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CSI: Living Doll (season finale)

by Jonathan Toomey, posted May 18th 2007 9:43AM

CSI: Living Doll(S07E24) "You were the one thing I thought I done right." -Ernie Dell

That's it, huh? It's weird, but I suppose it is possible to enjoy something that you don't like. It's too bad that this is what we waited all season for, but the resolution of the Miniature Killer story was far less imaginative than I hoped it would be. The identity of our killer ended up being just about as standard as it could get and nothing creative even seemed to be attempted. Very un-CSI like if you ask me.

Natalie Davis, i.e. The Miniature Killer, was indeed one of Ernie Dell's foster kids who just happened to be out of her mind. The "great" twist? She blamed Grissom for her foster father's suicide. Foolish I know, but there wasn't much else to go on I guess. I hate to say it, but I have to complain.

First on my list? Is it just me, or was it ridiculously easy to figure out who the killer was? All season, it's been this huge mystery. If we've learned one thing about Grissom, he's incredibly smart. Always a step ahead. Now he's been making his own model for what? Maybe a month or two now? So he's probably made half a dozen trips to that hobby shop. He was even on a first name basis with the owner. This episode was the first time he thought to bring in some parts of previous miniatures to see if the owner recognized any of the work! You're kidding me, right? You know he had discussed the case with the owner because they were on the same page. That's just sloppy right there. The identity of Natalie could have been achieved a while ago! If you're going to stretch a case over multiple episodes, don't make the answers so easy to find.

Next up? Natalie's motives for her past killings. Ernie tried to feed his foster child some legit reasons for her killings should she get busted, but that was all bogus. Are we supposed to believe that she crossed paths with the three previous victims (as a temp cleaning lady) and took them all out simply because they were in possession of bleach? I think we are. That's too bad if Hodge's discovery was indeed the only thing that tied the cases together. At least we got an explanation as to why she hates bleach so much. Her father used it to clean up the blood of her first kill - her sister. I was hoping for something far more in depth and maybe we'll get that in the season eight premiere, but I doubt it.

Finally? Man... I hate Jorja Fox. I get the impression that the ending was supposed to be far more exciting and her refusal to show up and film her death scene messed it all up. Now we're left with the wiggling hand (of some stunt double probably) allowing the summer for contract negotiations. Will she die or won't she die? I guess it depends on how much money CBS is willing to pay Fox. Frankly... I don't care.

rating 3As I mentioned earlier, I still liked the episode... sort of. Despite the fact that I was hugely disappointed with the story and the cliffhanger ending, I was still glued to the TV screen because I did want answers. I do think we'll get some in the fall premiere... just not good ones. Hopefully if Sara does die, we can move past it quickly and maybe the show can re-invent itself a little with some new cast members. As far this installment goes, 3 out of 7. For a great show, this was a poor example.

(CSI - S07E24) How do you rate this episode?
1 - Worst45 (5.1%)
248 (5.4%)
369 (7.8%)
4101 (11.4%)
5123 (13.9%)
6142 (16.0%)
7 - Best360 (40.5%)

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Sarah

Seeing as this cliffhanger was planned since the beggining of the Miniature Killer storyline, it is obvious that Sara was never written as dying. Which debunks the rumor that Jorja refused to show up. Also, everyone on the set has been quoted saying that Jorja is incredibly sweet, kind, and as far from a drama queen as you can get. Jorja did not refuse to show up guys, get your stories right.

As for all the Jorja haters, sucks for you, seeing as it's almost official that Jorja will be back.

July 05 2007 at 5:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
101OKNEJ

I am sure they will kill Sara off because the last season finally with George in a box was a surviving one and no one has been killed off for a long time

July 04 2007 at 11:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Perry Capurro

Awesome episode. Grissom meets his match and the Natalie character is amazing and so strange. You feel sorry for her, but on the other hand admire her diabolic mind and calculated ways of doing things. Watching Grissom flatter her was intense, he is brilliant. Looking forward to the season opener and if Sara is not dead, is she really under the car? Perhaps Natalie has Sara hidden. Stay Tuned....

Thanks CSI...Perry Capurro 6/22/07 from PA

June 22 2007 at 9:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chris

This past season has been hell on a few of the characters; Greg got the crap beat out of him, then got called to a coroner's inquest to see if his actions in killing that kid was justified then he gets sued by the kid's family.

Catherine has had her share of problems this past season too; getting raped and ruffied, then having her daughter kidnapped from right out of her car then having Sam killed right in front of her, i know i shouldn't be this way be it was about time she got knocked down a fe3w pegs acting all high and mighty over Sara.

Which brings me to Grissom, he finally let it slip about him and Sara, and what I would like to see next season is if Sara survives she blames him for the kidnapping because of the reasons she was kidnapped in the first place and wants nothing more to do with him or if she doesn't he will have to live with the thought that it might have been him that caused Sara's death because of him causing the 'miniature killer's' foster father to kill himself...what do you think?

June 08 2007 at 1:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chris

The episode was well done, especially how she got the job at the lab, but the one thing that makes me wonder is did they plan on killing Sara from day one of the 7th season or from day one of Jorja Fox's salary dispute

June 04 2007 at 1:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Teresa

The cliff hanger should have been Grissom becoming the prime suspect in the miniature murders. Foxes character is so mundane that it really isn't a cliff hanger...

June 01 2007 at 10:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
none

I think there shouid have been a part 2 to the epsoide, i hope sara does not die. Her and Grissiom make a good couple, + Grissiom will be heart broken and the team will be devastated. i hope she pulls through.

May 31 2007 at 12:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Just Me

I just finished watching this episode (taped it). And yes, Sara is in this episode. At the beginning at the Natalie's brother's homicide scene in the bathroom. Also, we do see Greg and Warrick, although almost not at all. They are both there when everyone is looking at the car wreck mini, when Grissom lets his relationship with Sara slip. Warrick and Nick are also the two that pick up Natalie when she drops on Fremont street.

I do think that they handled Grissom's interrogation of Natalie way wrong. Somewhere between the actual and her vision would have been perfect.

And I also agree about Sara - sort of. She is not a very likable character, that's very true, but that is exactly what adds interest to the relationship between she and Grissom. I don't think they will kill her off and I hope they don't. It will be very interesting to see what happens when she lives and she and Grissom have to deal with his huge revelation.

No, it was not their best episode yet, but it was definitely not the worst, and was well worth the hour I spent watching it. And it served their purpose well -- I can't wait to see next season's premier.

May 29 2007 at 3:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Allan

Jorja Fox is toast.

Next stop: contestant on Dancing with the Stars.

May 23 2007 at 1:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Elizabeth Gail Ferrill

Well, I don't really like Sara...I don't know what it is about her, but I just can't seem to get into her character...She and Grissom are just not the perfect match I was hoping for but, it's television, right?

I liked the episode somewhat but I felt it was rushed too much...I just about fell out of my chair when I seen him get his throat cut by Natalie..I freaked out so bad that my husband, who was playing World of Warcraft (yes, he's an addict of that game) came out of the kitchen wondering what I was all frantic about...he never leaves that game....lol...but anyways, I am anxious to see what the outcome will be in the new season premiere...I don't think they will kill Sara off, but I do think she will have some sort of disability from what happened to her...

May 21 2007 at 4:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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