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The Best Episodes of Castle

Every episode of Castle ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Castle!

Binge this in 5d 6h•Peaking at 9.3/10

After a serial killer imitates the plots of his novels, successful mystery novelist Richard "Rick" Castle receives permission from the Mayor of New York City to tag along with an NYPD homicide investigation team for

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Castle Season 5 Episode 16 - Hunt (2)
    9.3/10(2651 votes)

    #1 - Hunt (2)

    S5:E16

    In the powerful conclusion of a two-episode story arc, when the FBI fails to get his daughter back, Castle takes matters into his own hands, reaching out to a shadowy fixer to help him recover Alexis. But Castle soon learns that his daughter's kidnapping may be part of an even more sinister agenda.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:Andrew W. Marlowe

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  2. Castle Season 3 Episode 24 - Knockout
    9.2/10(2538 votes)

    #2 - Knockout

    S3:E24

    Kate Beckett's investigation into her mother's death is reactivated when Hal Lockwood - a professional hitman with knowledge of Beckett's mother's murder - stages a spectacular escape during a court hearing. As police launch a manhunt for Lockwood, Castle and the team uncover evidence of a deeper conspiracy involving a mysterious figure with law enforcement connections who is linked to both Lockwood's escape and the killing of Johanna Beckett. The search for Lockwood and the quest to identify his co-conspirator leads to a shocking and deadly conclusion.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:Will Beall

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  3. Castle Season 5 Episode 5 - Probable Cause
    9.1/10(2291 votes)

    #3 - Probable Cause

    S5:E5

    While investigating a shocking ritualistic murder, Beckett and her team uncover surprising evidence linking Castle to the killing. As the evidence against him mounts, loyalties are tested. And when surprising revelations come to light, Beckett begins to wonder how well she really knows her new lover and partner of four years

    Director:John Terlesky
    Writer:Andrew W. Marlowe

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  4. Castle Season 5 Episode 15 - Target (1)
    9.1/10(2230 votes)

    #4 - Target (1)

    S5:E15

    In the first of a two-episode story arc, Castle and Beckett begin a murder investigation that also exposes a plot to kidnap the daughter of a wealthy Middle Eastern businessman. FBI Agent Harris, an even-keeled professional is brought in to help find the kidnappers.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:David Amann

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  5. Castle Season 5 Episode 19 - The Lives of Others
    9.1/10(2273 votes)

    #5 - The Lives of Others

    S5:E19

    In the show’s 100th episode, Castle finds himself in the unfortunate position of NOT being able to work a case. While he’s holed up in the loft with a broken leg, Beckett goes off to investigate the death of an IRS agent without him, leaving Castle miserable and bored. But when he thinks he witnesses the murder of a young woman in the apartment across the street, he is thrown into a "Rear Window"-esque murder mystery that hits much too close to home.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writers:Terri Edda Miller, Andrew W. Marlowe

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  6. Castle Season 3 Episode 13 - Knockdown
    9.0/10(2140 votes)

    #6 - Knockdown

    S3:E13

    When the detective who investigated Beckett's mother's murder is shot before Beckett's eyes before he can give her new evidence in the case, Beckett's old wounds are reopened. The investigation of the detective's death leads the team to an old scheme which may provide the answer to why Beckett's mother was murdered and who ordered it. Beckett and Castle's relationship takes a new turn.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Will Beall

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Castle

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  7. Castle Season 5 Episode 1 - After the Storm
    9.0/10(2394 votes)

    #7 - After the Storm

    S5:E1

    Picking up the morning after, Castle and Beckett now have to decide if they're a couple or was it just a onetime deal. But before they can tackle that, they must deal with those responsible for Kate's mother's death who are now a threat to Beckett.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:David Amann

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  8. Castle Season 6 Episode 22 - Veritas
    9.0/10(1807 votes)

    #8 - Veritas

    S6:E22

    A secret investigation conducted by Beckett related to her mother's murder goes awry when a man she has been surveilling is killed. When evidence links Beckett to the victim, she and Castle become the targets of a manhunt that puts both of them in grave danger.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writers:Rob Hanning, Terence Paul Winter

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  9. Castle Season 6 Episode 9 - Disciple
    8.9/10(1788 votes)

    #9 - Disciple

    S6:E9

    Castle and Beckett arrive at a crime scene to discover that the female victim bears a shocking resemblance to Medical Examiner Lanie Parish. As the team tries to make sense of this mystery, they realize the killer may be targeting detectives of the 12th Precinct. Dr. Kelly Nieman, an exclusive Manhattan cosmetic surgeon who draws Castle and Beckett's interest because of her connection to the victim.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:David Amann

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  10. Castle Season 3 Episode 17 - Countdown (2)
    8.8/10(1872 votes)

    #10 - Countdown (2)

    S3:E17

    With time running out, Castle and Beckett must put aside their differences with Agent Fallon to avert a city-wide catastrophe.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:Andrew W. Marlowe

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  11. Castle Season 5 Episode 4 - Murder, He Wrote
    8.8/10(1925 votes)

    #11 - Murder, He Wrote

    S5:E4

    Castle and Beckett’s plans for a romantic weekend in the Hamptons are interrupted when a dying man stumbles into Castle’s backyard, collapsing into his pool. Unable to escape the lure of the investigation they join up with the small town’s well-intentioned, but inexperienced sheriff to find the killer,

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:David Grae

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  12. Castle Season 6 Episode 5 - Time Will Tell
    8.8/10(1979 votes)

    #12 - Time Will Tell

    S6:E5

    A grisly murder investigation leads Castle and Beckett to a suspect who claims he's traveled back in time to stop terrible events from unfolding, events that will change the course of human history. Is he simply a deluded killer, or is it possible that he's telling the truth?

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writers:Terri Edda Miller, Andrew W. Marlowe

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  13. Castle Season 3 Episode 6 - 3XK
    8.7/10(1794 votes)

    #13 - 3XK

    S3:E6

    When a beautiful woman is found dead in an alley, all clues point to her being a victim of the notorious Triple Killer. The Triple Killer, or 3XK, terrorized New York City four years ago, then mysteriously disappeared. Now he's back. In a deadly battle of wits, Castle and Beckett race against time to stop 3XK before he claims his next victims.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:David Amann

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  14. Castle Season 3 Episode 11 - Nikki Heat
    8.7/10(2017 votes)

    #14 - Nikki Heat

    S3:E11

    When Castle's novel ''Heat Wave'' becomes a movie, actress Natalie Rhodes accepts Beckett's invitation to visit and learn about the character she will play; Natalie observes Castle and Beckett's investigation of the murder of a matchmaker.

    Director:Jeff Bleckner
    Writer:David Grae

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  15. Castle Season 3 Episode 16 - Setup (1)
    8.6/10(1741 votes)

    #15 - Setup (1)

    S3:E16

    Castle and Beckett investigate the apparent robbery-homicide of a New York cab driver, only to discover that the victim was involved in a mysterious conspiracy with unimaginable consequences. As the stakes continue to rise, hard-charging federal agent Mark Fallon takes over the investigation. Together, Fallon, Beckett and Castle must race to unmask the truth about the victim before it's too late.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:David Amann

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  16. Castle Season 5 Episode 6 - The Final Frontier
    8.6/10(2259 votes)

    #16 - The Final Frontier

    S5:E6

    When a body is found at a sci-fi convention, Castle and Beckett are warped into the heart of fandom -- a world of egotistic celebrities, diehard costumed fans and enough drama for two galaxies.

    Director:Jonathan Frakes
    Writer:Kate Sargeant

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  17. Castle Season 6 Episode 11 - Under Fire
    8.6/10(1697 votes)

    #17 - Under Fire

    S6:E11

    When Castle and Beckett discover that the victim of a building fire was actually shot to death, they get on the trail of a serial arsonist turned murderer. Meanwhile, Ryan's wife, Jenny, goes into labor, but disaster threatens to ruin the joyous moment.

    Director:Paul Holahan
    Writers:David Amann, Andrew W. Marlowe

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  18. Castle Season 6 Episode 17 - In the Belly of the Beast
    8.6/10(1518 votes)

    #18 - In the Belly of the Beast

    S6:E17

    Beckett is recruited to assist on a Narcotics investigation, but a routine mission turns deadly when an undercover operation goes awry. To survive, Beckett must engage in a battle of wits against some of the most dangerous men in the New York underworld – including a powerful enemy from her past.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writers:David Amann, Andrew W. Marlowe

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  19. Castle Season 3 Episode 22 - To Love and Die in L.A.
    8.5/10(1701 votes)

    #19 - To Love and Die in L.A.

    S3:E22

    While investigating the shooting death of her ex-partner in New York, Beckett comes to believe the suspect has fled to Los Angeles. Against orders, she travels to L.A., going renegade to track down the killer, with Castle unexpectedly along for the ride. As they dig deeper into the motives, they uncover a trail that leads from a rooftop pool in Hollywood to the sandy beach of Santa Monica. Along the way, they visit the set of the "Heat Wave" movie (based on Castle's book) and enlist the cast to help break the case. But as they get closer to apprehending the killer, Castle begins to wonder whether Beckett is out for justice or revenge.

    Director:John Terlesky
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

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  20. Castle Season 4 Episode 2 - Heroes & Villains
    8.5/10(22 votes)

    #20 - Heroes & Villains

    S4:E2

    When an ex-con is mysteriously slain in an alley, Castle and Beckett believe a vigilante is behind the murder. But efforts to identify their suspect are thwarted when they discover that he roams the city in a Superhero costume – and may indeed be a Superhero. Can they capture and unmask the killer before he strikes again?

    Director:Jeff Bleckner
    Writer:David Amann

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  21. Castle Season 5 Episode 18 - The Wild Rover
    8.5/10(1583 votes)

    #21 - The Wild Rover

    S5:E18

    When a man is found dead in an industrial cake mixer, Castle and Beckett trace the murder to an Irish gang in Staten Island and a beautiful bar owner named Siobhan O’Doul. Much to everyone’s surprise, Detective Ryan has a complicated history with Siobhan and the Staten Island crime family from his days working undercover in narcotics. When the case hits a dead end, Ryan must go back undercover to expose the killer, complicating his relationship with his wife.

    Director:Rob Hardy
    Writer:Terence Paul Winter

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  22. Castle Season 5 Episode 22 - Still
    8.5/10(1975 votes)

    #22 - Still

    S5:E22

    Beckett's life is on the line when she steps on a pressure sensitive bomb. While the team searches for a way to disarm the explosive, Castle distracts Beckett by arguing with her about who fell for whom first.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:Rob Hanning

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  23. Castle Season 2 Episode 17 - Tick, Tick, Tick... (1)
    8.4/10(25 votes)

    #23 - Tick, Tick, Tick... (1)

    S2:E17

    Federal Agent Jordan Shaw, an insightful and accomplished Federal investigator teams up with Castle & Beckett to hunt down a cunning and elusive serial killer.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writer:Moira Kirland

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  24. Castle Season 4 Episode 19 - 47 Seconds
    8.4/10(18 votes)

    #24 - 47 Seconds

    S4:E19

    When a bomb explodes at a protest rally killing five people, Castle and Beckett realize the key to solving the case is to reconstruct the 47 seconds prior to the explosion. Using video and witness accounts, they uncover the shocking truth about who planted the bomb.

    Director:Paul Holahan
    Writer:Shalisha Francis

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  25. Castle Season 4 Episode 23 - Always
    8.4/10(17 votes)

    #25 - Always

    S4:E23

    When the murder of an Army veteran puts Beckett on the trail of the man who shot her, Castle must decide how much he's willing to sacrifice to keep her safe. As secrets are revealed and feelings are put on the table, the lives of the detectives at the 12th Precinct may never be the same.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writers:Terri Edda Miller, Andrew W. Marlowe

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Best Episodes Summary

"Hunt (2)" is the best rated episode of "Castle". It scored 9.3/10 based on 2651 votes. Directed by Rob Bowman and written by Andrew W. Marlowe, it aired on 2/25/2013. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Knockout".