CSI: Miami is the most successful spinoff of the original CSI television series. The 2002 crime procedural series focused on a whip-smart team of crime scene investigators in the bustling and tropical city of Miami. The cases were rife with intrigue and brought the heat with every episode. The series ran for 10 seasons before concluding in 2012.

CSI: Miami is one of the franchise's longest-running shows, with 232 episodes in total. However, with so many episodes, it's hard to say which one is the absolute best. Thankfully, widening this dilemma to 10 of the best episodes offers a chance for newcomers to the series to get a comprehensive look at CSI: Miami at its best.

10 "One Of Our Own" Combines Vengeance and Grief

"One Of Our Own" is the climax of the CSI: Miami's hunt against the Mala Noche gang. The hunt has recently become devasting for Eric Delko and Horatio Caine, as the gang has recently killed Marisol Delko, Eric's sister and Horatio's wife. The CSIs are now ruthlessly pursuing the gang and are willing to color outside the lines to avenge Marisol. The case further grows personal when a friend of the CSIs, Officer Jessup, is killed by a grenade at a Mala Noche crime scene.

The episode further includes a plotline about missing cash from the CSI lab, revealing a criminal operating within the confines of the lab. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as Horatio and Eric go to Brazil to capture the gang leader who was deported after striking a deal with prosecutors. "One of Our" Own" is action-packed and blends science with emotional storylines that show the skill of the actors in CSI: Miami.

9 "All In" Has a CSI Fighting for Her Life

"All In" sees one of the best CSIs in a perilous situation. After personal and professional information relating to Calleigh Duquesne's work as a CSI is leaked onto the internet, she falls victim to a kidnapping. It's revealed that her kidnappers want her to cover up a murder, so she must work out how to escape from this situation with her life without compromising the evidence.

Calleigh is not alone in this situation. Her team is working tirelessly to find her. This is especially true for her boss and friend, Horatio Caine, who returns from time away in Brazil to join the hunt to find her. "All In" is a fantastic episode of CSI: Miami. The episode puts Calleigh to the test and raises the stakes for a nail-biting hour of television.

8 "Habeas Corpse" Brings CSI: Miami to a Close

"Habeas Corpse" is the series finale of CSI: Miami. The episode follows the murder of a corrupt state attorney, and one of their own is suspected to be responsible for the crime. The episode is the culmination of a truly brilliant series and excels in perfecting the nuances that made CSI: Miami such a special show. "Habeas Corpse" sees the CSIs turn their skills inward when they must solve a crime that touches too close to him.

"Habeas Corpse" begins with fan-favorite character CSI Ryan Wolfe being found at the scene of a murder with all the evidence indicating that he was the one responsible for the murder. The emotions of this episode, paired with the intriguing nature of a conspiracy inside the crime lab that threatens everything they stand for. The shocking twist at the end of a killer in their midst and the team banding together to help each other is a satisfying ending to an amazing series.

7 "Fallen" Sees the Team Searching for Justice for a Fallen Friend

"Fallen" is a deeply emotional episode of CSI: Miami. The episode begins after the cliffhanger ending of season 8's finale episode. After a gas attack at the lab leaves a CSI dead, the team must work through their grief to avenge their fallen friend. The foe responsible is a criminal genius who challenges the CSIs to work at the highest level possible to secure justice for CSI Jesse Cardoza. Justice is not the only goal of this episode; they must also protect the city of Miami from this madman who remains on the loose.

"Fallen" has all the elements needed to glue viewers to the television screen. The characters who have become familiar to viewers are placed in a shocking and deadly situation, and not all escape unscathed. The uniquely complex nature of the crime raises the stakes higher than viewers have ever seen on CSI: Miami. With a great blend of emotion and adrenaline, "Fallen" deserves its spot among the best episodes of CSI: Miami.

6 "Time Bomb" Cuts Deep for the CSIs

"Time Bomb" follows two cases that get incredibly personal for the CSIs. The squad investigates the murder of Horatio's ex-girlfriend, while a former member of the team investigates his friends and former coworkers for theft of evidence. Both investigations peak dramatically when the murder suspect appears to be a member of the MDPD and crucial evidence is found within a CSIs home.

After these two shocking revelations, the tension ratchets up tenfold, and the episode only gets more intense from there. The CSIs must race to both exonerate their friend and solve the murder of a loved one. The stakes are incredibly high, and it creates a high-stakes situation that is tinged with emotional intensity.

5 "Out of Time" Flashes Back to the Beginning

"Out of Time" sees Eric Delko fighting for his life and his team racing to find him. Along the way, flashbacks are incorporated to years prior and the case that brought Eric to CSI. This flashback also includes how Horatio began to form his core CSI team, which includes longtime CSIs Eric Delko and Calleigh Duquesne. The episode incorporates elements of nostalgia for longtime fans of CSI: Miami.

"Out of Time" reminds fans about how far the series has come. The episode balances nostalgia while celebrating the growth that has come with CSI: Miami, such as incorporating new CSIs like Jesse Cardoza. The episode keeps the drama alive in the present with Delko's fight for survival while perfectly injecting nostalgia with the flashbacks.

4 "Ambush" Sees Revenge Land Horatio in Danger

"Ambush" shares a common theme between two storylines of personal revenge stories targeting members of the CSI team. Horatio's vindictive ex has him arrested for murder and extradited to Brazil, separating him from his team. This complicates the case the CSIs are investigating and sets them at a disadvantage. Taking the central character of Horatio Caine out of commission sends a shock to both his team and the viewers.

Calleigh Duquesne is also the target of a personal vendetta when her crime scene photos are posted online. The culprit is revealed to me as a former member of the lab who holds a grudge against the CSI. This later puts Calleigh in a perilous position, which is followed in the next episode of the series. This episode doesn't hold back on reminding the viewers that the CSIs are not immune from becoming victims.

3 "Smoke Gets In Your CSIs" Knocks Out the CSIs and Viewers

"Smoke Gets In Your CSIs" places Calleigh and Ryan in danger when a criminal sets fire to a crime scene they are investigating. They assume they escape unscathed, but then Calleigh suffers from breathing problems that result in her being hospitalized and fighting for her life. This allows for former Medical Examiner Alexx Woods to return to the series temporarily to help Calleigh in the hospital.

The case the CSIs are investigating is just as compelling as the fire. The case takes the CSIs into the eerie world of organ harvesting and the emotional circumstances of the trade. "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" puts a fan-favorite character in danger, shocks viewers, and still incorporates an interesting case without taking away from either storyline.

2 "Going Ballistic" Ends With a Shocking Cliffhanger

"Going Ballistic" is adrenaline-fueled and doesn't take a moment to rest throughout the whole duration of the episode. The episode begins with one victim, and then at the crime scene, the new ME is also killed by an unseen shooter. The bullets keep flying throughout the episode as a conspiracy surrounding black market weapons unfolds. Just when the case couldn't get any more intense, a shocking connection to the team emerges.

The case cuts deeper for Horatio Caine when the primary suspect turns out to be linked to his son, Kyle. As Horatio gets drawn further into the case, it soon proves to be deadly for him as he takes a bullet. The cliffhanger this episode ends on continues in the next seasons premiere. This high-powered episode is one of the most intense episodes of the series.

1 "All Fall Down" is the Most Shocking Episode of CSI: Miami