CSI: Miami The Complete First Season consists of twenty-four episodes on seven discs and of course includes special features. Although sometimes billed as a typical crime drama, CSI: Miami is actually far more than that. Unlike similar shows which focus mainly on the psychology of the crime, this show is steeped in science and the use of forensics to solve murders and apprehend criminals.
The series, oddly enough, begins in Las Vegas in its pilot episode, Cross Jurisdiction. Miami is obviously a spin-off of the CSI franchise and this episode acts as the transition to the new series. In it, a former Chief of Detectives, now running security for the Casinos, is murdered after a kinky sex party at his home. His daughter, who was in her room during the party, goes missing and is eventually found in Miami, Florida. The CSI: Las Vegas crew must work with the Miami investigators to solve the Chief’s murder. It’s a clever way to introduce the Miami staff while placing the ever important CSI brand of approval on the program by associating it with the Las Vegas show.
I made sure to watch the show when it premiered on network television knowing that I liked David Caruso from his initial NYPD Blue fame and so my mind was definitely open. I scheduled time for CSI: Miami for about the first eight episodes but then stopped cold turkey; perhaps it was the repetitive nature of the program, even though as individual shows go it’s entertaining and well crafted in science, technology, and story but for some reason I didn’t feel a real connection with the characters. The crime investigation is the real focal point of the series not the individual characters. When asked to review CSI: Miami I hoped to examine and see if my feelings remained the same from my last visit.
The second time around I could appreciate the science and detective skills more. Watching from episode to episode I learned more about the character’s lives, but apart from the lead Horatio (David Caruso), not in a substantial way; which is a shame because all the actors are very capable and deliver solid performances. Even Horatio’s development is kind of slow. Then, I realized again that the show is about crime solving and not a character study. Although I believe you could do both as in other “cop series” like an NYPD Blue, where sometimes they share too much (like the fat guy’s naked behind). Perhaps the other characters are more developed in the second season in Miami. This would be a bonus since they are likeable (with the exception of Horatio who often seems too much of a cowboy).
Below are a few episodes that appeared noteworthy.
Disc 1: Episode 104 Losing Face
In this episode we learn that Horatio has a bomb squad background and that CSI members get to ride around in shiny Hummers. More ...
