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« CSI: Miami
October 16, 2006: The Art of Popping a Bloater
CSI: Miami is back. It was very nice to focus on one murder without branching off into too many different directions. Even the secondary investigation (that of Marta) seemed to grow much more organically out of the main case than any of the subplots did last week. I was also a little surprised (in a good way) to see the show tackle a sensitive political issue — eminent domain — instead of the young rich kid story lines we saw so much of last season.
I have to say that I’m not sure that the Wells’ were the most sympathetic of victims of government takeover, but I do hope all the eagle-eyed Seinfeld fans out there noticed that Suzanne Cryer has not continued her on-screen life of crime. She played George’s girlfriend Marcy and yada yada yada, I was glad to see that she hadn't slept with our bloated victim. Speaking of which, the look on Ryan’s face when Alexx popped Councilman Bridges’ body pretty much said it all. I would say that there are worse ways to go, but I’m not sure I believe it. Also, wasn’t it gratifying to find out that decomposed human fat can turn into soap? Basically, we definitely weren’t lacking for gross-out science moments in this episode.
Though I know this sparked some debate in the comments, I was glad to see that Horatio had more to do this week. He seemed so superfluous last week, but in this episode, he was significantly more involved in the investigation, to the point where he basically served as the liaison between the CSIs and the court system — and our wonderfully corrupt judge. Some great Horatio lines (they’re back!) in this episode:
- Frank: "Not what you bargain for when you write your check for the American dream."
- Horatio: "And then your dream becomes a nightmare."
- "Who’s gonna protect you from me?"(after Mr. Preston asked for police protection).
- "The past, your honor, is my specialty."
On another note, it seems Ryan has stepped up into the role of the most complex CSI this season. He’s getting way too emotionally involved with his cases, and if his interaction with Biggs was any indication, we may be in for a major blow-up later on in the season. Of course, he may be in competition for screen time with Natalia and her deliciously creepy ex-husband. What are your thoughts on these two possible story lines?
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Oct 16, 2006 11:58 PM
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My opinion is probably a bit BIASED but David Caruso doesn't have the best rep from what I do hear... arrogance and self-interest are only two of the crimes he appears to be guilty of.
Now, I enjoy all of the CSI shows, but i have noticed that Miami seems to lack back story for any of the other characters. All major story lines involve Horatio Caine riding to the rescue. And he is the one who solves the crimes, almost without fail. Eric apparently can't sort out his sister's problems without Horatio stepping in to save the day - and then shagging her too!! Just for a second there, I thought we might find out a little more about Eric's character, and all of sudden, he gets shoved aside and H takes the spotlight again.
This problem doesn't appear to affect Vegas or NY... and all three male leads have production rights, leading me to believe they have some story influence as well.
It makes for a weaker show than the other two, NY hasn't being going for long, but I have already found out more about the characters in that than in Miami (apart from H). Vegas (still the best) manages to give us good back story (and better lines too) for all the characters (Sara's childhood issues, Warwick's gambling, Nick's prostitute and kidnapping, Catherine's mother, daughter, husband and father, Jim's daughter - the list goes on) and the crew look FAR more comfortable with each other than they do on Miami. Emily Proctor is a great actress, demonstrated for me by her stint on the West Wing, but she might as well be a shop dummy for all the opportunities she gets on Miami, couple of episodes about an alcoholic Dad just doesn't cut it for me.
So to summarise - if you have bothered reading this far! - The CSI series are great, but Miami is having the life sucked out of it by the egocentric attitudes of it's star.... one Mr David Caruso...
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Oct 17, 2006 9:15 AM
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I agree with Horatiolover in the fact that CSI:Miami lacks back stories of the characters. You want to identify with the characters but there is no familiarity. But I also feel that the writers have alot to do with how well these actors can perform. You can only do so much with what you are given. For instance, Alex calling all of the dead victims terms of endearments was umm...unique at first but now it just sound stupid. Everything that comes out of H's mouth sounds premeditated and overly acted. I never saw Emily Proctor on The West Wing but if you say she's a good actor, I'm going to have to believe you because I'm not seeing it here. The only characters that seem to have any pull on me are Eric and Ryan-maybe because their facial expressions say more than words and they don't over do it.
As for the two story lines in question...I like that Ryan is getting a story line that may show a sensitive side to him even it is leads to a blow up. The Natalia and creepy-ex...I love Rob Estes character, I've never seen him as a bad boy-I like it! I hope Natalia gets a backbone soon. I'd like to see them battle it out for a while.
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Oct 17, 2006 10:00 AM
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Miami would be great if they would only add a touch of humor!! Get over all of the seriousness and find something to laugh - or even smile about!!!
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Oct 17, 2006 12:02 PM
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I don't know how long you all have been watching CSI: Miami, but I have been watching it from the beginning and I do know a bit about most of the characters. Granted, we don't know as much about them as we do about the Vegas cast, but there are people in Vegas that we don't know that much about. Maybe you should start watching the reruns of Miami on A&E, so you can learn more about their backgrounds. Not that their backgrounds really have anything to do with their cases or anything like that. That's why I like Miami because it is different from the other CSIs (I love all of the CSIs). Anyway, about the episode that we're supposed to be talking about. I do not like Wolf, never have, and I think that he's going to have a major blow up or something. I hope he gets fired. I don't like Natalia because she was the mole, but I am interested to see where the storyline with Rob Estes is going. He's a good "bad" guy. Despite how he may be in real life, I like Horatio and I love his one liners. It was a good episode. Did anyone notice that the boy who killed the Councilman was the same person from that SVU episode a few years ago, the one with the twins? All in all I think it was a good, old fashioned CSI: Miami episode and I can't wait for more.
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Oct 17, 2006 12:12 PM
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I don't the Natalia character eithe and now she's a regular.
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Oct 17, 2006 1:29 PM
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CSI Miami is my favorite of the CSIs. The scenery is gorgeous (and its bright and sunny instead of dark and dreary) and I really like the cast. I've watched since the beginning and I, too, feel like I know quite a bit about the characters. I'd like to see Yelina back for Horatio and for Calleigh to interact w/a man other than the Treasury guy who's engaged. And Eric is just some yummy eye candy. Wolf is probably my least favorite but he's growing on me.
I've been a Rob Estes fan since the late great Silk Stalkings so I'm very happy to see him on CSI even if he is a "bad" guy. He's sure easy on the eyes!!
Oh, and I KNEW I'd seen Mrs. Wells before! Thanks for the Seinfeld reference.
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Oct 17, 2006 2:22 PM
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Most of the characters on CSI Miami is so bland and the acting is robotic. I hate Horiato no emotions coming from the character. Sure the lines are emotional but he doesn't show that in his acting. Caliegh is the worst of them all, I never see the woman blink an eye, she shows no emotion, and the few times she does smile is she looks physco. I like the orginial CSI and can take or leave the Miami and New York.
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Oct 17, 2006 3:49 PM
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Has anyone ever noticed that when Horatio is talking, that he never looks anyone in the face? His head is also always at an angle. It just bugs me.
And the gross factor was in full swing.... never knew that is what happened.
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Oct 17, 2006 6:09 PM
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I've been watching CSi Miami from epsiode one. I have enjoyed season 1-2-3 and sat through the deseaster that the whole Marisol(Aerosol)-storyline & the hoax the Mole proved to be.
I watched how Horatio turned from a cool, likeable scientist - he actually did some lab-work in previous seasons - to a mere joke in season 4.
The main problem for me is that Caruso has too much to say. Be it scripts be it camera-angles. Ann Doanhue kisses the ground he walks on.
I had a rather unpleasant run in with Mr. Caruso this summer which has opened my eyes about him. He is a rude egomanic who doesn't give a rat's ass (excuse my French) about anyone but himself.
CSI Miami is a good show unfortunately with its world-wide success it started to lack a certain quality.
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Oct 18, 2006 2:53 AM
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I watch this show just to make fun of Horatio and the silly dialogue. My daughter and I do H impressions all the time: stand with hand on hip, head cocked, say three words while looking away, turn head and finish the sentence, put sunglasses on/off and strut away.
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Oct 18, 2006 9:22 AM
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I really like Ryan and am excited that the show is focusing a little more on him. I also like Natalie and hope her creepy ex ends up back in jail. It should be interesting to see how that whole storyline plays out. I think Calleigh is lovely and wish she was on screen more. I could do with less of Eric (I don't like him) and sometimes Horatio is just too much.
Thanks for the post about how the teenage killer was in SVU. I knew he looked familiar!
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Oct 18, 2006 9:42 AM
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Can they get ride of Orange Lady and keep her creepy ex-husband, Rob Estes? I was never a Rob Estes fan but I really like him in this role. Maybe he does creepy well?
I don't mind the over-the-top Horatio. I find myself laughing with glee each time he's in one of those poses and they pull the camera back, like if they are capturing a god on the screen. It is just soooo campy that I find it entertaining. Not a David Caruso fan either, but without all the Horatio-isms this show would be nothing.
I thought the whole story with Ryan getting so involved in the personwas just plain silly. I just didn't even see why he was doing it. At first, I thought maybe he had some kind of crush on this kid...don't know, it just gave me weird vibes.
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Oct 18, 2006 1:11 PM
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The treasury guy is no longer engaged. His fiance was the bad guy in the season finally and he helped catch her. Calleigh is my fav character. I wouldn't mind seeing her with someone, even treasury dude. David Caruso used to be able to act. I wonder how much of the ham is the writer's doing.
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Oct 18, 2006 11:38 PM
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