Is there a reaction playbook out there that I don't know about? Many are expecting a certain behavior from these characters based on some perceived guideline set up either in your own mind or society. This I don't get at all. Beckett and Castle can behave however the writers want, because they are putting the words in their mouth. They don't have to act like cousin Billy when his wife separated or broke up with him. They don't have to follow a certain path, because it makes sense to what we would expect someone to do.