CSI: Vegas

Season 1 with Gill and Sarah and Hodges was OK. Didn't have the cohesiveness of the original CSI but Sarah did a great job keeping up. Petersen felt very reserved and distant from Sarah. The 2nd season somehow just fell flat even with Catherine back. Overall, good acting by Lex Medlin, Matt Lauria and Paula Newsome and returning character guests, Gill, Sarah, Hodges and Catherine.

I do wish that Mandeep Dhillon and Aruana Guerra would disappear. Dhillon is way too over the top with her constantly surprised wide eyes and attitude. Guerra is just not a comfortable nor eexy character. The show has none of the brilliance and magic of the original. Maybe we're all too old and tired.

Have watched 1st 6 episodes with high anticipation not having watched the original for quite a few years.

1st thoughts.... what is missing with this show? Characters don't feel right, script and dialogue don't feel right. Even returning Grissom and Sara seem off.

So I went back and started rewatching the original show. Oh, the original is so much better and for a show 21 years old it is so good and holds up so well.

Acting, script, filming style is just all so much better than new show.

Even though I was never fond of all the characters except for Grissom and Willows (Nick, Sara and Warrick never truly engaged me - especially Warrick and Sara) the dynamics all work brilliantly.

So getting back to new version, Grissom seems a parody of the old Grissom (and I am truly a fan of Peterson). The others just don't have the same chemistry with their interactions.

Verdict: maybe it will grow on me but I'm having much more enjoyment rewatching 1st 12 episodes of Season One.

The major problem with this is that the actress they have chosen to play the lead is just a lead actress. She was ok in castle when she played a supporting actress but just isn't up to carry a show like CSI. Needs to be recast.

Mandeep has about 5 expressions but without emotion. Her lackluster walking thru the lines detracts from a diverse and otherwise interesting group of cast members. Also, the actress heading CSI is rather lacking in the intensity that role requires! The show needs a dynamic leader with dimension. If you could replace those two with seasoned character actors/actresses it would improve the show overall. The previous leaders possessed layers, history, paradoxes and edginess that kept me returning to find out more, so far I can't get invested with these boring characters. This WAS such a well played series until they got into long drawn out storylines that eventually I just wanted it over with. Please don't fall into that trap again.

I want to love it but come on, the clichés are killing me! Every scene has a handful. Who talks like that? And the supporting cast? Their roles are cliché as well. Sticking to the standard crime drama formula is too safe. Break out of the mold please! You can do better. This stellar cast of well loved veterans deserves better.