This evening, ABC aired the series finale of Castle. After eight seasons and 173 episodes, the Monday night drama came to an end. While fans of the show will surely miss Rick (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett (Stana Katic), it turns out that the cancellation might have been a good thing for the show’s legacy. SPOILERS AHEAD.
In the final moments of the last episode, Rick and Beckett were shot by Caleb (Kris Polaha). While Beckett was able to take out their assailant, the beloved couple was gravely injured. It looked like this could be the end but the finale’s final moments flashed forward seven years into the future and showed the couple with their three children. A happy ending.
The final scene was an alternate ending. Had ABC renewed Castle for a ninth season, the episode would have ended quite differently — and likely not happily.
Due to budget cuts, Katic (and Tamala Jones) wouldn’t have been a part of season nine. Based on the rest of tonight’s series finale, it seems likely that Rick Castle would have continued on in season nine — as a widower.
Considering that the relationship of Rick and Beckett has always been at the core of the series, it’s hard to imagine that many fans would have embraced that development and it could have ended up being a sad finish to a beloved series. For once, perhaps a show’s cancellation was a good thing.
But, what do you think? Would you have liked to see a ninth season — without Beckett? Was the cancellation a good thing? Would you like to see the characters return some day?
Very sad ending……I did a search asking if that was the last episode. My opinion that the show would never be the same without Rick and Kate. I loved the show and disappointed it’s done.
I’m furious that once again American tv cancelled a show that has been running for years on a whim. As fans, I felt betrayed and treated like trash. On the other hand, I’m glad that they didn’t continue the show without Beckett. I don’t know which genius think they can continue the show without one of its two core characters, but that genius deserved to get fired from television businesses. I wish they sell the show to other tv channel that is willing to continue it, like what they did with Lucifer.
I AM FURIOUS WITH ABC FOR CANCELING CASTLE, IT WAS A STUPID MISTAKE!
I am furious that Castle was canceled.. No matter what ABC says it’s Bull!!
hell no im not glad castle was cancelled! the show is awesome, just because one or two actors want to quit, let them quit and please keep the show going,
I felt that the ending was very tacky and a disservice to fans such as myself. I was shocked to learn that that was it. Actually, I thought that they (the writers) were moving toward better episodes because this one was such a big change. I was happy to see more excitement. Yes, it was okay to see that they survived (they always do) but what about all of the other characters that we’ve grown to love???? Again, very tacky. I am very disappointed at how Castle ended. After all, the show was called “Castle” and not Castle and whoever.… Read more »
I would’ve loved to see Beckett pregnant and go through more ups and downs with Castle while expecting their daughter and solving crimes together. This show has so many more possible stories to tell, not to mention that it could’ve easily led into a spin off of Caskett kids being all grown up and following into their parents footsteps or something like that with Caskett helping them out.
I am very unhappy of the cancellation. I was always eager for Mon. night
when Castle was on. Very disappointed.
No! My fiancé and I are very saddened and disappointed! We love the series! It would not be the same without Kate! They both make the show! I hope they reconsider and go another season! It’s one of our few favorites!
Enjoyed the show for years but it has been getting stale lately and had lost its edge. Recent writing seemed off. The show would not have worked without Katic since she is really a bright star and fun to watch. The show would have been dull without her.
Loved the show and very upset!!!
Not happy at all. Loved the series and loved Kate and Rick together. It would have been awful to have her killed. They should have gone back to the previous writers. I will really miss this series. My Monday was all about waiting for Castle.