CSI saw change in the ninth season as Grissom
(William Peterson wanting to pursue more theater work) left the job he loved and leave the way open for Dr. Raymond Langston
(Laurence Fishburne). Grissom is first left reeling from the murder of Warrick
and then the woman he loves returns (Sara). The ninth season saw some high
points with the two part 19 DOWN/ ONE TO GO and A SPACE ODDITY (which highlights the lab rats again and be a tribute to sci-fi
fandom in the same episode).
A
SPACE ODDITY focuses around the murder of a guy who was trying to re-imagine a
STAR TREK type show into something gritty like what was successfully done to BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. The attraction between two of the lab rats (David Hodges and Wendy Simms) is shown (partly through
sci-fi daydreams). Also CSI welcomed another new character to the fold, Riley
Adams- a woman CSI. Stokes is highlighted in TURN, TURN, TURN which guest stars Taylor
Swift playing a girl that Stokes crosses paths with more than once (shown through flashbacks). Most shows crash and
burn by season 9, but CSI somehows keeps pumping it out strong. Hopefully, the show will exit on a high note becomes
tuning out fodder like LAW & ORDER. On a final note, I don’t think we have seen the last of Grissom.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
This DVD set has a few deleted scenes (none
of them amount to much). Also on the set are two audio commentaries:
TURN, TURN, TURN with George Eads, Taylor
Swift, and Tom Mularz
A SPACE ODDITY by Naren Shankar, Wallace
Langham, Liz Vassey, Bradley Thompson, and David Weddle
Rounding out the set are a few featurettes:
CRIME SCENE INITIATION (Disc 1)- focusing
on the two new characters, Ray and Riley.
RATS IN SPACE (Disc 5)- the making of A SPACE ODDITY that also looks at the production design and costume design of the episode
FROM ZERO TO 200 IN NINE
SEASONS (Disc 5)- the making of CSI’s 200th episode (MASCARA) which was directed by William Friedkin
GOOD-BYE GRISSOM (Disc 6)- analysis of
Grissom’s final episodes as cast and crew reflect on the leaving of William Peterson (and the crafting of the storyline
that would be Grissom’s exit).
Even though the set says there is a CSI
Mode (Comprehensive Scientific Mode) on Disc 3, it doesn’t say that it is an info text track that can be played along
with THE GRAVE SHIFT.
FINAL ANALYSIS: CSI is still going strong after nine seasons. The show won’t
be the same without Grissom. Maybe one day William Peterson will return to the
show.
This DVD review is (c)9-2-2009 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
