Didn't one of the producers do an interview with TVGuide about it being certain that all the regular cast members will be back? Why would they work so hard to keep the cliffhanger a secret, if they told us everyone is returning. Then we already know that this "other csi will be in a life-threatening situation" will be okay?
I think it more to keep the audience interested. Remember the majority of the audiences don't follow the message boards and do not read the spoilers cause they don't want to spoil the drama. A lot of people watching wont know that everyone is safe that nothing bad will happen. Some are going to be surprised by the character death and by who it is and shocked when after that someone else is in harms way. I think CBS know that the die hard fans know most of the plot points but I think they are still trying to keep an element of surprise/interest intact.
I don't even know how I feel about this whole cliffhanger theme. I agree, with Elwood, i think it might cheapen the death. The only way I would be okay with it is if it is Flack, because it would most likely tie in with Angell's death, and i'd just love to see Flack going a little reckless because of being distraught, etc. The spoilers did say that Flack was going to work the case. I guess i'd like to see him shoot the bastards that killed Angell. If the cliffhanger is Danny, I will be very annoyed! I do not need the D/L soap opera for the finale.
I totally agree I will be seriously pissed off if it becomes D/L drama because it would be inappropriate. It would totally cheapen Angells death and make it all about the "new family" But I have a horrible feeling thats where its heading. This should be about Angels death and how Flack (and the others) cope with it. I would love to see Flack getting caught up in his grief/anger and steamrolling through the case to find who is responsible. And I can totally see him getting into danger because he's blinded by his grief.
I would love to see him fall apart, because I really think Eddie can pull it off.
This is what I would love to see but as I said earlier I have the horrible feeling they will go the lazy, predictable, OTT way and we will get Danny/Lindsay/baby drama after the happy birth. I will be so disappointed if this is what happens.