Castle Review: Reckoning (Season 7 Episode 15)

The conclusion of a thrilling two-parter, “Reckoning” is officially one of my favorite episodes of Castle.

Sure, we pretty much knew things would turn out okay for Beckett. After all, she’s faced her share of terrible villains and life-threatening situations in the past. Still, the episode leaves us in suspense in more than one way. We’re worried about Beckett — even if Castle can get to her to save her life, what’s crazy Dr. Kellie Nieman going to be able to do to her face? That whole idea of face replacement is disturbing in more ways than one.

As Castle tries to save Beckett, he shows a different, darker side of his character — and that’s fascinating to watch. We’re nearly always used to seeing these funny, light moments with Castle, but not here. It’s a nice change of pace, and it shows a real depth to that character. The scene when he nearly shoots 3XK, who insists on his knees that he’s not who Castle thinks he is probably had me in knots more than any other part of this episode. Whether it was 3XK or a convenient look alike, I simply didn’t want to see Castle go there.

He doesn’t get the chance, and instead we see him plotting a better way to take down 3XK and get Beckett back safe. The plan is to bring the game to him instead of the other way around.

Okay, I’m guessing you guys were thinking exactly what I was thinking when Castle appeared to come up with this plan alone, and go to see 3XK alone. It’s the kind of thing he does too often, but surely he wouldn’t have been that short-sided to go after this guy all by himself? Of course, then 3XK seems to have gotten the best of both Castle and Beckett, and we’re all thinking Castle made a huge mistake by going alone.

But then, we see the whole picture. We go back to that conversation where Castle seems to be talking to himself about a plan, but then we see the entire shot. Turns out, Ryan and Esposito are in on everything for a brilliant, perfect plan. Not only have we had the twist of not knowing for sure that 3XK is actually 3XK (but you knew it was him, right?), we’re also given a twist in the plan to save Beckett. And it’s a twist that is done entirely through the editing.

It’s an interesting move, especially since it isn’t so far fetched for Castle to do something like that on his own. The entire episode is a perfectly cinematic, psychological thriller.

Even better is the fact that by the time Castle, Ryan, and Esposito arrive to save Beckett, she’s already saved herself. It’s actually a horrifying scene to see her standing over Kellie Nieman’s dead body, covered in blood.

Once everyone is back safe and sound at the precinct, there’s bad news and good news. Castle still has to answer for the fact that he pulled a gun on an unarmed man, but his punishment is just many, many hours of community service. And he’ll get to spend that community service working as a consultant for the NYPD. That’s right, kids, Castle and Beckett get to be partners again! Hooray!

Other thoughts:

• I loved the interaction between Castle and Gates. She has officially warmed up to him, and with good reason. They even hug!
• Ryan was feeling pretty guilty about the fact that he could have taken care of 3XK a long time ago. That’s actually something I wish we could have seen explored further, but I’m glad he got to be part of Beckett’s rescue.
• Castle’s disappearance was brought up again in this episode. I hope we get some answers about that soon.

What were your thoughts on “Reckoning?” Be sure to leave a comment below and give this episode of Castle a rating all your own!

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Castle airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC.

Ashley Bissette Sumerel

Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.