And So... I'm watching CSI. All of it.

Oh I won't be doing something on the level of my Miami Vice blog for this. But I wanted to start a thread where I could track my progress and discuss the show with others who may be interested.

So far, I've watched the first disc of Season 1. (4 episodes) This is actually pretty good. There is a definite formula that I fear may become repetitive very fast, but the cast is compelling and the stories are well written.

It's interesting how each episode focuses on multiple cases and manages to resolve them neatly and satisfyingly within 45 minutes, all the while not really sacrificing any attention to detail. It manages to cram interesting forensic details into each case. I can see why this thing is so popular.

Something else... People have brought up how they get away with some explicit gore for a network show. True. I also noticed, in the pilot, the use of language. One character said "shit" and, at one point, Grissom called a bunch of corpses "assholes."

But subsequent shows avoided "strong" language.

I wonder what happened.

Done with Disc 2 and it's beginning to get its claws into me.

That is to say, I'm starting to get hooked. I like how they're stand alone episodes but still make time for little concessions to an arc. They've introduced this character who sells Halloween props as a kind of nemesis for Grissom and I find it cute.

I imagine this will go on for the remainder of the season?

The Blood Drops episode was the first one that focused on just one case and I hope there are more like it. It made for tighter storytelling.

Disc 3 featured and episode called Unfriendly Skies. Once again, it focused on just one case - and a pretty interesting one. And that made it better. I don't know if later episodes focus more on just single cases. But that's definitely when the show is at its best.

There is a definite formula and, while that doesn't take away any entertainment value per se, it makes it very easy to immediately identify the culprit of a crime.

I liked seeing Krista Allen as a hooker in these early episodes.

Because I like Krista Allen.

I know she's not a very good actress. That's not the point.

Okay... Done with Season 1.

Overall, pretty solid. Oh, sure, the formula occasionally allowed for some doldrums to set in. And it's really never a trick figuring out who the villains are. But that's not the point anyway. Much like Columbo, the fun obviously lies in the "how" rather than the "who."

Petersen created a very genial, likable hero. And the supporting cast is pretty good too. I am more drawn to Gary Dourdan than George Eads in the sense that Dourdan's Warrick is a more interesting, complex character. Jorja Fox occasionally gets annoying. But she's cute, so I guess it's okay.

Paul Guilfoyle does a lot with a very thinly drawn character.

No guest stars really jumped out at me. I imagine Season 2 will bring me more of Brad Johnson, what with the impending Helgenberger romance. But I really couldn't care less. I did enjoy seeing Reginald Veljohnson in a couple of episodes as child psychologist John Kane. Greg Henry was very enjoyably Greg Henryish in the finale.

Of the 23 episodes, I can say only three or four of them really impressed me as exceptional hours of television. I've mentioned the others and the finale - Strip Strangler - was also very good. The three best episodes being single case episodes is clearly not a coincidence. And I hope, as I continue to watch the subsequent seasons, that they realize this and give me more episodes in that vein.

It's refreshing to have an old school show like this in a time when serialized television has become the norm. It was also refreshing to not end on a cliffhanger.

Anyway... So far so good. I have no problem moving on to Season 2. Given that's when I think the show supposedly hit it's "stride" in terms of popularity, I expect great stuff.

It's easy to see why Petersen (and Grissom) became so popular. You're right. He is a nerd and an oddball... But he is those things in the most accessible, television way.

I think I'll stick with my Columbo comparison.

Both are people that, if you knew them in your life, you would probably find kind of insufferable. But, when filtered through the television prism, they really become very likable and endearing.

I've begun Season 2. The first handful of episodes aren't half bad and the switch to a widescreen format is a definite plus.There was this awful one about a girl who disappears mysteriously from her dorm one evening. But the other ones have been pretty solid. At first, I thought they would switch to single cases only. But soon after the first couple of episodes it was back to the multi case structure.

A particularly terrific episode was Alter Boys. It featured Dylan Baker as a priest and Jeremy Renner as a murder suspect who frames his brother. Some really powerful storyteling and a very engaging discussion on religion. Might be one of the best written episodes so far and I appreciated how it didn't have a conventional pat ending.

There was also one about the mysterious death of a scuba diver who ends up in a tree. I appreciated that they mentioned the same urban legend from Magnolia. But the actual solution to the mystery was different and interesting.

So far, I'm glad I decided to watch this show.

Finished season 2.

Overall, quite strong. I can see that this is where the show really found its footing and the characters have really grown on me. I thought the resolution of the story arc that began in the pilot was actually very surprising and satisfying. Another highlight was an unusual episode called Stalker, which featured Doug Hutchinson as the title character and Leland Orser as a medium.

The episode Cross Jurisdictions seems to serve as the pilot for CSI Miami and it's not bad at all. David Caruso is introduced as a quirky but compelling hero. I guess all the shades coming on and off to punctuate a sentence stuff comes later. Also, the episode involved a lost little girl and her dead parents. Caruso's interaction with her was sweet and heartfelt. I had always been under the impression that he was a cold and mean character.

In any case, it made me curious enough to check out the actual show.

So... Deep into Season 3 and Miami Season 1.

On Season 3, I can tell that it's where the show "hit its stride" so to speak. More complex plots, flashy guest stars (well... that might be a slight overstatement, but TOM NOONAN) And an attempt at fleshing out or deepening the "mythology" of the show. The whole subplot about Grissom going deaf is an interesting element. Though I'd argue it worked better when the reason he would space out was because he was just weird. In any case, I imagine they added that detail just to give a sense of drama and urgency to a show that seldom places its lead characters in any real peril.

Overall, I'm really liking the show at this point. And I'll actually feel bad when it starts jumping the shark.

I know this is the season where Tarantino directed an episode. Looking forward to being disappointed by that one when it comes.

****

CSI Miami is interesting in a different way. Off the bat, I can tell the intention was to make a more comic booky show. It uses the Miami setting to more sleazy effect and feels schlockier in comparison. I'm enjoying it. But Caruso is so intense, he overwhelms his costars. I'm finding it hard to connect with anyone aside from him. The original CSI has more likable characters. Though Khandi Alexander's coroner is interesting.

I'm curious why Kim Delaney left the show after like 7 episodes.

Finished the seasons.

I really liked the season finale of Miami. It was a very suspenseful story with a lot of momentum. Given where they went here, I'm wondering if the show becomes more action-oriented in the future. Seems like that's where it's headed.

Just over half way through CSI Season 4 and Miami Season 2.

Miami is really beginning to grow on me. There's something about David Caruso's compassion that manages to be both campy and dramatically valid at the same time.

The way I see it, being able to catch the beats is part of the "fun" of watching the show. I can always spot who the culprit is going to be... But that's hardly the point, I think. It's more about the process. And I have to admit it's interesting and educational. Like watching The Discovery Channel.

I'm a hypochondriac though, so I really shouldn't watch it.

People die from very stupid things sometimes.

Okay... I have now arrived at CSI: NY as I make my way through this forensic saga.

I had a hint of this during the "pilot" on CSI: Miami, but the first episode of NY confirmed it. This is meant to be the "dark" one. Okay, gotcha.

The first official episode of the series - "Blink" - is interesting, however. And Gary Sinise's Mac Taylor seems like a more subtle, less cartoonish lead than in the other shows. By that same token, I get the sense that he takes it a little too seriously.

There is an element of cliché here, with the stark blue color palette... The more cold feel to the show. Because this is NY, get it? (Though, being a NY native, I appreciate the location shooting) but some of the Noo-Yawkness of it seems forced. Particularly the goombah attitude of some of the characters.

I also get the sense that I can look forward to plenty of 9/11 references before their day in the sun is done.

CSI Miami... The removal of Rory Cochrane from the cast came with all the subtlety of a freight train to the nuts. "I'll have plenty of time to do that" is pretty much his final line. It was like that McBain segment where his partner gets killed at the diner right after talking about how great things are going in his life

CSI season 5 was off to an interesting start.

Nothing particularly out of the ordinary. Pretty standard, formulaic stuff. But they really pulled out the Avid farts during the interrogation scenes in this one. I hope this doesn't become a new feature of the show. I don't know that those tense interrogation scenes are supposed to be that hilarious.

.......

On a side note, I've just started playing L.A. Noire and, since it's kind of structured episodically - much like a TV series - I can't help but make a connection.

As I continue through CSI: Miami - Season 3, I have to admit that Jonathan Togo is a very good replacement for Rory Cochrane. He's different enough from Adam Rodriguez that you can actually tell the two characters apart now.

Interesting that they set him up as this crusader character... The eternal defender of the abused. All his subplots seem to be about him conflicted over the morals of some situation that is extraneous to the main plot.

I wonder if that will be built into something meaningful in later episodes and seasons.

........

The big shakeup over at CSI (Season 5) is a curious one. Giving Catherine the swing shift or whatever... Demoting Grissom. But it's odd because it feels like they've shifted the leads into supporting positions on the show. I know Petersen eventually leaves, though I don't know why so please don't spoil that... But, it looks like they're already planting the seeds for his eventual departure.

.............

CSI: NY continues to not really grow on me. I want it to be my favorite one because of the homesickness factor. But it's just so fucking dreary. The plots are always so goddamn depressing. What gives?

I have fun with how formulaic it is and with how everyone has this in-your-face attitude because it's New York. Also... It was only a matter of time before Robert Constanzo showed up and, ulp, there he is.

But Gary Sinise has to be one of the blandest TV heroes ever. He's a good actor. So I'm blaming that on the character just being horribly conceived and written.

The most interesting characters are Carmine Giovinazzo as the Italian forensics investigator with the goombah Italian accent that he has because he's Italian and he's from New York; and Eddie Cahill as the asshole Irish cop with the intense "Hey You!" demeanor and Irish tough guy charm that he has because he's Irish and he's from New York.

Watched the two-part Tarantino episode - GRAVE DANGER VOLUMES 1 AND 2.

I thought it was actually quite good. The first episode was a lot heavier with the Trantinoness than the second, which suggests that - for some reason - he had less influence on the second episode. But, overall, it was a good two hours of television. George Eads got to do arguably his best acting so far and the little locker room scene between him and Gary Dourdan was cute in the sense that they were obviously trying very hard to do a Tarantino scene but not too cute so as to be obnoxious.

Really enjoyed the presence of John Saxon coupled with that awesome To Live and Die in LA reference when it came to the eventual fate of his character.

I was disappointed that there wasn't more of Tony Curtis and Frank Gorshin though.

.......

Wrapped Season 3 of CSI Miami. I'm not sure how to feel about the very soap opera twist towards the end with Caruso and his brother. I hope it serves to take them to interesting places in the upcoming season.

.........

CSI NY will need another season to grow on me, I think. But I'm finding it to be the most formulaic and stiff of the three shows so far. I laugh at it, rather than with it.

.............

Overall, I'm glad I decided to do this. It's a fun way to kill 40 minutes during lunch or whatever. The doldrums still haven't quite set in.

Well, if the first episode of Miami Season 4 is any indication, it's morphing from a police procedural into a full-on action extravaganza. With emphasis on over-the-top.

"Put. It. DOWN. Diablo... Put. It. DOWN. ...... Do not. Come. Forward."

BLAM!

*puts on sunglasses*

I watched the Miami-NY crossover where James Badge Dale goes on a killing spree. It was probably one of the best episodes in terms of how it built suspense and it also suggests they should do this kind of thing more often (I know there's a big one waaaay down the line that crosses over the three shows) but are there more crossovers of this nature? I hope so.

So... Let's see.

CSI (Season 6) - Still the most consistent. And displays the most even balance of its formula with character growth. Also tends to have the most compelling stories and I like how even minor characters like Wallace Langham and Liz Vassey are given memorable beats. Paul Guilfoyle remains the show's anchor, in my opinion, and I was really scared they were going to kill him off at the end of the season. Glad they didn't.

The big standout episode for me this season was "Rashomama." It took what could easily have been just a corny gimmick and made it play really well. A sharp lean towards comedy really worked in the show's favor.

........

CSI MIAMI (Season 4) - Things got a little shaky here. And this is really starting to resemble a soap opera with all the petty office romance bullshit and a season-long arc involving a mole. Not to mention that it was never any big trick figuring out who the mole was going to turn out to be. Plus other stupid things like Jonathan Togo and his eye infection. Speaking of Togo, he grows progressively less likable as the show goes on. I really don't know what they're trying to do with him.

But the pinnacle of soap opera mayhem had to be what I like to call THE MARISOL SAGA. They shoehorned this unbelievable romantic subplot involving Horatio and Eric Delko's sister. I guess they felt the show's hero deserved a love interest. But then they went ahead and made that love affair chaste for all intents and purposes. Things really got ridiculous in the season's epic three-part conclusion, where it morphed into a weird revenge thriller and really stuck to its Jerry Bruckheimer roots. The dialog scenes between David Caruso and ultimate villain Vincent Laresca featured TONY SCOTT SUBTITLES... And both characters were speaking in English!

JESUS!

Enjoyable to watch overall, but stupidity is rapidly starting to take control and I predict the series becomes a campy mess from this point on. Particularly with a "cliffhanger" of sorts that promises Horatio Caine and Eric Delko storming the streets of Brazil.

............

CSI NY (Season 2) - A vast improvement over the dreary first season. Especially with giving Hill Harper more to do and letting Gary Sinise lighten up - if only a little. It still has a tendency to go a little too dark and I'm not sure about that subplot towards the end that had Melina Kanakaredes starring in her own version of a stupid psycho boyfriend thriller from the 90s. I also don't know about replacing the sexy Vanessa Ferlito with the rather vanilla Ana Belknap... Maybe it was to cut down a bit on the goombah elements. (Having the Latina Ferlito, the Italian Carmine Giovinazzo and the Irish Eddie Cahill all competing for screen time did occasionally lead to an overload of NOOOOO YAAAAWWWWWKKKK!!!! So, I guess I can understand). But killing off Ferlito was definitely a mistake.

In any case, it has improved. So I'll be curious to see where the show goes from here.

Glad you're enjoying it. I guess I do it so others don't have to.

There is some worthwhile entertainment here and there, though. Maybe when I'm done I'll summarize and pick out the "must see" episodes from each show. Since they're pretty self-contained, it might make for a good list. For people who just want to take a few samples and not dive into the whole thing like I have.

I'm taking a brief break, but I think I'll start up again next week.