I must say that I like Castle more than The Mentalist. Both shows are about consultants with a special "knack" for helping in investigations, but whereas Patrick Jane relies on his boyish smile at least as much as on his insight into people, Richard Castle's use of his "celebrity status" is secondary to his off-the-wall ideas and unusual connections.

Plus, Castle doesn't always end on a family-appropriate reconciliatory note (thank God), but, as the season finale proves, prefers to go out on a bang of a cliffhanger.

Rick has found out something about the ten-years-past murder of Detective Beckett's mother, but apparently we have to wait for the big reveal in the next season since, thankfully, the show has been renewed by abc.

I, for one, can't wait.