Directed by Norberto Barba
Written by Anthony E. Zuiker, Ann Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn & Carmine Giovinazzo
"Sanguine Love" is the 14th episode of Season 6 and the 131st overall. It originally aired February 3, 2010.
The body of a young female photographer is found in Central Park, drained of a good deal of blood and missing part of one ear. The investigation draws the team into yet another mysterious subculture.
Tropes for the episode:
- A God Am I: The vampire coven leader declares, "I am the only god there is," during each new member's initiation.
- Carved Mark: The coven leader uses a sharpened ankh to carve the same symbol into the inside of all the members' left wrists.
- Earache: In flashback, the victim's earlobe is shown being bitten off while she was still alive.
- Initiation Ceremony: Potential members of the vampire cult must attend a ceremony in which their inner wrists are carved and the leader sucks their blood.
- Man Bites Man: The dead woman's boyfriend had bitten her earlobe off in a fit of anger.
- Our Vampires Are Different: The members of a vampire-like cult refer to their beliefs and practices as their religion.
- Subculture of the Week: A vampire coven meet in a darkened room in their leader's home.
- Vampire Episode: The case revolves around a group of "sanguine" or "lifestyle" vampires.
- Writing Around Trademarks: A tube of Chap Stick is found at the scene and the name is shown in plain view on screen, but the detectives consistently refer to it as "dry lip balm."