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« CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
December 7, 2006: Hi, Max
What a weird way to close out 2006 for CSI. We ended up with one of the funniest cases in recent memory and found out the identity of the miniature killer. But at least for me, many things just didn't make any sense. As usual, I'm probably the only one that can't understand some of these quirks in the story line, but that's why I have you to help me out.
Bumbling Max Sullivan made for the unusually funny story line. Max's "bad day" started when he was a kid and killed his grandmother by putting his chair on her oxygen tube. And he ran his daughter over at one point. On this particular morning, he breaks a bowl of jello and accidentally stabs his wife in the heart with a broken piece of the glass, then follows that up by accidentally knocking the neighbor into the wall phone, killing her. Oh, let's not forget that he got stuck in cement while trying to dump his wife's body, after his car broke down on the way to do it. Or the fact that he was exposed by two words from a little girl: "Hi, Max." You know, young children make the best witnesses. Being too young to request a lawyer or to be scared of what might happen if you expose killers really works well for the cops, don't you think? I had to laugh at Catherine throughout this case. She just couldn't control herself through the "horrible and funny" stories. Even Grissom thought it was funny at the beginning. Getting Gil to laugh at a crime scene is not the easiest task.
The main story, though, was about Ernie Dell. Gil was finally able to locate the miniature killer. Stressed after not capturing him the first two times he killed, I'm sure a little bit of Grissom is relieved now. But only a very tiny bit. Gil likes justice, and he likes having his questions answered, which might be a little tough now that Dell is dead. I'm not going to run through everything that led up to the killer's being caught — that's better left for TiVo to take care of. But I do want to bring up quite a few pieces of this story that either didn't make sense or remain open. I really don't know if I should make the assumption that this story line is complete now, but it certainly appears to be the end. So, I'd love for anyone to tie up the loose ends for me, if that's even possible.
— Obviously, Ernie had a keen sense of detail; but there's no way he could have worked out the details of the live webcast at the end, right? I mean, he sends an e-mail to Grissom, who just happens to be right there to open it at the same time that the squad is sent out to get him, and then Dell kills himself on camera right before they find him? My mind can't even process how this could have happened.
— Is it me or are the lab techs just not up to par this year? How come Grissom had to sit down with the video shot of the perp walking up to the house to see the back of the jacket? In all this time, no one else was able to get this shot for him?
— When questioned about how the scale models got to the scene of the crimes, Ernie states that he sells them anyway he can and they could have been anywhere, with anyone. Brass releases him and then appears to legitimately question if he really was the wrong guy. Did Brass really believe that? I mean, I can certainly fathom that the guy made models and sold them, but exact scale models of random houses that became crime scenes?
— When Brass was in Ernie's house and we got a glimpse at the models there, one of the scenes looked remarkably like the kids in the alley pounding on Greg. But then there was the model of the person that appeared to be pushed off of a roof and then decapitated. I don't remember that one happening. Was the alley beating just some random coincidence, or could Dell have been involved in some way?
— I get the link behind why Izzy and Raymundo got killed. But how was the second murder with the cancer-ridden lady linked to all of this? I don’t think I understand how she fit into this equation.
— The last question I'll ask is this: What was up with the picture of the dead doll? It was in all three crime scenes and Grissom himself questions it, but I didn't see one thing that gave it some meaning when it was all over. A buddy has already suggested to me that "doll" and "dell" are awfully close, but that doesn't seem like a plausible explanation to me. Am I wrong?
So, this could be the final straw for Gil — the case that puts him over the edge and forces him to take a leave of absence. I'm sure that after searching long and hard for this guy, only to have him commit suicide at the end, was not an outcome that gives very much closure to the situation. I suppose it's better than not finding him at all, but you know Grissom would have wanted to sit him down and get in his head. Even if he couldn't, help me get some closure on this story, so that I can enjoy a few repeats over the next couple weeks and gear up for CSI in 2007.
Until next week, friends.
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Dec 7, 2006 11:49 PM
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Is it me or are the lab techs just not up to par this year? How come Grissom has to sit down with the video shot of the perp walking up to the house to see the back of the jacket? In all this time, no one else was able to get this shot for him?
Gil made a point of saying that they could not get a better shot with the technology they had in that office. Later on, it shows him opening up the new software and loading it. He probably had ordered it just for this case and was like a kid and couldn't wait to use it.
When questioned about the how the scale models got at the scene of the crimes, Ernie states he sells them anyway he can and they could have been anywhere, with anyone. Brass releases him and then appears to legitimately question if he really has the wrong guy. Did Brass really believe that? I mean, I can certainly fathom that the guy made models and sold them, but exact scale models of random houses that became crime scenes?
What I took from this was that all the "little' things (like the distinct markings on the pot/pan) could be explained because he sold items like that. I didn't think he was saying he sold the entire room. But, the little things that you could forensically link could be explained at that point. But, that's just my interpretation.
When Brass was in Ernie's house and we got a glimpse at the models there, one of the scenes looked remarkably like the kids in the alley pounding on Greg. But then there was the model of the person that appeared to be pushed off a roof and then decapitated. I don't remember that one happening. Was the alley beating just some random coincidence or could Dell have been involved in some way?
When I first saw them, I looked to see if they were old cases, but I thought it was just how he saw the world...morbidly. Another thing I thought (at first until they showed how many there were) was that these were deaths he had seen (either in person or on TV, etc.). But, I do not think they are linked to cases we have seen this year.
I get the linkage behind why Izzy and Raymundo got killed. But how was the second murder with the cancer ridden lady linked to all of this? I don’t think I understand how she fit into this equation.
Again, just my interpretation, but I thought that in his monologue at the end that Dell stated something about love, etc. The woman used to be a cocktail waitress and was probably close to the same age. I thought that she had hurt him romantically in the past. But, I did not think that was very clear.
I too thought this was a strange episode and a strange way to leave the show before lots of repeats.
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Dec 8, 2006 12:04 AM
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I agree this was an odd one, but then they've all been odd with this particular storyline. I think it may not be over. They may have the killer but they don't have the answers...and yet that IS probably what puts Gil over the top. The one case he'll never solve because the answers went with the killer when he died.
Leaves US a little disappointed, to say the least, but there are cases like that where we never know the "why" of it.
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Dec 8, 2006 1:15 AM
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I'm with most of what "eotwell" says about the explanations.
I think the webcam was just a clever way the producers/writers used to close up this story line. Certainly Ernie wouldn't know that Gil was still in his office watching at the time.
I think the dead doll thing will be one of those unanswered questions that will drive Gil over the edge. Maybe we will get an answer late in the season, but I could see them just letting it go.
As for Penny....I guess he was her handyman and he said something about getting an "honest days pay for work" or something...maybe she didn't pay him or something and he took revenge that way? That one is still confusing to me as well.
I thought the storyline with Max was hilarious! Catherine's reactions were priceless. I actually felt sorry for the guy - what a life!
Wonder if they are going to re-visit Gil & Sarah's relationship...we haven't seen hardly anything of that since the season finale last year!
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Dec 8, 2006 3:32 AM
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I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this ep.
Pros: Catherine's reaction to the guy caught in the cememnt was priceless and hysterical. I couldn't stop laughing. Even sad Grissom of late had to laugh and Jim is just always great to play to comedy to. I loved it. I adored Warrick and the little girl. Warrick is way underused this year and it was a pleasure to see him with his beautiful eyes smiling down at that adorable litle munchkin.
PROS: I still want to know what is bothering Grissom so deeply all of a sudden. If it's his relationship with Sara then he should be a man and end it and let the chips fall as they may. Can't keep dragging it on if it's not working for whatever reason. They tried, they failed, that's that. As to the solving of the mini murders. I didn't feel satisfied because they didn't seem to figure out what the doll represented. I also got a little squicky when the guy was telling Grissom that he's never been sociable and that all people do is break your hearts and lie to you. Sort of made me think that perhaps Gman has always taken the same stance. The further away you keep people, the better, but now he has Sara. All in all a GREAT ep. Funny, poignant and more clues into why Grissom wants out for a while.. only will it be with Sara waiting for him or with an 'it's all over' admission. I hope they stay together - I really do. They've wanted eachother from Season one. Whatever is bugging Grissom, whether externally or internally re: the relationship, it can be worked on. I'm afraid he's gonna push her away too far to be able to get her back
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Dec 8, 2006 4:51 AM
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I too am wondering about the dead doll in the minis. What does that mean.
Okay. No one has mentioned this yet.
I liked when Sarah picked the file up and Mannliegh Chicken rang a bell for her ...when she walked out of the room with a Grissom line and then turned around and said see how it feels..I was laughing.
And Max had my husband rolling when he was recounting the events. It was pretty funny in a sad way.
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Dec 8, 2006 4:58 AM
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I was A little puzzled about this one,and thought it was way to easy,i'm going to assume this isn't over,I was laughing right along with Catherine, and how funny was Hodges,I was cracking up, that little girl was so cute,she did A great job.
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Dec 8, 2006 6:02 AM
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I have too many questions about this episode.
When they were looking at the web site for the train club, what made them stop at Ernie Dell and decide he was a suspect?
Ernie wasn't home when they went there the first time. So, how did they find him?
I must have missed how the 3 murders were connected and what the motive was for Dell. Can anyone explain?
Why was Max in the cement? It almost looked like he did it on purpose. Did he have second thoughts about leaving his wife there and tried to go get her?
I think that's all for now. I'm not really this stupid. I figured out last week's show in the first scene. This one was either too subtle or left out too much information. I still enjoyed it though, especially that little girl!
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Dec 8, 2006 8:08 AM
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toomuchtv - some of your questions are ones I can actually answer myself...
They stopped at Ernie Dell on the train club website because they had just spoken to him. He worked at the chicken factory. If I'm not mistaken, he's the one that suggested the owner of the company was the killer.
Max in the cement was just another time that he screwed up. There was a scene at the end where he dumped the body and then lost his balance on the board he was standing on and fell into the cement (and then his wallet was stolen!).
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Dec 8, 2006 8:25 AM
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Max in the cement was just another time that he screwed up. There was a scene at the end where he dumped the body and then lost his balance on the board he was standing on and fell into the cement (and then his wallet was stolen!).
Thanks, but that's the part that looked to me like it was intentional. Must be just me.
As for Ernie, guess I wasn't paying very close attention during the questioning of people. I should know better. Anyone they question almost always has something to do with the crime in some way. But I still don't get why he killed any of the victims. Hopefully I didn't delete it from my DVR and I can watch it again to pick up whatever I may have missed.
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Dec 8, 2006 8:35 AM
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I think eotwell got the answers right, and hgwo might be onto something about him having been her handyman. Maybe they dated at one point, and he came across her again by doing handyman work, or just making a chicken delivery or something...either way his deathbed message about people hurting you and promises of love were the "lame" explanations of why he killed her.
I too was disappointed in how they resolved the miniature killer...it just was a let down ending to a great story. And the bleeding doll must have been some weird association in his mind with his name...but we'll never know.
I think that Ernie didn't know the police were on their way, it was just the writers being cute. I also think the death models were just Ernie's view on life, and the back alley beating may have been inspired by the story of the gang terrorizing the city earlier...or may have just been any back alley beating by a gang.
I found the Max parts very funny, and yes, TooMuchTV, he jumped into the cement. I'm guessing he thought that when he tossed his wife's body in, that she would sink and be covered up by the cement, and when that didn't happen, he jumped in to push her down, and found himself trapped. If you have the episode recorded, look again at the part where he explains his unfortunate life. Very sad, but very funny.
~ÐL
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Dec 8, 2006 9:23 AM
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No one mentioned that the coroner was a little angry, being really short with his tech and Catherine. Did anyone catch that? The last time they showed him he knocked down that reporter.
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Dec 8, 2006 9:43 AM
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I thought this ep was hilarious! The whole Max story line had me cracking up, especially when he referred to "Cathy" and "Gilbert."
There are some loose ends on the mini killer story, but I'm confident that they'll tie them up.
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Dec 8, 2006 9:46 AM
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No one mentioned that the coroner was a little angry, being really short with his tech and Catherine. Did anyone catch that? The last time they showed him he knocked down that reporter.
I noticed this too. What's been up with him lately? He snapped at David & was nasty last night. I'm sure there is more to it that we will see over time. They must be building up to a story line. I think knocking down the reporter was just "normal" Doc Robbins, but last night he seemed to snap just b/c he was busy.
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Dec 8, 2006 10:58 AM
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The reason the police were at Dells house was he had JUST put more time on the phone that linked the murders, so may have done that on purpose to get the police to come to his house. But the fact that Gil was at work and just happend to check his email at the right time is a bit hoaky.
As for the whys of who he killed, The famous guy publicly humiliated him by having him in his chicken violence video, He wanted the bosses wife who slept with EVERYONE, except him (he is the one who pointed out the affair to the cops) which only leaves his honest days work comment to explain the old lady, which doesn't really make too much sence to me.
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Dec 8, 2006 11:00 AM
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