Happy Halloween everyone! This week we were treated to a glimpse of the holiday in Vegas, as "Play Dead" opened with costumed strangers stumbling upon a crime scene. 

And that was the end of it.

Perfect! Just the right amount to remind me what I stayed indoors and off the streets to avoid, but not enough to taint the story or make the entire case feel like it’s revolving around Halloween. CSI, there are several other programs that could benefit the wisdom you've learned in 13 seasons.

Sam and Nick absolutely stole the show tonight. I figured it was too obvious that Sam killed his partner. Besides, it’s never the first suspect, right? So I wasn’t surprised when Nick cleared his name. But the two of them totally had me in tears as they sat on the floor in the cadaver room where Nick found Sam waiting for his partner. 

Before anyone comments and burst my bubble, I know they used animal handlers to get the “ideal” response out of Sam. Honestly, I don’t care; it doesn't make it any less cute or heartwarming and it really makes me want to get get a puppy! 

Did anyone else think Sam was done for when he got shot? I thought it was just a clever way to write an ending to the story, a “dog dies helping get partner’s killer” type of story, that is. Imagine my surprise when Seargent Veranski said Sam survived and would make a full recovery. 

Even more shocking was the twist that Sam will be going home with Nick. Will CSI Stokes be having a new recurring partner? Will Sam be making any cameo appearances? If you think about it, having a canine CSI isn’t that crazy and it could add some additional depth to the show that would be totally new.

One final thought on Sam (more specifically Seargent Veranski): David S. Lee, who played Veranski, possesses really striking features, no? I knew I had seen him before, but it took me the entire hour to figure out was  most recently on The Nine Lives of Chloe King. 

Sam, Nick and Veranski aside, I was a bit disappointed with how little we touched on Morgan and Hodges kiss. Just when I thought they were going to get into details or move it forward, it stalled out and fell out of the story. I couldn't tell if Morgan had feelings for Hodges or just felt embarrassed she kissed him. Maybe a little of both? 

What did you think of this week's furry friendly episode? Did you like Sam? Should they have focused on Morgan and Hodges more? Don't go barking up the wrong tree, comment below!

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