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« CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
April 12, 2007: ?
A question mark. That pretty much sums up my feelings for this episode of CSI. What a bizarre ride this one was. I'm an outspoken guy and usually have plenty of words to convey my feelings, but I'm not sure what to say for this one. I can't take the straight-up recap approach because there was only about 10 minutes of new, interesting substance. So instead, I'm going to bullet-point my thoughts and you can feel free to comment on them.
— First of all, half of this episode was like a bad greatest-hits CD. Greatest-hits CDs are made for the casual fan or the newbie who's never listened before but would like a good summary of an artist. This episode wasn't even career-spanning but rather one of those late-period throw-offs. I would take a bet that the majority of regular viewers of CSI would have been able to remember the basics of the previous miniature crimes without having to recap them like this. I understand the other lab techs had to be brought up to speed, but there had to be a better way to show this. Maybe this was also a big help to those who haven't seen all the episodes this season, but for me, and I'll bet for most of you, seeing the recaps yet again was a waste of time.
— For a long time many of you have said how you wished they gave some more screen time to Hodges, but this didn't satify my taste buds. Through the first 45 minutes or so, I didn't learn much. We did see that the other lab techs pretty much think he's a doofus, but that really doesn't come as a surprise. We also saw that Hodges' ego is huge! But that's nothing new, either.
— Why did Hodges decide to just go for it today? Well, because it was his lucky day. He found a dollar, a hot chick, and got bags and bags of "lucky" potato chips with that buck. Kind of funny but ultimately very cheesy.
— Why even bother with the other stories? Five minutes spent on a dead guy with a drug-smuggling rat inside him; Warrick and Nick involved in something with lube and erotic athletes; Greg's only scene has him covered in blood/marinara sauce; and Sara gets a minute with a murderous clown. Other than the rat story, they didn't even say enough about the others to give me any clue what they were talking about.
— The only part I did like was the last five minutes with Hodges and Grissom. Clearly Hodges is a smart man, there's no doubt about that. So, I'm happy he seemed to find the bleach connection that no one else found. But it took a whole episode of recaps to get to that one new thing about the cases. At the end, though, I did get a good laugh out of Hodges telling Grissom, "I'm sorry if I crossed the line. It won't happen again!" Yeah, right! And the fist pump at the end was so after-school special-ish that I chuckled a bit.
So those are my ugly words about this episode. Sorry for being so negative about this one, but if you've read any of my blogs at all, you know that I may not always be right, but I'm always honest in my opinion. If you loved the episode, I'd be thrilled if you could explain why, because I think it was one of the weakest in recent memory.
Until next week, friends.
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Apr 12, 2007 11:28 PM
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I thought this episode was the best! You see it's like this...
Okay, so it was just mostly filler and didn't do much of anything story wise. I think it was just a way to reintroduce the miniature killer without another victim. It was a so-so episode that had I missed would not have made a difference. I do wonder about the phone number though. That could be an interesting development later on.
And Bleach? What a strange connection. Wish they could have thought of something better. But oh well.
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Apr 12, 2007 11:43 PM
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Oh ye of little faith!
I, too, thought this was a great episode because I believe it is setting us up for a wild and emotional ending to the mystery of the miniature-making murderer. And, I just happened to notice some details and put them together with things that have been hinted at and revealed by such scoop-wonks as El Ausiello, himself.
READ NO FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY SPOILERS!!! I've heard that the killer will strike again before they are caught and that it will be someone we know well. So that's obviously a cast regular of some level. During tonight's episode Nick was asking Hodges about a subbing for him at a professional conference IN IOWA. In the videotape made by Dell(?), the previously-identified but false, and now dead, suspect made before blowing his brains out he gave his name and stated his birthplace as Iowa. That stupid lab chick used Hodges' cell phone to call the rechargeable cell phone phone the killer is using.
The 'perfect storm' created by those facts and the very upbeat, "what a lucky guy I am", bonding with Grissom, Hodges-centric episode tonight made me think he will be the killer's next and final victim.
I hope not, I like the witty, nerdy, slightly smug vibe he adds to the show.
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Apr 13, 2007 12:28 AM
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OK. Glad I'm posting early so I can express my love before having to read anyone else's negativity. I really liked this ep. I think they've done a great job turning what used to be a cardboard character into an actual person. That's Hodges I'm talking about BTW. And this was the culmination of that build up.
I think the purpose of having the other cases in the background was to show that life kept on even when the lab mice were off playing detective. Wouldn't it have seemed odd if no one else was around? We just got to see the usual CSI/lab tech interactions from the opposite POV.
Gotta love Sara's quick "How would I know?" when asked if the unsolved miniature killings keep Grissom up at night. She thought the jig was up for about 20 seconds there. LOL
I had no problem with the recaps of the cases. Maybe if this were the only show I watched, I'd be able to remember every teensy detail. But it's not so I didn't mind the refresher.
Finally, I thought the bleach connection was interesting. Weird but interesting. But I don't believe for a minute that none of the CSIs checked out that phone number. As if.
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Apr 13, 2007 12:32 AM
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Oops, forgot to include this in my original post.
Greatest Hits CD's are made for the casual fan or the newbie who's never listened before but would like a good summary of an artist.
Um, David, most of my CDs are Greatest Hits. Why? Because it gives me more bang for my buck. I get ALL the songs I want on 1 or 2 discs instead of pawing through half a dozen or more. If that makes me lazy by your lights, fine. But it hardly makes me a casual fan or a newbie (especially since a lot of my Greatest Hits CDs have been 20 years or more in the making). I don't know. Maybe you're just not pickin' the right CDs for yourself.
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Apr 13, 2007 1:10 AM
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I wish Archie had been in it more. He is so hot!
David, the rat wasn't the drug mule; the man was. And I'd really like to know how it got inside of him. (Or maybe not) I thought it was pretty funny how skittish the coroner was about that rat. All the stuff he sees all the time, and that's what really bothers him?
I think that phone # is going to come into play, but I also found it unbelievable that the CSIs wouldn't have already checked that out.
Oh, and that wasn't the only time we saw Greg. He was there in the beginning too, when Gil was handing out the assignments.
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Apr 13, 2007 3:28 AM
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I too loved this episode. I'm a big Hodges fan, and it was great to see him take charge and actually rally the others into some action. A little more Archie would have been nice. The techs are IMHO as smart as the CSI's, so it was a fine idea to get their input--a look at the cases with fresh eyes, as it were. I loved the scene with Hodges walking through the miniature--rather like Alice in Wonderland!
I did see the Iowa connection, and I truly hope that Hodges isn't the next victim. That would be a waste.
Loved Sara's knee-jerk reaction. "How would I know?" She & Grissom will be found out by the end of the season, I'll bet. Marry the girl already, Gil!
Yes, I thought this was an excellent episode. I'm wondering if the killer will call Hodges. Can't wait to see!
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Apr 13, 2007 5:22 AM
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I also caught the Iowa reference. I'm curious to see if we were supposed to catch it or not.
It was a good transitional episode to bring the viewers back to the miniature killer and setup the final episodes for the season. I liked it.
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Apr 13, 2007 7:31 AM
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Ha! My opinion is always so different than the vast majority! Great to hear the other side too.
Thanks.
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Apr 13, 2007 8:01 AM
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Is it me or did Sara have a baby bump?
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Apr 13, 2007 8:07 AM
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I liked this episode because I like Hodges so much. I really hope he will not be the one that is killed. I would like it better if he was the one who solved the case. That would be another reason they threw out the Iowa thing. He will be in Iowa, the killer has an Iowa connection...
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Apr 13, 2007 8:26 AM
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This ep contained one of the greatest CSI moments ever: the online auction that Hodges won during his Lucky Day was for a Three's Company board game.
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Apr 13, 2007 8:26 AM
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David - I agreed with your post! I really could have done without a recap show on the miniature making serial killer. It would have been nice if they just stuck to a three minute or so recap of each case and got on with looking for new clues, instead of having most of the episode be recap.
I also got the feeling that Hodges could be the next victim. I hope not - I enjoy seeing him in the lab! He adds some 'light' moments in the midst of gruesome cases.
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Apr 13, 2007 8:30 AM
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How about the foster care angle & Sara? The son mentioned how mom loved kids & how many kids they took in. Sara talked about being in foster care & was looking at the pics of all the kids. She fits in here somewhere too, I'm thinkng. More than just a CSI on this case.
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Apr 13, 2007 8:56 AM
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Imzadi - I second your idea. "Marry the girl already, Gil!" Wouldn't it be hilarious if they were already married though? They're both very secretive and looking awfully happy...
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Apr 13, 2007 9:20 AM
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