This Castle recap takes in account not only the finale episode itself but the whole series in the last four seasons. Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) may have solved most of the mysteries of the homicide cases they have delved into, but the one mystery case they couldn't piece together yet is the murder of Beckett's mother. This season's finale promises another season of clue-hunting for Castle and death-defying stunts for Beckett.

How it began
The finale episode starts normally as the lead characters approach a crime scene. Castle tells Beckett his daughter Alexis (Molly Quinn) is stressing over her valedictory speech, while he is contemplating ways in which to cope with the imminent changes in their lives, as Alexis is off to college. He casually invites Beckett to a movie marathon, and she agrees. It's all sweet, warm, and calm. The show's fans knew it was the calm before the storm.

Who killed Kate's mother?
Beckett learns that the crime victim is linked to the murder of her mother. Just like that, she jumps right back into where she was right before she felt ready to give Castle a chance. Her colleagues and friends worry for her safety. Castle is frustrated that she seems to not value her life enough. Javier Esposito (Jon Huertas) and Kevin Ryan (Seamus Dever) are on opposite ends when it comes to keeping Beckett alive while she pursues the bad guys. Esposito, like Beckett, believes there is no else they can trust because they all knew there were bad cops involved in the case. Ryan, on the other hand, says they will end up killing themselves without going through the "Iron Gates."

"I'm more than a partner"
"Everything we've been through together. I'm right here. And I'm more than a partner," Castle tells Beckett. But she is naturally stubborn, and she is too much hurt over the things he hid from her, and her rage is blurring her sense of logic. Castle declares enough is enough and "this" is over. He says he cannot watch her throw her life away when the bad guys are clearly bent on having her killed.

“I almost died..."
Beckett gets herself in serious trouble and finds herself in danger of falling off a building. She hears a voice approaching, and she immediately yells, "Castle!!!" The one person she wanted to see when she was so close to dying (again) is not there. Ryan saves her, and gives her the look that says, I'm sorry, he's not here (but you know it's your fault because you pushed him away). What follows is a disciplinary action for Esposito and Beckett, and a shocking pronouncement from Castle's muse: "I resign." Esposito gets even more upset with Ryan for not being with them. But their bromance kiss-and-make-up will have to wait until next season.

The North Star aka Alexis' valedictory speech
Beckett sits on a swing that rainy evening. Alexis is in the middle of her graduation speech. The detective looks in the empty swing seat next to her, and the camera sees a teary-eyed Castle whose face beams in pride for his daughter. Alexis talks about the North Star: "There are some people who are so much a part of us. They’ll be with us no matter what. They are our solid ground, our North Star, and the small clear voices in our hearts that will be with us. Always."

Rain-soaked Beckett knocks on Castle's Door
Castle is at home alone, telling Alexis on the phone that she shouldn't worry. He's got his Xbox, he'll be fine. His phone rings again, and this time it's Beckett. He cuts the call. He checks out his huge cutting-edge computer screen and then he drags Beckett's file into the trash bin. The fans could hear his heart shattering in pieces as he did so. Then Castle is startled by a knock on his door.

Beckett's one-liners and the steamy scenes that followed
“I almost died, and all I could think about was you,” Beckett says. She punctuates it with an even more powerful, "I just want you." It was not solving her mother's murder that was in her mind while she was hanging for dear life. It was Castle. So they finally kiss. And it's all real. No dream sequence, no imagined scenarios. It's all real. He unbuttons her top, and the gunshot wound in her chest shows up. She gives him a look that says, "It's all okay."

Smith
The finale closes with a scene that promises Castle and Beckett are going to have some serious tough times next season. The criminals behind the murder of Beckett's mother are closing in, and they are going to eliminate anyone who ever gets in their way.

Click 'Start' to see what fans have posted on Tumblr after the airing of Castle's season finale on ABC. This Castle recap won't be complete without fans reacting to the show.

Storm