The buzz on social media is whether the 8-season run of CASTLE can continue into Season 9 without Kate Beckett. Hands down, NO ONE I know plans to watch it. They’re done. I want to be done as well, but truth is I’m a television addict and will likely watch it and bitch and complain the whole time. (Sort of like SUPERNATURAL season 6 and X-Files seasons 8 and 9.)
Loved this show from the beginning … until now.
What I want I don’t think I can have, and that’s a clear ending to the series with a fabulous series finale ala JUSTIFIED and what’s planned for PERSON OF INTEREST this May and BONES season 12, which will be the end. Or, when a show is cancelled or giving a truncated season, the Powers That Be will allow the writers to wrap everything up and give their dedicated audience closure and satisfaction. (WAREHOUSE 13 with the short last season; the upcoming short last season of RIZZOLI & ISLES.) But television screws up everything in two key ways:
1) They continue a show beyond it’s prime, usually without a key character that IS the show. (X-FILES)
2) They cancel a show and the writers can’t unwrite the cliffhanger.
The first makes me sad and embarrassed for the remaining writers and cast. The later makes me extremely angry.
The way you screw up a series ending …
I mean, who wasn’t thoroughly pissed off at the end of HEROES when the last thing we see is Claire jumping to what would be a normal person’s death? Or THE GLADES, which I really enjoyed, ending with the MAIN CHARACTER shot and bleeding on his kitchen floor the morning of his pending wedding? I need closure.
I understand the argument: if viewers know that this season is going to be the end, they’re not going to watch it, ratings will fall, advertisers won’t buy space, and studios lose money. Often, it’s the people who have no idea what viewers really think (hmm, reminds me of politicians who don’t know what their constituents think) that make these decisions, not the show runner or writers or actors. But there is a story promise when you create a series that you will at least give the individuals invested in the world you created an ending. Kudos to the shows who do it right: RIZZOLI & ISLES, POI, JUSTIFIED, et. all.)
The way you end a series right.
There have been some shows I’ve really enjoyed that were cancelled after a season or two (DETROIT 1-8-7; STALKER; DARK BLUE; MINORITY REPORT; LIFE.) Usually I get the sense mid-season that they’re going to shut it down, so I consider it sort of a mini-series. I enjoy it for what it is. They were a short enough run that I didn’t get totally invested, even if I enjoyed the show. (I knew exactly when DARK BLUE went south — when they brought in the FBI Agent at the beginning of season 2. Ugh. It had been edgy and dark and I loved it, until they tried to clean up their act. LIFE I still don’t understand … I think it’s because it was a “quiet” show, tame compared to high-action fare.)
And then there are the shows that were cancelled for no effing reason I understand other than the stupidity of The Powers That Be (ala FIREFLY, VERONICA MARS.)
But once you have a series that has been built on TWO CHARACTERS (CASTLE, BONES, X-FILES) you can not remove one of the characters and continue. You. Just. Can. Not. X-FILES knows it screwed up (series reboot 15 years too late) and others plan to end (BONES, short 12th season) so why can’t CASTLE do the same damn thing?
End with Season 8 on a high(ish) note or give us a six-episode “mini-series” to give us the ending we deserve.
Castle is going the way of the X-Files — you can’t have Scully without Mulder; you can’t have Castle without Beckett.
WE, the viewers, DESERVE a great ending. We have been with you for EIGHT SEASONS (most of us … I know many who left after season 6 because of that awful season 6 finale that they keep bringing back even now when I wish they would have just admitted they screwed up and moved on.) We love Rick AND we love Kate and we love them together. You have built them up, through better and worse, to be together, to get through anything because they love and trust each other. CASTLE was the best of romantic suspense — it’s what I love about the genre as a reader, and as a viewer. It did it RIGHT.
Until now.
It’s not too late to fix this. Announce that you’re creating a short season 9 and that you will stick to your story promise. Give us the Happily Ever After we crave, the ending we deserve, for being your loyal viewers, your loyal advocates, the people who have spread the love on social media. The people who gave you a great run. Reward us. Do not end Season 8 with Castle and Beckett split or, worse, Kate dead. Do not do it.
We will forgive you for this week of doubt and gossip … because we all make mistakes. But don’t break the story promise; we may never trust you again.
Agree? Disagree?
CASTLE Season 5 — my favorite.
Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly three dozen romantic thrillers and mysteries, including the Lucy Kincaid series and the Max Revere series. She lives in Northern California with her husband, five children, and assorted pets.
You can add The Blacklist to the series that have been ruined by taking away a main character. I think I’m done with that one.
I’m enjoying Limitless and You, Me, and the Apocalypse. Those 2 are very fun, and pretty new.
I’m not certain that Liz is dead. She’s very pregnant in real life, and I’m wondering if she couldn’t keep up the schedule at the end of her pregnancy. There were a few things that happened that made me think that she was “killed” to make Red believe she was dead in order to protect her. But … we’ll see. If they killed her off, I would be upset, but the show is really about Reddington. Castle, on the other hand, has ALWAYS been about Kate and Rick, it’s a romantic suspense, and that would make me VERY angry.
I like Limitless, too. I think they renewed it. I like it because of Brian 🙂
Add Criminal Minds too. The show is not the same without Derick Morgan. Seems like they are wrecking all the best shows!!
This. Just this.
This sums up my exact feelings. I want the happily ever after without the show being ruined. Obviously, we don’t know how Season 8 is ending yet and I have high hopes that they will do it justice purely because I refuse to deal with the alternative.
I have loved this show since the very first episode and I have loyally stuck with it, even through the episodes that went a little bit downhill because I have enjoyed the show, the cast and the chemistry they have together.
Please don’t let us down, ABC and ruin the show.
I’m pretty certain that all episodes have been filmed. I think we’re doomed. Unless this is a big farce and it’s not going to happen.
If I’m correct, the last episode in season 8 is called “Crossfire” so I’m with you. We’re doomed.
But I can hope that a miracle happens, right? And that, by some magic, season 8 has a fantastic ending that blows us all away?
Completely agree. Somewhat similar to making one book, The Hobbit, into three movies, and three books, each longer than the Hobbit, into one movie each. I understand what happened, but that doesn’t mean it was the right decision. Another series that ended on a cliff hanger was Surface – the three main characters were stranded on a roof in a flooded landscape, no idea how they would escape. And that’s the last episode. I really liked that show.
Authors mess with us too sometimes. I was reading a series by one author where The Author (TA) brought together two main characters. It was clearly moving toward marriage. Then TA killed off the male character, moved the female character to another previously-unrelated series TA writes, and made the female character from the first series the love interest of the male in the second series! I felt so thoroughly cheated and angry! I am being VERY careful not to name TA or give TA’s gender, btw. Up until then I liked and read both series by TA. Now I will never read TA again unless TA writes a stand-alone. And I still may not. Because I don’t feel I can trust TA again. :'(
I agree about THE HOBBIT —
With books — there are several things going on. I’m not defending anyone, but in my Seven Deadly Sins series my publisher cancelled it before I could finish the story arc I wanted, so I had to wrap everything up in the third book. That didn’t make me happy, but it gave (some) closure to the series.
If a book isn’t billed as a romance or romantic suspense, then anything can happen. That doesn’t bother me … unless something happens that makes NO SENSE for the story. For example, there was a semi-popular mystery series set in Sacramento that both my mom and I LOVED. The PI had a love interest who was a cop in another city. Part of the conflict was that neither wanted to move, which felt organic to the story. For NO REASON the cop was killed off. It would have been MUCH better to have them break up — because neither was willing to give up their career. It would have been sad, but there was no reason to kill him.
When I started the Lucy Kincaid series, I knew that Sean Rogan was her love interest. The story promise is that Sean and Lucy are going to make it — but no one else is safe. But they’ll be together, even if they have some real rough spots coming up.
But the Max Revere series doesn’t have that story promise. It’s Max’s journey, her story, and people will come and go. She may or may not stay with Nick. I don’t know. Right now, Nick is pissing me off and I don’t know that he deserves Max. But only time will tell.
LOL. Nick. 🙂
I seem to remember the same book series. He was a cop in Reno, Nick, if I remember correctly. I loved that series. Until she killed Nick. Interestingly enough, I don’t think I’ve seen anything by that author since that disaster of a novel.
He was a cop in Las Vegas … I can’t remember his name, I don’t think it was Nick. John? Jack? Something like that. And she hasn’t written anything else.
I agree totally. They should’ve handled this like TNT did with The Closer. They cancelled it after a satisfying ending, then rebooted with Major Crimes, which includes many of the same characters as The Closer. It would’ve made much more sense and been kinder to all involved, including the fans. I’m just so hurt. I can’t watch any of the earlier episodes right now without crying.
Exactly.
I was just thinking the same thing. The transition of the Closer characters was smooth and still grabs my interest.
Castle without Beckett is like Roarke without Dallas. Just…NO! I haven’t watched this season and last season was hit or miss. I’ve heard rumors that the shippers are taking the show into Dad/Daughter territory with the PI angle and Beckett’s murder would be their first big case. Yeah…Just say no.
Allison, you and I so often agree. You’ve pointed out all the things I would have. Loyal fans deserve closure. I was totally PO’d by the cancellation of THE GLADES. They couldn’t come back for one freaking episode to let us know what happened? Seriously? I appreciate it when a show does it right and I’ll be more loyal to future shows with those producers as a result. While I’m saddened by the ends of favorite shows, there comes a time to retire from the field with class. Case in point (beyond those you mentioned), M*A*S*H. That final episode is STILL being talked about and it’s been THIRTY-THREE YEARS! Okay, some of you are probably too young to remember the show so you’ll just have to trust me! It was EPIC! Producers create an emotional contract with a show’s fans and they do everyone a disservice by breaking that contract!
I remember MASH and I was young (a little teeny-bit younger than you) and I was so upset. My mom was practically crying. NOT FAIR. Yes, war sucks. But please, when the war is over, let our favorite characters survive.
Hugs.
Bite your tongue! J.D. Robb would kill off both Roarke and Eve together. She could always continue with the rest of the cast in her wonderful way of writing, if she wants to (very doubtful though). But I wanted to throw in my 2 cents worth on the killing off of Castle. Back in the early part of (1999) 2000 SyFy was bringing out some crazy shows but they always were short runners until FARSCAPE it was a 20-24 shows per season for 4 seasons. At the end of the 4th there were lots of questions with no answers & the fans were outraged, seriously.(I mean right down to Farscape fans yearly convention, costumes,etc….) anyway Jim Hanson writer & others created a 3 hr final voyage (epic)to tie “most” of the loose ends together which for the best part settled it. I personally learned at that point to trust my GUT when it says move on. I’ve moved on from Castle at the middle of the 6th season, Criminal Minds (which I absolutely LOVED) around the same time 6th season, & Bones too. I found I didn’t like leaving my faith of enjoyment in the hands of people who could just take it away. With books you get a feeling about such things when the authors are writing the story. Anyway FARSCAPE is on DVD & it’s absolutely wonderful. Watch it ! You’ll not be disappointed or even just get the 3hr movie called “FARSCAPE: THE PEACEKEEPER WARS”. Now would you please do me a favor & direct me to where you found out that Beckett was to DIE or that Castle was to END. I greatly appreciate it.
I was hoping you write about this as soon as I saw it! I knew you’d be able to sum up exactly how I feel about it. So mad at the Castle show runners. Castle without Beckett is going to be awful. And I read that there were budget issues.. So of course they eliminate 2 female characters.
Erin — I don’t blame the show runners. They rarely have control over things like this. I blame the producers, the powers that be, the money people. They screwed us, and they are going to pay dearly. I am SO upset because I LOVE LOVE LOVE Nathan Fillion, and he’s a great actor and should get a great send off … only, it’s going to be remembered as being a series that died rather than a series that ended on a high note (JUSTIFIED anyone?)
And while the death of Laurel on ARROW fit the story and because her character had sort of ended the arc (and they really screwed with her, so not her fault — I think Katie Cassidy is fabulous), I agree that removing the two strong female characters is pathetic. But it’s more than that. It’s the story promise of what CASTLE was from the beginning. A romantic suspense. You can not break the promise. It would be like me killing off Sean Rogan and sending Lucy off with Noah. Not going to happen. It would anger everyone, and for no good reason.
Agree that they should cater to the loyal audience and have closure. I despise when they end a series with a knife. Downton Abbey and Mash are perfect examples of what should happen. Also I agree The Closer was a great way to end that one. Boston Legal was another that was ended well. I feel much better about the whole organization when they let me know they care about the audience.
I watch the TALKING DEAD after the WALKING DEAD every week, and one thing I noticed is that the writers and show runners really, really care about the audience. At the Season 6 finale we know that one of the main characters dies. We don’t know who. And the show runner basically said, “We know it’s going to be tough, but we hope our audience knows that we will deliver a great story, that we’ll satisfy them even with the loss.” They think about the audience because they know we care. While some of the deaths on the WALKING DEAD are difficult to deal with, they have always served a purpose — a character purpose or a story purpose. I don’t trust CASTLE in the same way.
I agree. Walking Dead DOES care about the fans. I love that about them. And they are one of the few shows that I do trust. They killed off one of the main characters in Sleepy Hollow too. Like Lou Diamond Phillips said on the Talking Dead on Sunday … No one is safe anymore …
After hearing that she was not coming back I was so happy! I liked her in the first few seasons, but steadily grew to dislike her character. I may, just may start watching again. I loved it up to season 4, and even into season 5 – but since the whole marriage thing it has gone downhill. So I am rooting for a revamping of the series.
I get that, but I blame the writers. I loved the show up until the season 6 finale, and then they turned Kate into a bitch in some ways, and weak in others. I just think, even though I believe Nathan Fillion can carry a show hands tied behind his back, that the story promise of CASTLE was a romantic suspense and they broke the promise. That makes me mad.
You know how I feel about this. Yes, the series is called Castle, but at its core it is about the relationship between Castle and Beckett, and the surrounding cast. No Kate leaves the entire premise flat. I am a few seasons behind – though I have read enough summaries to know that they are missing the mark. If anything else, this tells me that it is time to hang it up….
There are moments in seasons 7 and 8 that are great — but they are few and far between.
I so totally agree Allison! Without Kate (and Lannie) there is no Castle. This whole mess makes me sad and mad. If Fox can be good to the loyal fans for Bones why on earth can’t ABC (Disney fo goodness sake) do the same for the loyal Castle fans! 🙁
Yes, yes, yes! BONES has been making me angry lately because they’ve gotten so preachy, but I still enjoy the show. And they’re going to give us a complete finale in a shorter season 12 that will, I hope, end the season on a high note and make us smile. We’ve invested so many hours –years–into these shows that we deserve to get the happily ever after.
The show should have ended with season 7. They have new show-runners who obviously have no clue about what made “Castle” one of the best shows on TV. This season has been disappointing. Some of the episodes have been too similar to episodes from previous seasons. Having Beckett leave Castle because she has to solve a crime and fears Castle will be harmed was a ludicrous idea. It makes their theme of “Always” being there for each other a total lie. But that’s just my opinion. I read more books than watching TV. So far this year I’ve read nearly 110 books. My goal is 200 for 2016. I keep track on Goodreads.com. Reading is far better for one’s mind than watching TV. Your brain actually works as you read picturing what the writer is describing involves the imagination and actually requires a few brain cells to fire.
Yes, yes, yes. I completely agree!
Castle without is Beckett is like cookies without milk. Dry and unsatisfying. The one episode this season without even a trace of Beckett was bleak. I’m still hoping for graceful end to series. As of last week, ABC hadn’t decided to renew Castle and Nathan Fillion hadn’t signed renewal contract. This week with the planned announcement that both Lanie and Beckett are leaving, it’s time to shut down the show. I’m old enough (barely) to remember the bad decision to continue McMillan and Wife without Susan St James and the equally bad decision to end Scarecrow and Mrs King without resolving the series killing mystery marriage. Never a good idea to screw with the show chemistry.
Since you mentioned Lucy, Sean and Noah, it’s always good to have written confirmation, from author, that Lucy and Sean are together forever. I actually quit reading one author when they killed the protagonist in front of his wife in the book’s last few pages.
I totally agree with what you are saying, I loved how they ended Justified. I was so upset with The Glades, how can they do that to viewers. I have totally lost interest in a few shows that I loved at first but then they go off in a different direction from what they started as which ruins the whole show.
Oh no! I am really sad now. I knew Person of Interest was ending, but had no idea about Castle, Rizzoli & Iles, and Bones. 🙁
Spot on, Allison. Taking viewers through years of a story to leave them hanging or to finish like a fourth grader that just hit word 198 in a 200-word assignment is cruel!
I would add several British shows to the list, as well. Many times, I’ve gotten completely sucked into crime shows or thrillers, only to get to the end, and the plot gets tortured to accommodate politically correct sensibilities. The protagonist never actually hurts the antagonist, and the antagonist either doesn’t get hurt, or a secondary character does him in instead of the protag. Gotta keep the protag’s hands clean. Drives me nuts!
Here’s hoping they do right by the Castle audience. Thank you for your post.