Cold Case (season 7)

The seventh and final season of Cold Case, an American television series, began airing on September 27, 2009 and concluded on May 2, 2010. Season seven regular cast members include Kathryn Morris, Danny Pino, John Finn, Thom Barry, Jeremy Ratchford, and Tracie Thoms. This is the series's last season. On May 18, 2010 more than 2 weeks after the series finale aired, CBS announced that the show would not be renewed for an eighth season due to low ratings. This season had an average of 9.86 million viewers and ranked 29th, being the least watched season of the series.[1]

Cold Case
Season 7
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	22
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	September 27, 2009 – May 2, 2010
Season chronology

Cast

Actor	Character	Main cast	Recurring cast
Kathryn Morris	Det. Lilly Rush	entire season	N/A
Danny Pino	Det. Scotty Valens	entire season	N/A
John Finn	Lt. John Stillman	entire season	N/A
Thom Barry	Det. Will Jeffries	entire season	N/A
Jeremy Ratchford	Det. Nick Vera	entire season	N/A
Tracie Thoms	Det. Kat Miller	entire season	N/A
Bobby Cannavale	Det. Eddie Saccardo	N/A	entire season
Jonathan LaPaglia	ADA Curtis Bell	N/A	entire season
Keith Szarabajka	Deputy Commissioner Patrick Doherty	N/A	entire season
Johnny Messner	Senior SSA Ryan Cavanaugh	N/A	entire season
Susanna Thompson	SSA Diane "D" Yates	N/A	entire season

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	US viewers (millions)
135	1	"The Crossing"	Alex Zakrzewski	Taylor Elmore	September 27, 2009	9.19[2]
After Lilly's car accident, she returns and investigates the disappearance of Darcy Curtis, a twenty-four-year-old woman aboard a magnificent ocean liner in 1966. Long assumed to be a suicide, the case is re-investigated as a homicide when her bones are recovered. Meanwhile, Moe's judgment surprises everyone. All music in this episode is by Ray Charles. Song featured in the intro: "I Got a Woman" by Ray Charles. Song featured in the finale: "What Would I Do Without You?" by Ray Charles. After the intro, Detective Lilly Rush is seen testifying in court about the night of her car accident and Moe Kitchener can be seen walking free and he continues to stalk Detective Lilly Rush for several episodes as a result. This is the first episode to air in the regularly scheduled 10:00 pm slot in which would last until November 2009.
136	2	"Hood Rats"	Chris Fisher	Elwood Reid	October 4, 2009	10.05[3]
The team re-examines the 1995 murder of homeless seventeen-year-old amateur skateboarding prodigy Nash Simpson who was trying to earn enough money through skating sponsors to get himself off the street after his brother identifies his belongings upon arriving in Philadelphia. Song featured in the intro: "Feel the Pain", by Dinosaur Jr.. Song featured in the finale: "Disarm" by The Smashing Pumpkins.
137	3	"Jurisprudence"	Holly Dale	Christopher Silber	October 11, 2009	7.87[4]
The 2004 case of Alex Caceres, a seventeen-year-old boy who was murdered while wrongfully imprisoned in a juvenile detention center is reopened after new evidence suggests that he was innocent, and Scotty is determined to bring justice to the victim, having been attempting to free him prior to his death. This was the lowest rated episode with less than 8 million viewers Song featured in the intro: "In This World", by Moby. Song featured in the finale: "None of Us Are Free" by Solomon Burke. The story was inspired by the 2008 kids for cash scandal in Pennsylvania.
138	4	"Soul"	John F. Showalter	Ryan Farley	October 25, 2009	9.30[5]
The team reinvestigates the 1970 murder of Billy Sanders, a twenty-year-old virtuoso jazz musician who was keeping his hard-partying lifestyle secret from his devoutly religious father when his son arrives wanting to know more about him, having been unborn prior to his death. Song featured in the finale: "I'll Be Around" by The Spinners. This episode was originally to air on CBS on October 18, 2009 but was pre-empted to the following week of October 25 for American viewers. Other markets, such as the Canadian network CTV aired the episode at its intended date and time.
139	5	"WASP"	Chris Fisher	Denise Thé	November 1, 2009	9.02[6]
The team reopens the 1944 disappearance and murder of Vivian Lynn, a twenty-two-year-old female pilot who was part of a civilian program to aid the Army Air Forces during World War II and was a professional fighter pilot. The team discovers that the plane she was flying in was sabotaged and must comb through the personnel at the base she worked at to find the culprit. Song featured in the finale: "I'll Walk Alone" by Martha Tilton. There is a final blurb stating that on July 1, 2009, the ladies of the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal by Congress and President Obama for service to the nation during World War II.
140	6	"Dead Heat"	Nathan Hope	Adam Glass	November 8, 2009	8.17[7]
When the remains of Sonny Sandoval, a forty-five-year-old jockey who had been missing since 1986 are uncovered in an old horse grave, the team reexamines the circumstances of his disappearance. They soon discover that he was to not only was he retiring after his last race, but also discover his personal life was going off the rails. All music in this episode is by Santana. Song featured in the intro: "Oye Como Va" by Santana. Song featured in the finale: "Samba Pa Ti" by Santana.
141	7	"Read Between the Lines"	Kevin Bray	Erica L. Anderson	November 15, 2009	9.59[8]
The team reinvestigates the 1991 murder of Donalyn Sullivan, a fourteen-year-old aspiring rapper who was in foster care with her younger sister at the time of her death when a convict discloses information that leads them to the primary crime scene. When the team stumbles upon her songbook, they discover that the lyrics could be the key to catching her killer. Song featured in the intro: "Sing a Song" by Earth Wind and Fire Song featured in the finale: "Read Between the Lines" written by Jeff Moonie Jr. and performed by Danièle Watts. It is an original song written for this episode. This is the final episode to feature an original song that was made by the show and is also the first episode to air in its old regularly scheduled 9:00 pm slot which would last until February 2010
142	8	"Chinatown"	David Von Ancken	Alicia Kirk	November 22, 2009	9.55[9]
When a Chinese woman discloses information about her son's death, the team reopens the 1983 murder of Jack Chao Lu, a seventeen year old Chinese-American boy whose death may have been connected to the killing of his girlfriend, seventeen year old Tam Sung, a Vietnamese girl by Chinese gang members three months before his own death which Stillman worked on. However, they are hindered by the prejudiced community and a retired officer who appears to know more than he's letting on. Song featured in the intro: "Age of Consent", by New Order. Song featured in the finale: "Every Breath You Take" by The Police. Final appearance of Bobby Cannavale as Det. Eddie Saccardo
143	9	"Forensics"	Holly Dale	Jerome Schwartz	December 6, 2009	9.64[10]
The team investigates the 1999 murder of Luke Cronin, an eighteen year old member of a prep school debate team who supposedly committed suicide after losing his first debate when new evidence points to his death being staged. Song featured in the intro: "All Star", by Smash Mouth. Song featured in the finale: "Karma Police" by Radiohead.
144	10	"Iced"	Peter Medak	Taylor Elmore	December 13, 2009	10.30[11]
The team reopens the 1980 murder of Tommy Flanagan, an eighteen year old ice hockey player who was murdered on his team's ice rink on the same night the U.S. hockey team defeated the Soviet Union at the Winter Olympics, after the prime suspect comes forward with a viable alibi on the night the victim died. The only clue the team has on them is a broken hockey stick, so the team must go through the victim's former teammates to get the culprit. All music in this episode is by Bob Seger. Song featured in the intro: "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" by Bob Seger. Song featured in the finale: "Against the Wind" by Bob Seger.
145	11	"The Good Soldier"	Gwyneth Horder-Payton	Christopher Silber	January 10, 2010	10.38[12]
The team investigates the 2005 murder of Mike Donley, a twenty eight year old Army recruiter who was killed two days before his deployment to Iraq and uncover evidence that the victim may have been involved in a pawnshop burglary that occurred the same night he was killed. Song featured in the intro: "I Don't Wanna Be", by Gavin DeGraw. Song featured in the finale: "Politik" by Coldplay.
146	12	"The Runaway Bunny"	John Finn	Elwood Reid	January 17, 2010	10.62[13]
The team reopens the case of Harry Denton, a private investigator who was murdered in 1974 while working to track down a teenage runaway, when his bones are found in the cement foundations of a demolished building. Song featured in the intro: "Any Major Dude Will Tell You" by Steely Dan. Song featured in the finale: "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan. Possibly inspired by the 1966 movie Harper.
147	13	"Bombers"	Janice Cooke-Leonard	Gina Gionfriddo	February 14, 2010	8.73[14]
The team reinvestigates the 1982 murder of Carlos Espinosa, a talented sixteen year old graffiti artist who was killed by a fatal overdose of toxic paint when his mother comes forward with his black book containing unfinished pieces of art and they soon discover a graffiti group that was harassing local artists. Song featured in the intro: "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" by The Gap Band. Song featured in the finale: "Since You're Gone" by The Cars. During the finale song, Moe Kitchener, the man who ran Detective Lilly Rush off the road, is found murdered in his car leaving viewers to wait until the following week to see how he was murdered. This is the first episode to be back in the 10:00 pm slot where the show would stay in that time slot for the rest of the run.
148	14	"Metamorphosis"	Chris Fisher	Adam Glass & Danny Pino	February 21, 2010	8.81[15]
The team reinvestigates the 1971 death of Mia Romanov, an eighteen year old circus performer when a circus performer comes forward with new evidence that indicates the girl was dead before the accident that supposedly killed her took place. Meanwhile, Lilly comes under investigation by Internal Affairs after Moe Kitchener, the man who tried to kill her is found murdered outside a bar in his car. All music in this episode is by The Doors. Song featured in the intro: "Light My Fire", by The Doors. Song featured in the finale: "People Are Strange" by The Doors.
149	15	"Two Weddings"	Nathan Hope	Meredith Stiehm	February 28, 2010	9.83[16]
As the resident police expert on fires and explosions, Louie Amante, is going to marry a woman who was suspected of killing her previous fiancé, Dan Palmer, in 2008, the team reopens the man's case to make sure that their colleague isn't about to marry a murderer. They quickly discover however that there are more suspects than they thought, especially the groom himself.[17] Final episode written by series creator Meredith Stiehm. Song featured in the intro: "Sweet Thing", by Keith Urban. Song featured in the finale: "Out Last Night" by Kenny Chesney.
150	16	"One Fall"	Don Thorin Jr.	Ryan Farley	March 14, 2010	10.22[18]
The team reopens the case of Mick "The Machine" Malone, a twenty eight year old dock worker who was moonlighting as an indy-circuit wrestler until he was shot dead in 1986 when the gun used to kill him is discovered. The team then discover his wrestling career was putting a strain in his relationship with his son and ex-wife. Meanwhile, Valens secretly looks into a lead on the man who mugged and raped his mother. Song featured in the intro: "Livin' on a Prayer", by Bon Jovi. Song featured in the finale: "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi.
151	17	"Flashover"	Jeannot Szwarc	Greg Plageman	March 21, 2010	9.43[19]
Realizing that the missing Vera has finally hit rock bottom, his worried team members hope that a new twist to a 2006 arson case that killed two boys, which he was secretly obsessing about in recent weeks might supply leads to his whereabouts. They soon that the guilty man, Joe Don Billings, was murdered and after review the case learns that he may not have been guilty as they thought.[20] Song featured in the intro: "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd Song featured in the finale: "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd. This case bears a similar resemblance to that of Cameron Todd Willingham who was convicted of murdering his three children in a fire, and despite new evidence being brought to light disputing the original verdict, executed.
152	18	"The Last Drive-In" (Part 1)	Chris Fisher	Elwood Reid	March 28, 2010	10.32[21]
When ballistics tie a recent murder case of Rush's to a serial killer who has been inactive since 1983, a tough FBI agent with ties to Stillman shows up to enlist the team's aid in finding the killer who has eluded her for 27 years. Song featured in the intro: "Just What I Needed", by The Cars. There is no song used in the finale. The last scene depicts another victim being shot, showing the killer that the team is trying to track down. Song playing on the radio is 'Let's Ride Into the Sunset Together' played by 'Lost Weekend Western Swing Band'. Part one of a two-part episode.
153	19	"Bullet" (Part 2)	John F. Showalter	Christopher Silber	April 4, 2010	10.10[22]
After determining the serial killer's identity - and some of his likely future targets - the team and the FBI work together to apprehend him while trying to locate and protect the people he's preparing to kill. Song featured in the intro: "Snake Song" by Townes Van Zandt Song featured in the finale: "Keepsake" by State Radio. Part two of a two-part episode. This is the first of three episodes in this season where a modified version of the show's opening is seen where the woman can be heard screaming and then cuts to commercial after the show's logo appears on the screen and the show's cast appears on the screen after the first commercial break which would happen again on the final two episodes of the series.
154	20	"Free Love"	Jeffrey Hunt	Elwood Reid & Denise Thé	April 11, 2010	9.86[23]
An attraction grows between Rush and FBI agent Ryan Cavanaugh as they travel to upstate New York to investigate the 1969 murder of David Quinn, a soldier who attended Woodstock. Back in Philadelphia, Vera's ex girlfriend from high school asks him to investigate a break-in that occurred at her home. Jeffries does not appear in this episode. Song featured in the intro: "Darlin' Be Home Soon by Joe Cocker. Song featured in the finale: "The Weight" by The Band. Final appearance of Jonathan LaPaglia as ADA Curtis Bell This is the final episode to feature the show's opening as the final two episodes feature the modified opening which was seen in the episode "Bullet".
155	21	"Almost Paradise" (Part 1)	Alex Zakrzewski	Christopher Silber & Adam Glass	May 2, 2010	10.02[24]
The team reopens the 1989 case of Felicia Grant, a seventeen year old girl who was killed in a hit-and-run accident shortly after she was crowned prom queen, when the photos from an old camera reveal that she was killed just fifteen minutes after prom. Meanwhile, Rush gets some disturbing news about her sister, Christina. Song featured in the intro: "Bust a Move", by Young MC. Song featured in the finale: "All I Want Is You by U2. This is the second of three episodes to feature the modified opening which would be featured in the series finale.
156	22	"Shattered" (Part 2)	Jeannot Szwarc	Greg Plageman & Elwood Reid	May 2, 2010	10.02[24]
While Rush and Valens leave Philadelphia to find Rush's missing sister Christina, Jeffries gets a lead in the 1993 murder of Wanda Johnson, a fifteen year old girl who was shot to death and dumped in a seedy part of the city. He and team work on the case, hoping to fulfill the promise he made to her parents to find the killer. All music in this episode is by The Rolling Stones. This is the only episode where Lily does not work on a cold case. Song featured in the finale: "Winter" by The Rolling Stones. This episode features the modified opening which was seen in the episodes "Bullet" and "Almost Paradise". Series finale.

References

1. "Full Series Rankings For The 2009-10 Broadcast Season". Deadline Hollywood. May 27, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
2. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, October 4, 2009. Your Entertainment Now. October 5, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
3. TV Ratings: Sunday Night Football, Grey’s win week with adults 18-49; NCIS leads with total viewers. TV by the Numbers. October 6, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
4. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, October 18, 2009. Your Entertainment Now. October 19, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
5. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, November 1, 2009. Your Entertainment Now. November 2, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
6. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, November 8, 2009. Your Entertainment Now. November 9, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
7. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, November 15, 2009. Your Entertainment Now. November 16, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
8. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, November 22, 2009. Your Entertainment Now. November 23, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
9. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, November 29, 2009. Your Entertainment Now. November 30, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
10. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, December 13, 2009. Your Entertainment Now. December 14, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
11. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, December 20, 2009. Your Entertainment Now. December 21, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
12. TV Ratings: Pro and College Football and The Simpsons and NCIS top weekly viewing. TV by the Numbers. January 12, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
13. TV Ratings: American Idol, Indianapolis Colts, NCIS and The Big Bang Theory top weekly viewing . TV by the Numbers. January 20, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
14. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, February 21, 2010. Your Entertainment Now. February 22, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
15. TV Ratings Top 25: American Idol Still Top Show of Week With Adults 18-49 Archived February 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. TV by the Numbers. February 23, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
16. TV Ratings Top 25: American Idol, Olympics Top Weekly Broadcast Network Viewing. TV by the Numbers, March 2, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
17. http://www.spoilertv.com/2009/11/cold-case-episode-715-two-weddings.html
18. TV Ratings Top 25: American Idol, Big Bang Theory, NCIS Top Weekly Broadcast Charts. TV by the Numbers. March 16, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
19. TV Ratings Top 25: American Idol, NCIS, Undercover Boss, House Top Weekly Broadcast Charts. TV by the Numbers. March 23, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
20. http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/01/cold-case-episode-717-flashover.html
21. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, April 4, 2010. Your Entertainment Now. April 5, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
22. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, April 11, 2010. Your Entertainment Now. April 12, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
23. Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, April 18, 2010. Your Entertainment Now. April 19, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
24. TV Ratings Top 25: Idol, Glee Tops With 18-49 ; Dancing Leads With Viewers. TV by the Numbers. May 4, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2010.