Now that we know that Stana Katic and Tamala Jones have refused contracts/been fired for season nine, we can see where the scriptwriters are going. There are two options to the network and production company. One is to cancel the show and run down season eight to a comfortable ending, sorting out LokSat and finishing with a cosy closure for the fans. The alternative is to have Beckett die tragically in a final battle with LokSat, allowing the show to continue to season nine without her. I would see Alexis Castle becoming the focus of the show, rather than the still (irritatingly) childish Richard, partnered by Hayley Shipton. Molly Quinn and Toks Olagundoye have shown that they are clearly able to support the burden of lead roles. I wish we could see them down that pathway, and I know that their detective characters could develop into something special. A secondary problem is the loss of the Lanie Parrish character: she was really needed as ME - the Perlmutter character is just too angry and annoying for me. However, it was established over several seasons that she and Esposito had real difficulties maintaining a relationship, so it would not be a surprise to find that she had taken a post as Chief Medical Examiner in Seattle, or some such. Then in s8e16:Hertbreaker the writers introduced the Sonia Ruiz character, between whom there were clearly reciprocal feelings with Javi. OK, she was going to have to go back to prison for a while, but not for very long, and there would be ways of getting her out anyway to work with the team, having shown what a valuable undercover asset she could be. So from the existing cast (minus Katic and Jones), pedal back Fillion and push forward Quinn and Olagundoye, keeping Angélica Celaya as the Ruiz character in reserve: you have at least a good solid season ahead. The audience profile may change, but Alexis Castle could carry this series on for some years yet. Oh dear!