In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« David Caruso
The Evolution of Horatio Caine!
This is a reprint from our blog of Saturday. The response was so provocative and immediate, we thought it would do well here.If you're a regular to our blog, skip this.
Evolution is a natural process. Over time, we all change: looks, attitude, size and, often, shape. We take on the baggage of our experiences; the ups, downs and laterals. We're like walking, talking sponges. We take on remnants of it all. When we can manage to see through the facade of the moment, we rationalize the outcome, celebrate the victory or grieve the loss, each for a period; profit from the cognitive content by taking away only that which will benefit, discarding that which will burden, and go on to the next life adventure. While the exterior might change, the basic interior remains true to nature. There's much to be said for the adage, "the tiger doesn't change his stripes".
For most adults, that process takes a lifetime of 70+ years. For a procedural tv character the evolution could take less than a year. David Caruso has had 6 years to invent and re-invent his Horatio Caine. In many respects David has done a yeoman's job of it. His creation is memorable, if not realistic. Without knowing any statistics, we have to believe he enjoys the benefits and notoriety of more impersonators than any current tv performer, especially on YouTube. Horatio's exaggerated gestures account for this phenomonem; they relate to instant recognition for the imposter. Whether it's a professional performer or a YouTube amateur, all are looking for the spark of audience connection. David Caruso's creation of Horatio Caine allows that to happen.
While we have great appreciation for David Caruso, the actor, and a fondness for Horatio Caine, we could do with less of the superhuman one-man assassination squad, the terminator lacking in moral substance, of recent seasons. This was clearly not the original intent for the personality of this character. Along around Season 4, David (there's no question this is a Caruso creation, with little input from The Powers That Be) decided to extend Horatio's character. Okay, we'll buy that. However, the Horatio Caine we know today bears a micro resemblance to the original. He hasn't expanded the role; he's done a complete makeover. He might just as well have killed off the character and had him replaced with the oddball, often vengeance-seeking twin, Hector Caine.
Television audiences, especially those addicted to procedural dramas, love to see their favored characters show a fresh side; albeit, a side consistent with that character. Horatio of late has shown a propensity for revenge not formerly apparent. In fact, it's in direct contrast to the earlier version. The passion of Horatio, for the victims, the children, his team and those close, was always upfront and personal for him. That intensity that permeated his every fiber now seems to be reserved for a darker purpose. The basic nature of Horatio is being pimped out in the interests of the gesture-ridden caricature.
Is it possible to retain the humanity of the original Horatio Caine, while still exploring and promoting the remarkable institution "H" has become? We believe it's not only possible, but imperative to the success of both CSI Miami and the future of David Caruso. What do we, as a member of his/their audience, know about such things? Nothing more than an objective point of view, which apparently has been MIA for a couple of years.
http://dojodabbles.blogspot.com/
http://community.tvguide.com/blog/Dojos-Blog/800056801
|
|
|
|
Apr 20, 2008 4:35 PM
|
I haven't read your blog for a few days, out of commission. This is a goodie. We already know your opinion, but it stands up to a rehash from time to time.
Gotta a big party coming up, don't ya? At your place? Give 'ol blue eyes' a big one for me.
No new stalker info, I guess, or I would have heard? Keep me posted.
|
|
Apr 20, 2008 11:52 PM
|
You nailed it. Anybody out there listening?
Pimping out for that almighty 18-49 demo only works if you keep the bar steady.
|
|
Apr 21, 2008 12:10 PM
|
|
I am a little confused here dojo. You all said 2 months ago that ya'll had only recently been able to watch a full episode of any CSI. You all write a blog like you both(?) have been watching faithfully for years. How can ya'll write a blog about a show if you can't watch the entire eoisode?
|
|
Apr 21, 2008 3:16 PM
|
Sorry for the confusion, cushtxlady. We've often been accused (rightly so) of jumping topics before all the circuitry gets from head to keyboard.
We believe that comment about not watching an episode all the way through was a reference to the blood and gore of forensics (or violence). It wasn't meant to imply we didn't watch an entire episode, only that we sometimes had to turn away during specific scenes.
So, yes, we watch the entire episode unless we're otherwise diverted. In addition, it's safe to say we've now seen every episode at least twice, a few many times over. We rarely turn away now. We've apparently become immune to it.
|
|
Apr 21, 2008 6:58 PM
|
|
The final scene in the predator episode was so ridiculous and totally on point with what you are saying. Horatio is suddenly an abusive cop who has stepped aside for protecting and serving and is now taking on the task of punishment for all that are guilty! I was so pissed off when the episode ended with Horatio telling the pedophile that he WAS GOING to resist arrest!
|
|
Apr 22, 2008 2:12 PM
|
|
From mass-murderer in "All in" to beating a defenseless supect in "To kill a predator" - wow, HoCaine/David Caruso can "be proud" of this character development! What will come next ? HoCaine strangling a suspect because he/she looks at him the wrong way?
|
|
May 10, 2008 6:34 PM
|
|
|
