CASTLE Season Finale: Andrew Marlowe on the Castle and Beckett ‘Always’ Fallout
May 8, 2012 by Marisa Roffman
[Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t seen tonight’s episode of CASTLE, please stop reading and go watch it. Trust me. You won’t want to read this post until after you’ve viewed “Always” because it will spoil a very important aspect of the hour.]
So, CASTLE fans, are you still breathing?
(Take a second, I can wait.)
After all, after four seasons of dancing around each other, Castle and Beckett took a major step forward in their relationship at the end of “Always”…one of those relationship-altering steps that has likely broken a couple of social media sites.
To get some dish on why the timing was right for the duo now, what fans can expect in a probable season 5 and more, I spoke with CASTLE creator Andrew Marlowe to get the dish…
It feels crazy to say it, but Castle and Beckett have now gone there. What made the timing right for these two now?
Andrew Marlowe: Because it was absolutely time. And honestly, this was a decision that became clear to us about 2/3s of the way through last season when we made the decision of how we were ending last season. It’s impossible for Castle to say “I love you” and leave that hanging in the air and have the characters know that that’s out there and wait much longer to deal with that in an interesting and honest way.
We’re 81 episodes in, we’ve done a lot of storytelling having not gone there. And my personal feeling is we were on the verge of creating very artificial mechanisms of keeping them apart. And we were on the verge of rehashing storytelling in their relationship and we were in danger of not moving forward. So we had always aimed for this as being the end [result] of this season. And when people look back on this season, they will see the rhythm and they will look at the moments where they were really frustrated and understand why we did it then and what we were going for, because we always knew we were going to end up here.
When you and I [last] talked and you said “Are you worried about strong fan reaction?” I said, “No, because I know where we’re going.” So, it really is time. And I have to tell you, it’s really exciting for all of us who write on the show, because this opens up a world of possibility in the storytelling. And this season has been a season of secrets, and I think that has caused the season — which I was very proud of, creatively, I think there were a tremendous amount of excellent shows this season — but we paid for some of the angst with a little bit of fun. Inevitably, when these characters are keeping secrets, it’s going to be a slightly more angsty year.
And there were opportunities for fun that we couldn’t take because of what the characters were each holding back from each other. And I think by doing this, what it allows us to do is re-embrace the core values of the show and embrace what CASTLE is all about — that Castle and Beckett relationship and the two of them having fun. Because it’s not like the challenges go away. He’s still going to be Castle, she’s still going to be Beckett. To a certain extent, there’s going to be a higher level of scrutiny that they each put each other under because of where they’ve gone.
Dealing with that is going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to open up new avenues of storytelling, not only for them, but for the people around them. When they decide to let people know, how long they decide to keep it a secret, and all that sort of fun stuff. How they both feel about it the next morning.
I know we’ve talked about this before, but I hear a lot — and I’ve heard a lot in the past couple of years — when are Castle and Beckett going to be in a relationship? And my opinion is they’ve been in a relationship for a really long time. This is just the next step in the relationship and it’s going to cause its own complications. We’re not arriving anywhere — we’re just getting to the next place in the journey. And the journey is going to continue. And it’s going to be fun and it’s going to be challenged.
Where are these two headed? Were all Beckett’s fears about being just another notch on his belt well-founded? Or is she going to be concerned about where the relationship is going given the fact that this guy has been divorced twice? Now that Castle has consummated the relationship, how is he going to feel about Beckett? There’s some really fun stuff for us to play with and we’re looking forward to it. We don’t think this resolves anything, we think this puts them into the next set of fun, friction-y, cool, storytelling that we’re looking forward to playing with.
How much is it a relief for you personally to not have to answer the “When are Castle and Beckett getting together?” question? Or have you not thought about that yet?
AM: I know how life is. And life is, when you’re in any sort of relationship, when you’re hanging out with somebody, your friends are like, “So when are you going to get together?” And then when you get together, it’s like, “When are you going to move in?” And then you move in and it’s like, “So when are you going to get married?” And then you get married and it’s like, “So when are you going to have kids?” The questions aren’t going to stop — they’re just going to become different questions.
And we’re really happy to have people asking those questions. And the reason why we’re really happy is because that means they’re invested in the characters. We want folks to continue being invested in these characters and we want them to continue rooting for these characters when they face challenges. And inevitably, they’re going to face challenges. Hopefully the next question is going to be, “What’s going to happen in the relationship? When is he going to propose? When are they going to get married?” Those kind of questions and the complications that inevitably arise and those things that happen between the two of them will hopefully carry us another 3, 4, 5 years.
While I’m not asking you to reveal your grand plan, do you see a show with them being married and taking that step? Or is that further down the pipeline than you’ve given thought to?
AM: That’s further down the pipeline than I’ve given thought to. And I wouldn’t want to advertise my intentions to fans. I want them to have something to root for. I want them to be rooting for these guys. If you take a look at any great Shakespeare play, even when characters are together, even when they’re sneaking off into the woods at night together and they’re trying to figure out how to conduct their relationship, crazy stuff happens. This is not the end of the Castle and Beckett fun. This is, by the way, not even the end of the tension between the two of them because one tension leads into another tension. These guys have a lot of work given the betrayal and given where we end up with, re-earning each other’s friendship and all that. So that’ll give us a lot of stuff to play with.
I know it was touched upon earlier in the season that Alexis wasn’t as comfortable with the relationship as fans hoped she might be. Will you guys be touching on that next season?
AM: Of course!
Well, given the fact that she was going to college, I wasn’t sure how much she would be around to object to that and playing into their dynamic…
AM: I think it’s an inevitable part of it. And it’s something I’m also very aware of being a stepparent. Both of my kids were really great when I came into their lives. When [Marlowe’s wife and CASTLE writer] Terri [Miller] and I got together, the kids were 9 and I was in my mid-20s, and they were incredibly welcoming. But I also know that that can create some really interesting weirdness. [Laughs] So no doubt we’ll be dealing with that.
How was it for you and Terri to cowrite this episode? There are clearly some parallels between the two of you and Castle/Beckett and this was such a major episode for that relationship.
AM: Absolutely. And it was incredibly gratifying for me to have the opportunity to work with her on this one. This is the stuff we do so well together because she brings such a clear perspective from her point of view that is invaluable. And she also brought great clarity and perspective to the Castle and Alexis material in this, with Alexis facing graduation and dealing with the issues that she’s dealing with in this episode.
Given how the episode ended, are we going to be picking up immediately when the show returns next season? I know season 5 hasn’t been officially ordered yet, but I’m guessing you guys have thought some things out.
AM: We have given a lot of thought to how the next season is going to start and we have a pretty clear plan as to how to deal with all the stuff that is brought up in the finale and where we want to take the storytelling.
And as an overall season, one of the things we’re looking to do is re-embrace the fun of the show, so there will certainly be some heavy elements we are dealing with in the season finale, but I don’t want the audience to think that’s going to be the experience of all the fifth season. That’s not going to be the case. We want to deal with the issues that we’re dealing with in the finale openly and honestly, both in terms of the case that Beckett’s investigating and what happens in the Castle/Beckett relationship. And we’ll certainly be dealing with those aspects when we come back next year, but we do want to let our audience know that what they can expect is more of the CASTLE they know and love.
But is this technically the first part of a two-part episode?
AM: We don’t have a “to be continued” at the end of it, but we will be dealing with…when we come back next year, we will still be dealing with elements that are hanging over our heads from this episode.
Before I let you go, do you have any regrets about the season? Or any moments that stood out to you?
AM: You know, I’m really proud of the whole CASTLE team. I’m really proud of the cast — I really think they brought it this year. I’m really proud of the work the crew did; I’m really proud of the writers. Like I said, I get a lot of credit, especially for this past season, it was a great season — but it really is teamwork. There are a lot of dedicated folks doing a lot of hard work. In terms of regret? I don’t think we’ve done anything disastrous, and I really like the shows that we’ve done. Certainly, some are stronger than others and that is inevitable in any TV season. But I was really pleased with the way this season went. And I know some fans got frustrated at some points, but since I knew where we were going, it was never an issue for me. [Laughs] And they were supposed to be frustrated at those points. I just hope we can continue to bring the folks that are watching the show a really great hour of television, week in and week out like we have for the last few years.
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So, are you guys still giddy from “Always”? Looking forward to season 5? Let’s hear it in the comments!
Related:
CASTLE: Andrew Marlowe Teases ‘Always’
CASTLE Season Finale: ‘Always’ Photo Preview
CASTLE: Watch Castle Meet Adam Baldwin’s Dectective Slaughter in ‘Headhunters’
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Filed under #1 featured, Castle
I think I’ve replayed that last scene a million times. It was everything I wanted and more. And I’m so looking forward to season 5, especially since it sounds like they’re going to pick up right where they left off. Great episode.
“We’re 81 episodes, we’ve done a lot of storytelling having not gone there. And my personal feeling is we were on the verge of creating very artificial mechanisms of keeping them apart.”
THANK YOU!!!! I now have to go back and watch that ep about a million more times. Why does it have to be so late already!!??
Loved it and am so excited for Season 5. There are so many things to explore, not just the Caskett, though I’m very much looking forward to that, but all the other relationships. (Ryan and Esposito!) Thanks AM and TM for a very satisfying finale! I was on the edge of my seat and nearly sick all the way through. I’m going to have to watch again just to see how it feels with a more relaxed perspective. ;0]
I loved this episode and I’m so happy with where they are headed with Castle and Beckett! 🙂 It’s been a long time coming and I am so glad that we’ve gotten there now! I just wish the order for season 5 (and 6, 7. 8…) would be officially annouced and that we could jump ahead to September…
Thank you Andrew Marlowe, thank you because you and your team are brave and good writers, because you let the things happen in the right time and in the right way. No stupid plots to keep them apart! My respect for all of you guys! amazing finale!
I m not even a shipper and I am thrilled with the episode and the entire story. Marlowe has done an outstanding job. I look forward to their relationship and how all are affected, especially Alexis. Great season finale, AGAIN
When I was an X-Files fan it was frustrating beyond belief to continually hear Chris Carter (writer/producer) whine about how he couldn’t bring the two main characters together because it would kill the show.
Bah, humbug – that’s what a lot of us said.
Any good writer worth his/her salt can make it work. I have total faith in the Castle writers to make this not only work but go far, far beyond anything that’s been done before and set down new goals for writers in the future.
Go Castle/Beckett!
(and it’s going to be a long, long summer…)
XD
Well done – fast paced so viewers will desperately look forward to Season 5 and the details of all that went on in the final episode of Season 4.
Despite the enormous amount of events happening, CONGRATULATIONS to everyone involved with the show – you pulled through in a magnificent way.
Mounting tension (4 years), fabulous action, suspense, and romance; all this was done in such good taste – THANK YOU !!! Looking forward to Season 5 🙂
I think they were already well into artificial mechanisms and stagnancy with the last half of the season, most of which I’ll never watch again. There’s good frustration and then there’s eyerolling, throwing up one’s hands and finding better things to do with that hour of one’s life frustration, and for me at least half the season was the latter. There are indeed some excellent eps, but nearly all of them are in the first ten. At this point I could not care less about the utter contrivance that is the conspiracy, and I wish they’d wrap the damn thing up once and for all. Beckett started the show “wounded but not that wounded” and I’d like to see that version of the character reappear in this new incarnation, along with fun-loving Rick. If Marlowe can bring that back then maybe next year will be worth watching, but another year of contrived roadblocks of any kind? Not.
Honestly, it was one of the best hours of story-telling from any show this season. The payoff was so worth every bit of heartache this season. Do I want the conspiracy story line wrapped up? Yeah. Sorry rather than later, please. But I know that will probably change Beckett somewhat, too…having her mother’s murder solved. Still…it’s time. But yeah, the first thing I thought when I woke up was, “Oh my God, it was so good!”
I actually didn’t enjoy last night’s episode all that much, and I thought the ending to be cliche. I had higher expectations for this finale, I guess.
I agree with every single thing luzmelain said. My hope is that they’ll be able to find their writing groove again if they don’t have to keep those artificial barriers in place. I just was bored with about 2/3 of the season, because it was clear they were running out the clock on the C/B relationship until the series finale, and most of the cases were kind of weak. I did like the zombie one and a few others, but not many.
My wish list for Season 5:
* Don’t break Castle and Beckett up, especially not for some stupid reason. Let them love each other and have some fun, even though of course it’s not going to be all fun every minute.
* Make the tension and conflict character-based. I though the Ryan/Esposito conflict in the finale was a great example of how to do this.
* Address this tendency of Castle’s to withhold information from people for their own good. I’m starting to think the writers think that’s OK, and it’s really pissing me off.
* Some character development for Gates, please!
* Wrap up the Johanna Beckett murder conspiracy. So done with that.
* Good cases. No more saving-the-world-from-complicated-conspiracies plots or underground CIA bunkers! These are homicide cops, not spies.
Kudos to AWM & everyone over at CASTLE. This season, as frustrating as it got, was just phenomenal and the finale was everything it needed to be! I’m SO excited to see where C&B go from here! The wall is gone and they’re together and that’s all that matters! Hopefully ABC will get their act together and we’ll get the pick up for season 5!! Here’s to September!!
I should add that I really was happy with the finale! I just don’t agree with AM that all the frustration and annoyance of this season was necessary to get to that point. This didn’t need to be stretched out over the whole year, and stretching it hurt the show.
I really liked the episode, Castle and Beckett needed to get together. BUT I wonder how the show can hold up the sexual tention.
*yes I expect flaming to be happening, but think Caskett shippers, 95% of your viewers do NOT watch for the sole purposs of seeing these two make out.
I have my doubts. The way they came together was to me a very cliche climatic ending, like you would expect at the end of most Hollywood movies. The main couple get’s together and the END.
For me personally if the series would end it’s run after another season I would be content and fine with it, I really wouldn’t need anymore from this series. It would give the Castle showun team a year to write an ending to the whole Beckett murder story, because tbh, I have enough of this waiting, everytime they come up with something new. I wonder if they drag this on because its end would probably be THE END.
I think the temptation might be to jump ahead in time for the next season, but I’m hoping they actually pick up with the next morning. Even though we often like to deny it, there are real consequences to what has happened between them, and I’m looking forward to seeing how that plays out. Sometimes the morning after is every bit as intriguing as the night before.
I need a marathon of the murder story plot episodes. I must admit I’ve lost some of the thread because there has been so much time between episodes that dealt with the subject. I need to see them one right after the other in order to really see where we are with it.
Dear Bones Writers,
Take a lesson from those who write for Castle because that is how you get the main characters together.
Dear Kayla,
These are two different shows, with two different situations. Please don’t compare the two. Just be happy for your show and let the Bones fans be.
This was a beautiful story told. And I know there’s more to tell, but just to take a look back at the 81 episodes that got us here…
I certainly didn’t think I’d be feeling the way I do now when this show premiered. It had potential to be something… _____. That was all I thought.
After season one ended, I thought “Yeah, I’d come back to this.”
After season two ended, I thought “Hey, this storytelling is better than a lot of it’s competitors.”
After season three ended, I was speechless. Bought in, 100 percent. I had never been so shocked about the ending to a season as I was with Knockout.
And now? Four seasons later? This show has done a better job being true to itself, its purpose and its characters than most any show I’ve come across on television before. And I have high standards.
They’ve done what every good story teller should do, and allowed this story to develop naturally. There were no sudden, out-of-left field roadblocks that delayed what would be. There shows during sweeps played into the storyline, rather than stood out from it, and the issues at hand, while not always front and center, were never ignored.
Some have called Castle whiny? I see a man who’s heart has been put through the ringer.
Some have called Beckett selfish? She’s a woman who has been fighting to be strong enough to be in, to survive in a relationship.
And last night? That last scene was Shakespearean. Austonian. All of the greats have had a pinnacle scene like that one in their stories, and the Castle crew carried it out so well.
Crap. I think I’m going to cry again. It was amazing. And I thank the brains of Andrew and Terri for letting me be a part of it.
on of the ‘there’ was supposed to ‘their’. Stupid grammar. 🙂
Utterly beautiful, a return to form after a season that’s been a little lagging and disjointed.
Paul, I really like the idea of getting to see what happens AFTER the big climactic Hollywood moment. Those stories, about what happens next, are the ones that don’t get told as often. I don’t think for a second that nothing interesting ever happens to a couple once they’re a couple!
Love what AM is saying, hope half of it comes to fruition.
Last night was fantastic, honestly if the show ended right there I would perfectly happy.
Posting these comments here (as well as in “About Last Night” so all Castle fans can see…)
I really did sob watching Castle last night and, strangely I suppose, the scenes with the most impact for me were not in the final 5 minutes. Nathan and his delivery of Castle’s impassioned speech to Beckett (which so nicely echoed her speech about “running around with the funniest kid in the class” from last season’s finale!) and then the graduation speech (nice way to include “always” in the dialogue!) were the ones that brought tears to my eyes.
And I am so very worried about Ryan and Esposito! Caskett stuff…great, really great…but what about what’s happening with one of tv’s best bromances?!?!!
Great finale…bring on season 5 (please ABC!).
Kate had an excellent idea to watch the “Joanna Beckett Murder” Case Files episodes all back to back to help figure out that plotline. Anyone know the episode titles for all of the ones that dealt directly with her mother’s murder?
“(which so nicely echoed her speech about “running around with the funniest kid in the class” from last season’s finale!) ”
Ooh, nice point. She sure can’t accuse him of not taking a stand on how he feels about her anymore, can she? 😀
Exactly Lydia…exactly!
Have season 5 start with C and B in bed and Alexis comes home. Maybe she will want to go to Stanford after all. Really, she should be so happy for her dad. She has known how he feels aboutBeckett for a long time.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved that Beckett and Castle got together. But I really disliked the directing/editing of the lovers scene. That lightening flash and thunder clap followed by that Derek-Storm-looking shot of Castlewas soooooo cheezy. And I had to watch the scene about 5 times before I realized that she placed his hand over her bullet wound scar. The scene was shot so tight that you barely saw Beckett and Castle. Although the lighting in the scene was excellent. And not to pick on Castle, but his real life counterpart will probably be spending most of this break lifting weights, doing push ups and sit ups so that the opening bed scene in season 5 is hot.Hopefully the director will pan the camera out a bit more so we can see the characters more.
i agree with the comment about the shots of the final scene. it is very intimate having the shots tight and focused on the character’s faces, but just another minute including some wider shots and maybe the removal of a shirt or something would have been just perfect. as it was though, i still loved it and have watched it over and over.
the plot in the finale was thin but it was made up for by the castle/beckett stuff we’ve all been desperately waiting for. so happy too that marlowe has said it is going to be a relationship next year so there is no disappointment and doubt coming out of this episode into next year.
Im cant wait to for season 5 to start! Im soo satisfying how the season ended! A friend of mine told me how great castle is and I check it out! Of course I started from the beginning of season 1 until I reach the current episode of season 4… It literally took me 12 days to get all caught up and be ready for the episode of “Headhunters” and to enjoy the rest of season 4! Thats how dedicated Im into the show. So Im totally invested in all the characters on the show! I like totally in LOVE with KATE BECKETT & RICHARD CASTLE!! I was really satisfying with the finale! What a great way to end the season! In my opinion it was a perfect timing for Kate & Castle to finally be with each other!
Loved and hated the Season 3 finale, but ADORED the Season 4 finale! Wish they could somehow magically bring Capt. Montgomery back, but then it would lose that feeling of realness. I do hope we don’t really skip 3 months worth of events like the jump from Season 3 to Season 4. I want to see how Beckett’s resignation and Espo’s “leave” plays out (and how the Ryan/Espo team relationship is resolved). Also, would love to see Lanie and Espo have a reunion in this fallout. And there will be some tension between Alexis and Castle/Beckett, in spite of her maturity. Thank you, Andrew Marlowe for a great season, and I can’t wait for Season 5! I’ll be watching Seasons 1-4 for the next 3 months, since Castle is the only TV show I watch. 🙂
I am actually embarrassed at how much I care. I need to get a life! 🙂
I was happy to see Caskett become real altough I would have liked some more details. I would really be happy if Season 5 starts exactly from where season 4 ended and exactly means exactly. After another summer of waiting we deserve more details. Another thing in the wish list is Lanie and Espo togheter. As far as Kate’s mum murder is concerned I don’t think that solving it would end the story because after a big step another one is coming, to say: how can Kate deal with her life now: she has to move after 13 years and this is not easy. She has to face a new situation. Waiting for season 5. The only way to survive is not think about it.
Errata corrige: shie has to move on
Hi, I am a Brazilian fan!!!
I’m still without breathing! :p WOW!!! 😀 Finally! \o/
I loved how it finished, however *I would have liked some more details too* :p LOL
I’ve replayed that last scene a million times, too. :p
And Castle (great work Nathan) saying I love you and all those things…How cute was that? 😀
So excited for Season 5 (and more…) In my case it’s going to be a long, long winter…. :/
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