Character Development/Screentime Discussion

I think the problem with Greg is that he hasn't lost his sense of humor, he's just lost some of his identity. Most of the elements of his past personality have been given to other characters: Hodges is the lab geek and now Ray is the man of science with all the answers. They just don't seem to know how to develop Greg any further.
It's sad to me because he and Sara seemed to be the awkward science nerds in the beginning, and that made them fun to watch together, I think. That's also why I enjoyed watching them work together in season 5; they both seemed to grow and mature during the season. The writers seemed to have forgotten that they were both brilliant students who graduated with honors in their respective studies. If you didn't watch the early seasons, you wouldn't know that. In some respects, Hodges and Ray are the new 'Greg and Sara', intellectually speaking. Some of this goes with the 'dumbing down' issue we have talked about before.
In Greg's case, I think Hodges has had the most impact on his decreased screentime, and Ray has had the most impact on his lack of character development.
 
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jtd94 said:
I think the problem with Greg is that he hasn't lost his sense of humor, he's just lost some of his identity. Most of the elements of his past personality have been given to other characters: Hodges is the lab geek and now Ray is the man of science with all the answers. They just don't seem to know how to develop Greg any further.
It's sad to me because he and Sara seemed to be the awkward science nerds in the beginning, and that made them fun to watch together, I think. That's also why I enjoyed watching them work together in season 5. They both seemed to grow and mature in this season. The writers seemed to have forgotten that they were both brilliant students who graduated with honors in their respective studies. If you didn't watch the early seasons, you wouldn't know that. In some respects, Hodges and Ray are the new 'Greg and Sara', intellectually speaking. Some of this goes with the 'dumbing down' issue we have talked about before.
In Greg's case, I think Hodges has had the most impact on his decreased screentime, and Ray has had the most impact on his lack of character development.
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This, of course, goes into the reasons why I dislike both Hodges and Ray. Well, some of the reasons.
 
jtd94 Agreed on all points. I actually preferred Hodges back in S3 when he was the snarky guy who pretty much everybody hated, but now that he's taken over the role of head honcho of the rats he's lost the snark and has become...likeable? Maybe with Wendy leaving there'll be less Hodges and more Greg. One can always hope...:)

Now, sorry to randomly veer away from the Greg conversation, but I just saw Meat Jekyll and I have to say Dr J probably wins the award for 'Worst Serial Killer'. Really, they built him up to be this twisted psychopath, then they reveal that his reason for killing is that his father wouldn't let him be a doctor? I think this is an example of excellent character development given to a very poor character.
 
What puzzled me the most in "Meat Jekyll", is that George Eads said "He's always been right under our noses":confused: and we never ever saw this father/son sinister team before on the show. So I'm wondering if he meant Nate, because that would make sense. I hope this next seaon to see Nick and or Greg with some romantic story lines with two cute girls. It's time for them to have a relationship, and not to take away from the crime drama, but to add some spice for them, and for their fans~
 
CSI LV really lacks character developmen for some. These CSIs portray real people - get into trouble, fight/misunderstand, have families, fall in love, career frustrations etc. Should we convince ourselves that in the past 10 years, Nick and Greg never get married/start family/fall in love? At least Super Dave already has a wife and he looks very happy! Good for him! And what happened to Greg's seniority problems in the premiere? It just disappeared. That would be great if continued. Nothing to say about Ray, Catherine and Sara since I know more about them. Well for Cath and Sara maybe lack of continuity. In my opinion, Grissom and Sara leaving CSI is a great character development. Burn out issues are normal. What's not kind of normal is that as husband/wife, they choose to work separately before starting a family. Maybe it's normal for some but...

All I'm complaining about is the lack. I'm not asking for a total reformat of the show. I still want the science to be the focus with some personal drama/development on the side.
 
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Geeno said:
Should we convince ourselves that in the past 10 years, Nick and Greg never get married/start family/fall in love?
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As someone who's about Nick's age, and still single - yeah, I can believe it. :) Or look at George himself - 5 years older, and also single (for now at least). Given that the CSIs work crazy hours and seem fairly dedicated to their jobs, that's gotta be hard on relationships too.
 
Raynn said:
Geeno said:
Should we convince ourselves that in the past 10 years, Nick and Greg never get married/start family/fall in love?
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As someone who's about Nick's age, and still single - yeah, I can believe it. :) Or look at George himself - 5 years older, and also single (for now at least). Given that the CSIs work crazy hours and seem fairly dedicated to their jobs, that's gotta be hard on relationships too.
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Grissom and Sara pulled it off, and are now married, and it can happen if both participants are equally committed to making it work~
 
As much as I would love Greg and Nick to have some more character development time by putting them in relationships it wouldn't really work to me. Who would they go out with first of all? Catherine's already got the police detective so I can't really picture Greg or Nick with another police detective. They can't have a relationship with someone from out of the whole police circle because anyone remember the whole Tina fiasco with Warrick? Doomed for failure before it even got started.:(
If TPTB had kept Riley then Greg could have gotten with her. I thought Riley and Greg made a nice sensible couple. They both were young and still trying to figure out where they fit in the CSI group. But there's always one other option and Standers shippers would be super happy I'm sure.:lol:
 
Just because Warrick and Tina failed doesn't mean every woman Nick or Greg would meet outside work would be the same. It was implied that not only was Tina unwilling to understand Warrick's hours, but that she came with baggage as well. Warrick himself may also have had issues - what with still working with Catherine and all.

If they continue with the Nick/April thingy (are they?), that might work given that April would understand Nick's job - at least to a better degree than Tina did. And I'm sure that there are plenty of women out there who work odd hour shifts for Greg to find. I personally would like to see that not every relationship on the show involves co-workers (I'm including Cath/Vartann in this, though some may disagree). Doc Robbins has hinted that his wife doesn't even care for his line of work, but they are still going strong. So outside relationships do work.
 
I think Warrick also rushed into his marriage, after Grave Danger - he got a taste of mortality, and proposed to the girl he happened to be dating at the time, without really knowing her well enough to know if it would last.

Relationships like the coroners', which only get mentioned in passing comments, are okay - but I really don't care if they go into depth with outside relationships, and definitely don't want it to feel like everyone on the team is hooking up with each other just for the sake of getting them all in relationships. It's nice seeing happily single people, or unconventional relationships like Sara and Grissom.
 
I like how the writers handled Cath/Vartann. It's subtle yet you know it's happening - a single scene on 'Better of Dead', lots on 'Panty Sniffer', and a scene on 'Meat Jekyll.' When did Cath have her last love interest? Season 1 maybe, the urban planner? I'm not sure. Or the character played by her former husband, but it's too quick. But at least the writers decided to give her love. Better late than never! :) Her life was on the rocks during season 7 premiere. 'Built To Kill' was just heart-breaking for Catherine. Glad she survived.

If they can do it with Cath, they can do it with the rest of the team members too. Not always love - any interesting story will do. It's always good to know that they are having a good life outside work! :thumbsup:
 
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In a city like Las Vegas, that is mostly tourists and business are open pretty much 24/7, I am sure the guys would be able to find someone who worked a similar schedule to theirs. Resorts always have staff on 24 hours a day, graveyard shifts (I've worked it a couple times but hated it.)
 
Geeno said:
I like how the writers handled Cath/Vartann. It's subtle yet you know it's happening - a single scene on 'Better of Dead', lots on 'Panty Sniffer', and a scene on 'Meat Jekyll.' When did Cath have her last love interest? Season 1 maybe, the urban planner? I'm not sure. Or the character played by her former husband, but it's too quick. But at least the writers decided to give her love. Better late than never! :) Her life was on the rocks during season 7 premiere. 'Built To Kill' was just heart-breaking for Catherine. Glad she survived.

If they can do it with Cath, they can do it with the rest of the team members too. Not always love - any interesting story will do. It's always good to know that they are having a good life outside work! :thumbsup:
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I agree. The Cath/Vartann relationship has been handled wonderfully by the writers. A little subtle flirting here and there and the rest is left to the imagination. Well done on that. I really like these two characters together and it's a nice development for the character of Catherine-to finally find love after all these years with a steadfast guy like Vartann--at least I hope they keep him that way.:lol:

As for Nick, I think the writers brought in April and then after that we all saw one conversation with Nick with someone but that was it. But I didn't like April she was just too..I don't know..earnest..and judgmental. She was hot and cold with Nick, one minute criticizing him and then the next being all gooey eyed. It was too cliched if you ask me. Heck, Sara and Grissom's relationship was more interesting to watch develop-except it became the main focus of the show after a while which cost serious development for the other characters..namely Nick..:(
 
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Well I'm not going to disagree about Catherine/Vartann. It's been my ship for long time now. I do think it's done right, they don't have to have every case together, we don't even need to see them together.

What I do think is a shame is letting Hodges/Wendy fall away. It was so fun, and funny and unique in the fact that they were two different people who made a connection. I guess I'm still sort of upset they let Liz go. She was a great female addition to the cast that is already dripping with testosterone.

I also feel Greg needs more Greg-centered episodes. He has such a great outlook and isn't overly eager like in earlier season trying to please Grissom. He has totally come into his own. Having him as a lead on a case would be awesome. Let's hope that happens soon.

I would also like to see Sara more. I know she hasn't been my favorite as of late, but I think season 10 did a lot for her. Seeing her as the lead on a case would also be good. Knowing she can do it without Grissom is even better. ;) And again, more female blood in the cast.
 
If all goes well with the contract talks, I hope to see the characters bond well this season. I love watching Nick and Sara work together (professionally, not shipping), they're great and to see their friendship continue. They drifted apart, it seems, and now that Sara's back and doing well, I hope to watch them work on cases together more often. I liked Dog Eat Dog for that reason. The storyline was very cute and they did great at it.

I've missed that camaraderie with the team, the double entendries(?) were brilliant.
 
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