#Castle season 7 finale recap - "Hollander's Woods"

SEASON FINALE

 

CASTLE BELIEVES THE BAFFLING DEATH OF A YOUNG WOMAN MAY BE LINKED TO A MYSTERY FROM HIS PAST, ON "CASTLE"

 

"Hollander's Woods" -- A death in the woods draws Castle back to a terrifying and defining event in his childhood. Investigation leads to obsession, as he attempts to unearth answers that have eluded him for decades, all while Beckett faces a crossroads of her own, on the season finale of "Castle," MONDAY, MAY 11 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

 

"Castle" stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Penny Johnson Jerald as NYPD Captain Victoria Gates, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

 

Guest Cast: Lance Reddick as Keith Kaufman, Wallace Langham as Dr. Van Holtzman, Cullen Douglas as Noah Lewis.

 

"Hollander's Woods" was written by Andrew W. Marlowe & Terri Edda Miller and directed by Paul Holahan.

Episode 23:
Woods. A blonde woman is bloody, hiding. She runs. And runs into a road in front of a truck.

Castle shows two billboards to Alexis and Kate. Which big head? They don't agree, so Martha is the tie-breaker. But she says I love them equally. She's off to check out a rent-controlled loft in Chelsea. Kate gets a murder call.

Her captain results haven't come in, yet. Espo and Ryan partnered together 10 months ago today. They're updated about the Jane Doe. She had a keycard, a $50 bill, and a receipt tucked in her bra. Castle looks at the body. Cross carvings in her face. A witness saw a dark figure in a mask.

They talk to the driver at the hospital. He says the guy wore a mask like a doll's face. Markings like streaked teardrops. Castle knows the mask. He says it was real. I've seen that mask before.

Kate asks him if he's ready to talk about it. Castle was 11 years old, staying with a family of a classmate. They were told to never go in Hollander's Woods alone. He walked for hours. Then saw the figure in black kneeling. And then I saw her. The first body I ever saw. The same symbols were carved in her forehead and cheeks. The man threatened him into silence. Why did he let you live? Castle says I don't know. When I called police in the city, they never found a body. No one ever matched her description. Like it never happened. That day in the woods is why I do what I do. She asks why he never told her before. Castle didn't want it to be real. But it is.

Ryan says he checked records. This thing Castle said happened, is he really sure about this? She says as sure as she's ever seen him. The victim never talked to anyone at the coffee shop. Espo has a hotel location. Registered as Jane Smith. She'd been staying around 2 weeks. They look around inside. Castle finds photos of a woman. And license plate numbers. Looking for someone.

They talk to Frank Malloy. Emma was his daughter. She was looking for a friend that disappeared 2 months ago. Zoe left an abusive boyfriend and she never showed. The boyfriend was 2 states away and reported the car stolen. Emma retraced her route. Zoe got in an NYC car. Kate asks about the woods. They weren't on the route. Zoe didn't have family.

Castle says he targets people that won't be missed. That's why he didn't kill me. How many times do you think he's done this in 30 years? Kate says you were only 11. And we don't know this is the same person. He says of course it is. I need to find this guy, I need to end this. Kate asks the guys to look for abandoned cars from 30 years ago. Gates asks for a word. Close the door. 1PP wants to give you a review tonight. Kate asks why? Gate doesn't know. They want you there at 7:30.

Castle says it could be good news. Kate doesn't feel so. Tech Girl found something. A car Emma was watching. Belongs to a 72 year old woman.

They go to her address. Knock. Mrs. Lewis? The door is unlocked. The TV is on. Mrs. Lewis? They find her very, very dead.

Lanie says there were no outward signs of trauma. She's been dead at least 3 years. Espo found the matchbook in the kitchen. Next of kin is a son in North Carolina. Kate calls the number and the phone is ringing in the house. In a cabinet. Shot fires out of it! Kate fires back. There's a hole in the floor.

They run after him outside. Espo and Ryan lose him.

Noah Lewis, 52. His mother committed him 4 years ago. He has BPD with violent tendencies. Ryan found something from Feb 1983. A ticketed truck that belonged to a farmer. He let a migrant worker borrow it and she disappeared. Rosalita. Castle remembers her. Kate says we'll find him, I promise. She heads to her review.

Castle's first story at 11. He had described it all. Alexis comes in his office. She asks how old were youu when you knew you wanted to be a writer. Since he was a kid. She says I'm finishing my junior year and I have no idea what I want to do. I still haven't found my passion. He says you will, or it will find you. Every experience you had led you to who you were meant to be. And you will be amazing. Because you already are. He hugs her.

Kate waits. She's called in. Sits. You took the captain's exam. Yes, sir. He asks what makes her qualified to be a captain, or even a detective. He is not a fan. How do you expect to lead when you exercise poor judgment? you are not qualified to even be a detective. Thank you, you can go. Ouch. She says you're wrong, sir. In every case you have referenced, I have brought the killer to justice. And Mr. Castle is a brilliant partner and always had my back. I'm proud to be his wife. My job is to protect the citizens of New York and I put myself on the line. The other man tells her to sit down. That was an impassioned response. And what we were hoping for. Kate, this was your audition. We wanted to see how you'd defend yourself. You're bigger than what you're doing now. We want to give you a bigger stage. We'd like you to run for New York state senate. Surprise!

Kate and Castle discuss on the swing set. She says I'm a cop, not a politician. But she was in Model UN as a kid. Her mom told her she could grow up and be anything she wants. She says all of you would be fair game in an election. And she aced her captain exam. She could have her own precinct in a year.

Espo calls. The suspect has been arrested. He asks about his mother. She's being autopsied. Kate asks about Emma Malloy. Where were you the night before last? Out. Or Zoe Addison? He says she's pretty. Castle asks how you make them disappear? Suspect says I'm the victim here.

Castle thought he'd be more formidable. Ryan says there's no evidence linking him to murders. Can't even link him to Hollander's Woods. So we need to watch him. Kate wants to talk to the shrink.

They goto talk to Dr. Holtzman. We need to talk to you about Noah Lewis. Castle says I know that voice. it's him, he's the killer.

Kate is skeptical. Castle says I wouldn't forget that voice as long as I live. They go to his office. She asks how long he's been treating Mr. Lewis. 4 years. He has to meet once a month as part of his release. Noah said recently he thought someone was following him. Castle says he's killed for years. He wears a mask. What would drive a man to do that? Why does he hide his face behind this? Dr. says maybe this is his true face and he wants his victims to see it and fear it before they die.

Castle knows this sounds crazy. Espo and Ryan don't believe him. Castle can't explain it, yet, but... Kate asks if it's possible you're misremembering the voice. We want to solve the case as much as you do. He says I expected this from these guys, not from you.

Castle thinks over the case at home. Kate says I'm sorry. I believe you. Castle says this is not how the story is supposed to end. She says the bodies have to be hidden somewhere the killer has absolute control. She did a property search. Holtzman has property that belonged to his parents, and he's the sole trustee. There's a barn. She can't go. Nothing she found without a warrant would be admissible. She tells him he can go. It's trespassing, but if you found something.....whatever you decide, I'll back your play.

Castle and Kate drive out to the property. She tells him to keep her on speaker. He goes in the barn. What do you see? Storage. Creepy, creepy, storage. Finds a Corolla, same license plate as Noah's. He finds the mask! Finds an album. With photos of the dead women. Door slams shut. Beckett, he's here. How did you find me?

She runs to him.

Castle says you can't win. We know who you are. Kate yells from outside that it's locked. Holtzman attacks Castle with a knife. He reaches his hand under the door and she gives him her gun. He shoots repeatedly. Then opens the door and comes out. She holds him. You okay?

News talks about the case. Kate turns the TV off. Castle was practicing his speech tonight for his award. He wondered if he'd be here, they'd be here, if not for the day in the woods. She says we would, because we're both trying to bring justice to this world.

He's introduced at the ceremony. Michael Connolly gave the speech. Castle gives his speech. Most people think writing is a solitary profession, but we don't do it alone, because anything that's good in our writing comes from truth in our lives. He cites his mother, Alexis, Espo and Ryan, and Kate. 7 years ago, I thought I'd never write again, then you walked in the door and my whole life changed. This is because of you, because of us. Always.

Martha says that was a lovely speech, darling. Espo asks who will be your inspiration if Beckett becomes a senator? He says maybe I'll write a political thriller. Castle toasts to the group. Kate gets a text. There's been a murder.



See you next fall.