Final Part to an Epic First Series (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Las Vegas - Season 1 Part 2 (DVD))

Member Name: MI9to5

Product:	CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Las Vegas - Season 1 Part 2 (DVD)
Date:	17/04/09 (182 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb characters and intriguing cases

Disadvantages: Some will find it too gruseome and too dark

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 1:2 and therefore it is the last eleven 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. The original CSI however is my favourite, hence why I have begun purchasing this one first.

== What is CSI all about? ==

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 batch of extremely strong characters that develop as the episodes and series' progress. Each of these characters has their own unique personality and it is through them that we get a glimpse of what being a Crime Scene Investigator is all about.

The cast in many aspects can be viewed as a family team with Grissom as the father, Catherine as the mother and Nick, Warrick and Sara as the children that need coaxing, helping and praising.

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 and this half of the series sees this relationship develop and the warmth shine through, as Catherine brings Grissom pet bugs. 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. In many respects Nick has one of the largest screen presences amongst the cast. He has a somewhat soldier like stance that radiates confidence but this confidence sometimes comes across as him being cocky. Ultimately however Nick is the all round traditional romantic good guy but his success with women isn't exactly first class unlike his skills as a CSI. 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 problem child in many respects. He is a more than valuable team member due to his investigative style but has a gambling issue that has caused ruptures within the team and continues to plague him. 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. She is also an extremely emotional character and can easily fly into a rage. 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. Greg however is probably he closest to being a ful-team member because of his strong relationship with both Nick and the way both Grissom and Catherine seem to want to mother him. Greg also adds a real element of fun and entertainment to the overall dynamic as whenever he is on screen you are more than likely to get a least a grin out of what occurs.

== This Box-set ==

This box set contains the final eleven episodes of CSI's first season and shows numerous different cases with a variety of victims, suspects, motives and methods. Each episode focuses on a different case but there are long running themes throughout them although these are usual based on the characters. The individual cases however does mean that you can dip in and out of the series as and when you wish although the quality of the show as a whole will generally make you want to see its logical progression.

In this half of the series the team is faced with numerous different crime scenes to try and unravel. The cases these scenes pertain to range from a series of strangle murders to a briefcase bomb and the collapse of an apartment building to the alleged kidnapping of a four-month old baby. The wide range of crimes that the CSI team works on ensures that the series doesn't become 'samey' in a way and the constant development of the lead characters as well as the minor ones makes every episode a real pleasure to watch.

Furthermore because this box set contains the second half of the first series the characters themselves are already rather well-developed and definitely living a life of their own within the series. Having already watched twelve episodes (if you've seen the first half of the series) you are also already familiar with the programmes format and therefore viewing pleasure is again increased.

== 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.

In comparison to the first half of the series however the team do seem to have seconded some of the CSI uniform we have come to be familiar with in future series'. When and how this actually happens isn't particularly apparent but looking back there is a change towards the common format we have come to know and love.

== DVD Extras ==

As well as the eleven episodes, of which the first two discs contain four and the final disc three, this box set also contains a collection of special features. These special features are production notes, a featurette and extended cast & crew interviews.

The extended interviews are quite interesting to watch because the questions flash up on the screen and then the cast members' answer them. The interviews also include some episode footage to reiterate things that the crew and cast members say. Some of the interviews shed more light on the characters on the show whilst others are humorous and anecdotal.

The production notes and featurette however are extremely disappointing and left me wanting a great deal more. The production notes simply are a set of notes, quite dense at times, to read through and the featurette is mainly inaudible voices discussing aspects of the programme - not very inspiring I must say.

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 ==

I would personally highly recommend this box-set and definitely feel that it is well worth every penny, especially when it can be bought for as little as £6-£7. I will admit that at times some of the episodes can seem a little dark or gruesome but I also understand why this was necessary for the programme and do not at any point feel that the producers went too far with this element of the show. The scientific language is also kept to a minimum but not under-used so as to create an unrealistic appearance. As with most shows however it is the characters that really make it and the development in this half of the series is definitely nothing to scoff at. I must say however that the special features did disappoint me but then again I'm not one to rate a DVD series simply on the special features it provides because lets face it we buy them mainly because of the episodes, or at least we should.
== 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. I bought my copy for around £7 but it can cost anywhere up to £15 or even £20, so keep an eye out.

Summary: A definite hit with me