Like most people, I have those few favorite shows that I have to catch every week. Unlike most people I have waaayyy too many of these favorite shows. So when I hear about a new show that I ‘just have to watch’, I’m generally very skeptical as I only have so many hours in the day to get in some quality viewing. In recent years I’ve shied away from most ‘cop shows’, because the few I had tried to get into in the 90’s left me kind of cold. They were all the same, with semi-interesting characters, dull plots, car chases and shoot-outs. “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” is original in that it avoids nearly all the conventional action sequences that most police dramas need to survive. It’s a show that really makes you think, as each episode is a puzzle waiting to be solved. Some episodes have more than one plot, while others take all the members of the CSI team together to solve one big crime. The pieces of the puzzle are presented in flashback version of the crimes, based on suppositions or lies. But more interesting is the way the physical evidence is shown.

Utilizing creative cinematography, the camera often zooms in close to give us, at times, a microscopic perspective of the smallest items; hairs, blood drops, etc… Other times we are given a ‘bullet’s eye’ view of the damage that can be done to the human body.

Now a show simply cannot survive on cool cinematography alone, I have to get to the second reason the show is so good and that is the stories. Each plot is intricately woven, and though constantly moving forward is never rushed. The show’s writers are careful in making sure no fact of the case is missed in case you want to play detective right along with the CSI team. So far, none of the stories seem too far-fetched and are unfortunately all too realistic at times. I say unfortunately, because where some shows glorify the violence they present; “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” offers an unflinching view of how horrible, sadistic and sickening acts of violence can be. And it also goes beyond the physicality of the acts to show the tragic effect it has on the victim’s family.

Furthering my take on the writing is the simple fact that the CSI team doesn’t always win; this in itself brings an even more realistic feeling to the show. When they win, it’s exhilarating; when they lose it can be devastating. We also have five main characters, and though one or two are the obvious leads, over the course of the series, and sometimes within a single episode, all of them have the opportunity to come to the forefront. The series became so incredibly popular that in 2002, the producers decided go the route of “Law and Order” and create a 2nd series utilizing the style of the original. However, to make it a bit different, they changed locations and some of the style and “CSI: Miami” was born.

“CSI: Miami” boasted the return of David Caruso to network television after his foray into feature films. He stars as Horatio Caine, the head of Miami’s elite CSI team. The rest of the team is made up of Tim Speedle (Rory Cochrane), Calleigh Duquesne (Emily Proctor), Eric Delko (Adam Rodriguez), Alexx Woods (Khandi Alexander) and for a short time Megan Donner (Kim Delaney – who left shortly after the series premiered). Most of the cast had found limited amounts of fame in other shows, most notably Khandi Alexander in “E.R.” and Adam Rodriguez in “Roswell.”

Back in 2004, Paramount released the 1st season of this ‘new spin-off’ on DVD, which finally gave me the opportunity to see for myself just how it compared to the groundbreaking original series. And after watching all of the episodes of the freshman season I came to the conclusion that whether or not the show is as good is certainly a matter of opinion, mostly on how you feel about the cast. I found the episodes to be just about as well written, but the characters were not quite as compelling as those in “CSI.” I tuned into that show specifically for the characters, while “CSI: Miami” had me watching in spite of them. I will say by the 3rd season, the cast finally reeled me in and hooked me. I still prefer the original “CSI” and the later “CSI: New York”, but I am enjoying “Miami” as a third favorite.

We are now up to the 7th season DVD release and I have to say that “CSI: Miami” is still the slickest edition of the “CSI” franchise. Freshly back from a stint in Brazil (?), the team finally finds out who has been out to kill Horatio. (Hasn’t there been several since the show’s inception?) More and more the team seems to be the target of killers as this season turns up the heat with the Russian Mob seemingly out to get them. It’s a decent season, but not one of the best. The writing seemed to take a step back from the previous two and the feeling that we were watching “CSI: Soap Opera” seemed stronger than it’s ever been. Still, it’s not a terrible season. I’m definitely still interested to see what the next season will bring.

I have in the past been impressed by the DVD releases for “CSI” and am just as impressed with this new release of “CSI: Miami: Season 7.” It has all 25 episodes, plus several fairly good extras. Though they have stepped it back a bit. This set only has 2 commentaries, where in the past they generally had more. But there are four featurettes this time around. Most focus on the style of the series and how it has evolved, their lab and how it has evolved (to almost Star Trek proportions) and a bit about The Miami Sound Machine!!

The DVD outer packaging is similar to that of the ones for original series, with thin pack insert cases and comes with the signature “Crime Scene: Do Not Cross” band around the box. Very cool.

“CSI: Miami” is still my 3rd favorite of the 3 different series, but this isn’t to say that it isn’t a great show. It has gotten much better over time, and as it has its own look that sets it apart, I don’t feel like I’m watching the same thing over again. As a matter of fact, the best thing to do with “CSI: Miami” is simply try not to compare to the other 2 at all. If you do, it won’t really satisfy you the way that “CSI” does. However, as a stand alone series, it’s still a far cry better than a lot of the garbage that’s available nowadays.

Episodes:
Resurrection
Won’t Get Fueled Again
And How Does That Make You Kill
Raging Cannibal
Bombshell
Wrecking Crew
Cheating Death
Gone Baby Gone
Power Trip
The DeLuca Hotel
Tipping Point
Head Case
And They’re Offed
Smoke Gets In Your CSI’s
Presumed Guitly
Sink or Swim
Divorce Party
Flight Risk
Target Specific
Wolfe’s in Sheep’s Clothing
Chip/Tuck
Dead on Arrival
Collateral Damage
Dissolved
Seeing Red

Starring: David Caruso, Emily Proctor, Adam Rodriguez, Khandi Alexander
Extras: Audio Commentaries, Featurettes
Specifications: Widescreen Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 9/15/1009
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
http://www.paramount.com/homeentertainment

We'll give CSI Miami: Season 7 a B-.