Directed by David Jackson
Written by Anthony E. Zuiker, Ann Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn, & Ken Solarz
"Sweet 16" is the 10th episode of Season 3, and the 57th overall. It originally aired November 22, 2006.
Synopsis:
A highly skilled parachutist falls from the sky after being hit by a flock of homing pigeons that are all found dead at the scene. A search for their owner finds him murdered in their coop. Across town, a man is found dead at his daughter's Sweet 16 party.Tropes for the episode:
- Abusive Parents: Mac discovers bruises left by the stepfather of the young man who helped take care of the pigeons.
- Animal Assassin: Zig-zagged. The person who sneaks the snake into the car only means to scare the birthday girl, not kill anyone, and is devastated at the thought. It turns out not to be what killed the man; but the poisonous snake does bite Lindsay, who has to be helicoptered to the hospital. Thankfully, she arrives in time to get antivenin.
- Beast in the Building: Part of a prank or not, poisonous snakes don't belong in cars.
- Bloody Handprint: One of the dead pigeons has the imprint of a hand in blood on its feathers where someone grabbed it after being severely injured.
- Sultry Belly Dancer: One of the suspects in the man's death is a friend of his daughter's who shows up to the Middle Eastern-themed party dressed as a belly dancer and makes out with him.
- Birthday Episode: Flashbacks to the daughter's party are shown including her dad catching a boy spiking the punch, photos being taken of the guests, and coins on her friend's gold chain belt scratching the car her dad bought as his birthday gift to her.
- Did I Mention It's Christmas?: Sid invites Mac to his house for Thanksgiving dinner if he doesn't have plans. Mac says he does, but won't give Sid any more info. This is the only time Thanksgiving.is mentioned in the entire series.
