Ep 17. Trends with Benefits

In CSI: Crime Scene Investigation season 12 episode 17, titled "Trends with Benefits," the team investigates a murder that appears to have been committed as part of an online game. The victim, a young woman named Taylor, was found dead in her home with a gunshot wound to the head. As the detectives examine the crime scene and interview the victim's family and friends, they begin to unravel a complex web of online identities and relationships.

The investigation leads the team to a popular online game, where Taylor was known by the username "xxladykatexx." Along with her game partner, "Mike1069," Taylor had been involved in a heated rivalry with another player, "kingmaker73," which had escalated into threats and online harassment. When kingmaker73 turns up dead, the detectives must determine whether Taylor or Mike1069 were responsible for the murder, or if someone else was to blame.

As the investigation progresses, the team discovers that the online world Taylor inhabited was much more complex and dangerous than they had initially realized. They learn about the dark side of online gaming, where players can become deeply invested in their virtual identities and sometimes take extreme measures to protect them. Meanwhile, the detectives also struggle with their own personal issues, including Grissom's wavering commitment to his relationship with Sara and Morgan's difficult family history.

As the team races to uncover the truth behind the murders, they must confront the challenges of investigating an increasingly interconnected and technological world. With each new development, the detectives must also question their own assumptions and biases in order to piece together the truth behind this complex and tragic case.