Dear Writers...

GregNickRyanFan

GregNickRyanFan

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There is one of these kinds of thread over on the Miami and NY boards, so I thought we needed one too. :) In case tptb at CSI happen to read these boards it might be a good idea for this thread so we can tell them what we like and don't like about aspects of the show. But, please let's not put comments like "get rid of so and so now". The usual rules of the board apply to every thread, so no bashing or personal attacks, etc.


Okay here are my thoughts:

Dear Writers,

The positive:

Excellent team interaction in "No Way Out" and other episodes. "Turn Turn Turn" was a great episode and thanks for finally showcasing Nick's grief over Warrick and what Haley's death added to his grief. That was nice to see. We don't mind seeing our guys a little emotional now and then. Thank you for the excellent scene between Nick and Ray at the end of "Turn Turn Turn" and for allowing Ray to offer sympathy for Nick's situation. Nice touch. Even though Turn Turn Turn was Nick-centric, there was great balance in the screen time for the other characters.

The not-so positive:

*Continuity is our friend. CSIs are not supposed to work cases if there is a conflict of interest. Please remember this in the future.

* Any milestone (ie the 200th) episode should be focused on the whole team, not just one individual character. Save those for regular episodes, please.

* When showing a murderer kill someone towards the end of the show, once he gets arrested, let the audience know that the last victim's body was found. There's no point in having a scene like that and then not following up on it. (This is in reference to the wrestler the killer shot towards the end of "Mascara").

*The upcoming episode that is tentatively titled "All In", please change that title as CSI: Miami had an episode with the same title not too long ago.

* Please try to balance out the screen time for each character better. None of this, one main character only there for three seconds kind of stuff, please.

* Don't forget that this is an ensemble show and that Catherine is the leading lady. She shouldn't be shoved in the background ever. Neither should any of the other CSIs, especially those who have been there from the beginning.


Wishes:

* Please add Liz Vassey (Wendy) and David Berman (Super dave) to the opening credits with the rest of the main cast members. Adding Archie would be nice too. :)

* More Vartann please. And please explain Sofia's absence in some way, just a quick conversation about her would be sufficient. Ex: Nick turns to Brass and asks, "Hey, how's Sofia doing?" Brass answers, "I spoke to her last week; she's enjoying her new job at the FBI."

* Please show Bobby Dawson more. I miss him. :)
 
Dear Writers,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing a fantastic job on Season 9. You have outdone yourselves this season with bringing out-of-the-box stories and freshness to the show. You brought two fascinating new characters into the show: Riley Adams and Ray Langston, both who are portrayed fantastically by the actors that portray them.

I hope to see more compelling shows to come.
 
Dear Writers:

I've had a love/ haterelationship with you guys over the years. It's hard to be a fan of a supporting character. As Grissom wore off on me (there's only so much spoon-fed intellectual wit I can take), Nick grew on me after Grave Danger.

So then I focussed more on his storylines--wait..he hardly had any. After Grave Danger, it would have been nice to have had some fallout, some kind of storyline to show recovery from an ordeal. Realistically, nobody goes through something like that and comes out all happy-go-lucky. So unless, we got a clip of Nick filling out prescription for super duper happy pills I didn't buy the whole "Get back on the horse" slant you chose to go with. So I have yet to forgive you for that one.

Secondly, I have yet to forgive you for the ending of the MCSK storyline, I expected much better and have my reasons for why you went the route you did. I don't need to get into details.

However, I have enjoyed some great episodes of CSI over the years and in this season, I have liked some of the post-Grissom episodes such as Turn, Turn, Turn and I would love to see more from Tom Mulraz.

Some other episodes I have liked over the years are Burked, Stalker, Grave Danger, Gum Drops, Happenstance, For Warrick..great episodes which always remind me of why I started to watch the show in the first place.

I loved how some of the characters like Nick and Greg have grown so much over the years, I think it was great to go the direction you did with them. I do like Lauren Lee Smith and Laurence Fishbourne's character.

However with the 200th episodes, it would have made more sense to have made it about the old members of the team..not so much the new ones.

Thanks.
 
Dear Writers,
Three things:

Where did Sofia disappear to? I understand that the actress might of wanted to leave the show, but just letting her vanish was not wise.

There are so many things I could say about the 200th episode. But I'll spare you and say one thing: Conflict of interest. Made the whole case totally unbelievable for me.

More Greg. And please, stop making him do Archies job. He became a CSI to get out of the lab, right? So why is it that everytime we see him he's stuck inside?
 
Dear Writers,

First off wonderful season so far. I have enjoyed the new additions to the cast both Lauren Lee Smith and Laurence Fishburn have been a pleasure to watch.

However although I enjoy the character of Ray and understand that Mr Fishburn is the lead actor I feel the episode Mascara should have not been the 200 th episode. That milestone should have featured the entire team not just one individual while the original cast (Marg, George, and especially Eric) get shoved aside. After all without them there wouldn't be a 200th episode.

Speaking of Greg, he is a well loved character who has paid his dues and has been with CSI since the beginning. This season has been wonderful to see so much of him. Too bad it took the departure of Jorja and Gary to make that happen. Plus please limit the 3 mins scenes of him doing other people's jobs. He is a CSI and belongs in the field. He deserves as much exposure/screentime as George gets.

Also please remember that although Fishburn is the lead actor, Marg is also the lead female. Plus she is the one in charge. Ray being a CSI level one should not ever give orders of any kind to his superiors.

Please allow Nick and Greg to work together more, they make a great team. And give Greg some solo cases and even a Greg-centric episode now and then would be nice. One that does NOT involve getting his ass kicked.

thank you
 
Last edited:
GregNickRyanFan said:
There is one of these kinds of thread over on the Miami and NY boards, so I thought we needed one too. :) In case tptb at CSI happen to read these boards it might be a good idea for this thread so we can tell them what we like and don't like about aspects of the show. But, please let's not put comments like "get rid of so and so now". The usual rules of the board apply to every thread, so no bashing or personal attacks, etc.


Okay here are my thoughts:

Dear Writers,

The positive:

Excellent team interaction in "No Way Out" and other episodes. "Turn Turn Turn" was a great episode and thanks for finally showcasing Nick's grief over Warrick and what Haley's death added to his grief. That was nice to see. We don't mind seeing our guys a little emotional now and then. Thank you for the excellent scene between Nick and Ray at the end of "Turn Turn Turn" and for allowing Ray to offer sympathy for Nick's situation. Nice touch. Even though Turn Turn Turn was Nick-centric, there was great balance in the screen time for the other characters.

The not-so positive:

*Continuity is our friend. CSIs are not supposed to work cases if there is a conflict of interest. Please remember this in the future.

* Any milestone (ie the 200th) episode should be focused on the whole team, not just one individual character. Save those for regular episodes, please.

* When showing a murderer kill someone towards the end of the show, once he gets arrested, let the audience know that the last victim's body was found. There's no point in having a scene like that and then not following up on it. (This is in reference to the wrestler the killer shot towards the end of "Mascara").

*The upcoming episode that is tentatively titled "All In", please change that title as CSI: Miami had an episode with the same title not too long ago.

* Please try to balance out the screen time for each character better. None of this, one main character only there for three seconds kind of stuff, please.

* Don't forget that this is an ensemble show and that Catherine is the leading lady. She shouldn't be shoved in the background ever. Neither should any of the other CSIs, especially those who have been there from the beginning.


Wishes:

* Please add Liz Vassey (Wendy) and David Berman (Super dave) to the opening credits with the rest of the main cast members. Adding Archie would be nice too. :)

* More Vartann please. And please explain Sofia's absence in some way, just a quick conversation about her would be sufficient. Ex: Nick turns to Brass and asks, "Hey, how's Sofia doing?" Brass answers, "I spoke to her last week; she's enjoying her new job at the FBI."

* Please show Bobby Dawson more. I miss him. :)
Click to expand...


Dear Writers:

Just adding my proverbial two cents' worth. What everybody has said in this thread, particularly what was said above, is true. Please pay attention. Many of us fans are, uh, well, smart and perceptive...and have a deep sense of fairness. Longevity should count for something; episodes, particularly milestone ones, should not be solely focused on new characters.

One more thing: WHY, oh why, does your show allow CSIs to carry guns? All the cops I know say that CSIs do NOT carry guns and it's the thing about the show that irks them the most.

Still love you all.:)
 
Dear writers,

Season 8 and 9 was a big change in CSI history , that could have turn to some negative ways easily but it didn't and thanks for that.Sara has gone, you killed Warrick ( i think it wasn't necessary. It seems like his storyline so unfinished...sooo in the air. I hate that. ), Griss left... But the new csi seems ok for now, I like the new characters. Fresh blood ,good job!

But but but and but please don't leave the original team under the new characters' shadow...Thinking the episode 200 , for example , i know LF is a big star but the show was/is also star too before LF joins, don't forget that. So give Cath,Nick,Brass and especially GREG more screentime!

Ok writers? Deal, writers ? :p Ehm ...Greg? writers?!
 
erep said:
Dear Writers:

Just adding my proverbial two cents' worth. What everybody has said in this thread, particularly what was said above, is true. Please pay attention. Many of us fans are, uh, well, smart and perceptive...and have a deep sense of fairness. Longevity should count for something; episodes, particularly milestone ones, should not be solely focused on new characters.

One more thing: WHY, oh why, does your show allow CSIs to carry guns? All the cops I know say that CSIs do NOT carry guns and it's the thing about the show that irks them the most.

Still love you all.:)
Click to expand...

I know! I know! What I have read and asking a forensic person, who's been in the business for over 20 years, is this: Some cities do require there CSI's to wear guns. I think Vegas is one of them, not sure though.

Now these cops you know, should also know that not all CSI's are civilians like they are in Vegas. Most CSI jobs are done by specially trained police and/or detectives.

I believe CSI LV follows, somewhat (I'm not talking about how long processing evidence, etx.), what it's really like in Vegas. When the real CSI's started wearing vests, so did the CSIs on the show.

And besides, real CSI's DON'T process any evidence, they collect it, log it in, and leave it at the lab.

I'll be back for my 'Dear Writers'
 
ON the gun issue, I think we have to remember that some of the CSIs used to be policemen/women, so that may be why they personally wear a gun. Namely Nick and Riley (as well as Ryan on Miami). As for Miami and NY, their CSIs are referred to as Detectives, so they are detectives and csis.
 
Dear Writers,

Why do you insist on breaking the rules just for Ray? CSI level 1's were not allow solo cases in the past, why all of a sudden Ray doesn't have to follow the rules?

Also Greg is a CSI 3 and we have yet to see him on a real solo case...(except ones that are either off camera like Lab rats, or one where he gets beaten up like in FannySmackin, one that isn't real like You kill me, or one that is ruined so Sara could play drama queen like in The Happy place). what gives?

Give Greg some juicy stuff dammit!
 
Considering that this show it's on the 9 th season and lost 3 major characters,IMO CSI LV is doing GREAT.

I want to see more of Catherine.How being the boss affects her personally and also her interaction with lindsay.She is such a complex character that needs to be explored.

I love Ray so I am OK with him getting screentime.

I want to see more of Nick outside of the lab.I know that he is great CSI but once in a while I want to know that he has a hot date waiting for him.

No romance.I like it on NY and Miami but here I mainly concentrate on the cases.
 
Many things have been said allready, so I 'll add just my two things.

After 9 years I still can say that I mostly like the episodes (loved Gravedanger, Gum drops, Lab rats,...).
The same goes for the team interactions and character developments and the actors did their best. For me one of the most interesting parts of the show :working as a team ,little glimpses of personal life/background and growing of character while solving intriguing cases.

BUT. Not cool to forget your other characters over shiny ,new team members.
And thats also true for recurring cast members ,where vanished Sophia ,what about more of the lab techs ,detectives (Vartann a.o.),Eckley .ALL the people that gave life to the show between the main cast !!
And please no ground rule breaking for a CSI level 1 beacause he's a Fishbourn - think of something else .
Because after 9 years watching we hope for continuity , no recurring old mistakes and an intelligent and witty show .
 
Dear Writers,

Most of it has already been said, but here is my two cents. The show is mostly okay, but please, enough with Ray and more of the other members! Furthermore, I'd really like to see Greg get a case of his own. He has been on the sidelines long enough. Now, here are my wishes for the tenth season.

-Bring Grissom back, even if it's just for one episode.
-Give the other members of the team more screentime.
-Make this season more like season three, which was my favorite.

Thank you for your time,
GrissomLivesOn
 
Dear Writers,

I still re-arrange my Thursdays to watch CSI, and I probably will as long as it's on Thursday nights.

Three things that remind me why I love the show:

1. Brass and his one-liners. I swear, I could watch an entire episode of him in the interrogation room.

2. Nick in hot water (as opposed to mortal peril). I loved the scene in 'Suckers' where he peels the paint off the 'priceless' sword, and losing Drops in season 8 was just as much fun to watch. Eads is such a sport in scenes like that.

3. Golden moments of character development. One of the times this season when I could have truly loved Riley: in 'Say Uncle', when she panics and draws her gun. It harkens back to the first seasons when Sara, Nick and Warrick were a little hot-headed and made bad judgment calls. I love the character-driven episodes, Like 'Turn, Turn, Turn', but the wisps of dialogue are gems too.

And a bonus: Wacky, gotta-see-it-to-believe-it science. That was what hooked me to begin with.

Three things I'd never miss if they never happened again:

1. Stomach contents. At least let Doc give us viewers a little warning that he's about to slap a bucket of half-digested slops on the table. Seriously. That's so disgusting.

2. Allusions that require explanations. If you have to spend three minutes explaining who Aeschylus is, don't bring him up. This is a pet peeve of mine in any setting actually. Congratulations on being well-read. If you want to share your love of classic lit, put together a must-read list and post it on your blogs. And while we're on the subject, let's get over Shakespeare too. I think we have his entire collected works mentioned in the past eight and a half seasons if anyone had the time and inclination to compile the stray quotes.

3. "LVPD! Open up!" Carry guns, sure. Let the CSIs draw them now and again when the situation warrants it. But aren't there still supposed to be cops clearing the scene? Sometimes at first glance I can't tell if I'm watching CSI or Miami Vice. I miss the days when I could tell the CSIs from the detectives without just knowing the characters. Once upon a time the CSIs were scientists who collected evidence instead of cops running down bad guys.


Things I would like to see happen:

1. Pick a past for Langston. I thought he was a pathologist, but then it seemed he was a 'doctor' (who was capable of rumaging through a meth lab to find what he needed to save a kid's life?) and then it seemed he was a criminalistics professor with tenure...? And he learned Mandarin for some research? Whoa, Nelly! How old is this guy anyway? I like him well enough, but let's not get carried away. And do let him settle into the role. Just because he's the 'lead actor' on the show doesn't mean he has to become the alpha male in the lab before the end of his first season.

2. Give Marg some decent screen time and someone to play off of. She is at her best when she's at odds with someone-- whether it was Grissom, Sam Braun, Eddie, Sara or a particularly creepy suspect. As a supervisor, I'd think she'd have lots of potential for head-butting.

3. The reveals for Ray and Riley. Whatever their deep, dark secrets are, let's get them out into the open. Heavy-handed foreshadowing usually does not bode well. The longer you drag it out, the more dramatic the secret has to be, and you can't get too dramatic without getting soap-opera-y. Take earlier reveals-- Sara's reveal about her family history moved at a perfect pace, building subtly for several seasons before coming to a head and then informing the character for the remainder of her run. If you're not willing to invest five seasons before the reveal, then take a cue from Nick's story about the babysitter in season two-- it cropped up, explained a few things from earlier episodes and informed the character going forward but never required a Big Dramatic Announcement that disrupted the vibe of the show.

And a final request:

Keep giving us a eason to re-arrange Thursdays to fit in CSI!
 
Meadowhawk said:
3. The reveals for Ray and Riley. Whatever their deep, dark secrets are, let's get them out into the open. Heavy-handed foreshadowing usually does not bode well. The longer you drag it out, the more dramatic the secret has to be, and you can't get too dramatic without getting soap-opera-y. Take earlier reveals-- Sara's reveal about her family history moved at a perfect pace, building subtly for several seasons before coming to a head and then informing the character for the remainder of her run. If you're not willing to invest five seasons before the reveal, then take a cue from Nick's story about the babysitter in season two-- it cropped up, explained a few things from earlier episodes and informed the character going forward but never required a Big Dramatic Announcement that disrupted the vibe of the show.
Click to expand...

I'm going to have to agree with this because I also want to know what Ray's deep, dark secrets are. Furthermore, I'd also like to see his character develop a little more as the seasons progress. Right now, we don't know too much about him, and I wish that would change.
 
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