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CSI: Chaos Theory

Episode score 9.0 Superb

Chaos Theory

  • 25.
  • Season: 2
  • Episode: 2
  • First Aired: 10/4/2001
  • Prod Code: 202

EPISODE OVERVIEW

6 Reviews | 218 Votes

The entire CSI team investigates a disappearance at a local university. A young woman vanished, seemingly off the face of the earth. Forensics leads them to possible suspects, and possible suspects all have probable motives, but nothing seems to pan out. This leads our team to discuss the "Chaos Theory." When combined, many seemingly-innocuous events may have a deadly outcome. And closure is not always within reach. Read full recap »

Writers:
Josh BermanEli Talbert
Director:
Kenneth Fink
Stars:
Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle (episode 2+))
Paul Guilfoyle (Captain Jim Brass)
George Eads (Nick Stokes)
Gary Dourdan (Warrick Brown)
Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows)
William Petersen (Gil Grissom)
Recurring Role:
Paula Francis (Herself)
Robert David Hall (Dr. Al Robbins)
Eric Szmanda (Greg Sanders)
Guest Star:
Grant Garrison (Kevin Watson)
Kate McNeil (Sharon Woodbury)
Brent Sexton (Mark Doyle)
Archie Kao (Campus Security Technician)
Jon Hershfield (N.D. Student)
Shelby Fenner (Paige Rycoff)
Danielle Nicolet (Jennifer Riggs)
Sherry Hursey (Mrs. Rycoff)
Garrett M. Brown (Mr. Rycoff)
Clayne Crawford (Henry McFadden)
Dale Midkiff (Professor Woodbury)
  • Grissom mentions the title of the episode "Chaos Theory" in the episode. edit »
  • German episode title: "Spurlos", meaning "Traceless". edit »
  • Music
    Hey Baby- Morcean Worker
    The Four Seasons: Summer, Presto- Antionio Vivaldi
    Inhaler - Hooverphonic.
    Glory Box - Portishead. edit »
  • Archie Kao starred on CSI in this episode as the security guard in the dorm. He then transitioned in the reoccuring role of Archie the A/V tech in the CSI lab. edit »
  • Grissom: You know, when a tree falls in the forest, even if no one's there to hear it, it does, in fact, make a sound. edit »
  • (Sara taking mouth swabs from suspect)
    Sara: Are you refusing?
    Suspect: Uh.. I haven't brushed my teeth.
    Warrick: Hey mouth boy, she's not gonna kiss you, she just wants your DNA okay? edit »
  • Grissom: Frederick Miescher requests my presence?
    Greg: Figured out my code huh? Well you know my boy, Freddie, discovered DNA.
    Grissom: He's been dead a hundred years, Greg. edit »
  • (A lot of items are spread out on the table)
    Greg: Well, this is one way to get her DNA. Bring me her whole life.
    Sara: It's called zeal, Greg.
    Greg: Or overkill.
    Grissom: It's called protocol. Let's get on with it. edit »
  • Henry McFadden: Paige and I dated once or twice. She wasn't my type. If you haven't noticed... I'm in the system now. The talent pool's pretty deep.
    Nick: She dumped you! edit »
  • Warrick: Nice try Nostradamus

    Warrick is teasing Nick for his attempt to predict the future. Nostradamus (born Michel de Nostredame in 1503) was a French healer and seer, who famously published a number of prophecies, many of which are supposed to have come true (though the links between prophecy and reality are often tenuous at best). Despite the fact he first published his prophecies between 1555 and 1568, they are still in print today and many people still believe he was able to predict major world events. edit »
  • The title Chaos Theory refers to the now well known idea (originally tried in experiments by Edward Lorenz in the early 60s) that the tiniest difference in the starting point of a situation can lead to huge differences in the outcome. It's also known as 'The Butterfly Effect', the idea that a butterfly flapping its wings on one side of the world can affect the atmosphere on the other side. This is mirrored in the episode, since the start off point, when it is finally discovered, is an almost non-event, which then leads to a whole set of events that end in tragedy. edit »
  • 10
    Collegebound06's avatarmember since: Dec 2, 2006

    Chaos Theory

    The Bottom Line: "Revealing"

    the team investigates the disappearance of a college student that leads them down many paths and with the girl's dead body in the dumpster ...Continue »

    | report abuse
  • 8.1
    blondrocker's avatarmember since: Sep 2, 2007

    Chaos Theory

    The Bottom Line: "Well written"

    A college co-ed disappears as she is leaving college, for what appears to be for good. ...Continue »

    | report abuse
  • qstevie's avatarmember since: May 2, 2006

    Chaos Theory

    The Bottom Line: "Well written"

    The disappearance of a college student leads the team down several different routes, none of which seem to lead anywhere. ...Continue »

    | report abuse
  • 9.8
    iceecatz's avatarmember since: Dec 26, 2005

    Chaos Theory

    The Bottom Line: "Fine example"

    Excellent example of the team working as a team. ...Continue »

    | report abuse
  • meathead704's avatarmember since: Jun 15, 2005

    Chaos Theory

    The Bottom Line: "Well written"

    A female college student has decided to drop out and head home. Just as a cab arrives to take her to the airport, she disappears. Grissom and his team try to find what happened to the student, but they run into one dead end after another. ...Continue »

    | report abuse
Show Score 9.1 superb
  • Show Statistics
  • 194 of 17,754 Rating Rank
  • 841 Reviews
  • 21,323 Tracked by
  • 17,413 Votes
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