The Evidence Never Lies (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Las Vegas - Season 1 Part 1 (DVD))

Member Name: MI9to5

Product:	CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Las Vegas - Season 1 Part 1 (DVD)
Date:	05/04/09 (203 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Super characters and wonderful acting

Disadvantages: A little dark in places

I have liked CSI for quite a long time but never actually religiously watched it week after week. In fact to be perfectly honest despite really enjoying the programme I have only ever really watched the odd episode here and there. After getting Sky a few months back however I have been recording the re-run episodes of CSI and this is what eventually prompted me to purchase the first series.

The first series comes in two box sets; parts 1 and 2. This review is for the box-set series 1:1 and therefore it is the first twelve episodes of the first series, contained over three discs that I will be focusing on.

CSI first hit TV screens in 2000 and since then has become a massive hit spawning two similar series', CSI New York and CSI Miami, as well as numerous video games, board games and even figurines.

== What is CSI all about? ==

The original CSI however is my favourite, hence why I have begun purchasing this one first. The series focuses around a group of Crime Scene Investigators that work the graveyard shift in Las Vegas. Each episode tells the story of at least one crime, documenting it from the time it is reported to the point at which the team have enough evidence to make a well-founded judgement.

Because the drama documents crime scene and the investigators attempts to un-pick the scene before them filtering it more miniscule pieces of evidence, it can became rather dark at times. The programme is also seen as rather graphic in places due to the nature of the very topic and the depictions of sex, drugs and violence. The team don't however simply work on homicide cases as they also hunt for and analyse evidence for cases of arson, rape, domestic abuse and burglary.

I personally find myself completely engrossed in an episode once it has begun and often find myself trying to deduct the case at the episode progresses. Some of the episodes even bring into the foreground other cases and some cases remain unsolved until future episodes, making the show even more engrossing for the viewer

This may all however seem a little too dark and dismal for some people and I must admit that sometimes it can be quite gruesome but there is always something in each episode to lighten the mood. This mood lifting substance usually comes from the banter between the CSI, which ranges from simple humour regarding their personnel lives to the more black humour that relates to cases. The humour however is always tasteful and signifies how different people deal with events.

== The Characters and Actors that play them ==

As well as the actual evidence searching that the series depicts there is also a strong character. Each of these characters has their own unique personality and it is through them that we get a glimpse of what being a CSI is all about.

Gil Grissom (William Petersen) is the graveyard shifts supervisor. Grissom is a quirky entomologist (bug specialist) who takes great pride in his work. He is well respected by all members of his team and completely dedicated to letting the evidence speak for itself. The others often quote him frequently noting that he is simply married to his job. Petersen is superb in this role and adds a great deal of credibility to the somewhat academic sole that is Gil Grissom. He plays the character with the delicacy needed yet also with conviction.

Grissom is followed by Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) a senior investigator. Catherine is a single mum who sometimes struggles to get the match between work and mother-hood right. Her and Grissom have a sort of husband and wife relationship due to their long-term friendship. As Catherine, Helgenberger is terrific and in many ways gives the show a little bit of glamour. She is clearly confident in her role and gives a superb performance in each episode.

Nick Stokes (George Eads) is the CSI next in line. Nick is bright and young but his confidence sometimes comes across as him being cocky. Ultimately however Nick is a more than competent CSI and is seen as the bigger people person throughout the series. He is however somewhat like a revolving door with women and this does cause some laughs amongst the team. George Eads is once again wonderful in his role and his playboy type image at times really fits the character and the role specified.

Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan) is the groups problem child in many respects. He is a more than valuable team member due to his investigative style but has a gambling issue that can cause ruptures within the team. He has a strong friendship with Grissom, Catherine and Nick but sometimes comes into conflict with Sara. Dourdan adds another dimension to the cast and therefore to the series as a whole. He plays the troubled Warrick with an ease and a conviction that makes him endearing to the audience.

Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) is the final team investigator. She was once a student of Grissom's and still strives for perfection whenever he is near. There is clearly a great fondness between the pair but this fondness doesn't always spread to the rest of the team and for that reason Sara come often come across as a little too certain of herself. Jorja Fox handles the character of Sara very well and is clearly a very talented actress as she is more than capable of moving between a hard-nosed image and a more sensitive one.

The CSI's however aren't the only frequent characters as Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Al Robbins (Robert David Hall), Head of Homicide Captain Brass (Paul Guilfoyle) and DNA analyst expert Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda) also put in numerous appearance. All of these are more than competent in their roles and clearly add something to the overall drama. Personally Greg is my favourite simply because even though he is clearly a DNA genius in many respects he style has a childish and fun loving side.

== This Box-set ==

This box-set contains the first twelve episodes of CSI's first season and highlights the many different varieties of case that the team work upon. Each episode focuses on a different case but there are long running themes throughout them, some of which aren't even resolved by the final episode in this half of the series.

The crimes the team face range from kidnappings that go horribly wrong to killings made to look like suicides. As well as this the team must try and unravel multiple murders, decaying bodies and a mysterious fire. The range of cases involved in each episode as well as throughout the series means that you are never quite sure how something is going to turn out and this for an audience is definitely a bonus.

As well as the more brutal crimes the team also deal with more petty dealings and Nick in particular finds himself rather bogged down with them at times. It is however simply the cases that have an effect on the shows progress and the personnel relationship between CSI members as well as others they are acquainted with sometimes have a distinct effect on the events that follow.

== The Music ==

The music in this series is an integral part of the whole viewing experience. It dictates at many points exactly how you should be feeling and gives you a hint at what is to come next. Some well-known pieces of music are used at various points in the episodes as well as some less known yet equally atmospheric and worthwhile pieces.

== Things You May Notice ==

Anyone who is a fan of CSI and has become used to the more recent format of the show may pick up on quite a few things. These include the opening credit music which is not the commonly associated "Who are You?" but a more instrumental and less upbeat track instead. Furthermore the team do not initially seem to have any CSI uniform at all and even when they do wear one it is not the stab vest style uniform stating their name and profession that we have come to know.

As well as this the team seem to call themselves the Criminalistic department more frequently than they call themselves the Crime Lab, which is more common in future series'. Dr. Robbins and Greg Sanders also feature less frequently in storylines than they do as the series progresses. These differences however are what really endeared me towards the episodes, as it was easy to see the positive progression that the show has taken. I am therefore not pointing them out simply to be picky but to show how the series has progressed to what it is today.

== DVD Extras ==

As well as the twelve episodes, of which each disc contains four, this box-set also contains a bunch of special features. These special features are character biographies, behind the scenes footage and cast interviews.

The character biographies are contained on the first disc and are quite interesting to read as they give you a little background information on the characters that is sometimes worth bearing in mind whilst watching the episodes unfold.

The second disc is where the behind the scenes footage is contained but unfortunately it really isn't worth a look. The footage is simply just a stream of footage showing cameramen and lighting guys with no commentary whatsoever. Personally I can't see the appeal of this at all.

The cast interviews are located on the third disc and are worth a viewing. Each cast member talks for about four or five minutes about their character as some of the things they say about them are quite interesting. Unfortunately though there are no questions on the interview and so some of the answers seem a little odd at times.

All of the episodes themselves can be watched with subtitles but unfortunately the special features cannot. The subtitles themselves are very accurate, which is definitely a plus as wrong subtitles or subtitles that miss chunks out can be rather irritating.

== Overall Opinion ==

In my opinion this box-set is well worth purchasing, as the series itself is a real pleasure to watch. I will admit that it can be a little dark at times and can understand why some feel that the in depth moments in the episodes are too much but personally I really enjoyed watching this first half of the series. I must say I was a little disappointed by the behind the scenes footage and interviews but I really did buy the set for the episodes alone so anything extra is simply a bonus.

== Facts ==

The complete run time for the episodes is 513 minutes.

The box set has a 15 rating - which in my opinion is definitely what it deserves.

It can be purchased from most good DVD stores as well as online but ranges greatly in price. The average however tends to be around £9, which makes this great value for money.

Summary: A super start to a fabulous series