It was the episode we’ve waited for all season - but did Castle Season 7 Episode 20 actually answer our questions about Rick being snatched from his wedding and his two-month disappearance?

Below, TV Fanatics Stacy Glanzman, Jim Garner, Robin Harry and Christine Orlando are joined by Kriss from The 12th a Castle Fan Forum to discuss the questions left unanswered, Esposito’s attitude and their favorite scenes from "Sleeper."

Did the story of Castle’s disappearance make sense to you or was it just too outlandish?

Stacy: A little bit of both, but that's part of the fun of Castle. Yeah, the story was a little far-fetched, but would you expect any less from this show?

Jim: I agree with Stacy, this show balances the outlandish and mundane very well, and this one fell into both camps nicely. 

Robin: Some of what we got made sense, but there were too many holes in the story to make it acceptable, and therefore it's still outlandish.  Castle's disappearance is the kind of story that deserved a two-episode for all the pieces to fit together without sounding ridiculous.  

Kriss: Made sense, but somewhat lame. Thrilled he saved tons of lives from stopping the terrorist attack, but the rest... and why couldn't this wait until after the wedding. I mean, as soon as the wedding was over, Castle could've been taken. 

Christine: It was definitely outlandish, but I’m ok with that. This is a TV show after all. But there are still a lot of plot holes to fill about his disappearance and I’m hoping that we’ll get those answers with time. 

This episode answered a lot of questions but not all. Which one question would you still like to see answered?

Stacy: I want to know why he was gone for two months. They said the terrorist act they stopped was supposed to happen the day of the wedding, so why wasn't he returned home in a more reasonable amount of time? 

Jim: Why was he floating in the middle of the ocean? There was no way they could control when and where he was picked up and he could have actually died out there.  

Robin: Just one?  Geez, I have a whole slew of questions!  Like, why were they gone for two whole months?  How did Castle end up on a boat in the Atlantic? When did he get this dengue fever that they harped on for ages? And if he hadn't done anything wrong, why did he choose to forget it all?

Kriss: All the missing pieces.  Why in the jungle, what about the money drop, and what in the world would be the reason why he didn't want to remember/want to have his memory erased.  I can try to make it all fit in my mind with "what ifs" and "maybe this is what happened", but nothing in this episode really has made me feel better about 6 x 23. I wouldn't even say I'm satisfied. Yet.

Christine: That money drop is still a mystery, especially if they needed him in Thailand immediately. Not to mention the two missing months and Castle living on a beach. There’s still a lot to this story that makes absolutely no sense.

How do you feel about Esposito telling Castle to his face that he didn’t believe his story?

Stacy: Esposito has always been a skeptic, so it didn't really surprise me that he didn't buy into it. I can see why he might believe that the memories weren't real, but I would expect him to be more supportive. 

Jim: I was surprised he was so angry about it still. I understood he had doubts, but to still show so much bitterness was a surprise.  

Robin: It was a bit harsh, I think. We already knew Esposito was suspicious from day one, but it was disappointing to see he was still holding that over Castle's head. Especially when Castle considers him a friend.

Kriss: Ha. Interesting you should ask. One of my pet peeves for some time now. I feel Espo has had an "attitude" with Castle this season and I don't like it. As a friend, he should support his him. As the husband of his partner, and how he feels about Kate, Espo's behavior surprises me. Never mind the fact that Castle has proven himself over and over again to be loyal and truthful. I feel like Espo has betrayed Castle emotionally. 

Christine:  I was glad he at least told Castle straight out because Espo has had an attitude towards him all season. But what does he think, that Castle made it all up? That he’s hiding something or lying? I understand that he’s upset for all Kate went through but the anger towards Castle seems misplaced. 

Was there anything in “Sleeper” that disappointed you?

Stacy: Not really. I wondered where Castle's security detail was when he was in that alley, but I can't say I'm surprised that he managed to ditch them. 

Jim: I wish he could have gotten a little more vindication with Ryan and Espo. Given the anger Espo had, it would have been nice if he could have been exonerated even a little. 

Robin: I was disappointed by the quick and dirty wrap-up of the 2-month absence, honestly. I would have preferred a 2-parter that dealt with this properly. 

Kriss: The whole story.  I'm not satisfied that this is what we waited a year for, after 6 x 23.  The family moments are always heart-warming. I like how Martha went to Kate, and I like how Kate promised her she'd be by Castle's side through this. 

Christine:  I feel like this episode should have come halfway through the season because the answers given are just the tip of the iceberg of this story. There’s still so much we don’t know and we’ve waited a long time to find out.

What was your favorite quote or scene from the episode?

Stacy: I laughed when Castle asked what was so important it couldn't have waited one more day. I am not sure disappearing without a trace the day after your wedding is really any better than disappearing the day of... My actual favorite scene though was probably the end when he told Kate the whole story and even though he didn't have all the answers, he seemed much more at peace with everything. 

Jim: I loved the dream scene when "Chuck Norris" leaped into the truck.. I'm not sure why I found it as funny as I did, but I laughed really hard at that scene.  

Robin: I liked the cut from the doc telling Castle that the dreams weren't a memory to Castle's "they're definitely memories."  I thought that was hilarious.

Kriss: The line about Castle quote being bitter. That was so him, and so cute! 

Kate Beckett: LT is going to drive you home.
Rick Castle: And if I refuse?
Kate Beckett: Then he'll drive you home in handcuffs.
Rick Castle: Just for the record, extremely bitter.

• Permalink: Just for the record, extremely bitter.

Christine: I loved that Castle got to sit down with Dr. Burke. I’ve always liked Dr. Burke and was glad to see him back. I thought the therapy scenes were very well played. I’m hoping we get to see more of them since there’s so much more Castle obviously doesn’t recall. 

Check back in on Monday night for our review of Castle Season 7 Episode 21 and if you can't wait another moment for more, you can watch Castle online right now here at TV Fanatic.

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.