Castle

After watching a hotly-teased promo of Rick Castle caressing Kate Beckett’s hand, Castle fans were uber-excited for what would happen in the actual scene. Turns out, many of us were frustrated with the way the moment — which had all the potential to be game-changing — played out.

Not that it wasn’t intense (it was), or that it wasn’t awesome for what it was (awesome is an understatement), but many of us wanted more.

That being said, there are several ways the hand-massaging scene could have ended.

Let’s take a look at a few possible alternative endings:

4. Castle bows out — literally

As soon as Kate whispered “Castle,” the crime writer could have quickly lowered to kiss her hand, or even finagled his way into a handshake to end the moment. Clumsy as either action may have been, both gestures would have been significantly less awkward than what actually transpired … possibly.

3. Kate’s phone rings

Yeah, yeah, so this would be the "the easy way out," but at least there would’ve been a real reason for Castle or Kate to shirk away. And not only would it have been far less weird for both parties, but it’s also the way romantic moments like this usually play out on Castle anyway.

2. They almost kiss

Since we’re used to Castle producers teasing us, we would’ve totally been okay with an almost kiss. Like, you know, Castle responds to Kate’s “Castle” with a “Kate” and slowly draws his hand up toward her cheek, and the duo gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes .. and then … Royal the dog nuzzles up against Kate’s legs and she awkwardly stumbles.

1. They actually kiss

OK, so we’re probably dreaming here, but obviously this is what we ultimately wanted. Kate is clearly affected by Castle’s soft touch — and they had that whole intense staring thing going on — and what a better way to lead into their second kiss?