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The Worst Episodes of Castle

Every episode of Castle ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Castle!

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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 Worst Episode
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    Castle Season 8 Episode 22 - Crossfire
    6.9/10(1603 votes)

    #1 - Crossfire

    S8:E22

    With their best lead in hand, Castle and Beckett are ready to take on LokSat. But an unforeseen twist puts their case – and their lives – in jeopardy.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writers:Alexi Hawley, Terence Paul Winter

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  2. Castle Season 8 Episode 2 - XX (2)
    7.2/10(1392 votes)

    #2 - XX (2)

    S8:E2

    Beckett's side of her abrupt disappearance is revealed. After receiving a mysterious tip from her past, Beckett is launched into a fight for her life, with a team of mercenaries hot on her trail. While Castle investigates why his wife is on the run, Beckett must figure out who wants her dead, before they can finish the job.

    Director:Paul Holahan
    Writers:Alexi Hawley, Terence Paul Winter

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  3. Castle Season 8 Episode 4 - What Lies Beneath
    7.2/10(1033 votes)

    #3 - What Lies Beneath

    S8:E4

    When Castle's idol, a famously reclusive author, turns up dead, Castle is determined to solve his hero's murder. But as he and Beckett dig deeper, they discover that truth is stranger than fiction.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writer:Barry O'Brien

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  4. Castle Season 5 Episode 20 - The Fast and the Furriest
    7.3/10(1324 votes)

    #4 - The Fast and the Furriest

    S5:E20

    When Castle and Beckett find giant footprints at the site of a vicious murder, the team is forced to confront the unlikely theory that Bigfoot is the killer. But as they trek into the world of primate research, big game hunting and mythological creatures, they realize that finding the man (or beast) responsible may put them on the endangered species list.

    Director:Jonathan Frakes
    Writer:Christine Roum

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  5. Castle Season 6 Episode 21 - Law & Boarder
    7.3/10(1100 votes)

    #5 - Law & Boarder

    S6:E21

    Castle and Beckett delve into the world of extreme sports when a mysterious motorcyclist shoots an up-and-coming professional skateboarder.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writer:Jim Adler

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  6. Castle Season 7 Episode 22 - Dead From New York
    7.3/10(1098 votes)

    #6 - Dead From New York

    S7:E22

    When Sid Ross, the powerful creator of a long-running sketch comedy show is killed, Castle and Beckett are called to investigate. But as they delve into the victim’s life and the colorful world of “Saturday Night Tonight,” they uncover a shocking secret that may explain Sid’s murder.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:Terence Paul Winter

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  7. Castle Season 5 Episode 12 - Death Gone Crazy
    7.4/10(1340 votes)

    #7 - Death Gone Crazy

    S5:E12

    When Beau Randolf, the founder of hit adult video franchise "College Girls Gone Crazy," is murdered, Castle and Beckett are confronted with a lengthy list of husbands, fathers and ex-college girls who all have motive. So to find the killer, they must delve deep into the victim’s life, where they find surprises at every turn. Also Alexis starts a video blog, but Castle is not happy that personal and intimate details about her life are being made public.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:Jason Wilborn

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  8. Castle Season 8 Episode 3 - PhDead
    7.4/10(1124 votes)

    #8 - PhDead

    S8:E3

    When the body of a local college fraternity student is found gruesomely murdered, Castle has to go undercover as a professor in order to gain access to the victim's world. However, he and Beckett soon discover that behind the fun and games of college are some darker secrets the university wants to keep hidden.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:Chad Gomez Creasey

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  9. Castle Season 8 Episode 20 - Much Ado About Murder
    7.4/10(869 votes)

    #9 - Much Ado About Murder

    S8:E20

    After a movie star turned theater actor is mysteriously killed, Castle and Beckett go backstage and learn the star had more to worry about than just his lines.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writer:Christine Roum

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  10. Castle Season 2 Episode 15 - Suicide Squeeze
    7.5/10(1541 votes)

    #10 - Suicide Squeeze

    S2:E15

    A beloved former major league baseball player is found dead after a goodwill trip to Cuba. The investigation, which includes running into Joe Torre, leads the detectives into New York's Cuban community to solve the murder. Meanwhile, Alexis' genealogy project forces Castle to consider the identity of his unknown father.

    Director:David Barrett
    Writer:Jose Molina

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  11. Castle Season 3 Episode 7 - Almost Famous
    7.5/10(1445 votes)

    #11 - Almost Famous

    S3:E7

    An "Officer Down" call turns out to be a male stripper dressed like a cop. Castle and Beckett explore the world of male strip clubs and struggling actors, all people in pursuit of fame. They need to determine if the murder was because of the victim's dreams of stardom or something more sinister.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Elizabeth Davis Beall

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  12. Castle Season 3 Episode 23 - Pretty Dead
    7.5/10(1414 votes)

    #12 - Pretty Dead

    S3:E23

    During rehearsal for "Baron's All-American Beauty Pageant," the contestants are shocked to discover the body of Miss Illinois - strangled, but by whom? As Castle and Beckett delve into the cut-throat competition of the pageant world, they learn that a number suspects had motive for murder, including jealous fellow contestants, the pageant's larger-than-life millionaire sponsor, Victor Baron, and the show's host -- hedonistic TV personality, Bobby Stark.

    Director:Jeff Bleckner
    Writer:Terri Edda Miller

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  13. Castle Season 4 Episode 18 - A Dance with Death
    7.5/10(1392 votes)

    #13 - A Dance with Death

    S4:E18

    When Odette Morton, a contestant on the hit competition show “A Night Of Dance,” is found murdered in her dressing room, Castle and Beckett must navigate the case’s many twists and twirls without stepping on each other’s toes. But as they delve into Odette’s past, they discover that this reality starlet was harboring a shocking secret that may have led to her death

    Director:Kevin Hooks
    Writer:Moira Kirland

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  14. Castle Season 5 Episode 11 - Under the Influence
    7.5/10(1311 votes)

    #14 - Under the Influence

    S5:E11

    When an up and coming DJ is killed at a pop star's album release party, Beckett and Castle must dive into the raucous world of New York's music industry. Then, when the investigation leads to a troubled teenager, Esposito takes the kid under his wing, hoping to put him on the right track before it's too late.

    Director:John Terlesky
    Writer:Elizabeth Davis Beall

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  15. Castle Season 6 Episode 8 - A Murder Is Forever
    7.5/10(1268 votes)

    #15 - A Murder Is Forever

    S6:E8

    When a famed relationship therapist is murdered, it appears that her access to the secrets of her elite and powerful clients led to her death. But when Castle and Beckett discover the victim was in possession of a rare object worth millions of dollars, they realize that this case may be even more complicated – and dangerous – than they thought.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writers:Chad Gomez Creasey, Dara Resnik

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  16. Castle Season 7 Episode 9 - Last Action Hero
    7.5/10(1108 votes)

    #16 - Last Action Hero

    S7:E9

    When the star of Castle’s favorite ‘80’s action movie is mysteriously murdered, Castle and Beckett delve into the victim’s secret past and pursue his killer with help from a team of aging action heroes.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Castle Season 8 Episode 9 - Tone Death
    7.5/10(1027 votes)

    #17 - Tone Death

    S8:E9

    When a body is found in the theater of Martha’s latest show, Castle and Beckett’s investigation leads them into the unexpectedly dangerous world of competitive a capella.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writer:Robert Bella

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  18. Castle Season 8 Episode 13 - And Justice for All
    7.5/10(944 votes)

    #18 - And Justice for All

    S8:E13

    Beckett and the 12th Precinct look into the murder of an English as a Second Language student. But when the victim's class won't talk to the police, Castle goes undercover as a French Canadian immigrant and learns that the victim was more than he seemed.

    Director:Kate Woods
    Writer:Adam Frost

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  19. Castle Season 8 Episode 18 - Backstabber
    7.5/10(875 votes)

    #19 - Backstabber

    S8:E18

    After Hayley does a favor for an old friend, she finds herself implicated in a killing and cyber-terror attack. Now, Beckett and Castle must rush to solve the case and clear Hayley’s name.

    Director:Jessica Yu
    Writer:Robert Bella

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  20. Castle Season 1 Episode 2 - Nanny McDead
    7.6/10(2212 votes)

    #20 - Nanny McDead

    S1:E2

    When a body of a young woman is found inside the dryer at a laundry room, Castle and Beckett uncover that the young woman worked as a nanny in the upscale building. Meanwhile, as Castle works on his "Nikki Heat" novel series he watches Beckett's actions as she works the murder case.

    Director:John Terlesky
    Writer:Barry Schindel

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  21. Castle Season 1 Episode 3 - Hedge Fund Homeboys
    7.6/10(2056 votes)

    #21 - Hedge Fund Homeboys

    S1:E3

    When a teenaged boy whose family has recently fallen on hard times is found dead in a boat in Central Park, Castle and Beckett must piece together the mystery behind the boy's final moments. Meanwhile, Castle mulls over leaving Martha home while he chaperones Alexis' trip to Washington, D.C.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:David Grae

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  22. Castle Season 1 Episode 4 - Hell Hath No Fury
    7.6/10(1927 votes)

    #22 - Hell Hath No Fury

    S1:E4

    The investigation behind a body found wrapped in a rug on the sidewalk leads Castle and Beckett deep inside the world of New York City politics. The partners discover a world of expensive escorts, arrogant tycoons, corrupt investigators, and the effects of betrayal.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:Andrew W. Marlowe

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  23. Castle Season 1 Episode 6 - Always Buy Retail
    7.6/10(1839 votes)

    #23 - Always Buy Retail

    S1:E6

    A man is killing people and posing them in Vodun (Voodoo) tradition. Castle's ex-wife announces her plans to move back to New York.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writers:Gabrielle Stanton, Harry Werksman

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  24. Castle Season 2 Episode 7 - Famous Last Words
    7.6/10(1712 votes)

    #24 - Famous Last Words

    S2:E7

    An up-and-coming rock star's body is found in a scene that appears staged from her recent music video.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:Jose Molina

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  25. Castle Season 3 Episode 21 - The Dead Pool
    7.6/10(1471 votes)

    #25 - The Dead Pool

    S3:E21

    When a champion swimmer and Olympic hopeful is found dead in a training pool, Castle & Beckett dive in to investigate his murder, and uncover myriad secrets that might have led to his death.

    Director:Paul Holahan
    Writer:Matt Pyken

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Crossfire" is the worst rated episode of "Castle". It scored 6.9/10 based on 1603 votes. Directed by Rob Bowman and written by Alexi Hawley, Terence Paul Winter, it aired on 5/16/2016. This episode scored 0.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "XX (2)".