Directed by Christine Moore
Written by Anthony E. Zuiker, Ann Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn, Peter M. Lenkov & Sam Humprey
"Down the Rabbit Hole" is the fifth episode of Season 4 and the 76th overall. It originally aired October 24, 2007.
Synopsis:
Mac is forced into participating in an online role playing game in order to catch a ruthless killer after the body of a victim resembling one of the game's avatars is found.Tropes for the episode:
- Down the Rabbit Hole: In the game, Mac has to meet up with "The White Rabbit," who does indeed disappear down a hole, leading him on an adventure.
- Cross Player: After Adam helps Mac design a cool-looking-dude avatar, they have to change it to a female in order to attract their suspect. Stella ends up taking over the dialogue because Mac is terrible at flirting like a girl.
- Dance of Romance: A variation. In the opening, a janitor does a tango with a mannequin in honor of his and his late wife's wedding anniversary.
- Human Shield: The real-life perp grabs a man and holds him in front of herself for a little while, then shoots him in the side and drops him on the floor in order to get away from Mac.
- Kill and Replace: Suspect X tortures and kills a woman to hijack her virtual avatar.
- Let X Be the Unknown: The team refers to the unknown assassin they're after as "Suspect X".
- RPG Episode: At least half of the episode takes place in the online game, Second Life.
- The Spook: The assassin "Suspect X's" background and identity remain unknown.
- Sequel Episode: The story begun here concludes 10 episodes later in "DOA for a Day."
