At the time of this post, no official word as to the fate of Castle has been issued by ABC. [Update: Castle has since been officially renewed.]

Is this a season — or series — finale?

A plastic surgeon has been found murdered, a plastic bag duct-taped over his head …

… and his fingers broken. In a car that had been illegally parked for a week, with a ton of tickets, that’s finally towed away. This is something I could believe happening in New York City circa-1970s, but today? (On the other hand, not far from me, a mummified body was found in an apartment that had been sealed for a year. But that’s understandable, given New York landlords!)

Ah, yes, the mystery …

… which was spoiled immediately with one line of dialogue and a too-eager hand by the film editor. Lie To Me has made me look at things differently and I knew who did it.

A visit to the offices of the plastic surgeon …

… and a specimen!

And yikes! Another …

… specimen. Good god! I’m glad I’m not a Casting Director.

Aside from the murder, other stories include Castle butting into the murder of Detective Beckett’s mother …

… and Castle’s daughter going on her first date, to a Junior Prom …

… with Martha educating her son about …

… the body issues that (allegedly!) all women have.

The clues eventually cause Castle to meet with …

… a Mafia Capo, and Beckett to meet with …

… her former guy …

… where, thanks again to Lie To Me, I notice she nibbles her lower lip a bit.

Castle is all ready to initiate his daughter’s date …

… but is thwarted …

… and has to settle for getting video footage …

I notice it doesn’t look like a Flip camera!

Nathan Fillion does Christopher Walken!

Nice shot. Castle and Beckett meet with a mobster rat.

The last name of the writer on that book is “Cain.” Hey, it would have been nice if it’d been spelled C-A-N-E!

Castle’s daughter’s first kiss.

The mob informant is ambushed and Beckett’s former love is shot.

Castle winds up finding the connecting link three detectives failed to notice!

And that reveals an identity theft.

And surprise — not! — Little Miss Hitwoman is revealed.

Castle’s friend reveals something others overlooked in the murder of Beckett’s mother.

And Castle’s mother tells her son that he’s obligated to tell Beckett now.

Will we ever see a second season?

A note about Susan Sullivan. It’s been very easy for me to dismiss her because of the broad strokes she uses to portray Martha. But this episode really showed what a deceptive job she’s been doing. She was really top-notch and I can’t imagine the series without her.

And this episode — despite the lame sleight-of-hand with the killer — was a wonderful balance of several stories, including Castle’s home life, all at once. Well done.

I want a second season!