 154
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = PhDead
|DirectedBy = Rob Bowman
|WrittenBy = Justin Frankel & Chad Gomez Creasey
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|10|5}}
|ProdCode = 804Reg. #PA0001968526 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Castle insinuates himself into Beckett's investigation of the murder of a Hudson University student and discover that the frat boy was involved in a recreation of the Stanford Prison Experiment. Alexis goes undercover as a student. Beckett and Singh continue their secret investigation by having Singh metaphorically "dig up the dead" for more leads.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 155
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = What Lies Beneath...
|DirectedBy = Larry Shaw
|WrittenBy = Barry O'Brien
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|10|12}}
|ProdCode = 803Reg. #PA0001968387 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Dave Johnson is shot and killed in a church while praying for guidance. Johnson is revealed to have the pen name P.J. Moffet, world-famous novelist and one of Castle's idols. Meanwhile, despite there being only one slot left for the sergeant's exam, Beckett manages to get both Ryan and Espo one.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 156
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = The Nose
|DirectedBy = Steve Robin
|WrittenBy = Nancy Kiu & Jim Magneterlowe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|10|19}}
|ProdCode = 805Reg. #PA0001968510 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Mia Laszlo (Stephnie Weir) calls 9-1-1 after witnessing the murder of a courier and believing that she shared an elevator ride with the killer. What makes the case interesting is that Mia suffers from hyperosmia, a heightened sense of smell. Hayley Shipton also returns, having been hired by an insurance company to recover the item the victim was carrying. Meanwhile, Ryan is confused upon learning that only Espo passed the sergeant's exam.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 157
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Cool Boys
|DirectedBy = Paul Holahan
|WrittenBy = Alexi Hawley
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|11|9}}
|ProdCode = 808Reg. #PA0001972349 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Det. Ethan Slaughter (Adam Baldwin) seeks out Castle to assist with a case where his murdered informant was involved in the theft of a high-tech chip worth a million dollars. In the process, they discover that 50 million dollars were also stolen during the theft but by a different party, who is also the murderer.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 158
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = The Last Seduction
|DirectedBy = John Terlesky
|WrittenBy = Rob Hanning & Steve Paternicks
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|11|16}}
|ProdCode = 806Reg. #PA0001969990 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = The precinct investigates the murder of a man who has apparently been seducing married women for money. Meanwhile, despite their 'time out', Castle plans a surprise for Beckett as their first wedding anniversary approaches, and Ryan and Esposito's dispute over the sergeant's exam comes to a head.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 159
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Mr. & Mrs. Castle
|DirectedBy = Jeff Bleckner
|WrittenBy = Christine Roum
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|11|23}}
|ProdCode = 807Reg. #PA0001972116 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Castle and Beckett work together to solve a murder on a cruise ship, while it is moving out to sea. The cruise ship was smuggling uncut heroin, which the victim wanted to expose and tell the police. Beckett and Vikram find out that the heroin matches heroin produced by Vulcan Simmons' pipeline. Meanwhile, Castle asks Hayley to find out who Beckett is texting, and comes to the realization that she is looking for the murderers of her team from the Attorney General's office. After a failed attempt at catching someone who is part of the drug cartel, Beckett realizes that she cannot do it alone, and admits it to Castle.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 160
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Tone Death
|DirectedBy = Hanelle Culpepper
|WrittenBy = Robert Bella
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|2|8}}
|ProdCode = 809Reg. #PA0001978049 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = The body of an ex-con turned a-capella singer is found during Martha's singing rehearsal and the team enters the world of competitive a-capella. Meanwhile, Castle and Beckett act infuriated towards each other in front of Ryan and Esposito, in an effort to maintain the facade of separation. However, this plan backfires and Castle and Beckett are forced to tell the boys that they are having respective affairs with a sexy Russian model named Svetlana, and a Dr. Livingstone.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 161
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Witness for the Prosecution
|DirectedBy = Bill Roe
|WrittenBy = Terence Paul Winter & Adam Ramadan
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|2|14}}
|ProdCode = 810Reg. #PA0001977315 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Five months ago, while Castle was at a party, a woman was murdered, and Castle witnessed a waitress appearing to stab the victim. In the present, Castle is an eyewitness to the waitress's trial, but her defense attorney (who is connected to LokSat), not only humiliates Castle, but also causes Castle to doubt himself. Castle tries to delay the trial in order to find the truth.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 162
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = Dead Red
|DirectedBy = Jeannot Szwarc
|WrittenBy = Jim Adler
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|2|15}}
|ProdCode = 811Reg. #PA0001977314 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = When the son of a Russian diplomat is murdered, Vasily, a cheery embassy official and a fan of Castle's, is sent to observe the team's investigation. Beckett asks Castle to chaperone him, but it soon becomes clear that there is more to Vasily than meets the eye.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 163
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = The Blame Game
|DirectedBy = Jessica Yu
|WrittenBy = Michal Zebede & Justin Frankel
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|2|22}}
|ProdCode = 812Reg. #PA0001978265 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Following the murder of an investigative journalist, Castle and Beckett are abducted and placed in separate rooms with strangers and forced to play their captor's mind games. Esposito, Ryan, Alexis and Hayley race against time to rescue them.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 164
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = And Justice for All
|DirectedBy = Kate Woods
|WrittenBy = Adam Frost & Cherry Chevapravatdumrong
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|2|29}}
|ProdCode = 813Reg. #PA0001979355 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = A night-time zoo caretaker and ESL (English Second Language) student is found dead in a pit of poisonous snakes. Castle, suffering from writer's block, convinces Beckett to let him help with the case. Castle goes undercover as an ESL student to get information from the other students, but it may not be easy understanding them, let alone getting them to talk. Meanwhile, Beckett's team finds that their victim may not be as innocent as he seems. Castle also remembers a little bit of where he was when he went missing.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 165
|EpisodeNumber2 = 14
|Title = The G.D.S.
|DirectedBy = John Terlesky
|WrittenBy = Alexi Hawley & Steve Paternicks
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|3|7}}
|ProdCode = 814Reg. #PA0001981070 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Castle, Alexis and Hayley go to Los Angeles in search of answers for his missing two months. At the same time, he is extended an invitation from a prestigious detectives' club in exchange for solving the murder of one of their members, who was tracking an elusive bi-coastal serial killer called "The Phantom". Competing for membership is another investigator, Kendall Frost (Summer Glau). As their investigation progresses, Castle learns a dark secret from Hayley that she knew Castle through his father during his missing two months. Castle eventually discovers that he himself had his memories erased and uncovers a video in which Castle reveals that he had known about LokSat and had nearly gotten himself killed trying to catch him. Knowing that Beckett would never give up if she knew the truth, Castle had all of his knowledge erased from his mind in order to protect her. As a result, Castle realizes that he inadvertently caused the death of Beckett's former AG team by trying to protect her.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 166
|EpisodeNumber2 = 15
|Title = Fidelis Ad Mortem
|DirectedBy = Rob Bowman
|WrittenBy = Chad Gomez Creasey & David H. Goodman
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|3|21}}
|ProdCode = 815Reg. #PA0001984101 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = An NYPD academy recruit is shot and killed with a gun belonging to a fellow recruit. Beckett puts the remaining members through mock training drills, including interrogations, to try and ferret out the killer. Espo and Ryan also learn of a steroid ring at the academy. Meanwhile, Castle tells Beckett of what he learned in L.A.: that he knew about LokSat a year ago and he had his memories erased to protect her. Beckett and Castle decide to hunt LokSat together and resume their romantic relationship.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 167
|EpisodeNumber2 = 16
|Title = Heartbreaker
|DirectedBy = Tom Wright
|WrittenBy = Barry O'Brien
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|4|4}}
|ProdCode = 816Reg. #PA0001984183 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = An armored car driver is killed and money is stolen during a dropoff. Clues at the scene are similar to an auction house heist that Espo worked nine years ago. Sonya Ruiz (Angélica Celaya) was one of three involved in that heist and is still in prison. She was also Espo's fiancée at the time. She is given a furlough and helps Espo track down another member of her former team, as Ryan learns she might still be linked to the current case. In the end, Espo convinces her to surrender and the DA agrees to a deal if she will testify against her partner. However, Sonia will still have to go to prison for at least two more years. Meanwhile, Kate has moved back in to Castle's place, and they mutually agree to hunt LokSat together. However, she cannot get used to his home operating system, Lucy.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 168
|EpisodeNumber2 = 17
|Title = Death Wish
|DirectedBy = Bill Roe
|WrittenBy = Stephanie Hicks & Jim Magneterlowe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|4|11}}
|ProdCode = 817Reg. #PA0001986507 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = The murder of a member of a Turkish smuggling ring leads the team on a search for an item believed to be Aladdin's lamp. Meanwhile, Martha needs Castle's help in getting a certain celebrity to endorse her book – Oprah Winfrey. Also, Ryan's wife Jenny gives birth to a baby boy, whom they name Nicholas Javier.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 169
|EpisodeNumber2 = 18
|Title = Backstabber
|DirectedBy = Jessica Yu
|WrittenBy = Robert Bella
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|4|18}}
|ProdCode = 818Reg. #PA0001986511 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Hayley's MI6 friend asks her to break into a building and load spyware into a computer for proof of an affair. Hayley and a partner break in, and the plan goes off without a hitch, but Hayley's partner is found dead in the same building the next day. Hayley must find out the real reason for the spyware, while making sure the precinct doesn't know she was involved. She comes clean just before it is unveiled that the spyware was a worm that collapsed London's power grid and she is the apparent patsy.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 170
|EpisodeNumber2 = 19
|Title = Dead Again
|DirectedBy = Bill Roe
|WrittenBy = Rob Hanning
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|4|25}}
|ProdCode = 819Reg. #PA0001986509 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Alan Masters, a city inspector, has two attempts made on his life, but comes out fine both times, which makes Castle think that Alan is a superhero, and has Lanie doubt her medical expertise. Meanwhile, Vikram finds out that Caleb Brown, the defense attorney, met with LokSat in Los Angeles around the same time Castle was there during his missing two months. Beckett tries to convince Caleb to work with her to take down LokSat. Caleb gives Beckett a phone, which could be used to find LokSat's identity.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 171
|EpisodeNumber2 = 20
|Title = Much Ado About Murder
|DirectedBy = Hanelle Culpepper
|WrittenBy = Christine Roum
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|5|2}}
|ProdCode = 820Reg. #PA0001989878 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = Zane Cannon, a film star turned theatre actor, is stabbed to death while rehearsing alone his role as "Hamlet" in a production directed by Erin Cherloff (Jewel Staite). While the team investigates Zane's dealings in Spanish Harlem, Castle gets abducted by a cartel but only to be asked to write a screenplay about the gang leader, Oso. He tells Castle that Zane wanted to buy the film rights. Oso's brother Hector gives a clue about the killer. After solving the case, Castle and Beckett's dinner is interrupted by a package delivered containing Oso's biography. She then gets a call that Oso, in jail for the abduction and subsequent shootout, has escaped.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 172
|EpisodeNumber2 = 21
|Title = Hell to Pay
|DirectedBy = John Terlesky
|WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s=Jim Adler|t=Adam Frost & Nancy Kiu}}
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|5|9}}
|ProdCode = 821Reg. #PA0001989873 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = During a power outage, Alexis and Hayley get an unexpected axe-wielding visitor who promptly dies from a previous wound. While the team investigates the murder, the victim's obsession with Biblical prophecy on the end of days---and a jarring discovery inside his own private investigations office---causes Castle to become increasingly obsessed with the idea he is marked for death and the end of days may be coming. Meanwhile, Beckett and Caleb meet again with Caleb making a striking admission to her.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Castle season 8
|EpisodeNumber = 173
|EpisodeNumber2 = 22
|Title = Crossfire
|DirectedBy = Rob Bowman
|WrittenBy = Alexi Hawley & Terence Paul Winter
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|5|16}}
|ProdCode = 822Reg. #PA0001989871 in the [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First U.S. Copyright Records database]
|ShortSummary = As the rest of the team investigates a body found burned in the trunk of a car, Castle, Beckett and Vikram are given instructions from Loksat via the phone for Caleb to deliver a flash drive to Loksat's accountant. Espo later calls Beckett to say the body in the trunk was identified as Caleb. The dropoff is a trap, resulting in a shootout. Castle and Beckett are saved by Mason Wood (Gerald McRaney) of the L.A. detectives' club. Castle goes home to check on his family, while Beckett learns who torched Caleb. Impatient, Castle goes to find Beckett but is captured by Loksat's henchman and is given a truth serum which jeopardizes everyone he has told about Loksat. Beckett is picked up by Mason, who is soon exposed as Loksat. The precinct saves Castle from death, and he must save Beckett from Loksat. Back home safely, Castle is shot by Caleb who had faked his death and turning on Loksat before Caleb is killed by Beckett who in turn is also shot. Wounded, she crawls to an injured Castle. Seven years later, the two enjoy breakfast while their three children play.
For fans of the show, this was an "Easter egg": In a Time Will Tell (Season 6,Castle season 6 Episode 5) - one of several Castle "Halloween specials" - someone named Simon Doyle, claiming to be a time traveler, foretold that they would be married with three children, and that Beckett would be a Senator.
|LineColor = 575757
}}
}}
Production
=Development=
Castle was renewed for an eighth season on May 7, 2015. Following the seventh season, David Amann stepped down as showrunner, and writer Terence Paul Winter and Alexi Haley were hired as the new showrunners for the eighth season.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/castle-new-showrunner-season-8-1201423354/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510062050/http://deadline.com/2015/05/castle-new-showrunner-season-8-1201423354/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2015|title='Castle' Names New Showrunner|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=andreeva|first=Nellie|date=May 8, 2015|accessdate=September 14, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/alexi-hawley-castle-co-showrunner-1201423706/|title=Alexi Hawley Joins 'Castle' As Co-Showrunner|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=May 9, 2015|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} TVLine announced on July 7, 2015, that Toks Olagundoye had been added as a series regular for the eighth season, playing former Scotland Yard police officer Hayley Vargas.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2015/07/07/castle-season-8-toks-olagundoye-series-regular-hayley/|title=Castle Season 8 Adds The Neighbors' Toks Olagundoye as Series Regular|work=TVLine|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|date=July 7, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} Filming for the eighth season started on July 17, 2015, and ended in April 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RC3wvXszrI|title=Nathan Fillion - Castle - 1st day of shooting SEASON 8 !!! Thanks JON|work=YouTube|date=July 15, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} A promotional poster was released on August 10, 2015, by ABC.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2015/08/10/castle-season-8-poster/|title=Castle Season 8 Poster: Do Rick and Kate No Longer See Eye to Eye?|work=TVLine|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|date=August 10, 2015|accessdate=September 14, 2016}}
=Final season speculation=
The eighth season was speculated as being the final season of Castle. After the seventh season, both Nathan Fillion's and Stana Katic's contracts expired, and new contract negotiations began before the seventh season ended. It was reported on April 16, 2015, that Fillion renewed his contract for an eighth season,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/04/nathan-fillion-return-castle-season-8-new-showrunner-1201410947/|title=Nathan Fillion Set To Return To 'Castle', Series Looking For New Showrunner|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=April 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} while Katic renewed hers on May 12, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/stana-katic-castle-return-season-8-1201425016/|title='Castle' Star Stana Katic To Return For Season 8|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} However, in January 2016, speculation began that the series might move on without Fillion and Katic as their contracts were due to expire again after the eighth season.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/mega-buzz-castle-season-9-without-castle-beckett/|title=Mega Buzz: Will Castle Really Continue Without Castle and Beckett?|work=TVGuide|last=Bryant|first=Adam|date=January 24, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} After March 3, 2016, when ABC renewed most of their shows, Castle was one of the few shows excluded, adding to the rumors. It was also rumored that if the show were to be renewed for a ninth season, it was only going to be renewed for 13 episodes by ABC and would most likely not premiere until mid-season in 2017 and would only have 6 cast members, with the departure of Katic and Jones, despite the show usually having 8 cast members.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/03/03/abc-renewed-series-2016-greys-anatomy-shield/|title=Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, S.H.I.E.L.D. and 8 Other Shows Renewed at ABC|work=TVLine|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|date=March 3, 2016|accessdate=March 3, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/03/17/renewed-cancelled-tv-shows-2016-castle-nashville-sleepy-hollow/|title=Keep or Cut? Vote on the Fate of Castle, Sleepy Hollow, Other 'Bubble' Shows|work=TVLine|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|date=March 17, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} TVLine reported on April 5, 2016, that the producers were filming multiple endings for the season in case the show was cancelled.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/04/05/the-walking-dead-season-7-cast-who-is-returning/|title=Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Walking Dead, Castle, HTGAWM, Originals, Outlander, Devious Maids, Empire and More|work=TVLine|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=April 5, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} Co-showrunner Alexi Hawley commented on the report saying "There's stuff up in the air, so we are trying to leave it in a very dynamic way which leaves open the possibility that maybe the show won't come back in the same form next season — although, again, we really hope that it does."{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/04/16/castle-season-8-finale-renewed-cancelled-season-9/|title=Castle Bosses Eye Multiple Endings Amid Uncertain Future: 'We Crafted a Final Scene We Hope Never Airs'|work=TVLine|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|date=April 16, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}}
Two days later, Deadline announced that Stana Katic would not return for a potential ninth season, as well as Tamala Jones, who had been on the show since the first season. The reason given was due to budgetary decisions made by ABC.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/castle-stana-katic-exit-season-9-tamala-jones-out-1201739022/|title='Castle' Shocker: Star Stana Katic Out For Season 9; Tamala Jones Gone Too|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=April 18, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} On May 5, 2016, TVLine reported that Fillion had signed up for a potential ninth season.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/05/05/nathan-fillion-castle-season-9-renewal-returning-cast/|title=Castle's Nathan Fillion Set for Potential Season 9 After Inking New Deal|work=TVLine|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=May 5, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} A few days later, it was announced that Seamus Dever had signed up for a ninth season, while co-stars Jon Huertas, Molly Quinn, Susan Sullivan and Toks Olagundoye were in finalizing deals with their contracts.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/05/08/castle-season-9-cast-seamus-dever-jon-huertas-returning/|title=Castle: Seamus Dever, Jon Huertas and 3 Others Poised to Return for Season 9|work=TVLine|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=May 8, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} Huertas was announced to have renewed his contract on May 11, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/05/11/castle-jon-huertas-season-9-cast-returning-esposito/|title=Castle Vet Jon Huertas Set for Season 9|work=TVLine|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=May 11, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}} Despite lead actor Fillion and other cast members signing on for a potential ninth season, Castle was cancelled on May 12, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/05/12/castle-cancelled-season-9-beckett-stana-katic/|title=Castle Cancelled After 8 Seasons|work=TVLine|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=May 12, 2016|accessdate=September 14, 2016}}
DVD release
{{Television home release
| color = 575757
| title = Castle: The Complete Eighth Season
| set_details =
- 22 episodes
- 946 minutes
- 5-disc set
- English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround)
- English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles
| special_features =
- Bloopers & Mistakes
- Deleted Scenes
- Audio Commentaries
- The Great Escape
| region2 = November 14, 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Castle-Complete-Eighth-Season-DVD/dp/B01KO7G8CC/ref=sr_1_1|title=Castle - Season 8 [DVD]|work=Amazon|accessdate=September 21, 2016}}
| region4 = November 2, 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/movies-tv-shows/movies-tv-shows-on-sale/tv-drama/castle-season-8/989046/|title=Castle Season 8|work=JBHiFi|accessdate=September 21, 2016}}
}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Castle (TV series)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Castle}}
Category:2015 American television seasons