Castle (season 4)

The fourth season of American crime-comedy-drama television series Castle was ordered on January 10, 2011, by ABC.[1] The season aired from September 19, 2011, to May 7, 2012.[2] The fourth season initially contained 22 episodes, but on December 8, 2011, ABC ordered an additional episode, bringing the total episode count to 23 episodes.[3] Penny Johnson Jerald joined the cast as the new captain, Victoria "Iron" Gates for the fourth season.[4]

Castle
Season 4
DVD cover
Starring	Nathan Fillion Stana Katic Jon Huertas Seamus Dever Tamala Jones Molly C. Quinn Susan Sullivan Penny Johnson Jerald
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	23
Release
Original network	ABC
Original release	September 19, 2011 – May 7, 2012
Season chronology

Overview

Richard Castle (Fillion) is a famous mystery novelist who has killed off the main character in his popular book series and has writer's block. He is brought in by the NYPD for questioning regarding a copy-cat murder based on one of his novels. He is intrigued by this new window into crime and murder, and uses his connection with the mayor to charm his way into shadowing Detective Kate Beckett (Katic). Castle decides to use Beckett as his muse for Nikki Heat, the main character of his next book series. Beckett, an avid reader of Castle's books, initially disapproves of having Castle shadow her work, but later warms up and recognizes Castle as a useful resource in her team's investigations.

Cast

Main cast

• Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle
• Stana Katic as Dt. Kate Beckett
• Jon Huertas as Dt. Javier Esposito
• Seamus Dever as Dt. Kevin Ryan
• Tamala Jones as Dr. Lanie Parish
• Molly C. Quinn as Alexis Castle
• Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers
• Penny Johnson Jerald as Captain Victoria Gates

Recurring cast

• Victor Webster as Josh Davidson
• Scott Paulin as Jim Beckett
• Michael Dorn as Dr. Carter Burke
• Juliana Dever as Jenny Duffy-O'Malley

Guest cast

• Geoff Pierson as Mr. Smith
• Juliana Dever as Jenny
• Derek Webster as Mayor Robert Weldon
• Jennifer Beals as Sophia Conrad
• Josh Stamberg as Martin Danberg
• David Chisum as Thomas Gage
• Lorin McCraley as West Side Wally
• Meghan Markle as Charlotte Boyd

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code	US viewers (millions)
59	1	"Rise"	Rob Bowman	Andrew W. Marlowe	September 19, 2011	401	13.28[5]
After undergoing extensive surgery, Beckett takes three months to recuperate before returning to the NYPD. With Castle in tow she begins searching for her would-be assassin. Captain Montgomery is replaced by Captain Victoria "Iron" Gates, who does not approve of Castle's presence. Although Beckett at first claims that she does not remember the events of the gunshot, she confesses to a psychologist that she does. As Castle tries to dissuade Beckett from digging deeper into the case, he himself is immersed in the process of trying to identify Beckett's shooter.
60	2	"Heroes & Villains"	Jeff Bleckner	David Amann	September 26, 2011	402	11.67[6]
Castle and Beckett investigate the murder of an ex-con in an alley, and believe a superhero-themed vigilante is behind the murder but the case gets complicated as they find out that there is more than one person dressed up as the same comic book hero.
61	3	"Head Case"	Holly Dale	David Grae	October 3, 2011	403	11.18[7]
Castle and Beckett investigate a crime scene that involves a large pool of blood, but no victim. The victim had a cryogenics contract, triggered by an alarm which goes off when the victim's heart stops beating. Taking the bullet out would 'kill' the corpse, so the severed head remains frozen and at the cryogenics laboratory. When Ryan and Esposito find needles with the victim's brain matter on it, the case takes a turn when Lanie discovers that someone was doing procedures to the victim's head. Alexis receives news about Stanford.
62	4	"Kick the Ballistics"	Rob Bowman	Moira Kirland	October 10, 2011	404	10.23[8]
Castle and Beckett investigate the murder of a young woman which was committed using Det. Ryan's old service weapon – the one that was stolen by the serial killer, 3XK. The victim's phone records reveal she had been in contact with Seth Carver, an undercover narcotics detective. When looking through old police records, Castle manages to find a link in the case which leads them to Philip Lee, the son of Clifford Lee, a notorious Chinese drug mobster.
63	5	"Eye of the Beholder"	John Terlesky	Shalisha Francis	October 17, 2011	405	11.23[9]
Castle and Beckett investigate a murder committed during the theft of a valuable sculpture. Serena Kaye, a smart, sexy insurance investigator, joins them in the investigation, all the while hiding a very important secret from the team. She also attracts a lot of attention from Castle, with mixed feelings from Beckett.
64	6	"Demons"	Bill Roe	Rob Hanning	October 24, 2011	406	10.81[10]
Castle and Beckett investigate the murder of a ghost hunter named Jack Sinclair who was looking into a haunting at a New York mansion. As they delve deeper into the case, Castle supports the idea that supernatural powers could be at work, while Beckett looks for a non-supernatural reason for the murder. While looking at the haunted mansion, Castle and Beckett discover a secret alcove where the killer killed Jack Sinclair, putting Castle's "demon" theory to rest.
65	7	"Cops & Robbers"	Bryan Spicer	Terence Paul Winter	October 31, 2011	407	12.58[11]
Martha and Castle are held hostage by bank robbers dressed in hospital scrubs. Beckett's rescue efforts are hindered by a strict hostage negotiator. Meanwhile, Alexis faces problems in her relationship with Ashley.
66	8	"Heartbreak Hotel"	Bill Roe	Elizabeth Davis	November 7, 2011	408	11.07[12]
During the investigation of the murder of an Atlantic City casino owner at an abandoned warehouse, strong leads emerge for the team in both New York and Atlantic City. As Beckett and Captain Gates work the New York leads together, Castle naturally chooses to join the detectives for the road trip to "America's Playground", hoping to help solve the case while throwing an impromptu bachelor party for Ryan.
67	9	"Kill Shot"	David M. Barrett	Alexi Hawley	November 21, 2011	409	10.85[13]
The team searches for a sniper who is terrorizing New York; Beckett tries to hide her worsening PTSD from Castle and the detectives.
68	10	"Cuffed"	John Terlesky	Terri Miller & Andrew W. Marlowe	December 5, 2011	410	8.12[14]
Castle and Beckett wake up handcuffed together in a sealed room, with no memory of how they got there. While Esposito and Ryan search for them, they must reconstruct their case from what little they remember.
69	11	"Till Death Do Us Part"	Jeff Bleckner	David Grae	January 9, 2012	411	9.76[15]
When Castle and Beckett investigate the death of a ladies' man, a secret is revealed about Ryan's bride.
70	12	"Dial M for Mayor"	Kate Woods	Christine Boylan	January 16, 2012	412	9.41[16]
A woman is found dead in the passenger seat of a car on loan from city hall by the Mayor (Derek Webster). Captain Gates urges Beckett to take Castle off the case due to his close friendship with the Mayor.
71	13	"An Embarrassment of Bitches"	Tom Wright	Rob Hanning	January 23, 2012	413	10.05[17]
The investigation into the death of a famous dog trainer leads to reality television star Kay Cappuccio (Hilarie Burton). Alexis goes on a trip with her friend Buttons to look at colleges. Castle and Beckett debate where the dog, Royal, of the deceased (who had no family) should stay. Esposito has a crush.
72	14	"The Blue Butterfly"	Chuck Bowman	Terence Paul Winter	February 6, 2012	414	8.70[18]
Castle attempts to solve a crime using a diary written in the 1940s. Every time he reads it he flashes back to the 1940s, with the principal characters being imagined as people described in the diary.
73	15	"Pandora"	Bryan Spicer	David Amann	February 13, 2012	415	8.86[19]
Castle and Beckett find out that the killer they are pursuing is part of an international conspiracy; Alexis starts a new internship assisting Lanie in the Medical Examiner's Office.
74	16	"Linchpin"	Rob Bowman	Andrew W. Marlowe	February 20, 2012	416	9.73[20]
Castle and Beckett realize what the linchpin is. In their attempts to prevent a war from breaking out, they are betrayed by someone they thought they could trust. Over the course of the investigation, Castle begins to learn more about his father.
75	17	"Once Upon a Crime"	Jeff Bleckner	Kate Sargeant	February 27, 2012	417	9.10[21]
When the bodies of two murdered women are found dressed as fairy tale characters, it falls to Castle and Beckett to catch a killer before he can strike again.
76	18	"A Dance with Death"	Kevin Hooks	Moira Kirland	March 19, 2012	418	11.52[22]
Castle and Beckett take the case of a troubled celebrity who was murdered moments before she was due to appear as a contestant on a popular dancing competition.
77	19	"47 Seconds"	Paul Holahan	Shalisha Francis	March 26, 2012	419	11.87[23]
Castle, Beckett and the NYPD scramble to find the perpetrator of a bombing at the "Takeover Wall Street" protest. While Beckett is interrogating a suspect, she reveals she has always remembered everything about her shooting, causing Castle (who inadvertently overhears) to think Beckett has rejected his feelings for her.
78	20	"The Limey"	Bill Roe	Elizabeth Davis	April 2, 2012	420	11.69[24]
Castle and Beckett are approached by a detective inspector named Colin Hunt (Brett Tucker) from Scotland Yard looking for help in solving the murder of a family friend. Beckett finally admits her feelings about Castle to Lanie, who convinces Beckett that she must make a move before it is too late.
79	21	"Headhunters"	John Terlesky	Alexi Hawley	April 16, 2012	421	11.23[25]
Feeling that he is no longer able to work with Beckett, Castle finds a new partner in Detective Ethan Slaughter (Adam Baldwin). As the two attempt to prevent a gang war from taking over New York, Slaughter's questionable and often violent methods place Castle's life in danger.
80	22	"Undead Again"	Bill Roe	Christine Boylan	April 30, 2012	422	11.08[26]
A witness to a murder claims that he and the victim were attacked by a zombie. Castle and Beckett take a step forward in their relationship, with Beckett stating that "Her wall" is about to come down.
81	23	"Always"	Rob Bowman	Terri Miller & Andrew W. Marlowe	May 7, 2012	423	12.36[27]
When Castle and Beckett attend the murder of a reformed gang member, they find evidence that links him to Beckett's shooting and the theft of documents from Roy Montgomery's home. The 12th Precinct is divided as Castle tries to stop Beckett from investigating, causing a rift in their partnership. Her efforts are unsuccessful, and Cole Maddox (Tahmoh Penikett)—her would-be assassin—escapes, vowing to kill her once he recovers Montgomery's files on his employer. Esposito and Beckett are suspended for withholding information on the case, however Beckett decides to resign. Beckett then goes to Castle's home where she finally gives in to her feelings for him, and they share a passionate kiss. The episode concludes with the mystery man protecting Kate, identified as Mr. Smith, being threatened by Maddox to give up the information he is using to blackmail them.

Reception

Critical reception

The fourth season of Castle received positive reviews from critics, many of whom was pleased that the show finally united Fillion and Katic's characters Castle and Beckett after having four seasons of on-again-off-again relationship. Sandra Gonzalez from Entertainment Weekly was pleased in the way the relationship happened.[28]

DVD release

Castle: The Complete Fourth Season
Set details		Special features
23 episodes English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround) English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles		Audio Commentary Bloopers & Outtakes Deleted Scenes Anatomy Of A Stunt Radio Stars One Bowman Is Never Enough
DVD release dates
Region 1		Region 2		Region 4
September 18, 2012[29]		March 25, 2013[30]		November 14, 2012[31]

Awards and nominations

Award	Category	Nominee	Result	Ref.
People's Choice Awards	Favorite TV Crime Drama	Castle	Won	[32]
	Favorite TV Drama Actor	Nathan Fillion	Won
PRISM Awards	Performance in a Drama Episode	Stana Katic and Jon Huertas	Won	[33]
	Drama Series Episode – Mental Health	Castle: "Kill Shot"	Won
TV Guide Magazine's Fan Favorites Awards	Favorite Couple	Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic	Won	[34]
Shorty Awards	TV Show	Castle	Nominated
	Best Actress	Stana Katic	Nominated
	Best Actor	Nathan Fillion	Won
	Fashion	Luke Reichle	Won
ALMA Awards	Favorite TV Actor Supporting Role in a Drama	Jon Huertas	Won	[35]

References

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4. Bryant, Adam (July 13, 2011). "Castle Exclusive: Meet Castle and Beckett's New Captain!". TVGuide.com. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
5. Seidman, Robert (September 20, 2011). "Monday Broadcast Final Ratings: Two and a Half Men, 2 Broke Girls, DWTS Adjusted Up; Castle Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 23, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
6. Gorman, Bill (September 27, 2011). "Monday Broadcast Final Ratings: Terra Nova, 2.5 Men, Castle, HIMYM, Broke Girls Adjusted Up; Gossip Girl, Mike & Molly Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
7. Seidman, Robert (October 4, 2011). "Monday Broadcast Final Ratings: Terra Nova, 2.5 Men, 2 Broke Girls Adjusted Up; Castle Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
8. Gorman, Bill (October 11, 2011). "Monday Final Ratings: Terra Nova, House, Unscrambled; Mother, Sing Off, Broke Girls, 2.5 Men, Hawaii 5-0 Adjusted Up; Dancing, Castle, Mike & Molly Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 13, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
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21. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 28, 2012). "Monday Final Ratings: '2 Broke Girls' Adjusted Up; 'Smash,' 'Castle' Adjusted Down + 'Daytona 500' Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
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27. Kondolojy, Amanda (May 8, 2012). "Monday Final Ratings: 'DWTS', 'Two and a Half Men', 'The Voice', and '2 Broke Girls' Adjusted Up; 'Castle' and 'Smash' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
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