A lump of coal was left in Rick Castle’s stocking on Castle Season 7 Episode 10, courtesy of the New York Police Department.
While looking into the case of a murdered mob doctor, the author suddenly ended up bound by an omertà blood oath, via crime boss Dino Scarpella.
This connection afforded Rick access to various shady underworld figures in order to discuss the homicide… but it also eventually cost him his connection to the NYPD.
Why? Because a dirty organized crime unit detective he helped put away wound up dead.
Elsewhere, according to family tradition, Kate Beckett penned a six-line poem about the previous year and it went as follows:
This has been an epic year/Life’s been full of joy and tears. Solving crimes and catching killers/Just like Castle’s famous thrillers. We share a passion every day/As partners go we are here to stay.
So beautiful, right?!?
Also, Lanie and Espo actually broke up after realizing that their brief time together as a betrothed couple simply didn’t make them feel as special as it was supposed to. They arrived at this decision together.
(Really! It was mutual!)
But those who watch Castle online will be most taken by Rick’s setback, of course. He will end up back at the precinct eventually, right?
What will he be up to until then?
"He’s going to pursue the private investigator angle, and part of that is driven by his desire to work with Beckett, even though he is no longer officially able to do so,” showrunner David Amann teases to TV Line.
Also, expect to learn more about Rick’s vanishing during the special two-part Castle episode in February.
That’s so long from now, we know. But at least that gives us plenty of time to ponder: What other occupation would Rick Castle be good at if he couldn’t help some crimes?