|
Episodes checklist:
Disc One:
Boom
To Halve And To Hold
Table Stakes
Too Tough To Die
Disc Two:
Face Lift
35K O.B.O.
Gentle Gentle
Sounds Of Silence
Disc Three:
Justice Is Served
Evaluation Day
Strip Strangler
|
C.S.I: Crime Scene Investigation cast: William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, Gary Dourdan, George Eads, and Paul Guilfoyle created by Anthony E. Zuiker 530 minutes (15) 2001 Momentum DVD Region 2 retail Also available to buy on video RATING: 7/10 reviewed by Steven Hampton |
|
This second package of three discs from the US crime series comprises episodes 13 to 23 of Season One
(inclusive). It boasts several excellent storylines, handling operational analyses of brutal crimes
and lively character development with verve and a commendable proficiency. As our scientist heroes
scour offices, bedrooms, car interiors, and even a carnival ride, for trace evidence of foul play or
justice for those falsely accused, the main CSI characters, led by Grissom (Petersen) become
generic super-sleuths, using data processing, laboratory expertise and all manner of esoteric
knowledge to crack puzzles, explain mysteries, uncover secrets, prove suspicions or quell doubts and
answer the all-important question: whodunit?
There are bombings that may be terrorism or simple revenge, a wife who killed her
husband and actually got away with it, a rape victim left for dead, a carjacking incident that turns
to double homicide, the tragedy of a deaf youth slain during a road rage hit-and-run, and the strange
case of a corpse found out in the desert. The best episodes include: Face Lift, that questions
sociopathic behaviour and looks at the possibility of a cynical split-personality legal defence
rarely seen on TV; Justice Is Served, with its suspicious death on a mystery train resulting
in vampire fears; and Strip Strangler, the story about pursuit of a serial killer which guest
stars Gregg Henry (from Raising Cain, 1992) as an FBI agent.
The thing about CSI is that science fact accounts for so much of the plots
that if you do not enjoy natural history or tech news programmes, then you probably won't take to
this very well. However, if you like medical documentaries and don't mind such niggling flaws as
wholly unrealistic financial resources being available to this particular Las Vegas crime lab team,
this should provide you with approx eight hours of worthwhile TV viewing.
DVD extras - accessed via smart virtual lab menu design, include interviews with
the main cast and crew, an interesting 'making-of' featurette, and production notes.