The 125th Precinct raids a no-tell motel, where they discover a city councilman in a somewhat compromising position. He has a story similar to Sam's -- after an head injury, he finds himself in 1973.

The councilman claims to be from 2009, and he has enough details about current events (circa 2009) that Sam believes him -- but the councilman is murdered before he can tell Sam the way home.

Lt. Hunt locks down the Precinct. Until the killer is found, everyone is a suspect -- hookers, a combative newlywed couple, a tourist, an out of work dry cleaner, and the cops themselves. Hunt discovers the murder weapon, and Sam discovers that the hooker found with the councilman is more than she seems.

Meanwhile, Ray and Annie are locked on the outside. Sam asks them to investigate the councilman's death. Ray wants to work alone, but Annie won't back down. The councilman's secretary tells them she was supposed to meet a man in the park to accept delivery of a box, contents and source unknown. While in the councilman's office, Annie discovers a list In the councilman's office, Annie finds a list almost identical to Sam's list of possible explanations for his timeshift to 1973.

Annie wants to go undercover to claim the package from the man in the park. Ray takes Annie to his apartment, so she can borrow a dress from his wife. The man who meets them is an elegant gentleman, in an old-fashioned overcoat with caplet, a bowler hat, and a walking stick with an ivory handle in the shape of a rabbit.

The package contains the clue that leads to the identity of the councilman's murderer, and a mysterious postcard wishing him safe travels.

Sam and the Lt. Hunt question the hooker who had been found with the councilman. She claims they had a long-standing relationship, but all they did was talk about where he came from and how to get back there. She also tells them that he had been investigating dirty cops, and she's not surprised he died in police custody.

During her interview, Sam hears -- or imagines -- that she is telling him things meant only for his own ears. Earlier, he received a mysterious phone call in which he heard the song "Over The Rainbow". Now, the hooker seems to be quoting the song and telling him that it is not his time yet, but that his time will come. As she talks to him, he sees a transmission of U.S. President Barrack Obama's inaugural speech on the television behind him.

This episode is, in a way, a story of human nature and instinctual. The murderer betrays himself with his instinctive reactions. The hooker betrays herself by responding to her given name. Annie saves the day with her instinctive reaction to danger. Sam, upon hearing that the councilman may have found a way back to 2009,  follows his instincts to learn more.

The use of "Over The Rainbow" and "The Wizard of Oz" references are a bit heavy handed as this episode unfolds, but Jason O'Mara gives an excellent performance that helps us believe that for Sam, there is truly no place like home.

(Original air date: 2/18/2009)