Butterflied

Season 4, Episode 12, Aired
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Episode Summary

A woman found murdered in her home. Her resemblance to Sara causes Grissom to take a personal interest in the case and forces him to examine the decisions he has made in his life.
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EPISODE RATING: Superb
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Fan Episode Reviews (31)

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  • A Pretty Good Episode

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Sebastian411, Feb 06, 2012 Report Abuse
    I like this episode. First time i saw, i almost cried, but Grissom's feelings are revealed. A woman is found dead and she looks like Sara. Then meanwhile the CSI's are looking for evidence Grissom deals with himself and he show that he loves Sara. A very good episode....It was outstanding and full of energy, and the Grissom speech...That was the final point that makes an excellent episode..Bravo!

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  • Grissom and Sara, sitting in a tree............

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By weescottie, May 11, 2011 Report Abuse
    Okay, I was making fun above- but this episode is really sad!!!

    First of all- I thought this was gonna be dull and depressing- as much I love GSR. But if you think that you're gonna get an episode full of a blubbering Grissom pouring his heart out over what could have been- think again.

    The case was actually quite interesting- and the casting directors were right- Debbie Marlin does look like Sara Sidle. This episode is very character orientated- just the way I like 'em! CSI has amazing characters, and Butterflied shows them off in all their glory......

    I even liked the way Catherine sort of comforted Griss! Their bond is quite unique and I adore their friendship and trust (Marg and Billy have brilliant chemistry)- but the Grissom-Sara arc is the main focus here. Griss basically has to deal with a brutally murdered vitim who takes the shape of the woman he loves- not easy I think you'll find. And at the end, William Petersen again showcases his wonderful acting talents in a speech that will leave everyone misty eyed.

    Brilliantly acted + interesting and moving case= a winner!!!!moreless

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  • I love this episode...

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By grissomsidle, May 11, 2011 Report Abuse
    Butterflied is one of my all time favorite episodes. I think the music for this episode is very nicely done as well as the script. I loved that Grissom had to look at his feelings for Sara in this episode. It was sad though with the conclusion he came to at the end. I couldn't figure out for the life of me who had killed Debbie Marlin when I first saw the episode until it was made clear that it was Dr. Lurie. I think Kyle Secor did a very nice job at playing his character. I also liked the twist at the end when we saw Sara standing out in the observation room looking in to the investigation room where Grissom made his confession to a complete stranger. I would imagine that it would be difficult to hear. Truly an awesome episode, I have watched it over and over again since I bought it on DVD. That is all.moreless

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  • The symbol of GSR: The butterfly!

    9.7
    "Superb"
    By jackmalone4ever, May 11, 2011 Report Abuse
    Revealing. There was some good tension and the music in this episode was so excellent. I know some of you have heard my pathetic rambling about how much I love my dectectives, so there was also some good detective work in this ep, (as always)! I have heard about pulling double shifts, but Grissom pulling THREE?! That's crazy. Well, you can't blame him. He was obviously obsessed with the case. This shows everyone how deeply he cares about Sara. Lurie killed Michael Clark and Debbie out of pure rage, thinking that if he couldn't have Debbie then no one could.
    Grissom pretty much explained why he can't be with Sara, but he obviously wants too, and even worse-
    Sara was watching from the other side of the one-way glass.moreless

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  • With Butterflied a strong storyline is accompanied with an overall sentimental mood, starting with the very first scene with Grissom. The music and lighting fits the episode brilliantly, highlighting the very personal aspect of the case to him.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By fisken25, May 11, 2011 Report Abuse
    The striking resemblance of the victim to Sara makes Grissom think about the choices he's made in life as well as compare his and the murderer's situations. While he does admire Dr. Lurie for taking his chance with Debbie, he still partially thinks he's made the right choice by not getting involved with Sara.

    Throughout the series Grissom has, unintentionally, been yoyoing with Sara, giving her hope when there hasn't been any. He hadn't really given her any reasons for his reluctance, apart from "I can't", and this is probably the best explanation she's ever gonna get, albeit it wasn't intended for her to hear.

    It's interesting how the characters take some cases personally, for Sara it was the woman whose lifestyle reminded her of her own and made her want to change her ways, for Grissom it was a woman who reminded him of Sara, even if it was only by her looks. Unlike Sara, Grissom's reflectance on his own life didn't make him want to change it, even if he did feel he hadn't lived at all.

    Overall this episode has some nice interaction between the main cast, although little of that is between Grissom and Sara. Catherine is almost playing the mother to Grissom, who's determined to get the evidence to find the killer.

    Memorable moments

    -Grissom's speech to Dr. Lurie about meeting a beautiful young woman, while Sara watches behind the glass

    -First scene where Grissom walks through the house

    -Greg and Papa Olaf's hydraulics

    -Sara crawling under the housemoreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Goof: After Grissom and Catherine find traces of both blood and bleach in all the bathroom drains, Sara climbs under the house to check the plumbing traps. She collects evidence without wearing protective goggles. Correction: She can be seen under the house wearing black leather gloves. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • William Peterson personally scripted the talk scene of Dr. Lurie. Edit
    • Although listed in the opening credits, George Eads does not appear in this episode. The cover-up reason was that Nick was at the 'American Academy of Forensic Science' convention. Edit
    • This was writer David Rambo's first CSI episode. He is known by his fans as the "GSR KING" (Grissom Sara Romance). Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Greg: Heard about the shower. Nurse, huh? Sara: Multiple hairs, multiple donors. Greg: Looks like she had a few "friends" over. A little nurses gone wild. (Sara looks at Greg; he shrugs at her. She looks at another hair, and holds it up) Blanched. Sara: Killer poured bleach down all the drains. Greg: Talk about sucking all the life out of DNA. Edit
    • Grissom: He kills Debbie in the shower. Then he washes up in both sinks and in the tub? Why? Catherine: The answer is in the drains. Edit
    • Doc Robbins: Dismembering an adult male with this much precision and without cutting through the bone. 12 hours minimum. Catherine: Half of a day. That's patience. Doc Robbins: The, uh, patella was cleanly removed. And with one slice, the femur was separated from the tibia and the fibula. There's a perverse elegance to this butchery. Catherine: Well, I'm not so sure I see it that way. A killer with knowledge of anatomy whose tool is a scalpel. I think that the butcher was a doctor. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • When Grissom and Catherine are examining the bed, they find the red restraints and Grissom says 'Got Silk?". This was a line that William Peterson came up with, and is an obvious allusion to the famous ad campaign 'Got Milk?", encouraging people to buy cows' milk. Edit
    • Title: Butterflied Butterflied has an obvious connotation to the butterfly-motifed jewellery and tattoo found with the female victim. However, it also alludes to 'butterflying' whereby chefs remove flesh from bones to make meat cook better, in particular chicken - something that the male victim undergoes in quite a graphic way. Edit

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