photo: cbs
Flash Pop
Original Air Date: Mar 30, 2012
Maria – Sr. Reviewer
maria@thetwocentscorp.com
It’s a personal and historical case this week, as a lab technician is killed and posed in the exact way a socialite, Lana Gregory, was killed in 1957! Well, lab tech Jessica Drake was killed with a broken champagne flute whilst the original murder was committed using a paper spike. Another difference is that pictures of the recent murder were sent to Mac and Jo, the top two dogs of the crime lab! Well, that’s just begging to be caught!
Both victims had an unusual genetic condition which made one eye look a different color from the other. It was a similarity the victim’s boyfriend, Harlan Porter, had picked up on, calling her by the 1957 victim’s name. Of course he’s the primary suspect (and therefore will be innocent), and he’s missing.
I found the music to be laid on a little too thick whenever we flashed back to 1957. It made me feel I was watching a parody, and didn’t help me connect to the case. However, that was fixed when the detective on the case, Paul Burton (Lee Majors!), showed up to speak to Mac. Jo Danville has resolved to help him solve the case, even though the cold case squad has exhausted all leads. I’m sure she will.
Jessica Drake was a respected lab technician. She was smart, in line for a promotion. She also had a lot of friends, but one best friend, Kim Barnett. Bless Jo Danville, because she is visibly moved by the tribute of candles, flowers and balloons the lab techs provide in tribute for Jessica. She sounds well-loved, so who would want to kill her?
Crime scene photos show all the agents assigned to the case, meaning other photos were taken and processed by someone within the lab, possibly the killer. Using the photograph, the CSI techies do their thing and estimate the height of the suspect as 6’ 1”. Footprints trapped in the snow reveal show erratic footprints of two men, one woman and the victim. The house was up for let though, so the footprints could belong to anybody.
The piece of bark-like detritus found on the victim couldn’t belong to just anybody though. It turns out to be a deceased stick insect, one that a lab assistant was cataloguing for the CSI’s benefit, a woman who would look 6”1’ in heels. Jessica‘s best friend: Kim Barnett.
It’s that age old motive of jealousy, but this time it isn’t about the boy. Harlan Porter sincerely liked Jessica. He liked her enough to go out for drinks with her when he should have been working. Haylan did cause bruising on Jessica’s wrist, but he was trying to pull her down from the table where she was dancing. Haylan thought Kim was a bad influence, and left because of their behavior. That’s when the champagne flute got broken, and Kim saw her opportunity.
Kim Barnett is a real piece of work. Her ambition led her to murder her best friend, but her sociopathy allowed her to plan it so carefully. She matched every detail, right down to the shade of lipstick, something that wasn’t released to the general public. Kim knew because her grandmother was a secretary in 1957, and that’s what inspired her to apply for her job. Quite a coincidence, that.
I’m looking forward to seeing how the 1957 case will be solved. I can imagine Sela Ward and Lee Majors would make a formidable team. I adore Jo Danville’s southern charm, and I also find Mac more entertaining when he’s paired with her. I often refer to him as “Super Mac” or “Machine Mac” because he is very smart, but sometimes I think he lacks a soul or more human flaws. Jo Danville is very smart but also emotive, and I like the fact that she’s working so hard to bring Mac out of his shell.
It may be working, as the relationship between Mac and Christine takes a predictable but pleasant turn. Mac may not actually comment on their kiss, but his grin speaks volumes. Still, maybe one day he’ll be able to verbally express his emotions. Until then, I’ll enjoy Mac finally smiling.
I’m a little disappointed in how predictable I found this episode. The 1957 case was an interesting spin, but the over the top music turned me off a little. Did you guess that Kim Barnett was the killer? What are your thoughts on the Lana Gregory case? What do you make of the Mac and Christine romance? Please, leave your TwoCents in a comment. I’d love to read them.
TheTwoCents 
I thought this was a very thought out and well acted episode, like most of them. i did find it a little to predictable but i also found it quite interesting to go back in time a little, although the musics did make it seem a little weird. but of course my favorite part was the ending with Mac and Christine. I hope that Mac will be able to get over the tragic death of his wife and will end up with Christine.
My rating: 7.5/10
Yeah, I like that Christine is making Mac smile too. Thank you for your Two Cents.
When they got down to the three sets of footprints, 2 male and 1 female, the immediately ruled out the female. That’s when I knew the female was the killer. First mention of Kim, I knew those prints were hers and that she had killed Jessica. Furthermore, I think her grandma killed Lana Gregory in 1957. When Paul had his flashback, cheesy music and all, he looked across the room at a female employee who was played by the same actor as Kim. Makes sense that she would look like dear old granny.
Oh, interesting theory that the grandma is the killer. Yeah, the killer is usually the last one to suspect or the first one they rule out. Thanks for commenting.