For Bobby.
Ok, to answer a question about CSI that was brought up in a comment, if you aren't interested... move along :)
Alright, where to start?
I suppose the best way is to quote the expression, chacun a son gout. Each to their own taste.
I personally have never watched the Godfather, closest I came to that was watching The Freshman. In the same way, I really have no interest in The Sopranos, no matter how many awards they win, nor will I likely ever watch daytime soaps.
All of which to say, regardless of the quality of a show, CSI may not be for you.
What do I like about it? Why do I find it interesting?
I'll try to give some idea, as I analyze it myself.
I like the puzzle that it poses. It's all about the techniques used to acquire evidence/data and then to put the pieces together into a coherent scenario that explains the evidence. It's a puzzle. Sometimes an overly gruesome one, but a puzzle nonetheless. And that process intrigues me. The techniques, the tools, the analysis and of course the solution.
The characters are interesting, they have flaws, but they aren't protrayed simply as being the product of flaws and/or virtues without any other motivations. The actors do a wonderful job of making the characters feel real. Providing them with depth even if you don't know what it consists of. In much the same way you can look into water and know that it runs deeply but see only the surface, rather than looking at a puddle. You get the sense that the characters aren't just about what is shown on screen. And of course the writing is a large part of this.
It is for the same reason that I find West Wing interesting. The actors/characters/writing is fabulous and it also combines aspects of problem solving and troubleshooting but on the level of a political arena instead of a crime scene.
I suppose that the same can be said about MacGyver, another show I loved to watch when it first came out. (I have since watched some past episodes and they are sooooo cheesy!!! It is amazing! But I still hold onto them.) Because aside from the cheese, it was a problem solving show, what will he do/create etc that can help him.
So those seem to be the two most obvious reasons I can think of to like the show, although perhaps it is more than two:
1) Puzzle
2) Actors
3) Characters
4) Writing
I should mention the only reasons I don't like the show.
I find the `recreations' to be a little gruesome. I don't like being treated to a visualization of bones suffering a tortional break, or other equally graphic stuff. Don't get me wrong, I am a product of North American violent movies (although I admit to preferring romantic comedies... don't quote me on that though), but I just find it unnecessary, the show doesn't need it to be good.
So, what else can I say?
Hmm, I suppose I should mention that I don't like CSI: Miami as much as CSI. Not sure why. I mean I loved Emily Procter's character in West Wing, and her character is enjoyable enough in CSI:M. Maybe it's the environment, maybe the characters aren't evolved enough, maybe the interactions aren't worked out as well. I'm really not sure, I simply don't find it as captivating.
The writing has seemed rushed in several instances, scenarios wrapping up in the space of the last 3-5 minutes that cause neck injury from the speed at which something or other develops. I can understand that on occasion this kind of break makes sense, a sudden development which lays everything out perfectly. In the context of the show it was done jarringly, with no sense of a picture developing, but of a rock hitting the head.
It just seems a little more shallow, a little less cohesive. Perhaps it is exactly what it should be, a spin-off that has yet to find itself. That would be nice. In the meantime I will stick with the original.
Akin to movies, books, and music, remakes and sequels have a hard time keeping up with the same level as their predecessor.
Posted by hugin at Enero 23, 2003 10:17 AMhave you thought about a taking up tv critique? serious. your review is very subjective and to the point. i don't know if it will make me want to watch the show any more, but your argument is very clear without relying on emotive content.
i suppose my biggest hang-up with the whole CSI thing is that i kind of find it hard to believe that a crime-scene investigation unit could be so...so...so...relevant. of course, i'm a big fan of detective shows (like nypd blue) so in that case, the bias is mine.
oh...did you ever watch Quincy? for some reason, CSI reminds me a lot of the problem-solving in that show. i looooved Quincy.
anyway, thanks for the reply!
Posted by: bobby g. on Enero 23, 2003 10:29 AMLove, how is it that you and I keep missing each other. hmm?!?
Bobby, I think Hugin sums it up pretty well, those are the same reasons as to why I also love the show: The puzzling out, the use of science to solve mysteries all speak to my inquisitive nature. That and the fact that the actors do a great job at bringing the characters to life, make it a show that I truly enjoy. This is also the quality that draws me Alias and the other shows that I watch. [Though McGuyver I shall say does not have shall we say the best acting quality, I think it's the cheese factors that kills that off. However, the puzzling out is great!]
As Hugin pointed out, it is a matter of taste. I personally love the godfather or any movie that has to do with old style gangsters. 'The Untouchables', and another one, whose name completely eludes me at this moment, will always remain some of my favourite movies, much to Hugin's demise. Hey, someone got to watch those movies with me *teasing smile* It may just b that there is something about the show that you don’t like and there’s nothing wrong with that.
*warm smile*
Hmm, thanks Bobby. I try to present everything that way when I am explaining myself. Certainly my opinions tend to be very biased, but otherwise... well, thanks. Maybe I'll start doing just that on here to start.
As to relevancy, unfortunately in one sense the show is too relevant. There was an episode that started with a body found buried in a park and covered in lye. It turned out that the body had bled out elsewhere. This was discovered to have been a car, but that the blood flow was unusual. The final evidence discovered that the victim had been in a hit and run but stayed in the window of the car, unable to move and had bled out and died there. The owner of the car having been intoxicated and scared, left them there to die in his garage.
This was similar to something that actually happened a while back in the States.
The twist was that the victim had intended to commit suicide and so no fault would have been attached to the driver, and now he was guilty of 1st degree murder.
And yes, I used to watch Quincy all the time, although I was a little young at the time.
Hmm, also liked Magnum PI, although that was a different decade.
As for Munin's comment.
Well... I like Some Like it Hot... and Johnny Dangerously :) Maybe I'd like the Godfather...
hey---i dig "logan's run" and "the graduate" and "the great race" and "butch cassidy and the sundance kid" and ... all of which nikki can't stand.
well, when you folks come down here we'll tape a few episodes of csi and watch them together, k?
Posted by: bobby g. on Enero 23, 2003 11:16 AMi never said i disliked 'the graduate'...now 'logan's run' is another story...
Posted by: nikki g. on Enero 23, 2003 11:39 AMHmm, Logan's Run... now that is *CHEESE!!!* and rather painful at that. Perfect for the time it came out though, much like watching the original Rollerball, YIKES!
The Graduate is a good movie so far as I remember it.
Don't think I've really ever watched the other two seriously.
Hmm, movies I like to watch that Munin isn't so much into... hmm, Mallrats... don't ask :) Hmm. Can't really think of any others. We tend to be rather similar in most ways. There are movies that Munin has watched that I haven't and really have no interest in watching. However, much like Remember the Titans, Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester none of which I initially wanted to see. I may find that once I watch them, I will watch them over and over again.
Posted by: Hugin on Enero 23, 2003 01:51 PM