Grade Season Four
- Thread starter Top41
- Start date
AnJella
CSI Level One
Season Four has been the best season, so far because you got the characters better to know and ,hey ,Peyton's in London
. I really liked the 333- and the cabbie-killer-thing. What I didn't like about this 333-thing was that Stella was exploited by a man....again:brickwall:,. The thing with Danny because of Rueben was so sad and I was so angry with Danny when he cheated on Lindsay:scream:.
This season gets a B!!!
. I really liked the 333- and the cabbie-killer-thing. What I didn't like about this 333-thing was that Stella was exploited by a man....again:brickwall:,. The thing with Danny because of Rueben was so sad and I was so angry with Danny when he cheated on Lindsay:scream:.This season gets a B!!!
calleighspeedle
Coroner
I think season 4 has been so much better than season 3. I think it's been beacuse we've seen more depth to the characters and the storylines have been much grittier especially the taxi cab killer storyline. I can't wait for season 5.:thumbsup:
miss_blue
Lab Technician
Gave it a B. Overall it's been good, I can't say that it was better than season 3. I think This season has picked up with these last episodes, which were really good. Good storylines, good acting, overall good. With some exceptions here and there, the episodes were kind of good. The best ones in my opinion were The Deep, Down the Rabbit Hole, Child's Play, All in the Family, Right Next Door and Admissions.
I gave it C+ because I felt that this season really lacked something. Even Season 3 (with all the D/L drama) was saved by cases like HOTD and RS, the linking of Truby to the final episodes. I felt the S4 finale was lacking, even though it would have made a good episode.
There were some great character moments, funny (anything involving Flack and/or Adam), dramatic (the Danny and Ruben story arc I think was pulled off fantastically and didn't cut too much in to the crime but added enough drama). Even the 333 case was good and I think it was nice to see Mac a little more vulnerable. I felt again that Hawkes hasn't had much to do, although they have given Adam more (YAY!), I felt I missed Stella a lot this season too.
For me I think TPTB have perhaps lost sight of the New York part of this drama, we opened on a crime commited at the Statue of Liberty, and that was it. What does no crime take place at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? We had the crime on the Subway (again?)
In season 1 they really focused on NY, again in Season 2, and some of Season 3 (I think we at least saw Coney Island and Central Park).
But this season it seems as if everyone is into gadgets and is filthy rich (I know it wasn't always the case) but where were the homeless? Are the only crimes committed in Manhattan?
I think CSI:NY has lost it's way a little, the crimes are becoming too focused on the lastest gadgets and not enough real crime and the nitty gritty.
Don't get me wrong I like all the new forensic technology and episodes purely focused computers/internet and people's virtual existent as they are relevant in the day and age that we all live and to somewhat exsist in, but I'm sorry a Time Machine?:wtf: No thanks, I'll watch Dr Who.
I think perhaps the writers strike did affect some of this season and perhaps story arcs, plot and cases were dropped in order to wrap up the season, a shame but I guess it can't be helped.
They haven't picked up storylines that I feel need more information, just for the sake of continuity... Flack and his father? Louie? will we ever find out anymore about these?...
Oh yeah and one last comment, they either need to drop the D/L stuff totally or resolve it fast in Season 5. Next season I will be recording the episode so I can fast forward through any more ridiculous, immature relationship issues. SORT IT OUT!
Other than that I've enjoyed the season just was a bit de-flated about it.
There were some great character moments, funny (anything involving Flack and/or Adam), dramatic (the Danny and Ruben story arc I think was pulled off fantastically and didn't cut too much in to the crime but added enough drama). Even the 333 case was good and I think it was nice to see Mac a little more vulnerable. I felt again that Hawkes hasn't had much to do, although they have given Adam more (YAY!), I felt I missed Stella a lot this season too.
For me I think TPTB have perhaps lost sight of the New York part of this drama, we opened on a crime commited at the Statue of Liberty, and that was it. What does no crime take place at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? We had the crime on the Subway (again?)
In season 1 they really focused on NY, again in Season 2, and some of Season 3 (I think we at least saw Coney Island and Central Park).
But this season it seems as if everyone is into gadgets and is filthy rich (I know it wasn't always the case) but where were the homeless? Are the only crimes committed in Manhattan?
I think CSI:NY has lost it's way a little, the crimes are becoming too focused on the lastest gadgets and not enough real crime and the nitty gritty.
Don't get me wrong I like all the new forensic technology and episodes purely focused computers/internet and people's virtual existent as they are relevant in the day and age that we all live and to somewhat exsist in, but I'm sorry a Time Machine?:wtf: No thanks, I'll watch Dr Who.
I think perhaps the writers strike did affect some of this season and perhaps story arcs, plot and cases were dropped in order to wrap up the season, a shame but I guess it can't be helped.
They haven't picked up storylines that I feel need more information, just for the sake of continuity... Flack and his father? Louie? will we ever find out anymore about these?...
Oh yeah and one last comment, they either need to drop the D/L stuff totally or resolve it fast in Season 5. Next season I will be recording the episode so I can fast forward through any more ridiculous, immature relationship issues. SORT IT OUT!
Other than that I've enjoyed the season just was a bit de-flated about it.
jolein
Pathologist
I gave it an A,cause I really enjoyed this season.
Can`t say it was better or worse then the other seasons.
What I liked about this season was the character development(thoug some got the smaller end of the stick) and the continuty.
What I didn`t like was that some things just stayed too unexplained for my taste.
Can`t say it was better or worse then the other seasons.
What I liked about this season was the character development(thoug some got the smaller end of the stick) and the continuty.
What I didn`t like was that some things just stayed too unexplained for my taste.
nattybatty55
Nadalaholic
Ok I gave it an A-, I really enjoyed this season.
I absolutly loved both the 333 and Cabbie Killer story lines. However I think it was let down by another nice guy for Stella, the lack of Adam and the non-existant mention of Louie
I absolutly loved both the 333 and Cabbie Killer story lines. However I think it was let down by another nice guy for Stella, the lack of Adam and the non-existant mention of Louie
PerfectAnomaly
Resident Smart Ass
I gave it a B-. There were some really good episodes and some really craptastic ones. I think the good outweighed the bad overall, but when the shows were bad I thought they were baaad. Even an amazing story line like the Danny/Ruben arc was brought down a notch with the horrid and unecessary Drama Llama. And the potential of the 333 story line was brought down by it being painfully obvious that Drew was behind it. That inconsistency is what made me settle for an overall grade that is only slightly above average.
ETA: I agree with Sammy11 that another big let down is the lack of diversity and the sudden obsession with technology. They need to get back to being distinctly New York as a whole instead of being focused on upper class, white, Manhattan and silly crimes. Make the audience empathize with victims and even the criminals once in a while. And I thought the virtual autopsy was cool and all, but I'd rather they focus on other things instead of pull out all of the really neato toys that actual crime labs can't really afford to use. Relying on cutting edge technology over good old fashioned hard work and brains just gets me easily bored.
ETA: I agree with Sammy11 that another big let down is the lack of diversity and the sudden obsession with technology. They need to get back to being distinctly New York as a whole instead of being focused on upper class, white, Manhattan and silly crimes. Make the audience empathize with victims and even the criminals once in a while. And I thought the virtual autopsy was cool and all, but I'd rather they focus on other things instead of pull out all of the really neato toys that actual crime labs can't really afford to use. Relying on cutting edge technology over good old fashioned hard work and brains just gets me easily bored.
Last edited:
I gave it an A. I liked how the writers kinda broke the mold from season 3 and tried new angles (the car that repaired itself,time travel,blood on the Statue of Liberty). I also liked the emotional episodes, like Child's Play and Admissions. Another thing that I liked about this season is that there were several storylines that didnt get wrapped up in 1 episode. Overall,a wonderful season.My only minor complaint:not enough focus on the other characters. I hope s5 bring multi-episode storylines on Stella,Hawkes,Adam and Flack (especially Hawkes and/or Flack). And return the Drama Llama back to the zoo or put it to death (or at least subdue it in a cage!)
MissKraft
Rookie
1. Overall - Another season has come to a close, and again NY is ( for me ) favored over the other two series. Do not get me wrong, I am a zealous fan of all three, but NY is more "human" and "down to earth". An idea which, thankfully, is never forgotten in an episode.
2. Positive - Those "twisting" storylines are quite the addiction, are they not? I know I just cannot get enough. This season has also found us "going through the emtions". Character development was strong, and I have found that quite rewarding. We have gotten a look into Mac's past, explored Danny's "interesting" ways of getting approval, and the "misuse" of Stella's (* mom gets a kick out of having a tv character with the same name as her*) integrity by cunning men.
3. Negative - The 333 storyline, as with the "Down the Rabbit Hole" one, was disappointing. If I am accurate in my assuming, Mac only got a call by the 333 killer when Stella's "admirer" was in the episode. That was a give-away. "Down the Rabbit Hole" felt rushed. I felt there was plenty of storyline there , and what, ended in three episodes with long pauses between them? An almost entire episode with Mac and the assassin skipping through a construction site, popping shots at one another, before the assassin goes down?......
Ever noticed, in some scenes, the assassin looked like Duquesne from Miami?
All in all, still one zealous fan.
Fruitbat
CSI Level Two
I could not agree more with this. These are the things that have grated on me for a while with the show. Gadgets, special effects, stupid crimes, musical interludes, Vapid villains, OTT type episodes You only Die Once (although Flack looked good..
) Down The Rabbit Hole (this was only saved by the Adam Mac interaction.) Come on people lets get the villains and victims from somewhere other than the upper east side of Manhattan. Some really decent gritty, heart and gut wrenching story lines would be really nice. We know that they can do it it just seems that lately more often than not they go for the banal or the predictable rather than the thought provoking.
I would like us to go back to the type of cases we had in season one. There we had cases that intrigued us, kept us guessing, bad guys that committed murder for believable reasons. Victims and sometimes suspects that garnered our sympathy. They provoked a reaction from us. Don't get me wrong I have enjoyed most episodes from seasons 2-4 but I cant honestly say I enjoyed every episode. Season 2 was very lacking early on in the season, season 3 was a lot better, as for season 4 I felt it was very much hit and miss throughout. With season 1 although all the episodes weren't perfect I cant honestly say there is an episode I wouldn't want to watch again. It was better balanced story wise and character wise.
I feel the writing has has suffered since season 1 as have some of the characters. Hawkes anyone!!!! Come on use the guy some more and while you are at it more Flack and Adam, and less inconsequential romance. This is a crime show after all. I am all for character development but in the background please.
And don't get me started on the stunt casting, thankfully we have not had that this season
With this season I know they had the problems with the writers strike and I think it showed in some of the episodes. I know that this was something that could not be helped. But overall I think season 4 was not bad, not great but not bad.
Last edited:
Because I'm a dork, I tallied all my letter grades for the episodes, assigned collegiate numerical values, and divided by 21. Apparently, I gave this season a C-. There were some fabulous episodes: "Admissions", "Child's Play," "Commuted Sentences", but the show was saddled with increasingly outlandish, vapid cases, uneven characterization, mangled, hopelessly retconned canon, bad writing, and a terrible, joyless ship that refuses to either gel or die. It drags on, draining the energy from other characters and plot points to sustain itself.
The show suffered from a great deal of Mac-itis, none of it very compelling. Nobody likes the tool who thinks it's all about him and makes it so even when he oughtn't, but S4 was Mac heavy, much like S3. I like Mac when he's the quiet leader; I loathe him whenever he becomes Super!Mac righter of the world's wrongs and target of every disgruntled nutbar in the universe. Honestly, we know Mac is competent, Iron Man in Jockeys. Can we please give the other characters a chance to strut their stuff? No more 333 Killers, please. Surely Mac's closet should be empty by now. Let the man catch a breather and stop introducing characters for the sole purpose of providing Mac with angst fodder or poontang pie.
And while we're on the subject, you need to close that particular cafeteria, TPTB. It's a health hazard. No more D/L, no more Stella/Creep of the Season, no Flack/tart, no Flack/Angell. No more bump 'n' grind of any kind until the monkeys harnessed in the writing room can manage the Herculean task of tying up a few plot threads. Like Louie. Or the status of that memo Sinclair thinks Mac leaked. Or why Hawkes needs extra shifts. Or why Flack is uncomfortable with his father. Or the mobster Mac swore to collar way back in S1. No more poonany pie until you can actually finish a meatloaf and not have it taste like country-fried ass.
There was too little focus on the cases and too much focus on useless personal drama. Half the time, the cases were resolved in the last five minutes with scant or no buildup. Time that could be spent on more solid resolutions was squandered on l33t technical gadgets and an increasing number of infomercials cleverly disguised as just the latest tool in the crime-fighting arsenal. The Cisco Systems pimp promenade in "Hostage" was a shining example of this despicable trend, as were the Second Life abortions that shat all over two episodes.
In short, this season was long on glitz and showed flashes of brilliance, but it was short on substance and hampered by ridiculous lapses into pandering and sponsorial indulgence. The writers are clearly under the delusion that the cases are secondary to the possibility of orgies in the breakroom and to the shiny lure of futuristic geegaws. They also seem to think us too dim or too mesmerized by the promise of PG porn to notice the yawning plotholes and shoddy plot contrivances that all too often make this show a joke. It's a trend I fully expect to continue, alas, as the writers have refused to learn from their mistakes.
The show suffered from a great deal of Mac-itis, none of it very compelling. Nobody likes the tool who thinks it's all about him and makes it so even when he oughtn't, but S4 was Mac heavy, much like S3. I like Mac when he's the quiet leader; I loathe him whenever he becomes Super!Mac righter of the world's wrongs and target of every disgruntled nutbar in the universe. Honestly, we know Mac is competent, Iron Man in Jockeys. Can we please give the other characters a chance to strut their stuff? No more 333 Killers, please. Surely Mac's closet should be empty by now. Let the man catch a breather and stop introducing characters for the sole purpose of providing Mac with angst fodder or poontang pie.
And while we're on the subject, you need to close that particular cafeteria, TPTB. It's a health hazard. No more D/L, no more Stella/Creep of the Season, no Flack/tart, no Flack/Angell. No more bump 'n' grind of any kind until the monkeys harnessed in the writing room can manage the Herculean task of tying up a few plot threads. Like Louie. Or the status of that memo Sinclair thinks Mac leaked. Or why Hawkes needs extra shifts. Or why Flack is uncomfortable with his father. Or the mobster Mac swore to collar way back in S1. No more poonany pie until you can actually finish a meatloaf and not have it taste like country-fried ass.
There was too little focus on the cases and too much focus on useless personal drama. Half the time, the cases were resolved in the last five minutes with scant or no buildup. Time that could be spent on more solid resolutions was squandered on l33t technical gadgets and an increasing number of infomercials cleverly disguised as just the latest tool in the crime-fighting arsenal. The Cisco Systems pimp promenade in "Hostage" was a shining example of this despicable trend, as were the Second Life abortions that shat all over two episodes.
In short, this season was long on glitz and showed flashes of brilliance, but it was short on substance and hampered by ridiculous lapses into pandering and sponsorial indulgence. The writers are clearly under the delusion that the cases are secondary to the possibility of orgies in the breakroom and to the shiny lure of futuristic geegaws. They also seem to think us too dim or too mesmerized by the promise of PG porn to notice the yawning plotholes and shoddy plot contrivances that all too often make this show a joke. It's a trend I fully expect to continue, alas, as the writers have refused to learn from their mistakes.
Last edited:
I think I'm going to write out my post and then decide on the grade, because I'm torn.
There were a lot of great things about the season. I love, love, love how the arc with Ruben's death played out for Danny. I felt it was explored in a very realistic way, and I liked that it didn't have easy answers. Danny has to live with this horrible guilt, and it's not baseless guilt because let's face it, he had a responsibility to get Ruben home safely and he didn't do that. I like that no one else blamed Danny for it but himself. That storyline was incredibly well done.
I wasn't as hooked by the 333 caller storyline--it was stretched out a bit too long for what it was--but I did like the resolution and learning a bit about Mac's past. The episode that tied it all up was good.
There were episodes like "Commuted Sentences" and "Admissions" that I loved and also really gave us something to talk about here. I like episodes that leave me thinking or emotionally affected, and both of those did.
I love that the writers delved into the depth of the bond Danny and Flack share. Flack chasing Danny around Manhattan, trying to prevent him from jeopardizing his career or getting hurt was an amazing act of friendship. And the first time we saw Danny remotely happy after Ruben's death was with Flack at the basketball game. I truly believe these two share the deepest bond on the show, and it was great to see that.
I love that we got to see Reed, Sinclair and Gerrard again, and that the writers introduced a great character in Quinn. It's great that Adam is a regular, but I do want to see him more regularly. The character brings a lot to the show.
What I didn't like:
The resolution to the taxi cab killer case was terrible. It was cliche, it wasn't exciting, it wasn't interesting in any way, and that's a shame because up until that point it had been a great storyline. That actually made me angry.
The finale was underwhelming. Living up to "Snow Day" would be hard, but it would have been nice to see more of an attempt.
Lindsay Monroe continues to be the most noxious, unlikable character in the CSI franchise. I don't understand why rather than having her upset with Danny for sleeping with someone else when she thought they were dating--something most people would have at least sympathized for--the writers instead chose to have her come off as a bitchy shrew who couldn't let the man she claimed to love grieve in the way he felt he had to. She started out the season approaching tolerable again--the only Lindsay that's stomachable is the light, funny one--but that devolved after Ruben's death, proving once again that Lindsay can't stand on her own as a character unless she's tied in with Danny.
I've given up on the show going back to the realistic grittiness of season one, but I'd like to see more episodes like "Commuted Sentences" and "Admissions" and more storylines like Danny's next season.
Overall grade: A-
There were a lot of great things about the season. I love, love, love how the arc with Ruben's death played out for Danny. I felt it was explored in a very realistic way, and I liked that it didn't have easy answers. Danny has to live with this horrible guilt, and it's not baseless guilt because let's face it, he had a responsibility to get Ruben home safely and he didn't do that. I like that no one else blamed Danny for it but himself. That storyline was incredibly well done.
I wasn't as hooked by the 333 caller storyline--it was stretched out a bit too long for what it was--but I did like the resolution and learning a bit about Mac's past. The episode that tied it all up was good.
There were episodes like "Commuted Sentences" and "Admissions" that I loved and also really gave us something to talk about here. I like episodes that leave me thinking or emotionally affected, and both of those did.
I love that the writers delved into the depth of the bond Danny and Flack share. Flack chasing Danny around Manhattan, trying to prevent him from jeopardizing his career or getting hurt was an amazing act of friendship. And the first time we saw Danny remotely happy after Ruben's death was with Flack at the basketball game. I truly believe these two share the deepest bond on the show, and it was great to see that.
I love that we got to see Reed, Sinclair and Gerrard again, and that the writers introduced a great character in Quinn. It's great that Adam is a regular, but I do want to see him more regularly. The character brings a lot to the show.
What I didn't like:
The resolution to the taxi cab killer case was terrible. It was cliche, it wasn't exciting, it wasn't interesting in any way, and that's a shame because up until that point it had been a great storyline. That actually made me angry.
The finale was underwhelming. Living up to "Snow Day" would be hard, but it would have been nice to see more of an attempt.
Lindsay Monroe continues to be the most noxious, unlikable character in the CSI franchise. I don't understand why rather than having her upset with Danny for sleeping with someone else when she thought they were dating--something most people would have at least sympathized for--the writers instead chose to have her come off as a bitchy shrew who couldn't let the man she claimed to love grieve in the way he felt he had to. She started out the season approaching tolerable again--the only Lindsay that's stomachable is the light, funny one--but that devolved after Ruben's death, proving once again that Lindsay can't stand on her own as a character unless she's tied in with Danny.
I've given up on the show going back to the realistic grittiness of season one, but I'd like to see more episodes like "Commuted Sentences" and "Admissions" and more storylines like Danny's next season.
Overall grade: A-
Dawni
CSI Level One
I gave it an A...
It was certainly stronger than S3 in some aspects but there was moments I was left a tad frustrated or confused.
I think it opened well the Premier was great had the feel and rush we wanted... and then the Finale seemed to loose it i know we kind of had the expectations of what SD was but it felt kind subdued almost but for me i think it was mainly because it was all mac and not much of everyone else.
I think if the writes strike hadn't happened i think it would have been even better, the episodes around that time i could see areas which looked unfinished or needed to be looked at like "childs play".
I liked the addition of characters and bringing them back like reed/ gerrard and sinclair they were strong last season and proved a way to shake up the team and mac and it worked. Jordan i don't seem to like i can't warm to her although i understand her purpose but the character seems slightly off.
The 333 storyline is the only thing which for me let it down I felt it was drawn out far to long. The Taxi cab killer i think worked because it was a short stint easier to follow although the ending wasn't the best. But the 333 seemed to bore me after a while tho the train scene was great.
I love that they use the new technology and 2nd life its nice to see them intergrate these sort of things because i'm a computing student at uni or was as of 3 days ago and its nice to see them pushing forward which i find LV doesn't do.
Continuity is the only thing i hope they can improve on next season they have a great habit of just forgetting stuff and it would be nice to see storylines completed. Gerrard for example even if it was in passing i would have liked to hear what happened... the only one they seemed to have completed was the Danny/Rikki storyline and i was impressed with that.
It was certainly stronger than S3 in some aspects but there was moments I was left a tad frustrated or confused.
I think it opened well the Premier was great had the feel and rush we wanted... and then the Finale seemed to loose it i know we kind of had the expectations of what SD was but it felt kind subdued almost but for me i think it was mainly because it was all mac and not much of everyone else.
I think if the writes strike hadn't happened i think it would have been even better, the episodes around that time i could see areas which looked unfinished or needed to be looked at like "childs play".
I liked the addition of characters and bringing them back like reed/ gerrard and sinclair they were strong last season and proved a way to shake up the team and mac and it worked. Jordan i don't seem to like i can't warm to her although i understand her purpose but the character seems slightly off.
The 333 storyline is the only thing which for me let it down I felt it was drawn out far to long. The Taxi cab killer i think worked because it was a short stint easier to follow although the ending wasn't the best. But the 333 seemed to bore me after a while tho the train scene was great.
I love that they use the new technology and 2nd life its nice to see them intergrate these sort of things because i'm a computing student at uni or was as of 3 days ago and its nice to see them pushing forward which i find LV doesn't do.
Continuity is the only thing i hope they can improve on next season they have a great habit of just forgetting stuff and it would be nice to see storylines completed. Gerrard for example even if it was in passing i would have liked to hear what happened... the only one they seemed to have completed was the Danny/Rikki storyline and i was impressed with that.