Grissom's statement in court that he's "trying to believe that people can change, even if they're damaged" is one of the most revealing things Grissom has ever said. Is he referring to Sara? Or to himself? Most likely, both. That Grissom is having a crisis of faith has been evident for a while now; when he admits in open court that he doesn't know if he believes people can change, the audience sees how conflicted Grissom is.
Grissom's focus has always been on science and the evidence, but this season especially he's really been making an attempt to understand human nature. What Grissom is asking is can he change--can a man of science who has always been somewhat closed off to the real world open himself up to his feelings, to really get in touch with his emotional side? It's not easy for anyone to do that, but for Grissom, it's an extra challenge, because it will mean not just giving voice to the feelings he's always put second to his job, but also facing his grief over Warrick's death and the fact that he might rather be with Sara than leading the CSI team.
Metaphorically, of course, change is a kind of death. For Sara, change for her brought the end of her career as a CSI and (at least for now) the end of her relationship with Grissom. For Grissom, it seems like it's coming down to a choice: stay in a job he's feeling increasingly burnt out in, or put his faith in his feelings for Sara and follow her. It wouldn't be an easy choice for anyone, but it's especially difficult for Grissom, who has shied away from personal relationships and has always defined himself as a CSI and a scientist first and foremost. For Grissom, a change that takes him away from that would be a death of sorts. In the end, Grissom wondering if damaged people can change is essentially him wondering if he himself is capable of change.
Review provided by CSI Files.
