CSI: Vegas

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.

In the pilot, Brass asks Sara whether she has a cure for Fuchs corneal disease. Stupid! There has been a cure for Fuchs since 1905 when Eduard Zim performed the 1st successful corneal transplant. Come on, y'all! Try a little harder.

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.

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.

Jim Brass shoots a man in self-defense at home. He calls Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) for help. She's now married to Gil Grissom (William Petersen). Maxine Roby (Paula Newsome) is the new team leader. With David Hodges seemingly being framed, all the old cases are in jeopardy and Gil returns to Vegas to clear their names.

The original series is groundbreaking. One could argue that it brought the idea of CSI into popular consciousness and pushed expectations in real world justice. This iteration starts with the return of several characters from the original series. As a limited revival, there is some interest to revisit these old TV friends. The first season seems to work on that level. Other characters show up for the second season, but the show is already losing steam. It is a limited gimmick and cannot be expected to go on forever. It does not. It is canceled after three seasons which is two seasons too late.