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« CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
May 17, 2007: Season Finale
Now there’s an ending!
Something happening to Sara certainly wasn’t a well kept secret at all. So, I kind of half expected to be bored by this episode, since I figured I already knew the big spoiler. I certainly wasn’t expecting the absolute psychotic nature of the miniature killer. I mean, you knew the killer wasn’t right in the head based on the crimes themselves, but, wow, this girl was truly nuts. Nothing boring about her.
So Natalie Davis is the killer — a foster child of Ernie Dell, who (we learned) killed himself to protect her. As a kid, she pushed her sister off the treehouse and killed her, and tried the same thing with other girls in another foster home. As was suspected earlier in the season, bleach was a trigger that set her mind into a frenzy. Of course, it seemed a lot put her into a frenzy. As she’s running down Fremont Street, the lights overhead put her in a trance. At the end, she’s singing her dad’s ventriloquist song about a pain in the sawdust while in her own little world. Clearly one messed up girl. And now she’s after Sara. Grissom figured out why, because he’s the only person that could. The hunt for the killer caused Ernie Dell to commit suicide, and she’s getting back at Grissom by killing the person he loves. She was able to pick up Grissom’s infatuation with Sara from a crime scene where Gil touched her arm. It was an interesting way to hear the word “love” finally come out of Grissom’s mouth in reference to Sara. The other CSIs certainly gave a double take when they heard him talk about Natalie taking away the only thing he’s loved. It was odd to me as well, that Natalie was able to make it this far in life without getting into any trouble, considering that it seems like everyone that came in contact with her (aside from Ernie) could see she was crazy. I’m also a bit surprised that her employer gave her a job as a janitor in the lab, even though her boss could also see she wasn’t real straight. I understand she had no prior criminal record, but even for a cleaning job in a place that important, you’d think there would be some sort of “I’m not crazy” test going on, wouldn’t you? Or her boss should be a better judge of character.
So, about the other killings.... Am I to assume that she was a maid/janitor at all these places and the bleach just triggered her brain to kill? When she applied for her last job, the manager did say something about Izzy Delancey which I don’t think I completely caught. But I assumed it was on her resume that she worked for him. Didn’t mention anything about the other miniatures, though.
And now the search for Sara begins. The scene at the end with Grissom in the room with Natalie was CSI at its best. Gil tried to get her happy and chatty by complimenting her on how great an artist she was and how he was a huge fan of hers. And then, you get Natalie slashing open Gil’s throat. Now if only it hadn’t been just a vision in Natalie’s mind, that would have been a crazy twist. I certainly wasn’t expecting it, either way, so for a brief moment my jaw hung open.
And so, the cliff-hanger is that Sara is alive, under a car, somewhere in Vegas. Guess we’ll have to wait until next season to see what happens here. But with Jorja Fox probably opting out of the next season, could this end anyway but badly for her?
One thing I would certainly love to find out is if the writers had this ending in mind all along. I mean, if Jorja was definitely in for another season, would she be under the car at all? Or was there a different ending in mind from the start, and they reformulated their plan to get her character out the door. Regardless, it doesn’t really matter though. Whatever they had in mind, it was still a great way to end an up and down season.
Don't forget to head on over to our Online Video Guide here, to check out some great videos from the show.
Until next time, friends.
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May 17, 2007 11:31 PM
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I enjoyed the episode, but I just find it so hard to believe that a crackpot such as that girl could be so meticulous in creating those miniature things, and plotting those murders. What about getting that car from the scrapyard to wherever she has it, then getting Sara to the place as well, undetected? Anyone meeting that girl could see off the bat that she is a wacko, and I think it would take a physically stronger, and smarter person to pull those crimes off. Someone like Grissom, or especially the Keith Caradine character in the season finale episode of Criminal Minds. I didn't think her believeable as the person who could create all those things.
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May 17, 2007 11:57 PM
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If Sara dies, that's it for me. I could never tune into CSI again. She's too pivotal a character to the show and to the show's main character, Grissom.
I found tonight's show to be excellent. The rhyme by the ventriloquist was sickly creepy. One thing that didn't make sense though was how that ACT would stay open anywhere. He was clearly disturbed (the Father). The way he manipulated the doll and made it seem like the doll was real was creepy.
As to the team finding out... come on, everyone knows Grissom loves Sara, they always have... but it was nice to hear him say it. Of course, to hear him say she's the only person he's ever loved and to think they may not bring her back is just TV Politics at it's worst. No matter what the contract dispute, all parties should come together for the good of the show.
My personal theory is that WP wants out and if Sara dies then he can basically melt down next season, try to get an Emmy for said meltdown and leave the show. That is the biggest rip off to the fans. Not every ending needs to be sad.
The fact that she found the letter last week though makes me fear the worst... they probably felt they had to at least give us that much (if not the cocoon opening) . Sad part is we don't know if Grissom knows she found the letter and personally I won't be sticking around to find out. We'll know by mid summer if Jorja resigns. If she doesn't it was nice knowing you CSI. Thanks for the blogs David!!
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May 18, 2007 12:10 AM
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Absolutely horrible episode. They build up a pretty decent mystery all season, and this is how they end it? Terribly disappointing.
The the bright side is that we may finally get rid of that whiny, bitter Sara. At least we have that to look forward to.
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May 18, 2007 12:21 AM
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Whiny how? Bitter how? Please. If anyone is whiny it's Catherine. "I haven't had SEX IN 6, no SEVEN months!" "You can't tell me that's my office, it's too small." Blah Blah Sorry but whiny does not equal Sara. Steadfast, loyal, smart, intense, serious, smart, pretty, inquisitive = Sara
Sara is the best character on the show.
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May 18, 2007 12:58 AM
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That's one sick, twisted little puppy.
Great episode. That is one krazy freak with a capital K! I wish the jugular cut would have been real. They would have made him survive, but it sure was intense no matter how you slice it. No pun intended. So Jorja is leaving the show? Why, is there a big demand for the least attractive lead character on any series on tv? Must be her acting. Anyway, it'll be a long wait to find out what's next. I'm looking forward to it though. ~ÐL
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May 18, 2007 2:12 AM
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David - congrats on the marriage! Good to have you back. And do you know when Jorja's contract decision will be made?
Sonnet - totally agree with your assessment of Sara! Best character on the show! Next best for me is Grissom but I don't want to watch him mourn Sara. It really would turn into a soap then and I'd probably stop watching too.
Loved how he just threw out that "I love Sara" then left everyone with their jaws hanging open. And it was nice to hear him say it out loud. Would have been better if he'd said it out loud to SARA though. Cripes.
I was expecting to hate this ep because I knew Sara was the next victim but it really was great as David pointed out. That psycho girl Natalie was engrossing to watch. I'm still not sure of her motives for the murders but it probably had something to do with psychotic episodes like the one where she cut Grissom's throat. That was gruesome.
How utterly creepy was it for the doll's hand in the miniature to be moving like that? And Grissom's face when he found out Sara was still alive!
I really, really don't want Jorja to leave. I'd like one more season of CSI. And David's right that we won't have to wait for the new season to find out how this cliffhanger will end. We'll know what the decision is once Jorja decides to stay or go.
I will say though that, given the situation, the writers did an excellent job of setting up the scenario. I don't know if it was preplanned either but it makes sense and leaves them open to resolving the situation either way. At least if Sara goes out, it'll be with a bang and not a whimper.
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May 18, 2007 2:14 AM
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I thought the episode was great. I loved Catherine's line about being in a David Lynch movie. That Dad was seriously creepy. There had to something already wrong with that girl even at 7 for her to begin killing that early. Can't believe they didn't mention that. Also, maybe I've kinda gotten nit-picky since falling in with the Lost crowd but I was wondering how so many of those foster kids had Ernie's last name, since they never said anything about him actually adopting any of them.
A little side note: Why doesn't someone on this site do a CSI:NY blog? Their season finale rocked!
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May 18, 2007 2:18 AM
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 It was a good story-up until the slo-mo kicked in, and the "daydream" Natalie had of slashing Grissom. That time could have been put to better use not leaving us hanging for 4 months!
I agree that writing "Sara" out because of Jorja Fox's contract running out is reason enough not to watch CSI again. Her portrayal of Sara and chemistry with William Peterson is the reason I began watching CSI....but I just don't think WP wants the show to be run by the money men, I hope the shot of Sara moving will soon be followed by one of lights, voices and a certain CSI
yelling "She's alive!" That would be worth the wait until September!
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May 18, 2007 2:57 AM
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Brilliant episode! Kept me on the edge of my seat from the start. I really am going to miss the MCSK storyline, how are they going to top it next year.
I hope Jorja is coming back, for now I am ignoring all of the rumors, I think most of them are B.S. I just can't picture Jorja doing what the gossip columns are saying. Everything I have read about her, and what her co-workers say about her disagrees with this stuff.
If this is all about a pay raise, I think Jorja and the rest of the cast deserve one. Since when is it so bad to ask for more money after working your butt off for 7 years on a very profitable show. CSI has made a lot of people very rich, especially those at the eyeball network who spend all of the money. They give away millions of dollars to pathetic individuals on reality shows, so they can at least pay for some real talent on an awesome show.
To think that Sara's life is in Grissoms' hands now is exciting. If he can't figure out where she is, she will surely die and he will be a broken man devastated all season. If he does find her, he will have to suffer the consequences of revealing the relationship to his team, and deal with a traumatized girlfriend. It sets up a lot of angst for Season 8 either way. The last 15 minutes were some of the best I have ever seen on any show, very intense and well acted. Grissom's admission of his love for Sara, and the reaction of the team, priceless......
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May 18, 2007 4:34 AM
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A little side note: Why doesn't someone on this site do a CSI:NY blog? Their season finale rocked!
Complete and total agreement. I loved it!!
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May 18, 2007 8:20 AM
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So, is anyone doing actual police work? Or is Sara's fate really in the hands of a crazy woman? (btw, was that Kaylee from Firefly?) They should be canvasing tow companies to find the truck that brought a wrecked red mustang to the middle of the desert. Or maybe they should send out a couple of helicopters to survey the surrounding desert.
You know, I could buy the other murders being commited by the pyscho-waif, but kidnapping a trained investigator, dragging her to the middle of nowhere and then turning a car on top of her. How does that happen? Does she have help?
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May 18, 2007 8:48 AM
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Now that we know it's a crazy girl who has done the killings, I wanted to see all the murders again... almost like the lab folks did a few episodes back.
I'm on the fence about Sara. I would hate to see her gone because the entire group has good chemistry and they enjoy working with each other.
Wouldn't that have been a great ending if Grissom had been cut? As soon as it happened I wondered, "why aren't the cops, who should be watching the interrogation, not rushing in to save him?"
One final note: I know the Vegas desert is large, but I'm surprised they didn't get the helicopters ready when it appeared the miniature car fell off a cliff.
Next season, it would be nice if we got closer on Warrick's marriage. I can't remember the last time he's mentioned his wife. Plus, it would free him up for Catherine.
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May 18, 2007 9:00 AM
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You know how sometimes you'll read a post of someone's idea and shake your head saying, "Yeah, that's likely"? Well here's my idea, theory, maybe delusion. I think all the contract dispute info is only hype. After all, if we knew Jorja was coming back, how worried would we be? The "will they work it out" is what puts suspense in the cliffhanger.
If I'm wrong, and if Sara would die, I'm not sure how I'd feel about the show. I do like her character, and GSR, but it's more than that. Of course the business of shows is to manipulate us, into enjoyment, or thought, or shock. But some manipulations feel abusive: you liked this character? (well half of you), here she is, the victim of a psychotic killer. Oh, and the guy most of you did like? The one who waited 50 years to take a chance on love? We'll show him.
I'm not saying shows can never kill off characters, and I can't even say exactly when it does and doesn't feel dramatically real - though "because you were the love interest of the lead" is usually a bad reason.
Aside from those potential concerns, I enjoyed the episode, and do think the killer could be both wacko and very deliberate/detailed. But I don't know how she could get that car, and get it out into the desert.
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May 18, 2007 9:06 AM
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I hope Sara and Jorja go. I have never liked either.
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May 18, 2007 9:15 AM
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