Let’s all warmly welcome the Mobile Crime Unit to CSI. It served as the backbone for all the twist and turns that "Strip Maul" took along the way this week.

Does anyone else wonder if CBS is testing an idea for a spin-off from with the MCU? Between Nick’s in-depth discussions with Crawford and Greg’s teaming up with Weiss, it certainly felt that way.

If they are, count me in as a fan. The twists, turns and surprises we enjoyed this episode made it for one of the best I've seen. Take Joslyn/Josh, for example. If you needed a reason not to be a drug mule, he provided it. But then he turned out to be Bobby Reed's cousin, who was actually at the center of the case and the person the hit man was actually trying to kill. Never saw that coming. 

Speaking of Bobby, it was a refreshing change that a bad guy not only turned himself in, but came clean with the cops knowing he was going to jail. It gets really old when every suspect runs and the cops have to chase them down every time. Yes, I'm looking at you Hawaii Five-0. 

What put this episode over the top was Brass trying to help Chastity/Heather because he saw someone like his daughter who needed some help. Followed by Ecklie and Morgan at the end of the episode. Ecklie had my favorite CSI quote this week with:

I'm confused about a lot of things right now. But you and me, our relationship that is the only thing in my life that makes sense. | permalink

I’ve said it before, but it's worth a rehash: I really enjoy Ecklie and Morgan’s renewed relationship. It has softened Ecklie. He feels like a more rounded character than he did early on. It also makes Morgan feel like she’s been with the team much longer than she has. Besides, in a show about murder and death, it’s good to get some “touchy feely” moments. 

Overall, an outstanding episode; there was nothing not to like about it. I’m giving it a very rare 5 loving fathers out of 5 for figuring out how to still surprise fans after 13 years, throwing in some heart along the way.

Jim G. is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.