Life Imitates Art On CSI: Miami's 'Fade Out'

See Also: 'Fade Out' Episode Guide

When a disturbing murder resembles the main plot of a screen play written by two college students, Horatio and the team go to film school in the CSI: Miami episode "Fade Out."

According to CSI Files sources, the episode instantly takes us on a wild ride. Leo and Sienna are speeding through the streets of Miami in their red corvette, laughing. But this couple is up to no good – they'd just robbed a store, stolen a car, and are on their way to the Keys. The wailing of sirens can be heard in the distance but Leo isn't worried, they're almost there. That is until the drawbridge starts elevating in front of them. With all their options exhausted, the couple is forced to come to a stop, but as cops start to gather all around them these Bonnie and Clyde wannabes take a backseat to the disturbing sight in front of them – as the bridge continues to ascend the body of Jake Richmond, hanging by his neck, is revealed.

When the body is retrieved from the bridge the team realizes that not only was Jake hanged, he was also shot through the eyes. In his pocket, they find a Joker playing card, shades of a mob hit. The bullet retrieved from his skull ties back to a murder case from the year before – not surprisingly, mob related. Horatio talks to Joey Salucci, suspect in the old murder and typical mob guy down to his denial about his involvement with the mob. Joey is amused by Horatio's accusations. Jake Richmond wasn't a nobody in the South Beach scene, he was the owner of the trendy Burgundy Club, and though Joey knew the guy by reputation he wasn't involved in the murder. Joey, apparently, is living a clean life now in real estate. Now it's time for Horatio and Tripp to be amused. Joey is free to go, at least until the evidence starts talking.

Delko and Calleigh visit the Burgundy Club in South Beach. The CSIs find two bullet casings in the pavement, but only one bullet was recovered from Jake's head. Could there be a third crime scene? In the parking lot, Calleigh finds a blank test with blood in it. A quick meeting with Cynthia Wells reveals the test belongs to Professor Meyer, who teaches a film class at Dade University. Calleigh and Delko visit the professor and request to see his car. The professor grows confused when he's told it may have been at the scene of a crime; Meyer has been at the university all day, giving him a strong alibi. His car keys, however, have not been in his possession this entire time – he claims he keeps them in his desk drawer. Confident that Delko and Calleigh have made a mistake, Meyer opens the trunk to reveal a massive amount of blood. Looks like the CSIs have found the third crime scene.

Back at the lab, Meyer's car trunk reveals a single earbud cover from an iPod. What better iPod owner than a college student? The search narrows it down to Ben Williams, one of Meyer's film students. Tripp and Delko pay a visit to Ben, who claims he's never been to the Burgundy Club and does not own a handgun. As Delko looks around the room his eyes land on a movie poster hanging on the wall. Entitled The Clubland Murders, the poster shows a man hanging from a drawbridge, the way Jake Richmond was found, the Miami skyline in the background, contrasted by the image of a Joker playing card. The movie, or screenplay, was written by Ben and his friend Patrick Wilder. Ben knows this makes him look bad, but he swears he had nothing to do with Jake's murder. His screenplay, however, is telling a different story.

Meanwhile, Ryan Wolfe finally takes his friends' advice and visits an eye specialist. The CSI has been having trouble seeing, experiencing some pain and double vision, and even though he has taken every antibiotic prescribed by Dr. Woods, the problems remain. The doctor explains Wolfe could have orbital cellulitis, which, untreated, could lead to blindness. She prescribes more antibiotics, hoping they'll be able to catch the infection in time, but the word "hope" doesn't come with a great amount of certainty. The truth is there's a chance it might not work and they'll have to resort to surgery. The worst news, for Wolfe, is during the course of treatment he won't be able to work at the lab.

Please note that the above plot details have not been confirmed by CBS, Alliance Atlantis or Bruckheimer Films, and until such time you should treat this information as you would any other rumour. The above information comes from early script drafts and the details and the airing order of the episodes are liable to change before the episodes are shown.

"Fade Out" will air January 30th of 2005.

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