Directed by David Von Ancken
Written by Anthony E. Zuiker, Ann Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn, Pam Veasey & Zachary Reiter
"Can You Hear Me Now?" is the Season 4 premiere and the 72nd episode overall. It originally aired September 26, 2007.
Synopsis:
A murder at the Statue of Liberty connects to a cold case of Stella's. Meanwhile, Mac has been receiving harassing phone calls, both in London and after returning to NYC.Tropes for the episode:
- Arc Number: The guy repeatedly calling Mac at 3:33 am ends up being called "The 333 Caller" and "The 333 Stalker" here and in the next few episodes.
- Arc Villain: Mac's stalker will eventually endanger other members of the team as well.
- "Eureka!" Moment: Flack's lightbulb goes on when he's exiting a room and realizes that the dead victim couldn't have locked his own door because it's a type that has to be done from the outside.
- Harassing Phone Call: Mac began receiving calls at 3:33 am while on vacation with Peyton in London over the summer hiatus, even after switching hotels, and they will continue for the next several episodes, both on his cell and his work land line.
- Is Nothing Sacred?: The team learn that a couple were having sex on the Statue of Liberty's torch.Mac: [disgusted] Nothing's sacred anymore.
- Rule of Three: Mac's stalker calls precisely at 3:33 am.
- Title Drop: The killer shouts it at Stella when she finally catches him.
- Tongue Trauma: One of the victims has his tongue cut out. He is taken to the hospital, but dies from excessive blood loss. See "Seth and Apep" for a Call-Back to Mac's dazed reaction.
