Character Development/Screentime Discussion

[Smokey]

Since this line of discussion involves what may actually be coming up in the show and has been alluded to in the previews and spoilers, it's probably best to discuss it there.

This thread would be more for discussion of past lines of development or what you wish for a character in the future. But if it's an actual spoiler/possibility, it should be done in the spoiler thread.

Thanks!

 

[Desertwind]

On this subject "character development" I see Catherine as the most changed, since Warrick and Grissom left. She's more focused and more on top of things. Maybe the talk she had with Sara helped through this impasse. And Greg who isn't the same funny, quirky guy as he was when he was a Lab Rat, what's his next move portrayed by the writers? And then poor Hodges, who's doing his own grieving since his main squeeze is gone. So how will they play his character in future episodes?. As sad, morose, or holding his emotions in

 

[DragonFriend95]

I've given up regarding the possibility of Greg being developed by the writers. Us fans have had to wait through three seasons of our boy on the backburner, getting the least character development of all the team IMO, and I'm starting to get irritated and plain tired of it.

Spoiler: Future ep

Although apparently he's going to be wielding a gun in a future ep. If the writers forget that he's an anti-gun guy and don't explain this then I'll personally go and teepee all of their houses by myself.

Ever since he went from the snarky, interesting, love-to-hate jerk to some sweet hearted but socially inept guy I've lost all interest and nearly all respect for Hodges. From the start I've always wished they'd developed on the older techs more (y'know, Bobby, Mandy, Archie...) but now that this whole Wedges thing is over and done with I want it more than ever. Of course, with tptb I know that a snowball has better chances surviving in hell :shifty:

 

[AFIS]

From the start I've always wished they'd developed on the older techs more (y'know, Bobby, Mandy, Archie...) but now that this whole Wedges thing is over and done with I want it more than ever. Of course, with tptb I know that a snowball has better chances surviving in hell :shifty:

But why spend valuable time characterizing a lab tech that's shown once every four or five episodes when that time could be spent with Catherine, Langston, or Nick? It's all about priorities, Dragon. If the show was two hours each episode then yes, lab techs would get the time they deserve. But since it isn't other characters have to be put first.

 

[Desertwind]

From the start I've always wished they'd developed on the older techs more (y'know, Bobby, Mandy, Archie...) but now that this whole Wedges thing is over and done with I want it more than ever. Of course, with tptb I know that a snowball has better chances surviving in hell :shifty:

But why spend valuable time characterizing a lab tech that's shown once every four or five episodes when that time could be spent with Catherine, Langston, or Nick? It's all about priorities, Dragon. If the show was two hours each episode then yes, lab techs would get the time they deserve. But since it isn't other characters have to be put first.

GOOD POINT, AFIS, I totally agree:bolian:

 

[DragonFriend95]

Well, they did it with Hodges and Wendy (and Greg I guess before he turned into a CSI. And Henry to an extent) so I don't see why a little time can't be put away for the gun toting American, video game playing snarker and the surfing Trekkie, who were all on the show a season before Hodges.

Besides, I'm not talking about a lot of screentime...like in Panty Sniffer. Archie got about five or so minutes overall, and yet his reaction to the dead body was realistic and, for me, quite enjoyable. Surely they can put a few minutes away to just develop on their quirks in a realistic manner?

Besides, Ray's had as much character development in one and a half season as any other character who's been on the show for ten years. I don't see why he'd need any more.

 

[Smokey]

I've given up regarding the possibility of Greg being developed by the writers. Us fans have had to wait through three seasons of our boy on the backburner, getting the least character development of all the team IMO, and I'm starting to get irritated and plain tired of it.

I think going from the lab to the field was quite a lot of character development. I mean, look how long it took...how he had to train someone to take over in DNA, and how many episodes showed him learning the job and then solving his first case and then going on to tackle cases on his own.

Then the James case...that carried on for several episodes. Besides the times it was mentioned (Grissom telling him about the lawsuit) or obvious (his bruises in Double Cross), there were also three entire episodes focusing on it....Fannysmacking, Post Mortem, and Big Shots.

Ever since he went from the snarky, interesting, love-to-hate jerk to some sweet hearted but socially inept guy I've lost all interest and nearly all respect for Hodges. From the start I've always wished they'd developed on the older techs more (y'know, Bobby, Mandy, Archie...) but now that this whole Wedges thing is over and done with I want it more than ever. Of course, with tptb I know that a snowball has better chances surviving in hell :shifty:

I don't think the actors are sitting around waiting and wishing they were on the show more. They are off doing other things. Like Gerald McCullouch for instance. He is out (no pun intended! :lol: ) and about promoting his film, Bear City and, from the posts on his Facebook, having a great time doing a ton of other things.

I know we all love Bobby and Archie and Mandy and the gang, but the reality is that they are supporting characters.

 

[DragonFriend95]

I agree that Greg did get excellent character development up to Season 7, but then after that it went rapidly downhill. The only storyline he got was regarding his Vegas book, and that was dropped quickly and for seemingly little reason. After that he pretty much became nothing more than Mr Exposition for Season 9 and most of 10, and the only promise of a storyline for him, about getting a new job, was dropped for whatever reason. I really hope it'll change this season (and it seems to be a bit thanks to certain spoilers) but I'm just not that optimistic about it anymore.

Sorry, I was ranting a bit there...

:lol: I know, I should just realise they're supporting cast. I just have a hard time accepting it when they're also my favourite characters

 

[Dizzney]

I agree that Greg did get excellent character development up to Season 7, but then after that it went rapidly downhill. The only storyline he got was regarding his Vegas book, and that was dropped quickly and for seemingly little reason. After that he pretty much became nothing more than Mr Exposition for Season 9 and most of 10, and the only promise of a storyline for him, about getting a new job, was dropped for whatever reason. I really hope it'll change this season (and it seems to be a bit thanks to certain spoilers) but I'm just not that optimistic about it anymore.

I agree with you DragonFriend. Yes, back in Season 7...4 seasons ago now, Greg got some good stuff, but since then he has not had anything really focusing strongly on his character like all the others. Heck even Hodges has had it since. And I know that Eric has said in a couple recent interviews that he wishes Greg would get a storyline or two again.

 

[AFIS]

I agree that Greg did get excellent character development up to Season 7, but then after that it went rapidly downhill. The only storyline he got was regarding his Vegas book, and that was dropped quickly and for seemingly little reason. After that he pretty much became nothing more than Mr Exposition for Season 9 and most of 10, and the only promise of a storyline for him, about getting a new job, was dropped for whatever reason. I really hope it'll change this season (and it seems to be a bit thanks to certain spoilers) but I'm just not that optimistic about it anymore.

I agree with you DragonFriend. Yes, back in Season 7...4 seasons ago now, Greg got some good stuff, but since then he has not had anything really focusing strongly on his character like all the others. Heck even Hodges has had it since. And I know that Eric has said in a couple recent interviews that he wishes Greg would get a storyline or two again.

I think the main problem with Greg is that no one really knows who Greg is. Besides the fact that he likes Old Vegas, he used to be a lab tech, and other various little things I'm not really sure who Greg is as a character. Is he jsut a goofy lab tech that got out of the lab or a mature CSI that doesn't quite know where he fits in the group?

Besides, Ray's had as much character development in one and a half season as any other character who's been on the show for ten years. I don't see why he'd need any more.

Ray is the lead. Some people may not like him while others do but that doesn't change the fact that he's the lead. Leading stars get paid more and expect to have more time on camera. I used to be frustrated with the amount of time Langston got on camera myself but I realized that Langston is just a more complex character than Grissom ever was. Grissom was just the socially awkward scientist trying to figure out the bad guy. Langston is so much more than that.

:lol: I know, I should just realise they're supporting cast. I just have a hard time accepting it when they're also my favourite characters

:lol:It happens to us all. After being with these characters for so long you just start to love them as your own family members. Or maybe that's just me...

 

[Dizzney]

I think the main problem with Greg is that no one really knows who Greg is. Besides the fact that he likes Old Vegas, he used to be a lab tech, and other various little things I'm not really sure who Greg is as a character. Is he jsut a goofy lab tech that got out of the lab or a mature CSI that doesn't quite know where he fits in the group?

Well that is the problem and why so many of us fans of his say he has had very little overall character development. Aside from going from Lab Rat to CSI and the knowledge of his few likes, we know little about him. I mean the most we found out was when he was beaten and in the hospital that he was actually an only child and was brought up by an overprotective mother. But aside from that there is little we know about him, what really motivates him in his job. I mean, being stuck in the lab so much lately, would surely not motivate me. He became a CSI to be out of the lab...so much for that.

 

[DragonFriend95]

AFIS- But when Grissom was the 'lead' he got no more character development than Cath or Nick (at least up until the whole GSR thing, but people are divided about whether that was development for Griss or burnout) Catherine's the female lead but if she's getting any more development than the others (which IMO she's getting as much as Nick is) then it's most likely because she's leaving this season.

What I'm trying to say is that in the earlier seasons being the 'lead' meant nothing since it was an ensemble- Greg and Sara would get as much time as Gil and Cath- and the only reason I believe that Ray is getting special treatment is because he's a big star (and I use that term loosely since me and many of my friends remember him as nothing more than Morpheus)

IMO Grissom wss a much more complicated character than Ray will ever be, regardless of how much angsty background and serial killers tptb dump on him.

 

[jafox]

I think the main problem with Greg is that no one really knows who Greg is. Besides the fact that he likes Old Vegas, he used to be a lab tech, and other various little things I'm not really sure who Greg is as a character. Is he jsut a goofy lab tech that got out of the lab or a mature CSI that doesn't quite know where he fits in the group?

Well that is the problem and why so many of us fans of his say he has had very little overall character development. Aside from going from Lab Rat to CSI and the knowledge of his few likes, we know little about him. I mean the most we found out was when he was beaten and in the hospital that he was actually an only child and was brought up by an overprotective mother. But aside from that there is little we know about him, what really motivates him in his job. I mean, being stuck in the lab so much lately, would surely not motivate me. He became a CSI to be out of the lab...so much for that.

I kind of disagree with this. I feel like I know Greg pretty well. I may not know who he is dating, or where he lives, but I think I know his basic character and what motivates him. He's likable, a little off beat, very smart (although I think the writers have often forgotten this); he likes mystery and is intrigued by Vegas history; he became bored with just being in the lab, and wanted the challenge of being out in the field (but I don't think he dislikes being a lab rat at times if it helps in solving a case). He wasn't a jock (lol), and enjoys music and the company of his friends, especially Sara. We know his background, really as much as any of the characters. I love how he gets excited when he knows things that others don't, and when he contributes something in solving a case, even a little detail. And, he takes pride in the fact that he has advanced to a level 3 CSI, just as Nick is proud of his Asst. Supervisor position.
I think when Sara left, we saw a little more maturity in him; he was actually miffed at Grissom (his mentor who usually intimidated him), and he was not afraid to show it (in You Kill Me).
I think often times the lines get blurred regarding character development, a story arc, a character-centric episode, and overall screentime; screentime being more of a contractual thing.
All that said, Greg is due for a character-centric episode, and a good story arc, but I like his character development so far. I think it's seemed very realistic.

 

[PraetorCorvinus]

I kind of disagree with this. I feel like I know Greg pretty well. I may not know who he is dating, or where he lives, but I think I know his basic character and what motivates him. He's likable, a little off beat, very smart (although I think the writers have often forgotten this); he likes mystery and is intrigued by Vegas history; he became bored with just being in the lab, and wanted the challenge of being out in the field (but I don't think he dislikes being a lab rat at times if it helps in solving a case). He wasn't a jock (lol), and enjoys music and the company of his friends, especially Sara. We know his background, really as much as any of the characters. I love how he gets excited when he knows things that others don't, and when he contributes something in solving a case, even a little detail. And, he takes pride in the fact that he has advanced to a level 3 CSI, just as Nick is proud of his Asst. Supervisor position.
I think when Sara left, we saw a little more maturity in him; he was actually miffed at Grissom (his mentor who usually intimidated him), and he was not afraid to show it (in You Kill Me).
I think often times the lines get blurred regarding character development, a story arc, a character-centric episode, and overall screentime; screentime being more of a contractural thing.
All that said, Greg is due for a character-centric episode, and a good story arc, but I like his character development so far. I think it's seemed very realistic.

I agree with this. As far as knowing the character's personality and personal likes and dislikes, enough has been said and shown through the years to extrapolate a fairly decent and well rounded character. Personally, I like how they didn't spell out his character development from lab rat to CSI. You can see the change from season to season, and the way it's more subdued actually makes it more realistic.

Yet he is definitely due for a character focus episode. Just one. That's all I need, really. Or a minor arc spanning a few episodes. He doesn't need to be the lead, but a spotlight every now and again would certainly go a long way in pleasing this particular subset of the fanbase.

 

[byline]

I mean the most we found out was when he was beaten and in the hospital that he was actually an only child and was brought up by an overprotective mother.

Actually, I think that revelation alone told us a lot about what motivates Greg. He didn't want Grissom to tell his mother what had happened because he knew she would overreact yet again. That tells us why he chose lab work; because it's safe. And it also tells us why he relied on the goofy exterior for so long; it probably served him well as a protective mechanism whenever his mom went into overdrive.

That explains to me why, ultimately, he wanted to go out in the field. It's probably the work he had been wanting to do all along, but he chose the safer option in deference to his mother. But, having worked in the lab for a number of years, he realized it lacked the challenges he sought in field work. And I suspect he no longer wanted to be the goofy guy working in the lab, but a more seriously committed employee who was working as part of a team.

We've seen signs of that kind of development all along. The problem, as others have pointed out, is that in recent years, threads that hint at ways Greg's character could have been developed further have been dropped rather inexplicably, never to be picked up again. It is puzzling, and I don't buy the "we don't know who Greg really is" excuse. It's the job of the writers to figure that out and work with it.

I think that from a creative standpoint, the show is still reeling from William Petersen's departure, still trying to figure out who it is in the wake of its central character's absence. They're getting there, and I like the way Nick and Catherine (and also Doc Robbins) have been developed. But it seems to me they're still in "working it out" mode with the rest of the characters.