I could be intrigued if I trusted the writers but the CSI franchise doesn't know how to deal with romance in a healthy, realistic way: no matter what couple, it always ends up in an angstfest and I'm tired of it. It's like the fics where the story drags on and on forever so the reviews keep coming. There's always a new angsty twist in every chapter and even though everybody knows the characters will eventually have their happy ending, they'll have to face a myriad of problems until the end. That's just bad writing, both in fanfiction and in "real" fiction.
Yes, love in real life is not always rainbows and kittens. It's difficult and sometimes doesn't end well. But happy romance exists. It really does, with its ups and downs. It's frustrating to see how every romance in the franchise turns into bad drama. I know the audience wouldn't be as invested if there wasn't a little bit of trouble in paradise every now an then, but these writers just don't know where to stop -- just like many fanfiction writers, they just go on and on with the drama to inflate the story. That's just a cheap ratings ploy. They should know when enough is enough. I'm sure they know that there's a fine line between good drama and soap opera and the more balanced the drama is, the better, but instead they choose to overstep the line again and again.
Just a few examples:
- Grissom/Sara: Good, they are together. Wait, Grissom is leaving on a sabbatical and Sara isn't the least thrilled. Oh, but Grissom is telling her how much he loves her, in the form of a poem, in a freaking letter. Ok, well, they seem to be in good terms after Grissom returns. Oh, no, Grissom is at Lady Heather's again and Sara isn't happy about it. Ok, everything is fine now, they are getting married. Wait, Sara is leaving her job and gives Grissom a f*cking "Dear John" letter and he doesn't seem to have a clue. Grissom is sad, Sara is nowhere to be seen, is that the end of their love? Just wait a second, Sara returns and they seem happy again, they even talk about their future plans. Oh no, did Grissom say that? Ok, he did, and Sara is not happy, she is leaving again, without a word. Grissom is emo again, Sara dumps him via video message and he goes to Lady Heather. Ok, that's really the end. No wait, Grissom is leaving the lab and goes to find Sara. Happily ever after. Just fill in the blanks that didn't make sense.
- Danny/Lindsay: Ok they are together, well, they had sex, so they probably are. Oh my, Danny cheated on her. Ok, wait, they weren't together, were they? So, they probably weren't, even though Lindsay acts as if they were. Well, Danny begs and Lindsay caves in, so they are together again. Really? When was the last time we saw them together, together? Ok, this is crazy, they probably aren't. Oh sh*t, Lindsay is preggers, how did that happen if they weren't together, together? Sooo they were together, but not so really together, does that make sense? Ok, their relationship is in shaky grounds now to say the least, so marriage is not an option. Oh, look, they just got married. Ok, so happily ever after. Let the audience fill in the blanks to explain everything that didn't make sense.
- Eric/Calleigh: Eric loves Calleigh. How cute. They make a great pair, they have nice chemistry and a good friendship, they communicate well and seem drama-free, that could be a pair that the audience will accept. Good, Calleigh knows about Eric's feelings and she's not a quiet person, so they'll probably be having hot sex in a couple of episodes. Uh-uh, why is taking them that long to do something? Ok, why can't they say it already instead of talking in circles? What are they, fifteen all of a sudden? And now Calleigh is flirting with everyone with a pulse and Eric is jealous. Really? Is this high school or what? Ok, this is getting ridiculous, Eric confesses his love to an unconscious Calleigh, so what now? Ok, so they are really an item, finally! Oh, no, Eric is not who Calleigh thinks he is, is he? Oh the dramz! This doesn't have a happily ever after, still, but I'm betting it'll eventually have this type of ending. Again, we can play the game of filling in the blanks to understand what happened in between.
That's just bad, lazy writing.
Besides, women in CSI have the greatest taste in men: psychopaths and/or abusers (Stella, Natalia, Yelina), cheaters (Catherine, Sara), liars or at least shady (Yelina, Calleigh), wackos (Calleigh).
See why I'm not curious at all?
