Imagine, Jerry Bruckheimer executive producing a TV show where there aren't explosions every few minutes! Created by Anthony Zuicker, CSI is a show about the Las Vegas Crime Scene Investigators, a team that uses science to put people behind bars. Gil Grissom (William Peterson - Manhunter) becomes the head of CSI after an unfortunate incident in the pilot episode triggers the Sheriff to fire Captain Brass (Paul Guilfoyle). Also part of CSI is former stripper Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger - China Beach), problem gambler Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan - Soul Food, Alien: Resurrection), ladies man Nick Stokes (George Eads - Savannah) and the beautiful Sara Sidel (Jorja Fox - ER). The show is a wonderful mix of "whodunnit," science and humor.
I've always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes and the way he uses solves his cases, so I figured a show like this would appeal to me. It's not the typical "cop show" where they run around kicking doors down and beating confessions out of the perps. No, this is a show about the science and methods used to solve a crime. I've been a fan since day one.
Before the show aired, it was on numerous "Shows that will fail" lists. They were so wrong. CSI is consistently one of the highest rated shows on TV and already spun off another hit, CSI: Miami. Coupled with Survivor, CSI has helped CBS become more popular with the younger viewers.
Video
This show has one of the most distinctive looks on TV. The crimes are reenacted in wonderful detail; bullets and knives penetrate skin with quick zooms and cuts. With the show set in Vegas, in the middle of a desert, the picture is slightly washed out and over-exposed. There was controversy when CBS released the first season on DVD because it was presented in 1.33:1 while the show was also broadcast in widescreen. CBS paid attention, and they've released CSI: Season 2 in beautiful anamorphic widescreen. The grain found in the first season has been reduced a great deal and the picture looks outstanding. An excellent picture that puts the first season to shame.
Audio
Along with an improvement in the video, there's also a noticeable improvement in the audio. Season one had a Dolby Surround track, while season two contains a Dolby Digital 5.1. I loved the audio in season one, but season two pumps it up a notch. The ambient effects in the casinos and the wind in the desert sounds even better. The directional effects are also outstanding, and present in every episode. Also found on this set are English and Spanish stereo tracks. Although you won't find any subtitles on the release, it's closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
Commentary on 3 Episodes
There are three commentary tracks for CSI: Season 2 Carol Mendelsohn, Anthony Zuiker and Danny Cannon provide the commentary on "Burked"; Ann Donahue and Danny Cannon discuss "Alter Boys," and Anthony Zuiker and Gary Dourdan talk about the episode "Ellie." Each track is entertaining and full of information about the show and the episode. Hopefully we'll get more of these for season three.
Makeup, Music & Special Effects (9:55)
A very quick look at the makeup, music and special effects used on the show. Each of these areas should have had their own featurette. There's only one example of each area when there could be multiple examples.
CSI Shooting Locations (6:27)
Paul Wilson (location manager) talks about the various locations used for the series. Contrary to popular belief, most of the show is shot around Los Angeles.
The CSI Tour (8:33)
Richard Berg (production designer) gives us a tour of the various sets, spouting trivia as he goes along.
Tools of the Trade (9:01)
This section allows you to visit various sets and click on tools to access a quick video clip explaining the tool. You can visit the DNA Lab (4:10), Ballistics (2:03), and the Trace Fingerprint Lab (2:48).
The Making of a Hit (11:37)
Interviews with Jerry Bruckheimer (executive producer), Anthony E. Zuiker (executive producer/creator), Carol Mendelsohn (executive producer), Danny Cannon (co-executive producer), Ann Donahue (executive producer) and Elizabeth Devine (technical advisor/writer). They talk a little bit about the show and their favorite season two episodes.
Summary
Here's a piece I wrote in my first season review:
"For such a popular show, I was expecting something more from this release. This is the type of show that could have some killer commentary tracks from technical advisors and the cast and crew. There could have been a great featurette on the science of the show, but instead we get a promotional featurette. Maybe CBS Video thought the show would sell itself, and they're probably right. Maybe we'll get more when the second season is released."
It looks like someone at CBS was listening, because what I wished for came true with this release. We have 3 wonderful commentary tracks, a bunch of featurettes with some meat in them and the audio and video have been beefed up. This is what the first season set should have been. My only complaint with this set comes from the horrible font used for the special features. "MS Comic" is a font that should never be used; definitely not in something found on a DVD set. I did nicer looking titles when I was in college, and my stuff was pretty ugly.
