'CSI:NY'- 'To What End?': Viewers Who Fear Clowns Will Be Looking Under Their Beds After This Episode

Viewers with a fear of clowns were likely experiencing sweaty palms as the "CSI:NY" crime fighters worked diligently to solve this case. A stunned bakery owner found himself at the wrong end of a gun, which just happened to be help by a murderer decked out in clown garb and make-up. Detective Flack was forced to come to terms with past decisions while dealing with a score of fuzzy-wigged clowns attempting to solve a murder. The episode "To What End?" originally aired on January 7, 2011.

Setting the Scene

The eerie music which played while the murdering clown applied his make-up set the tone perfectly for the episode. The sounds of a busy New York street were muffled as the music continued while the evil clown made his way to kill a man who was preparing for his son's sixth birthday. The cinematography rivaled that of a major motion picture. The writers must have worked over-time on this very well written episode. The addition of actress Sela Ward to the cast as Detective Jo Danville was a stroke of genius and a perfect fit for the intelligently written crime drama.

Clowns Invade Manhattan

After the clown dashes any hope of a happy birthday gathering, he exits the store and walks casually down the street. Uniformed officers arrive on scene within seconds are able to capture a clown and slap bracelets around his wrists. Before they can hoist the big-nosed character from the sidewalk, a dozen more clowns begin appearing from cabs an subway terminals. Understandably baffled, Detective Flack begins lining up all of the clowns for an interview.

A little online research in the lab confirms the story the clowns shared with police. They were all offered $500 to arrive at the bakery at an exact time for a party. The evil clown was able to slither safely away amid the commotion. Mac and Jo must communicate with the creepy director of the New York Clown Directory to identify the man who is registered to wear the same costume and make-up pattern. The unfriendly man concedes the information only after receiving a subpoena.

"Not all clowns are happy," the director states in response to Jo's observation that he doesn't reflect the typical clown demeanor.

Revisiting the Past

Due to the investigative techniques of the crack New York detectives it is discovered that "Bobby" a previous informant of Flack's may be the clown killer. The illusive man was placed in the FBI's witness protection program at Flack's urging. Bobby offered evidence against a drug ring and left behind the love of his life in order to keep her safe when he entered the program. An FBI agent, who also happens to be Jo's ex-husband visits the lab to discuss the case. Jo immediately calls her recently divorced spouse that he could have just called the lab and turns down his offer for dinner.

Detective Flack goes a little off the reservation when he tracks down Bobby's lady heads off on his own to a warehouse to find the accused killer. The rest of the team has also narrowed down the search to the same warehouse and is on the way. The bakery killing begins to make more sense to the investigators after reviewing the owner's financial records which indicate more money than can be acquired by selling donuts. They soon discover that the bakery is a front for a drug operation.

Showdown

Bobby pulls a gun on Flack and tells him how badly he didn't want to testify and is ready to add the detective to his mounting body count. The killer said he could not stand looking his shoulder anymore waiting for the drug dealers to come after him so he took care of the men himself. Flack tries to appeal to Bobby's better nature and the fact that he could still get the chance to meet his son and have a relationship with the boy. As sirens come in view, Flack charges Bobby, disarming him and a chase ensures through fire escapes and alleys. Flack jumps from above, tackling Bobby and taking him into custody.

Touching Reunion

Mac and Flack have a heart-to-heart, sharing the detective's guilt for persuading Bobby to give up his life to testify. Mac offers some encouraging pearls of wisdom before Flack hauls Bobby off to jail. The tenderhearted law enforcement officers makes a pit stop on the way to the station. Bobby enters the diner where his girlfriend works and meets his five year old son for the first time. The episode ends as father and son clasp hands and the trio then hugs each other as Bobby looks out the window at Detective Flack.