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'CSI' ends season with a whimper

Posted: Thursday, May 14, 2009 6:00 AM by Paige Newman
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Thursday marks the end of another season of “CSI.” Back in July of last year, I lamented over William Petersen’s impending departure.  I worried that it would make this once-great TV show an also-ran along the lines of “CSI: NY.” So how has the show fared without Petersen?

Major “CSI” fan and co-worker Gerrie Swartz put it this way, “Back in the day I wouldn’t miss an episode.  Nowadays, I can pretty much take it or leave it.  I find Fishburne’s character flat, uninteresting and unmoving … actually, that pretty much describes my opinion of the entire series nowadays.  The old-timers seem the same as always, but something is missing.  We survived Sara and Warrick’s exits, but with Grissom gone, there are only small parts of the whole left to fend for themselves, and unsuccessfully in my opinion.”


CBS
Ray (Laurence Fishburne) has had the best chemistry with Doc Robbins (Robert David Hall). But he's no Grissom.

Fishburne’s Ray Langston is an OK character. The best moments for me have been when he’s learned about being a CSI, as when Nick taught him about fingerprinting or when he and Riley learned the different codes to use an emergency, such as calling the person by your own last name. The show’s been successful this season when it’s tried to teach us what’s involved in being a “CSI.” But it seems almost unfair to dump the entire show on Fishburne’s shoulders. He’s a character we’re just not that invested in yet … and that, I believe, is what my pal Gerrie is missing: That investment. 

And speaking of not knowing characters, I feel sorry for poor Lauren Lee Smith, who has been saddled with the cipher known as Riley. I can’t even remember what her character’s name is half the time. The show is much more successful when it falls back on other side characters we have gotten to know, such as Wendy, Archie, Doc Robbins or Hodges.

But the real problem for me is that the show isn’t the same without the quirkiness that came from Grissom. I miss hearing about string theory (“The Theory of Everything,” season 8) or learning that the Empire State Building gets struck by lightning 20 times a year (“Bite Me,” season 6). I miss Grissom’s straw hat, his fascination with bugs, and the way he always seemed to keep the mood light no matter what the case. 

I’ve been recapping “CSI” for msnbc.com for the last four years, but this season will be the last. I can only assume that when a diehard fan such as Gerrie can’t be bothered to tune in every week, others are sure to follow. I’ll probably keep watching, maybe out of habit more than anything else, but those Spike TV reruns are looking a lot more appealing than the new episodes these days.

What did you think of this season of “CSI”? Has Grissom’s absence changed how you feel about the show? Do you think there’s a way to fix the series?

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I've enjoyed this season of CSI very much, probably due to William Petersen's departure.  Not that I didn't like Grissom (or Sara, or Warrick for that matter) but changing things around and exploring new dynamics with different characters can be a good thing.  I adore Laurence Fishburne in this role...the writers have only begun to scratch the surface of what Dr. Langston has to bring to the table and I look forward to what next season has in store!
I have always loved the show,  but I haven't watched it this season.  Too many of the main characters are gone.  The last straw was Grissom.  It is not the same show now.  And it did not get better.  This is not the fault of Laurence Fishburne. It is just not CSI now!
Without Grissom, CSI is flat and it's just sad. I love Marg Helgenberger.  She is awesome good.  And Katherine could have helped a lot but they gave her nothing!  Lawrence Fishburne is a great actor, but replacing William Petersen with him is trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear for this part and this show.  I didn't think it would work and it hasn't.  If they can't get Grissom back, at least part time, they are toast.  And since this show has always been far far superior to all the other spins offs, they are probably toast in short order too.  Petersen had big shouldars in this show - far bigger than they gave him credit for apparently.
It's not as much Fishburne as it is the plots.  They get more outrageous every week!  You spend so much time shaking your head each week about the bizarre plot that it overwhelms everything else.  I don't mind Fishburne as much as those plots get more irritating.
I find the show boring. Without Grissom and Sara the show has no pizzazz. Bring Grissom back, if not full time then part time.
It's pretty much been said - Grissom was the glue that held CSI together, and without him, the show seems weaker. Katherine's roll needs to be expanded much more - Marg Helgenberge is more than capable of doing a lot more on the show...she's a very good actress and they need to tap into the talent they have. Without Sara/Grissom/Warwick, the personal touch is missing - no more serious flirtations that opened up their characters. Nick needs to find someone to share his life with, too...George Eads is far to handsome and appealing to not use that in this show - some more levity is needed. All of the problems are fixable - and Fishburne's character also needs to tell more of the story of his past, and what made him made the move to work with CSI.
I miss Grissom and Warrick. I never cared for Sara--something about her just grated on my nerves. I like the remaining cast, especially all the 'lab rats'. I'm not too crazy about the blonde police chick. I don't even remember her name. I used to never miss an episode. Now, if I see it, I see it; if not, no big loss.
Paige, do you want some cheese with that whine? Because that's what all the complainers here need, obviously!  CSI is a procedural-one with very human characters, but real CSI's change all the time.  Lawrence Fishburne is not Grissom, but he never pretended to be and it's been a real revelation on how he's taken us on his learning curve.  Nick and Hodges have been fantastic in their working with him, and if you pay attention, Riley and Greg's dynamic has been fascinating.    Yes, there have been missteps-more Catherine as leader would be nice, but watching Paul Guilfoyle in last week's show was one of the gems of this season.   Yes, I miss Grissom/Sara/Warrick (yes Jorja haters-she is missed!), but I look forward to next season and more background/stories of of the new-and veteran CSI's of LVPD!
I agree with all others.  Don't really care for Fishburne.  There's just something missing.  I too would not miss an episode and now it's okay if I do.  Is his time limited???  
I think they need more episode with Nick and Steve,They are a couple of my favorites on the show.
Of the three CSI's, I like Las Vegas the best. We need to give them more than one season to develop a new character that will engage the viewers.

 Horatio the Pompous on Miami stopped me watching that one years ago.
While I liked Grissom a great deal, I think that Fishburne's character is terrific.  I think Catherine is an incredibly annoying character and to make her the focus of the show would have destroyed the show. Nick is a pretty good character, but he needs to interact with others and without Warrick and Sara, he doesn't have his "pals" to interact with.  The secondary characters are quite good and have had to step up - mostly to replace Warrick and Sara.  Riley is just an ok character.  If they wanted to make her a main character, then they should have given her more to do.  Right now, Brass, Wendy, Archie, Doc Robbins and Hodges are more interesting characters.
I don't watch anymore. Grissom was CSI.  It was bad enough when you killed Warrick but without Grissom it's fallen flat.  It used to be my favorite show and I never missed it. You should have let Catherine's character take over Grissom's position.  I never like Sara and was glad when she left.  I could never see Grissom and her together.
I like Laurence Fishburn, so I'm hoping his character is going through some growing pains, as he seems pretty one-dimensional at this time.  I really miss Grissom though, and the quirkiness of his character, and I miss Warrick as well.  I never cared for the character of Sarah, and never felt she and Grissom were convincible as a couple.  I don't like the character of Riley at all.  She has an edge about her that rubs me the wrong way, and she doesn't seem to fit in.
I stopped watching all of them so long ago it doesn't matter who is in it.
We need a back-story on Fishburne's character and fast !
Lot more of Hellgenberger, to, as she is a faboulus actor. The rookie, Lora Lynn Whatever ? Lose her to a demented serial killer. Then get back to interesting stories tha that involve us.
The character of Ray was introduced as a newbie and then boom he starts acting and getting treated like he isn't.  I think introducing him as a newbie was a mistake, but they've compounded it by not following thru with what they started.  It irriates the hell out of me and it seems like the character of Ray is getting shoved down my through.  I can't be bothered to watch the show anymore, and truthfully I don't even record it anymore.  I read the recaps instead.  I miss Grissom and I miss Sara, and I miss the way the old team interacted together.  
without grissom there is no CSI.
I stopped watching when they moved into the 9pm central time slot.  I would watch more, regardless of the characters, if they would show at 7 or 8 pm central.
I agree I never missed an episode nor did my daughter. We would talk about it the following day. Now if I think about it I will watch, my daughter never watches.We miss Grissom and Sara.
I've stop watching it.  It's just not the same without Grissom.
I miss William Petersen/Grissom - that was what sold me on the show, and he was the glue that made the team an actual team (not to mention their united dislike of Conrad, whose head butting with Grissom was always a joy to watch). Mr. Fishburne's character is too "watch me learn something" (didn't we already do that with Greg?), and despite the fact he is a wonderful actor, the character's introduction through his experiences with Grissom just didn't gel to put him/his character in the forefront of everything.  I miss Warrick (I always hated Sara and never believed the Grissom/Sara partnership for a moment), adore Doc Robbins, and consider Willows and Nick to be M.I.A.  OIn summary: The chemistry is gone - it is that simple.  Time to bring Petersen back on-camera, let the writers again shine (the 'Trekkers' episode was a surprise delight), bring back Catherine and Nick to the forefront, or maybe think about cancelling the show.  My Tivo still records it, but I zip through it while simultaneously reading the paper.  Heck, if you want to regain my attention, bring back Lady Heather as Mrs. Grissom.  Do something!
To be honest, I haven't watched one episode since Grissom left.  And I won't be watching one anytime soon.
For me, CSI stopped being something I really looked forward to when Jorja Fox left. It's amazing what she did with a character that was never meant to take center stage, but she did. The episodes with a significant Sara presence were always a little more interesting for me, regardless of plot or writer. So I missed her departure in a way that I couldn't miss any other character's, perhaps with the exception of Grissom who made Sara's departure bearable by being a link to (if nothing else) her memory.

But with both WP and JF gone, CSI has lost most of what made it real appointment TV for me. I still watch. I haven't missed an episode yet, but I don't tape them to occasionally rewatch and so far, I only regret not recording the science fiction one that featured Hodges and Wendy. For a drama, CSI does slap-stick extremely well.

Ray's introduction was great and for the same reasons you gave, I too had high hopes when they portrayed Ray as a real rookie. Much too quickly however, he was working solo cases and taking the lead with his CSI III colleagues. It's even difficult at times to remember who is (or should be) boss, Ray or Catherine.

But the changes aren't all about character, which in my opinion is CSI: The Next Generation's biggest mistake. When did the Vegas CSIs become cops? It's hard to tell they're not supposed to be at the rate they're pulling guns and getting physical with suspects.

I do miss the CSI of old, which was first and foremost about the science and its scientists. If the writers could find their way back to what made this show a success, and become as passionate about their new cast of characters as they were about the old ones, then I think this show would continue to be in the top ten for a few more years.
As someone who has watched CSI since episode 1, I never thought that I could give it up as easily as I have this last few months. Time was I'd never miss a new episode, but with the exit of Grissom it is (for me anyway) a case of losing the heart of the show. Laurence Fishburn is a fine actor, but I just miss Grissom too much to care. The other characters just don't hold the same interest for me. Sorry to say I've given up on CSI sans Grissom. Definitely a towering presence in an ensemble cast that I think was the component that made it work so well.
Funny, I started out really liking CSI, then got tired and enjoyed CSI Miami more, completely quit the last two years. Watched when Grissom left, and Fishburne joined. Hmmm interesting. Now I watch it again. Grissom just tired me out. Could not take him any longer.
Wow! Only one person mentioned Brass. To me, he's a critical part of the show. I miss William J. Peterson as well. I've always enjoyed his work both on CSI and other projects he's been involved with. I agree that Marg needs more air time.
I still like CSI but I do miss Grissom.  All things move on - the writers just need to read these comments and take them to heart.  If you're going to make Laurence Fishburne's character the central character you've got to give him something for us to relate to.  He's the newbie - you should be working with the old timers just as much if not more in the first episodes so we can adjust to him and his quirks and "bring him into the fold".  I'll keep watching but if things don't get more interesting I'm not sure how much longer.
I'm such a fan of the show that I've tried REALLY HARD to look forward, not back.  I do miss Peterson, Fox and Dourdan.  But I also like Fishburne.  That said, there are some things about his character that don't ring true for me.  The show that emphasized how hard it is to go from being a professor in a suit (which we profs rarely wear, BTW) to being a CSI was good.  But he so fast became a CSI that gives instructions to others!  No other CSI 1 (think: Greg) had that kind of authority at that level of job.  I do miss Grissom's quirks.  AND PLEASE show more of the original characters!
Personally, I think the show has the opportunity to renew itself with the departure of Grissom and company.  Over the past few years, his character lost a lot of the charm and quirkiness from the first few seasons that made him such an appealing figure.  He’d gotten dark and moody even before Sara and Warwick… seemed burned out and tired most of the time.

With Langston, the show has the potential to recapture some of the energy and freshness the series had been loosing.  Fishburne is a fabulous actor and the chemistry between his character and some of the others is well worth exploring (ie - the scene where he and Robbins talked jazz/blues or the scene in the storefront church with Brass).

But, I do agree they need to make better use of the older characters, especially Catherine, Nick, and Brass... I love Brass!  In the push to establish Ray, they didn't get nearly enough screen time in several episodes this seasons.  I do have to note that the last few episodes did contain some intriguing scenes between Brass and Catherine... dare I suggest a vibe???

I still love the show and I'm hopeful about addition of Langston... though Riley can go and go quickly.  CSI is still the best shows on television!
At present Mr Fishburne's character remains too shallow to feel any true interest in. The writers got close a few times, such as when he and the Doctor talked blues, or the selection of his "office space", but nothing has come of these tidbits - no development or further tie into the story line. In addition, I miss Katherine's humanity, often now her parts are so short as to be almost characterized as cameo appearances. I too, am now a casual watcher, as is my wife. There was a time that CSI was number one on the DVR and watched often. Now, I only tape an episode if it appears to have something of interest about it.
I was ok when Sarah left the show, really upset when Warick left the show, but completely and totally devastated when Grisom left. There is just an emptiness when I watch now. I think the show has run it's course. We just need a really good finalie now.
I am late in coming to CSI and have appreciated the reruns on the cable networks.  As for the current shows, I have enjoyed them as well.  Langston has been a good new character, though of course he can never replace Grissom.  Besides, for me, there is only one main reason to watch CSI, anyway: Wendy Sims!  Oh yes!
give me break,i miss grissom too,but at least langston didn't come in and take over the dept.it's a learning process and i enjoy the inner action with all the characters.besides grissom isn't gone forever.chill-out and give this a chance,don't forget Willows.
In agreement with 99% - miss the character of Grissom - the writers need to do something of "Langston" will sink with the fishes.
Heck, the series was going downhill long before Grissom left. I like Laurence Fishburne and the character he plays, but would like to see more of Katherine now that they have made her less of an ambitious witch. But leave the show alone,the ratings will tell when it's time for it to end.
I miss Grissom too. He was the center around which everything else revolved. I like Ray, but he hasn't had that much to do so far; they need to use his M.D. credentials more (in concert with Doc Robbins), just as they did Grissom's varied areas of expertise. More shows that feature some of the less-central characters, like Doc Robbins and Capt. Brass would be great. It is an ensemble show, and all the actors should get to show their "stuff" now and then.
Our lives are constantly changing.  People come and go at work, in our neighborhoods, in our lives.  CSI is no different.  Things change, but that doesn't mean that they are better or worse.  I have found some of the storylines to be refreshing.  

And to me the BEST scene was at last week's end, when Catherine stepped into Jim's office.  This showed that though his buddy Grissom had moved on, Jim still has friends there for him.  I found it comforting to see them together as friends.  

We all learn our jobs better every day - and then at times pass that knowledge to others.  This show now reflects that.  I miss Grissom.  I miss Sara. I miss Warwick.
Don't watch it hardly at all anymore with William Petersen gone.  Just not the same.

I look for it to be canceled.
I do miss Grissom and Sara; but I disagree that the show suffers without him/her.  I actually thought it suffered when Sara left.  I do like the addition of Langston, and though it would be better with Grissom AND Langston, I'm still a huge fan and wouldn't miss an episode.
Since I do not have TV reception, I find these comments interesting. I was watching CSI Vegas until I lost reception. I have the DVD's for all the seasons, except current of course. Now I have to decide if I want to purchase it when it becomes available near the end of this year. I did not like seeing cast members leave. Billy left because there was nothing more he could do with the character he played. It was sameold sameold to him. I agree - watching all the episodes it seems the main characters repeat the same lines over and over and over again over the span of 8 years. Anyone with half a memory will recall. So there are only two solutions: 1) leave the program for fresher pastures or 2) hire new, clever writers who can come up with new senarios/stories/situations (personal and work related) to explore unexplored nuances of character for each actor. Question: would Billy have left if #2 had been used? Personally, I get bored hearing the same conversations/quips over and over again (like Nick's "and get this" or "check this out"). If the new characters have not been fleshed out and it seems the relationship between characters is fractured, it is a writing problem.
My not caring about the show anymore has nothing to do with Laurence Fishburne, it has to do with really really really like William Peterson's acting.  Just compare his delivery of his one liners to the way David Caruso delivers them on CSI Miami and you'll realize his talent.  CSI should have done whatever they needed to do to keep William Peterson on as Grissom.
I have found myself not even watching the new episodes I have recorded.  The only episode I really loved was with Wendy and Hodges.  I guess the other episodes are not bad, just boring.  I am not a fan of Catherine so there was alot riding on the new character for me.  I've tried, I just can't get into the show any more.  Really sad, it used to make my Thursday night viewing.
CSI jumped the shark when Hodges, went out in the field.  Everytime he opens his mouth I wish I could pop him one.    I kept watching the show, hoping it would get better, and was totally blown away when I saw Hodges at a crime scene.  Was there any mention that he was going to get out of the lab?  Because I totally missed that development.  Thank god I still have two other CSI's to watch earlier in the week.
This season of CSI is fragmented and flailing about trying to find it's footing now that Grissom has left. He was the glue that held everything in place and now that he's gone, everything is coming undone. Laurence Fishburn's character has the ability to be as good as Grissom, if it didn't feel like the writers put him together at the last minute when William Peterson said he was leaving.The other characters do even seem to be as interesting or interested in what they are doing anymore. Or is that just me? I do believe that if the writers can flesh out Ray's true character that CSI will be worth watching again on a regulary basis. I do like Ray and the doc's interaction over music. The show is still one of the best on TV, it's just not up to the standards of its most devoted fans. And if the writers aren't careful, CSI could become "Lost".
CSI won't be on much longer...just not the same without Grissom.  I can't even bring myself to watch it because it just doesn't pull me in anymore...just not the same.
I agree with all the folks stating that CSI: Las Vegas just isn't what it used to be.  I too have given it up as a "regular" Thursday night event.  I keep trying to get into it, but with the loss of three major players, it just comes across as loose and sloppy.  Too bad.  Las Vegas was always above New York and Miami, but next season, I won't be watching any of them.
I miss Grissom.  I have only watched one episode of CSI since he left.  I also feel is should be understood that Catherine is now the boss, not Fishborne.  I like him as an actor but I would much rather Grissom come back.  He really makes the show work.

Edie, Las Cruces, NM
One of the biggest problems that comes with the loss of Grissom is - no more Lady Heather! Some of the best episodes ever involved her and the relationship she and Grissom had.  She was the one person who truly seemed to be able to unsettle him.
I miss Grissom and Sara.  I agree, Grissom was the string that held the show together.  There are some new writters now, I don't like how Cath, Greg and Nick have been pushed into the back ground. Also, why is Ray working by himself so soon?


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