Hi,
Okay, in order of original questions/coments:
MrGill- I know lots, because I'm the AV Forums "TV Guru"!

In all seriousness, it's just that I like to keep abreast of what goes on, in my fave TV shows! "CSI" is no exception!
Mark A - The mean around Sam, weren't his personal "bodyguards", but Casino security staff walking Sam and Catherine out safely. As for why Catherine didn't go for her gun, it would immoral for an off-duty CSI agent to use a weapon on a case that is being investigated completely unofficially. Don't forget, that Catherine being druged and raped, is not an official investigation, as she has only told Sara and Grissom. These two are helping her out, unofficially. Hence, her shooting someone, for whatever reason, could potentially risk both her job, and the rest of the CSI team, as the Internal Affairs Bureau would come down hard on the whole CSI squad, and be asking a lot of questions!
Shady / PaleRider - This will be revealed over the next 2-3 episodes, I believe (having not seen them yet, until they air officially on Five in the UK)! I suspect that Grissom has spotted something in the photo, that Izzy's killer has overlooked, or taken for granted, and thus, could well be a hint as to who the killer really is!
Illeana - Yep, both fabulous episodes! I think Season 7 may well turn-out to be the best Season of any of the CSI shows, ever made!
Pooch