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« CSI: Miami
CSI Miami: An Emotional Sendoff!
"Rock and a Hard Place" provided a terrific vehicle to highlight Khandi Alexander's farewell to CSI Miami. As original cast member Dr. Alexx Woods, Khandi appeared in (we believe) every show through last night's. In nearly 6 complete seasons and 139 episodes, Rock and a Hard Place was the singular outing featuring Khandi all the way. She did it up right.
Dr. Woods' son, Brian, involved in a murder then exonerated, provided the impetus for her to leave the morgue to spend more time at home with her teenage children. The storyline was acceptable, from the jet skier being killed by a flagstone tile thrown from a bridge to the Federal drug agent's involvement and his use of drug informants, including Brian's friend. However, had we not been caught up in the "Khandi swan song" scenario, this one would have been stamped "just okay".
The main thrust was centered on Alexx, her concern for her son and her ultimate decision to leave CSI Miami. The farewells were poignant (some may say sappy); rest assured, longtime fans loved it. From the unusually morose (even for him) Horatio Caine to a teary Calleigh, lots of hugs, save Horatio and Frank. Horatio's final scene with Alexx was especially moving and spoke volumes of their relationship through the years.
Some may say this episode was tinged with soap opera ink; it seemed to us appropriate for the time and place. What it lacked were oddities only a diehard fan would notice. Where was Frank during the farewells? Why, after a couple of previously dropped in Horatio/Calleigh scenes, have we returned to the "no scenes together" stance of pre-strike? For those fans who have whined about Horatio's wardrobe we can only comment that a white shirt DOES NOT lessen his dark demeanor of late.
We have to acknowledge that we missed most of the original airing and had to pick it up online to fill in the blanks. Taken as a whole we enjoyed it, yet acknowledge much of that might have been due to the subject at hand. We have no intention of dissecting to determine level of achievement vs audience appeal. Good luck to you, Khandi. As Horatio said, "the door's always open".
http://dojodabbles.blogspot.com/
http://community.tvguide.com/blog/Dojos-Blog/800056801
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May 6, 2008 10:48 PM
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Good stuff here. Maybe it was a little sappy, but the occasion called for that. They did a bang-up job.
Thanks, Dojo, for bringing a sense of balance to this board, for picking up the gauntlet from Javlin. Without you the lunatics would be running the asylum.
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May 7, 2008 11:25 AM
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A fair episode regardless, outstanding in view of Dr. Woods role in it and the farewell scenes. Enjoyed Horatio's "back at ya" adios very much. So like him, though David was quite saddened(?) during the whole hour, as he was during the on-set interview for the video promo.
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May 7, 2008 1:51 PM
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And the trash continues. Nice review. I really liked this episode for all the wrong reasons. Bet they get great ratings out of it. We don't want to give them any ideas; they'd can a cast member every week for the "almighty" R.
I see there were more deletions from the 'swan song' thread. Power Mad Button Pushers!
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May 7, 2008 2:41 PM
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I agree, nice review. When someone departs a show how it is handled stays with the viewer--this was nicely done.
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May 7, 2008 5:00 PM
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Poor episode! Story line was awful. The son was dumber than a box of rocks or should I say flagstone tiles. Her acting is so unbelievable, I wont miss her character. Same expression all the time, looking so sad and introspective. Hope they replace the character with someone more dynamic. I dont know who looks like they want to cry more her or Horatio.
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May 7, 2008 6:30 PM
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We found it perfectly reasonable that Alexx would call a friend, no longer a co-worker, Mr. Caine. We have never referred to friends by their professional designation except in the course of business.
It's a common practice in our society.
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May 7, 2008 7:40 PM
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Considering Caine calls most of the people he works with (at time) "Mr. Wolf", "Ms. Boavista" etc. why is the role reversal different? Perhaps it was Alexx's sign off to him.
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May 7, 2008 7:48 PM
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I was very upset about Alex leaving the show. She is one of the strongest, caring characters on that show. She will be truly missed. First Speedle, now her. At least she's still alive and can come at some time. She is one of the backbones of the show. I thought you would take off Ryan Wolf--he is uncaring, uppity, and obnoxious as a character on that show. This really changes the whole show's character, if you ask me. Alex, please come back to the show. We'll all miss you very much. The show won't be the same without you. Patty Kanak
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May 8, 2008 12:36 AM
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I wish Khandi much success.
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May 9, 2008 4:47 PM
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Very poor episode. The could have handled it better.
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May 9, 2008 6:22 PM
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Excellent
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May 9, 2008 7:22 PM
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Now if we could get rid of Callie too, the show wouldn't be so bad
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May 10, 2008 3:15 AM
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And Caruso should be the next. There are a lot of better actors out there.
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May 10, 2008 11:24 AM
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