The Quality Continues (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Season 2 Part 1 (DVD))

Member Name: MI9to5

Product:	CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Season 2 Part 1 (DVD)
Date:	08/05/09 (155 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Intriguing Cases

Disadvantages: Some gruesome moments

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 and after devouring the first series within a week it was time for the second to step up to the plate.

The second series comes in two box sets; parts 1 and 2. This review is for the box-set series 2:1 and therefore the first twelve episodes of the second series, which are contained over three discs contained over three discs.

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 scenes and the attempts of the investigators to un-pick the scene before them it can became rather dark at times. The programme is also seen as rather graphic in places due to the nature of the topic of crime 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, which are sometimes more difficult to watch.

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.

All of this may however still seem too dark and dismal for some people and the gruesome scenes may seem over the top but I personally think that all of the topics within the episodes are handled with great care and that violence or gore unnecessary to the storyline is simply omitted. As well as this I always find that there is always something in each episode or dark moment to lighten the scene. 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 again always tasteful and signifies how different people deal with events.

== The Characters and Actors that play them ==

As well as the actual evidence searching depicting by the series and the cases that this evidence relates to the characters are also integral to the viewing as it is trough the series' bunch of well-developed characters that we can glimpse the life of a Crime Scene Investigator is all about. What is fantastic about these characters is that they are unique and have a life before CSI that is used within the episode to great effect without driving the episodes themselves.

I personally think that the cast of characters is best viewed as a family tree with Coroner Al as the grandfather, Grissom and Catherine as the father and mother respectively and Nick, Warrick, Sara and more prominently Nick as the children that need coaxing, helping and praising. I have described each character a bit below because I think to understand why the series is such a gem you have to know how the characters personalities and quirks make it so.

Al Robbins
Al (Robert David Hall) is the Chief Medical Examiner and well respected by the CSI team. He is full of valuable information and a good friend of Grissom's whom he frequently deposits his information to. Robert plays Al exceptionally well in my opinion and it is his acting that makes him such a memorable character for the audience.

Gil Grissom
Gil Grissom (William Petersen) more commonly known as just Grissom is the graveyard shifts supervisor. He is a quirky entomologist (bug specialist) who takes great pride in his work and is well respected by all members of his team. He is however increasingly married to his job as well as science as a whole and this sometimes causes problems with other team members. 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.

Catherine Willows
Catherine (Marg Helgenberger) is an exceptional competent senior investigator. Previous to CSI she was an exotic dancer and this part of her past is often brought up. Catherine is also a single parent but the rest of the team are often on hand to help her out if she needs it. Her relationship with Grissom is purely platonic with the warmth of a 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
Nick George Eads) is a CSI level 3 and in my opinion has the largest screen presence of all the characters. His outward appearance is not dissimilar to that of a solider and he radiates confidence but this isn't always the case as Nick is rather sensitive and more of a traditional romantic than you would immediately take him for. Nick has also had a troubled past, which becomes apparent in this series. George Eads is wonderful in his role; he's good looking which helps but also utterly convincing in all his scenes.

Warrick Brown
Warrick (Gary Dourdan) is the problem child in many respects. His is a valued member of the team but his previous gambling problems are always haunting in the background. He has a strong friendship with Nick and Greg as well as with Catherine but often has conflicts with Sara. Gary in more ways than one adds dimension to the cast. He is physically different to all the others but it isn't this that makes him stand out but more the way in which he plays the troubled Warrick with an ease and conviction that makes him endearing to the audience.

Sara Sidle
Sara (Jorja Fox) is the final team investigator and was once a student of Grissom's. Still striving for perfection whenever he is near it is clear that she has a great fondness for him. She doesn't however often show her softer side to others on the team despite being an extremely emotional person. 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.

Greg Sanders
Greg (Eric Szmanda) is the teams DNA Analyst and wannabe full blown CSI. He has strong relationships with most of the existing CSI's but often comes across as too enthusiastic and a little childish to Grissom and sometimes Catherine. His like for Sara is also becoming more and more evident. Eric plays Greg wonderfully and brings a real element of fun and entertainment to the screen whenever he is present.

== This Box-set ==

This box set contains the first twelve episodes of CSI's second series with each episode highlighting a least one case and often two. Each case is generally unique and brings forward completely different victims, suspects, motives and methods. The use of individual cases means 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 first half of the series the team is faced with numerous different crime scenes to try and unravel. These cases range from a Scuba Diver up a tree to a dead Casino mogul and a death in an elevator to a robbery where the theives are dressed as women. This wide range of cases helps to ensure that the series doesn't become 'samey' and the quips and quirks of the main characters as well as the minor ones aid this.

Furthermore because this box set is part of the second series the characters themselves are already well definitely and have a life of their own, which combined with the fact that a previous series helped the audience to become familiar with the programmes format, increases viewing pleasure.

== 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.

The series theme tune "Who Are You?" by The Who also makes it debut in the first episode of this series and is definitely an improvement on the previous series theme tune and must have been popular as it continues to provide the opening music for the series to this day.

== Things You May Notice ==

I have already mentioned that the title music changes in this series but so does the look of the programme. I don't mean that the general atmosphere changes but that the lab and other rooms within the investigation centre begin to look more professional and realistic. The changes however are progressive ones though and so are only really evident when watching series' in close succession.

The work outfits of the CSI's also continue to progress in this series and by the end of this box-set are consistent with the ones we become used to seeing them in during future series'.

== DVD Extras ==

As well as the twelve episodes, of which each disc contains four, the DVD's also contain a plethora of special features. These special features are a cast and crew feature, a behind the scenes featurette, a CSI set walk-through, music video for the title song, trailers and commentaries for three episodes.

The cast and crew feature was definitely worth watching as was the behind the scenes featurette and the set walkthrough. All of these features enabled me to learn a little more about the CSI world and introduced me to aspects of the show I had never considered. I would strongly suggest however that these features in particular be watched after the episodes themselves as otherwise you may find that they become slightly spoilt due to things discussed within the features themselves.

The music video was also interesting to watch but only because I personally never released that The Who sang the track. For those interested in music or The Who themselves this is a welcome feature for others though it may be a waste of space.

The trailers are again nothing special but add to the idea of having a box set of everything series two related. The episode commentaries on the other hand are very intriguing and definitely worth viewing if you have the time. The commentaries raise questions you never thought of and bring to light parts of the show you didn't consider that much. Also they explain design and character choices, which I found interesting.

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 ==

This series is absolutely superb in every single respect. The characters are exceptionally well developed and seem to portray realistic people doing an intriguing yet dark job. I think that all elements of the show keep each other in check and do not feel that the producers included too many dark elements or too much gore at any point. The language used within the programme is generally suitable for all with the topic being discussed the issue rather than the colourfulness of the language. The scientific words utilised are also kept to a minimum without portraying an unrealistic limit of science language.

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this half of the second series and would definitely recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in the solving of crimes or simply those who like shows with strong characters.

== Facts ==

The complete run time for the episodes is 497 minutes.

The box set has a 18 rating - this confused me a little has no episode seemed worse than any of those in the previous series, which were all rated 15.

The DVD box-set 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 £40, so keep an eye out.

Summary: A spectacular series filled with classic characters and super storylines