As Horatio faces a painful recovery from his gunshot wound, Natalia faces an emotional recovery from her near-death experience. Calleigh attempts to adopt two children, whilst Delko and Wolfe are assigned to supervise new CSI Sam Owens, a task that will put the latter at risk. A sadistic killer, a Mexican sheriff, an eccentric genius and a rabid dog are among the killers, witnesses, and victims this season, as the sun goes down on Miami.