If you thought of Skull and Bones, the famed secret society at Yale University, you’re not far off. The focus is more on the secrecy than any actual group, but the storyline makes for interesting viewing.

Reed Garrett (Kyle Gallner), Mac's stepson, comes to see him since he knew the victim personally. When Mac encourages him to talk, he says another scandal is brewing. It seems there were students willing to pay others to take exams.

Hawkes figures out a person with medical knowledge has to be involved. This leads to the arrest of the victim's roommate, who was about to be exposed for academic fraud.

Mac finds Reed at the funeral for his friend. He asks if there is anything he can do. Reed replies he wants to see where his mother, Mac's widow, is buried. With cracking voice, Mac says the body was never recovered from the rubble of 9/11. However, people are still looking.

I was touched at how Mac Taylor has been opening up with hugging those he has become close to. With Danny, Mac pulled him into his arms to bring comfort in an untenable situation ("Run Silent Run Deep"). He knew better than anyone about painful chapters in life never quite closing. On the other hand, Lindsay needed support so she could stand for justice ("The Lying Game") when called upon to testify in a serial homicide trial.

Reed serves as a reminder to Mac of what could have been. Had Claire, Mac's wife, not died, she would be their point of connection. After Reed walked into Mac's arms, the CSI head took only seconds to return the embrace. He emitted comfort and solidarity for the bond they shared. I have a feeling Gary Sinise is reminded of his own fatherhood when he and Kyle Gallner interact.