Castle Season 7 Premiere – “Driven” Advance Review. Runaway Groom?

Season 7, Episode 1

Air Date: Monday, September 29, 2014 at 10/9c on ABC

Rating: ★★★★★

“Don’t you think Castle deserves the benefit of the doubt?” – Kevin Ryan

Exciting and aggravating; dramatic and emotional; the season seven premiere of Castle will put you through the ringer before it’s over. While there are a few humorous moments, “Driven” is a powerful episode picking up where season six left off—Castle (Nathan Fillion), on his way to his wedding to Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), being pursued by unknown persons in a black SUV.

As “Driven” opens, Kate, looking stunning in her wedding dress, runs toward the wreckage, overcome with emotion, only to be held back by the raging fire. Is this the end? Is Castle gone? He isn’t in the car and he’s nowhere to be found. So, where is Richard Castle?

L-R: Ryan, Espo, and Kate head over to a salvage yard when they track Castle’s cell phone

Throughout “Driven,” things pop up that make it seem as though Castle has been kidnapped. Doubt and confusion lead to mixed emotions from all involved, including his bride Kate, and her partners, Javier Esposito (Jon Huertas) and Kevin Ryan (Seamus Dever). I’ll admit, I was a bit infuriated when, shockingly, Castle isn’t given the benefit of the doubt after all the years he’s worked with these people. But, with evidence mounting against him, could it be true –is Castle a runaway groom?

Other than my momentary irritation, I am completely and utterly enthralled with Castle’s return to television. I miss these characters and while I do catch the occasional rerun, nothing beats a brand new episode. “Driven” gives us everything we love about an episode of Castle. Aside from not seeing Castle much, we do get an intriguing case showcasing Beckett’s ‘A’ game as she hunts down clues about what happened to Castle. She doesn’t give up hope…well, not completely anyway. She does something, however, that perhaps many of us might find annoying – she doubts the man she loves.

Will Kate let doubt fester?

With any kind of unknown, especially in this case with Castle disappearing, your mind begins to go to a dark place. It’s no secret Castle’s been married a few times and has been known to be a womanizer, but he loves Beckett. When you truly love someone, you believe in the power of your love. I understand why Beckett has doubts, though. The evidence showing someone matching Castle’s description ‘hiding’ in the woods is overwhelming, but not everything is as it seems.

There is some subtle humor in this season premiere but “Driven” isn’t filled with the quirky Castle-isms we know and love. I kind of like the dramatic turn of events. I’m completely intrigued by this mystery and want to know why someone would go to such lengths to make it appear as though Castle has run away.

My theory is Castle’s disappearance has something to do with Castle’s father, Jackson Hunt (guest star James Brolin). While we don’t see him in “Driven,” the FBI sure does have a vested interest in the case. Another theory is it has something to do with that mobster guy Mickey Barbozz (R.D. Call) they ousted in the season six finale, “For Better or Worse.” The only hitch in my theory is the introduction of Richard Jenkins (Matt Letscher). Who is he and why does he borrow someone else’s identity and property? Does he work for Barbozz? Does he work for the government? Does he work for the group responsible for killing Beckett’s mother all those years ago?

“Driven” sets up an interesting season to come and I am looking forward to finding out what happens. Will Beckett be able to overcome all of this or will the doubt she’s having continue to fester? What does the key Lanie (Tamala Jones) found unlock? The plot thickens.

Watch and tell me what you think of “Driven.” Were you surprised by all the doubting? I’d love to hear from you. Leave me a comment and/or tweet me @judybopp.

Tune in to the season seven premiere of Castle, Monday, September 29, 2014 at 10/9c, only on ABC.

For more on Castle, go to http://abc.go.com/shows/castle

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.