'Castle' season 8 spoilers: Beckett becomes captain but goes missing in episode 1 'XY'

 ABC

ABC promises that "Castle" season 8 will be "action-packed" and will return "with a bang." The hit series will be back with a two-part premiere, which will follow the action from Castle's perspective then from Beckett's point of view.

The first part is titled "XY." In this episode told from Castle's lens, Beckett is officially installed as the captain of the 12th precinct. But before the couple can fully relish the latter's success, a mysterious stranger takes Beckett captive, a situation that has Castle springing into action to save his wife. 

Her disappearance is not going to be detailed until the second part of the premiere, titled "XX." But what showrunner Alexi Hawley revealed is that this installment is "very dynamic" as it attempts to "engage on every level that Castle engages in" and brings the audience into a rollercoaster of emotions.  

"The great thing about the show is, tonally, we get to be really funny. We get to be serious, emotional, scary and all those things. So we put all of that into the pot on this," Hawley told The Hollywood Reporter.

This episode will also be used to "redefine a few things" in the new season as Beckett takes on the role of captain: Castle's daughter Alexis sharing the same office with them and the whereabouts of Victoria Gates, who Beckett succeeds as captain. 

Meanwhile, Castle's new and very intimidating partner Hayley Shipton (Toks Olagundoye) will serve as a sort of mentor to Alexis at work. Hayley says that she will be sort of "a big sister" to Alexis, helping the latter find herself as she will be seen as more "adult" this season. 

"Castle" season 8 premieres tomorrow, Sept. 21, with "XY." 

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