(CSI (May 14, CBS)
Det. Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne) has to use deadly force for the first time in his CSI career while investigating a series of murders tied to a scam involving poker chips from a dearly departed casino. Lost’s Cynthia Watros and Jericho’s Gerald McRaney guest star. Wallace Langham (Hodges) promises “no major changes to the team” — a relief to fans still grieving the loss of Grissom. And after two season-ending cliff-hangers in a row, fans won’t have to bite their nails all summer: “It actually is self-contained,” Langham adds, “a really good standalone episode.”

CSI Thursday, May 14
The CSIs investigate a series of murders tied to a scam involving valuable poker chips from a long-gone casino and Det. Ray Langston must use deadly force for the first time in his career as a CSI. Cynthia Watros and Gerald McRaney guest star.

With the ninth season finale of CSI bearing down on fans, many are wondering what sort of cliffhanger the drama will deliver. To find out, TV Guide talked to actor Wallace Langham, who plays David Hodges on the series. He said the self-contained episode will feature Laurence Fishburne’s Raymond Langston in danger:

“You see him put into some situations that are new for him, as far as being out in the field and having to deal with perpetrators.”

What about Hodges? He gets to stay in the lab, as usual.

“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” will have a sort-of-crossover episode with “Battlestar Galactica” next Thursday, April 16. Called “A Space Oddity”, the episode sees Hodges and Wendy running into each other at a science fiction convention for one of their favorite classic television shows. They end up investigating the murder of one of their beloved actors.

Speaking more about the episode was executive producer Naren Shankar who said “It’s about a murder at a science fiction convention. Hodges (Wallace Langham) and Wendy (Liz Vassey) re-enacting scenes from a campy - and entirely fictional - 1960’s era sci-fi TV show.” BSG star Kate Vernon will play Dr. Penelope Russell along with the show’s creator Ronald D. Moore who plays himself.

The episode is written by David Weddle and Bradley Thompson, who previously wrote an episode for BSG. Occasional BSG director Michael Nanking will sit in as the helmer. Weddle previously mentioned that there would be “other surprise cameos for sci-fi fans.”



Watch “A Space Oddity” Episode Online

Nick’s case of a deceased skydiver takes an interesting turn when Catherine discovers there may be a connection between the skydiver and a mysterious double murder case.



Watch “The Descent of Man” Episode

Liza Weil (Paris Geller on Gilmore Girls) will be guest starring in an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation on CBS on April 16th.

The episode, entitled “A Space Oddity”, follows as Hodges and Wendy get involved in a murder investigation at a science fiction convention for one of their favorite classic television shows. The murder is of one of their beloved actors.

In the episode, Liza Weil will guest star as Risa Varness, though as yet there’s no clue as to what her role will be. Other guest stars for the episode include Kate Vernon (Battlestar Galactica) and Jaime Ray Newman (Stargate Atlantis).

Here’s a photo from the episode as Hodges tries to make his way through the crowd at the convention:

Liza also has an upcoming guest role on the USA Network series In Plain Sight.