Character Development/Screentime Discussion

[SpasmThatCat]

Personally, I don't think anyone should be the lead character. We're talking about an hour a week here for an average of 23 weeks, which is plenty enough to make sure that ALL the characters get an even exposure on both A and B stories. It's not difficult.

 

[Desertwind]

On Ray's background you'd have to ask Grissom or the writers, Carol Mendolsohn stated that LF was at the top of their "dream list", as the new lead after WP bailed, very versatile, and his know-how has lots to do with what the team goes through on the crime scenes. He was also a serial killer profiler, as we saw in "19 down", he's just got a lot of experience in the field that he's now learning more about everything in a crime lab scenerio, mostly from Nick, but he's smart and a quick study. and he does have leadship qualities. But, Cath is the boss and her 2nd in charge I believe is Nick, which is great. They've also been on a long time. I really don't count the mintues that who's on longer than somebody else, maybe I should:lol:

 

[DragonFriend95]

Personally, I don't think anyone should be the lead character. We're talking about an hour a week here for an average of 23 weeks, which is plenty enough to make sure that ALL the characters get an even exposure on both A and B stories. It's not difficult.

Agreed SpasmThatCat, I just think that the writers need to realise the meaning of the word 'balanced' They need to get tips from writers who can actually balance their character time out, like...um...well, the only thing I can think of at the moment is Power Rangers (Don't judge me, I've been rewatching it so I can see Archie Kao :lol: ) but still, they had balanced amounts of screentime!

 

[Desertwind]

Hey you fans write to the staff and let them know your feelings.. they'll read them. So if nobodys the lead who would be in charge? just everyone doing their own thing with no direction everywhere there's a boss. that's life~

 

[SpasmThatCat]

Hey you fans write to the staff and let them know your feelings.. they'll read them. So if nobodys the lead who would be in charge? just everyone doing their own thing with no direction everywhere there's a boss. that's life~

I didn't mean it quite like that. I like Catherine as the boss and Nick as the assistant supervisor, that's all good. I just don't think that one or two characters should constantly be given more screen time and storylines than the others. I love CSI, and I want to see what everyone is up to, not just the chosen few!

 

[Desertwind]

Hey you fans write to the staff and let them know your feelings.. they'll read them. So if nobodys the lead who would be in charge? just everyone doing their own thing with no direction everywhere there's a boss. that's life~

I didn't mean it quite like that. I like Catherine as the boss and Nick as the assistant supervisor, that's all good. I just don't think that one or two characters should constantly be given more screen time and storylines than the others. I love CSI, and I want to see what everyone is up to, not just the chosen few!

But that's not the case, they're all in it equally, go back, and think every episode has them all in it. Nobody is on more than anybody else, if that were the case I'd be miffed off too. "Lovers Lane" [lots of Greg] comes to mind they were all in it equally. The last scene when they were all bowling so awesome, and there was Greg..Ray was barely in this one. I think the writers are on the right road when it comes to this. If it weren't so I'd write them~

 

[Raynn]

I think this is one of the reasons my favorite episodes are the ones with multiple cases (ie, Viva Las Vegas, 4x4, Toe Tags) - everyone gets a shot at being "lead" on a case (or at least with just one partner), rather than the 1-case episodes, where all we see of some characters is maybe a scene in the lab going over a fingerprint or video, and that's it for them for the episode.

 

[Speedystokesgirl]

IMO, I think we have heard more about Greg's past then we have anyone else.

Catherine may be close.

He has told stories about himself more than any other character.

Just off the top of my head: he made bombs, little ones, stole his Papa Olaf's car, parents don't know he's out in the field, he collects coins, etc (I'm sure I'm missing some).

So really we know more about Greg's past then we do the others. Except for maybe Catherine.

We've heard tidbits about the other characters, but not like Greg and his stories. And damn there was continuity in 'The Grave Shift' when Langston was making the corn meal bomb, they had Greg in that scene, which was shocking in and of itself (because it was continuity :shifty.

Amazes me when they do that. :lol:

However, considering Jorja left and then came back, he should get more screen time then her. Of course, if she's back in the opening credits, that theory will get blown out of the water.

ETA: Let's face it, they forgot what ensemble means after Billy left. He's the one that pushed that.

 

[Dizzney]

Well yes, we do know a lot of little bits about Greg but I think what a lot of us want to see his more of his life outside of CSI. And we don't have to see it, just hear him mention he has a life outside of work. We have never seen him at his home or apartment, heck I'm not even sure where he lives anymore. We have seen everyone else's place. Does the guy even date anymore? He did when he was a lab tech but since then he has not mentioned having a girlfriend or anyone at all. I think that is more what we are talking about. Plus it would be nice for him to get an emotional storyline (episode). God knows Nick and Catherine have had plenty. The season 7 arc of Greg's was about it.

 

[Desertwind]

We've seen Grissom's and Sara's condo, [w/doggie, Hank] Catherine's house, Ray's, when Nick went over in "Doctor Who", I don't think we've ever seen Nick's house either, or Brass's or Doc's or Super Daves, Archie's, Henry's, Wendy's or Hodges's. Maybe we will see where Greg lives this season.

 

[Raynn]

We saw Nick's house in season 2, just the once. I don't think we ever saw Sara's place, before she moved in with Grissom.

Personally, I really don't care, either about seeing their homes, or delving too deep into their personal lives. One of my favorite "relationships" is Super-Dave - we got to see the steps of his engagement and marriage, just through single lines dropped here and there. It was very subtle, and didn't interfere with the Crime Scene Investigation (which is what the show is about!).

While I would like to see more character development, at the same time I don't like the idea of scientists getting emotionally involved in too many cases, or having personal vendettas against criminals.

 

[Speedystokesgirl]

We did see Sara's apartment in Season 5's epsidoe 'Nesting Dolls' where she went off on Catherine and Ecklie and was suspended.

We've seen Grissom's place (2 different ones), Catherine's, Nick's (once), and, of course, Langston. Oh yeah, we saw Warrick's place, but it took him dying to see that.

I've said it once I'll say it again. Usually when we see where they live it is usually NEVER a good thing.

We don't know what is really going on in Nick's life now either. I mean what you ask for Greg could be asked about Nick. Catherine too, until she hooked up with Vartann. Don't know what's happening in Brass life either.

Think about it of all the people who were in the opening credits for the first episode, Marg, George and Paul are the only ones left and they more than deserve more screen time. (Jorja left so that doesn't count and she wasn't in the first episode).

Us Nick fans have waited and waited and waited for him to have more screen time. It took Billy to leave for that to happen, maybe after Marg leaves Eric will get more screen time too.

Just think after Catherine leaves, Nick will be the only original CSI left and him and Brass will be the only originals left.

But I understand Greg's fan's frustration because we Nick fans have been there and are happy that he is finally getting the screen time he deserves. However, I firmly believe if Billy hadn't left he wouldn't be getting this much screen time.

 

[PalmTree]

The show has gone in a new direction, it's not the same as it once was. and to "quote" Grissom Nothing stays the same. For me as a 10 year fan, I've got no complaints.

I know nothing stays the same... but that doesn't mean you have to agree on the new direction... or accept it without giving your two cents... I mean that's one of the existing reasons for places like this forum.. to be able to ventilate your thoughts, wishes and so on...

so far it seems the direction is going your way.. I mean I would be thrilled also if my favorite actor/character is a main storyline (however until now my favorites always have been a kind of anti-hero or underdog and by no means main character ..)..

In my personal opinion I think CSI is at her/his best if there is a balance, with now and then an episode focused on one or two of the characters (all characters.... I'm very curious to Mandy's background)

 

[SpasmThatCat]

But that's not the case, they're all in it equally, go back, and think every episode has them all in it. Nobody is on more than anybody else, if that were the case I'd be miffed off too. "Lovers Lane" [lots of Greg] comes to mind they were all in it equally. The last scene when they were all bowling so awesome, and there was Greg..Ray was barely in this one. I think the writers are on the right road when it comes to this. If it weren't so I'd write them~

I don't think you can say that isn't the case, based only on one episode that does actually have a fair ratio of characters, when there are plenty of others in season 10 alone that don't. If an episode has, say, 2 minutes of Greg, 5 minutes of Catherine, 20 minutes of Nick and 25 minutes of Ray, you can still say they're all in it, sure. But it's hardly equal.
I'm not dissing anyone's favourite character; I like every single one of them and each of them has their own merits. I'd just like to see them all get a fair crack of the whip, and for the last two seasons that just hasn't happened.

 

[DragonFriend95]

Agreed again, Spasm. I could drag out a couple of examples, but can't be bothered . I can remember the glory days of pre-season 9 when everybody got fair time (and the original lab rats were still around)