Directed by Anthony Hemingway
Written by Anthony E. Zuiker, Ann Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn & Sam Humphrey
"Like Water for Murder" is the 17th episode of Season 4 and the 88th overall. It originally aired April 16, 2008.
The body of a real estate agent washes up on shore along with a dead shark. A second woman washes up shortly thereafter. The cases have a similar MO to that of one in NJ, but that victim was a male. The team is up for review while pursuing the investigation.
Tropes for the episode:
- Arc Villain: The "Cabbie Killer" is the antagonist for four consecutive episodes beginning, of course, with this one.
- Behind the Black: The episode Opens with a couple happily frolicking and stripping on the beach until the man trips over a dead shark (with a dead woman next to it). This is on a flat stretch of sand with absolutely nothing obstructing the couple's view.
- Carved Mark: The Cabbie Killer uses a piece of gravestone to carve "L2729" on the back of his victims' necks. The meaning will be revealed in episode 4.20, 'Taxi.'
- Fashion Show: A fashion designer uses expensive chocolate and damiana flowers in his designs, which are presented by models on a runway. Det. Flack comments to Stella how cold it is in the venue. She tells him it's necessary because chocolate melts at body temperature.
- Hero of Another Story: Quinn Sullivan, the head of the New Jersey Crime Lab moonlights as an accreditation inspector. While performing that duty in the NYC Lab, she notices similarities between the first victim and one she and her team had recently dealt with in NJ. She'll be back for the wrap-up of the arc in episode 4.20, "Taxi."
- The Inspector Is Coming: Inspector Sullivan, who is revealed to have applied for Mac's job at the same time he did, arrives to evaluate the team for their five-year accreditation.
- Not My Driver: The killer poses as a taxi driver.
- Shout-Out: The first victim's name, "Chrissy Watson," is a nod to Jaws. The eponymous shark's first victim was "Chrissy Watkins." Mac also tells Don to start with that the case "sounds like one for Chief Brody."
- Sinister Car: The killer turns his cab into a mobile Gas Chamber.
- Story Arc: This begins the four-episode "Cabbie Killer" arc.
- Strictly Professional Relationship: Quinn flirts with Mac, reminds him of the one kiss they shared in the past, tells him that she still has a thing for him, and asks if he ever wonders what might have been. He point-blank tells her that he had always loved Claire, that nothing would've ever happened between the two of them, and that "some memories need to be forgotten." She replies, "I get it" and never brings the subject up again.
