I don't think it's a secret how much I loved that episode. When they wrote, Marlowe & Miller weren't sure if the show would be back, so they wrote as a series finale. And it was a really great series finale, and we get at least another year.
Loved:
the great big head jokes. (I liked the ruggedly handsome picture)
Martha going to a funeral and hoping to get the deceased's apartment (which is a very NY thing)
Kevin & Javi disagreeing over their first case
Rick being sure that she aced the captain's exam
The creepy "Bates" reveal
Rick/Alexis scene - just love the way he loves her
Wow - the "performance review" scene - I knew something was up as soon as they mentioned that Nikki Heat spends more time on her back. And wow - I loved her "I am proud to be his wife" In reality, that set-up would never happen - 1PP would never allow a political party to do that. But it was just such a great scene, and Stana Katic nailed it
The swing set scene - very interesting. Especially when you remember that one of the last times they had a scene there, it was after she kept secrets. This time, she told him everything, he told her he'd back her play, and they had to go back to work
Castle letting them know that he expected questions from Javi and Kevin, but not from Kate. Then her "I'll back your play"
Kate putting her gun in Castle's hand - him shooting the doctor - the mask breaking
The scene before the awards party - loved how she told him we're here because of who we are - and how she's getting dressed so she can be proud of him
And Michael Connelly's introduction - his "murder, mystery, the macabre" are exactly the same as Gina's words in the first episode
And then Castle's speech! It really was perfect. "This is because of you. Because of us. Always"
Then his toast as they all were the last ones there - "One thing that won't change is what we have"
I knew something was up with that doctor when he was more than willing to talk about his patient
The tables at the party were filled with cast and crew. The table MC was sitting at was the writers' table, including Miller and Marlowe. Marlowe tweeted it was the first time all of them were in one place at the same time.
So, a great episode. Now the questions:
1) captain or senator?
2) did she or didn't she - drink the champagne, that is