Post Mortem: Castle Boss Talks Latest 3XK Twist, Beckett Look-alike Plan, Remaining Mythologies 

, Rick — in his heated pursuit of any leads on Kate’s abduction — got slapped with assault charges after roughing up the man proclaiming himself to be Michael Boudreau. Then, acting on Gates’ counsel, Rick got inside his adversary’s head and decided to “bring the game to him.”

Castle Casts Enterprise‘s Linda Park as… Beckett’s New Partner?

To that end, Rick went “lone wolf” and infiltrated Jerry Tyson’s remote lair, only to get nabbed by his own prey. Yet that was Rick’s plan all along — to

3XK lure him there, so that he could find Kate. Because Castle was in fact

alone but accompanied by Esposito (outside with a sniper rifle, which he put to use in taking down Tyson) and Ryan. Beckett meanwhile freed herself from being strapped down for “surgery” and turned Dr. Nieman’s scalpel against her, leaving Tyson’s girlfriend dead in a pool of blood. In the aftermath, Castle got his job back at the 12th, by way of 1,000 hours of community service to work off those assault charges.

showrunner David Amann talks about tying up the years-long 3XK story, Nieman’s “Beckett lookalike” agenda and when the show will finally revisit Rick’s unsolved vanishing.

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TVLINE | Was there any debate about ending the 3XK mythology?

Not really. Again, part of the desire was to have real scenes and real conflict that put our characters directly in opposition with Tyson and Kelly Nieman. We felt that the satisfying consequence of that was that this would be the end, that when you have that kind of confrontation where a gauntlet is thrown down — in Part 1, Tyson and Nieman walk out of the precinct free and clear while Beckett gets grabbed — there has to be an answer to that that’s going to be satisfying to the audience. We have done a Tyson-related episode every season [since the character’s debut], and this felt like a good time to bring it to a close.

One of the other things we wanted to get out of the two-parter, one of the reasons why we ultimately wanted to put Jerry Tyson to bed once and for all, is that we wanted to really give Castle a way to earn his way back into the 12th precinct. He did some things that were worthy of him being dismissed, and in order to redeem himself we felt like he had to do something extraordinary. This let him do that, and with some credibility. It wasn’t just, “Hey, we like you, we want to bring you back.” He had to earn his stripes, especially in Gates’ eyes, and he did.

TVLINE | You’d know better than I, but this felt like one of the first times that Beckett has been in jeopardy and Castle got to save the day. I know he had some help, but he kind of orchestrated this rescue mission.

There may be some other examples where she’d been in jeopardy in a

dire way…. But from our standpoint, we also wanted Beckett to have agency over her own fate here, in that she doesn’t really depend on him in this particular case to come to her rescue. He comes in just as she’s finished [killing Nieman]. We felt like both of them acted up to their level on both sides of the story.

TVLINE | A different show probably shows Beckett actually gut the doctor.

A different show would, but we didn’t feel the need for that.

TVLINE | Did you think about maybe going further and actually pulling off a Beckett look-alike, as last season’s “Disciple” did with Lanie and Espo?

We did sort of toy with that, when Beckett’s double [the druggie in a wig] is shot. But we didn’t go as far as the surgical reconstruction. But obviously that was on Tyson and Nieman’s agenda, had they been left to their own devices.

TVLINE | The soap opera-raised kid in me hoped that you would leave Castle with a fake Kate and we don’t realize it until the season finale.

TVLINE | In your mind, what was the significance of the very final scene, in bed?

It’s really about them coming together and sharing this experience. Part of it is also acknowledging what Castle went through at the beginning of the season, what Beckett went through not knowing where he was…. That’s also going to figure in a bit later on in the season, when we get into a more serious look at that missing time.

TVLINE | OK, because you previously told me the two-parter would “revisit” Rick’s vanishing, but I guess you meant only via dialogue. When do you plan to actually dive back into that unsolved mystery?

We touched on the missing time here more in terms of the feeling it was bringing out in the characters — specifically the first time Castle is looking at the tape Beckett made, he’s kind of experiencing what she experienced, except probably a worse version, because he knows she’s in the clutches of Jerry Tyson. But it’s a way in which he can kind of understand the helplessness and difficulty that she went through when he was [gone], and that’s going to stick with him a bit. That will be explored in a greater depth when we get to Episode 20.

TVLINE | I was thinking that with 3XK gone, what ongoing mythology is left on the series?

There’s the vanishing…. And there are some other things that we’re going to be exploring later in the season, when we deal with some Beckett mythology.

TVLINE | Something with Beckett we’ve touched on before, or something new?

It’s a little too soon to talk about it. It’s still in the incubation stage.

“The Wrong Stuff” episode looks considerably lighter in tone — but that’s what you do, right?

Yeah, a lot of times we’ll go a bit more serious in these two-parters, and then we’ll come out of it very deliberately with a lighter episode. In this case, a murder on Mars has a lot of classic

TVLINE | I almost hesitated sharing those episodic photos with readers because you can’t unsee them. They certainly suggest it’s one of the more “far out” episodes.

It definitely is, and there’s a lot of fun Castle/Beckett interaction in this world, talking about the idea of whether either one of them would want to go on a Mars expedition — and there are some surprising answers that come out of that question! It’s one of those episodes that also kind of feeds a Castle fantasy about being a space traveler, so it’s a good “palette cleanser” after the two-parter.

Want more scoop on Castle, or for any other show? Email insideline@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.

Wow. That was intense! And so good! Absolutely amazing.

I agree. I just wish they’d let Castle save Beckett in the end. We get it, she’s a bada$$. But it would’ve been great to see him save her bacon the same way she’s saved his a dozen times.

He did sorta save her. By killing 3XK he kept Nieman from proceeding a few minutes sooner so Beckett had time to free herself. He also spent the whole episode trying to find/save her. For being a non-cop he does pretty good.

Well, to be fair, Castle has saved Beckett multiple times in the past. In season 4, he mentioned he was ahead in the head to head count. Since that point, I think Castle saved Beckett in ‘Probable Cause’ and Beckett saved Castle in ‘Dreamworld’, so I think they are pretty much even on that account.

Everything I’ve read about storywriting (whether it’s in a novel or on the screen ) says that the main character (especially a female) should save herself whenever possible rather than relying on someone else to do it for her.

That was probably my favorite “event” episode of the series. Very well done.

I gave it an A but my only issue that they didn’t touch on is how they faked the DNA test.

Ahh, I had assumed the beer glass they used wasn’t his.

Lol take up less issue with that, and more on: How did he have the exact same voice if hes a different guy? Plastic surgery to the face does NOTHING to a persons voice box.

They didn’t have a voice sample for Beaudreaux to compare it to, so they couldn’t prove anything. Plus, it’s a TV show.

Castle’s has always been it’s best when telling the 3XK story line. Without it… I feel like a chapter has closed and if the show ends this year, I’m good with that. A very satisfying ending.

There’s plenty of married couple crime fighting stories to tell, besides which Castle’s mythology is only just begun. The only reason they wouldn’t renew is if the actors wanted to stop. I’m sure they either have wrapped up negotiating or are still working out the details. You’d think if it was a series finale that Nathan/Stana wouldn’t keep that to themselves. The agents would at some point make it clear to Marlowe, etc. that they aren’t gonna renew so we’d get a finale. I figure it’s just about dotting I’s and crossing T’s and then we get a season 8.

Wow, that was good. I’m glad I DVR’d it, because I think I might have to go watch that episode again, right now.

Twisted script for sure. Great writing and goodbye Tyson and Nieman! Bravo to great acting by Both NATHAN and Stana. Matt, think Castle had that Buick since Season 5 on the way to the Hamptons!

Is Castle is now driving a Chrysler? Aren’t they one of the sponsors for the show? Notice the promotion when Castle revealed lots of trunk space. Very clever if the automaker is a sponsor..

maybe the product placement isn’t working as well as they hoped…

I could be wrong, but I thought I saw the word Buick on his laptop screen when Rick was sitting in his car flipping through screens looking up where this house was located. When he went into that house, I was on the edge of my seat, it was so creepy. It was a very intense episode for the show itself.

Nathan Fillion was absolutely GREAT in this episode, boy can he get dark. Showed a WHOLE different side of Rick Castle than we know of him, though we have been given a few glimpses along the way (when he took matters into his own hands when Alexis was kidnapped & when Tyson shoved the cop car they were riding in went into the waters to kill them, where Kate said “he’s dead” & she walked away & he followed up with “for now.”) With the help of counseling from Captain Gates, (wasn’t it GREAT when she sat with him & told him what Kate had said about “him being the story” – normally all she wants to do is banish him from being anywhere near the 12th – ha!) & took the handcuffs off of him to unleash him, she knew he’d do the job; he did that & a whole lot more. Rick redeemed his “mafia ways” & earned his way back into the 12th precinct – YAY! Even though I loved that he became resourceful & became a P.I. (thought his office space was pretty cool too)

GREAT 2-parter, just GREAT! Now onto his 1,000 hours of community service with his bad-ass wife! :-)

Season 5 Hampton’s car was a definitely a Mercedes.. But to be a Joe blow investigator, it isn’t too much of a stretch for Vastle to use a domestic car. We don’t see him drive the Ferrari everyday, so goes the Mercedes.

It’s a Buick. And just so we really know, on the trunk, it’s a Buick Regal.

Even knowing it would have a good outcome, it was taut and suspenseful from start to finish. Loved seeing Castle be badass and smart at the same time. Loved Kate being strong and resourceful. Then it was capped off with a sweet scene where they both showed their vulnerability. Bonus highlight was that quiet scene with Castle and Gates.

The only thing wrong with that episode was that no Jerry Tyson. But overall what a great way to end the two parter.

You mean no *more* Jerry Tyson? Cuz that 2nd part totally had him in it.

Yeah I left the more out. Tyson was a great archenemy for Rick and I will miss him.

Awesome episode! AWM, and RB did an amazing work. IMO it is the best episode written by Andrew.

Fantastic episode , and as an NCIS fan, the sniper shot reminded me of the episode Truth or Consequences (season 7).

I thought that too. “Take the shot” line of the season.

Absolutely. One of my favorite NCIS episodes. Really liked that this was decided using everyone on the case. Teamwork, right down to Espo’s marksmanship

Top 3 all time. Spectacular story telling and great performances from one and all.

It was a badass hour. I loved seeing Rick go dark to protect his family, showing that he would indeed kill to protect those he loved. And having Kate rescue herself was badass. It was just a super exciting two episodes. Glad 3XK and Kelly are finally dead this time!

Hands down the best episode…,the acting, music, directing….it all came together perfectly. Touched on every emotion possible in the one hour.

I figured it wasn’t him. 3XK wasn’t part of some great conspiracy with a lot of money involved. He and Nieman and Amy were the extent of his plot (besides the others he killed to set it up). Someone has the ability to wipe his mind, to get him out on that raft, etc. I wonder if it’s someone we’ve already seen or if this is new. Somehow maybe involves dear ol’ dad?

Also, reminds me a little of Kill Shot with Esposito taking out the bad guy.

Ending felt a little rushed, but I loved it otherwise.

We thought the same thing. With 20 minutes to go I had no idea how they were going to wrap it up on time. Needed at least another half hour, could’ve stretched to a full third part.

Perhaps… I was eyeing the clock too and wondering. But these sorts of stories can turn into a trainwreck quickly. “Ah, but I knew you’d think that I thought that, so I thought the opposite of what you were thinking that I thought.” – “I thought that would be exactly what you would think that I would think so I thought what you wouldn’t think I might be thinking.”

Better to keep them brief before it ends up as a battle of wits with a Sicilian.

I liked the first 90 minutes of the two episode, the last 30 I felt… nothing. It was overly rushed. Also I really wish Castle died the bastard instead, and the “Take the shot” and not shooting him in the head and his death fall was too over the top for me.

No head shot through a window. That’s too small a target for a shot the glass will effect.

Eh, one pane window from….50 yards with a high powered sniper rifle? (.308) Being shot by a Spec Ops Marine Sniper? Lol ummm no. Ballistics would have been easy on the head-shot. If anything the risk is the baddie is standing right infront of Castle, so the risk of shooting a through-and-through and hitting Castle is fairly high, if anything a headshot is safer given the fact Castle is sitting and 3XK is standing.

It would seem that from a tactical perspective hitting him in the head would be the choice to avoid the possibility of him shooting Castle, but for the dramatic effect, Tyson had time to turn around and realize what Castle had done–the expression on his and Castle’s face were important.

Great Episode! But seriously, Beckett cold smoked that bitch without finding out where Castle was. Maybe she figured that the reason the good doctor couldn’t reach Jerry was because Castle had already handled his business?

I doubt she had that much control over the situation. She still had just one hand. I assume that she just struggled with Nieman and just got free and knifed her before Nieman could stab her with some other instrument. I mean if Beckett had control over Nieman, she would never have knifed her the way she did.

I was wondering about the fact she was strapped to the table and had only freed one hand. How did she get out of the remaining straps? She would need to use her free hand in which case she had to let go of Nieman’s hand. Did Nieman just stand by and wait for Beckett to remove the remaining straps? One of several issues I had with the ending of the episode.

As far as she knew Castle was at the precinct. That’s where he was before she was abducted. She was totally unaware of anything happening with Castle and Tyson.

One of the absolute best Castle episodes ever. Magnificent job all around….

Excellent two parter this year the writers always seem to keep one upping themselves each time and i appreciate that :) Gosh I love me some dark-side Castle Nathan really excels in those moments, but I also loved how he defeated Tyson in a purely Castle way, very well done. I guess I’m glad Castle is back in the precinct but to be honest I was really enjoying him as a PI I thought it opened up the story more and allowed for some more intimate moments between characters particularly Caskett. Great stuff though can’t wait to see what’s next hopefully we’ll get into some more of the Castle mystery before the finale.

That was amazing. While it’s not my favorite two parter ever (setup&countdown) it was very good. I love that the 3XK arc is done, I like how they finished it off.

Nathan and Stana killed it. The rest of the cast was amazing too, and dammit, they keep making me like Gates a little more each episode.

Amazing episode! ALL aspects of the episode were stellar! I’m sad that 3XK and Nieman didn’t get more screen time together because they were so amazingly good at being bad. This episode should be studied in the future as a great example of how to satisfyingly end a serial killer arc. Thank you Andrew Marlowe and Rob Bowman, et al for a fantastic ride tonight!

Solid episode, but I’m sorry, I just really hated the use of 1000 hours of community service thing to justify him coming back. A little too pat, even if it is Castle we’re talking about where more often than not that’s the thing. Still, I gave it a B.

Its a wink and a nudge. Not really a serious thousand hours. Gates was having her little but of fun.

Cause we all wanna have some fun just minutes after being held hostage by a serial killer that was going to cut our face off and transplant it onto her face…then getting free and killing her (messily) with her bare hands and a scalpel. And as for Castle, he had his wife kidnapped being held hostage by a serial killer surgeon whos going to slice and dice her, while he is being held hostage then watches a man get shot right in-front of him……..PARTY!!!! Lets go watch some stand-up at the laugh factory!!!! DRINKS ON MEEEE!!!!

Lol…it makes me miss (so much so) the realism of Flashpoint. After a shooting they had to go straight to a room with a post-shooting investigator, they showed signs of distress and shock and some trauma having just killed someone etc. They had to do tons of paper work, they showed signs of PTSD…lol i get this is a “feel good” cop drama, i get that…but still its pretty hilarious to think after everything they just went through that it would be times for jokes and smiles and what not. More like a crap ton of paper work/interviews and being put on paid leave and required to see a therapist (like after she was shot she saw Worf) and all that.

Castle was being welcomed back along with Beckett. Why ever not? They’d survived a tough one.

3XK arc was amazing from the first episode, to taking Ryan’s gun, to sending Rick on the run to the look alikes, to tonight’s episode – WOW!!!! Probably my favorite villans in the whole series – do not rest in peace Tyson and Nieman. And a nod to the title of this recap – it’ll leave you breathless or with a nasty scar.

Speaking of lookalikes, Who wants to join me in starting the “the real Beckett is dead!” conspiracy theories? :)

Yet another reason why ‘Castle’ is one of my favorite shows on television. Well-written and well-acted. Suspensful, action filled and ultimately satisfying. Marlow and Co. provided a great storyline and script with which to work, and every cast member delivered, especially NF and SK.

Is Rick ever going to shoot a gun. Great episode! !! Love Castle s mind

I thought it was more right that Espo kill 3XK. Castle is a non cop and things could have gotten complicated. He really wouldn’t be allowed to work with Beckett.

Espo is Special Forces and this played right into that.

Except that no one made any effort to take Tyson alive. It seems like the plan was always to execute him on the spot.

He’s a serial killer, nobody would have cared, and considering he is a psycho, he might have killed Castle if an extraction team was sent.

Past that point with, as mentioned, a serial killer, no reason to take chances. He was holding a weapon and certsinly preparing to use it.

He has fired a gun many times. He is even a better shot then Beckett.

i got so happy seeing that look on her face & even started playing some fight music in my head. Then they cut to the aftermath :(

Probably had more to do with the logistics of it… Beckett only had one hand free. To get the leverage to take Neiman down (across the room as she ended up).. Would have been hard to explain how Kate took her down and got her other hand free. Some fights are best left to the imagination.

Probably was more a struggle than a fight. There’s no way Beckett would have been forced to stab her and be blood soaked the way she was if she had enough control for a fight.

For anyone who has loved this show and bitterly stopped watching post 6X23, welcome back – cause you should be back now. That was as great an episode as Castle gets (especially of the 2-partners).

Caskett are in a super cool groove, natural and affectionate without stupid doubts. Badass Beckett is alive and well (figuratively AND literally).. And so is badass Castle. About time Gates started shipping Caskett! Nice integration of the secondary characters.

I hope there is no back slide from here (character wise) and the last 8 episodes for season 7 continue to fire on all cylinders. It is great seeing the cast gel so well together. They have a good thing going.. I hope we get more seasons.

I knew never to give up on this show. I had faith the whole time so I was fine with 6×23. The writers always come through, the sneaky devils. If you love this show, you stick with it. Always. ;)

Absolutely agree with you!! The cast and crew are having fun and it definitely shows:)

Excluding the annoying car stuff, I loved it. It was probably my favorite episode in years. It’s nice to not have everything be so screwball sometimes. It was also nice seeing Castle get to be more than the charismatic buffoon that he has turned into over the years.

Fantastic ep. Loved it. Will rewatch again to catch things I probably missed because it was SO PACKED full of crazy 100 mph action. Oh, and Matt, it is Marcus Gates, not Grimes. Maybe Amy in the trunk reminded you of last night’s Walking Dead ep and you had Grimes on your mind… ; )

“The soap opera-raised kid in me hoped that you would leave Castle with a fake Kate and we don’t realize it until the season finale.” Too Lois & Clark/frog-eating Lois clone.

Not to be nit pick, but in, “Yet that was Rick’s plan all along — too let 3XK lure him there, so that he could find Kate,” you use the wrong form of “to”.

Great episode. I didn’t breathe once.. Super intense. Nathan Fillion knocked it out of the park with how dark he took Castle in tonight’s episodes.

How did no one pick up on what the showrunner said about Kate’s mythology still in “incubation”. Ummmmmmm that says “Preggers” at some point because Caskett did start baby talk on first part of this two-parter. I can’t say that I’m not surprised because it’s so cliche. I guarantee she’ll be pregnant by the end of the season. I sure hope I’m wrong because it would be nice to get another season or two before they breed.

Part of me expected that to be a fake Beckett. Haha, been watching too much Fringe I guess :)

So intense and so good. I was on the edge the entire episode. I’ve never been so nervous watching this show. There were so many remarkable scenes. Also, I’m really glad 3XK is finally dead. What a great end for one of the most important characters in the show. Congrats to AWM, Rob Bowman and all the cast.

I really liked the episode although it is not my favorite, it’s right up there.

The best part was the acting and the twists of the plot. From the preview I expected Beckett to handle the Dr., but they really revved up the intensity to make it interesting. I like the look in Beckett’s eyes and although I knew something was coming I really like the way they had Beckett in a state of shock that followed her home and to bed and seeking and receiving comfort from Castle. Castle’s words were just right.

Some wanted a big deep kiss between C and B but I like the way it played. Castle didn’t have to kiss Beckett, he showed his fear and relief when he scanned her face to see if she was harmed. The way Castle played the relief was very appropriate and more realistic then a bear hug.

The script and the directing were very much in tune when everyone thought Castle went alone to save Beckett.

The results really played into what Beckett had told Sir about Castle’s skills, that Castle used his ability in figuring out the story to outwit 3XK. This was a reflection back to figuring out Beckett’s story in FFYG. Now he used it to help save her, although Beckett saved herself.

The weak parts were 3XK reason for his hostility toward Castle. Just to show he was smarter, many people had to die? (Stana really has great bone structure It’s like something a painter could achieve. Picasso? Not!).

Dr Nieman’s reason was even weaker. What a face transplant? Just leave the country if she was afraid of recognition. The facilities the doctor had were not conducive for anything. Not even to remove a hang nail.

But the story was very entertaining and very well acted by everyone. Why sweat the small things. Loved when Castle told Espo to take the shot. Totally disguised. We were led to believe Castle was still talking to 3Xk and the same thing when we thought Castle was talking to himself at the 12th. He was planning with Ryan and Espo. Simply brilliant. Good job Marlowe. .

My only real complaint is I wanted to see Lanie pacing and fearful for her friend with the others.

Finally, a big and loud clap that Castle PI is over. Reason was weak for dropping the PI but the reason for the banishment was also weak.

Very good acting all around. Very good ‘needed’ episode. They can return to silly and I won’t complain ‘For Now’. Mars??? Please.

They are serial killers! No reason can justify them! Dr Nieman was obsesses with Kate’s face, it wasn’t even about fleeing, as they obviously didn’t leave much evidence, it was just obsession, psychopath! Jerry didn’t like the fact he was outsmarted, enough to come back for revenge by killing people. Psychopath! It wasn’t like a Senator type situation or a assassin whose killing for no reason would have looked odd, the story’s about psychos here. Since the time 3XK came, he should never have ever returned for Castle, he should just have left, he did because he is obsessed.

So the “new mythology” is now just “the vanishing”…. Matt.. I think Amann didn’t really want to answer your question about the “new mythology” because they are trying to get away from that failed attempt to launch a new arc… All the talk Marlowe and Amann did last May and over the summer about how great this “new mythology” would be is reduced to “the vanishing”.

For once I want someone to hold them accountable and get them to admit that perhaps they made a mistake with last season’s finale and the opening two episodes of the season.

Please let the ‘new mythology’ rest in peace. Please, pretty please.

We all make make mistakes, at least theirs is just on paper. Let it go.

Really glad this is over – the plastic surgery angle is ludicrous, like something right out of a daytime soap.

Plus, as has already been mentioned – plastic surgery doesn’t alter your vocal chords!

It was Tyson, so no plastic surgery and no need for altered vocal cords. It was him all along.

That’s why Castke had to let himself be captured so they’d get Tyson on record admitting who he was. And they did.

I thought last week’s episode was great, but this week’s was FANTASTIC!! I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole hour. This show never ceases to amaze me. That’s why an 8th season is needed

A fitting ending to the 3XK mythology. Love this show!!

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