The body of a local politician is found in an empty house. The entire neighborhood was upset that he was backing the use of eminent domain, allowing the government to force them out of their homes. During the period of investigation, some members of the team have to deal with their enemies in the past while some have to come to terms with the nature of the profession they are pursuing.

After an accident where the driver was decapitated during a dangerous stunt, the evidence leads the CSIs to believe it was more than an accident. While gathering the evidence, the CSIs find they must go into the world of "sideshows."