Directed by Kevin Bray
Written by Anthony E. Zuiker, Ann Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn, & Zachary Reiter
"Grand Master" is the fourth episode of Season 1. It originally aired October 27, 2004.
Synopsis:
The winner of a "turntablist" contest is found dead in an alley behind the venue, and a fashion designer is found dead in her apartment's swimming pool.Tropes for the episode:
- Artistic License – Law: A Japanese delicacy known as fugu is sold in a sushi restaurant. In reality, it is illegal in the US and highly controlled in Japan as well.
- Backstory of the Day: Aiden asks Mac if he likes Rap music and he tells her he prefers Crunk. It's never mentioned again... but him liking Jazz is.
- Body Sushi: The restaurant employs women to serve as practically nude "tables" on which the sushi is served. They have strategically wrapped banana leaves as bare-minimum clothing. Danny is particularly taken with the whole idea:Stella: Oh, that *can't* be sanitary.Danny: Who cares if it's sanitary? I wanna see the menu.
- Double Standard: Rape, Female on Female: The designer's former assistant murdered her because not only had she expected her to perform sexual favors during her employment, but also because after she got a job as a "table" at the sushi place, the designer would come in, request her specifically, then proceed to do things like suck on her toes as she ate.
- Encyclopaedic Knowledge: Mac and Sheldon are discussing the world of hip hop:Mac: You should hear Aiden talk about this DJ world. Close your eyes and she sounds just like Queen Latifa.Sheldon: [surprised] What do you know about Queen Latifa?Mac: [grinning slightly] It's my job to know a little something about everything.
- Expensive Glass of Crap: Non-wine example. The fugu is being sold for $500/serving. It is supposed to be made from vicious, wild blowfish, but the ones in question were raised in captivity with their mouths sewn shut. Danny says it's actually worth about $20 a pop.
- Finger-Licking Poison: The killer puts blowfish poison in her toenail polish, knowing the victim will ingest it while sucking on her toes.
- Stock Scream: The "Wilhelm Scream" can be heard at the 14 minute mark during a flashback of someone being stabbed.
