Directed by David M Barrett
Written by Anthony E. Zuiker, Ann Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn & Sam Humprey
"Help" is the 12th episode of Season 5 and the 104th overall. It originally aired January 14, 2009.
A woman is killed during a sale at a bridal shop. Another is found dead in a bathtub. The cases are not only connected to each other, but also to an ex-girlfriend of Sheldon's, causing a bit of friction between him and Mac.
Tropes for the episode:
- Creepy Souvenir: The perpetrator collects jewelry from his victims and gives the pieces to his fiance.
- It's Personal: Eight years prior, the perpetrator had raped Hawkes' former girlfriend (to whom he almost got engaged), making it personal for him.
- Plotline Crossover: The DNA of a rape victim from eight years earlier is found on the necklace of a woman who is suspected of killing the bridal shop victim. Meanwhile a certain type parasite is found in the bathtub victim's drain; it contains the DNA of the rapist. Yes, he's back, but he didn't kill the woman in the shop, and neither did the suspect...but *she's* engaged to the guy.
- Serial Rapist: The perpetrator has raped quite a few women, starting in 1999.
- Street Musician: The second victim would sing for tips in the subway while a male friend accompanied her on guitar. At the end of the episode, Sid takes Mac & Stella there to hear another female vocalist whom he'd noticed and begun to admire while commuting to work.
- Villain with Good Publicity: The perpetrator is a respected nightclub owner.
