Re: I Have An Episode/Character Question Thread *No Spoilers
The Holly Gribbs character was originally intended to give CSI the same setup and lead in that ER had when it started, from the point of view of new people starting out. In a sense this is a good way to introduce uninformed viewers to a very complex set of situations. It worked amazingly well with ER, and could have potentially worked with CSI as well.
However, two things come up: "been there done that" and the simple fact that almost every other character on the show was very, very strong from the get go. Holly Gribbs was a pretty weak character all considered, and in real life probably wouldn't have lasted 10 minutes at the job.
I also think that CBS may have been surprised when they tested the show to find out that the audience was much more able to understand fairly complex parts of the CSI job without baby spooning, and probably equally surprised that Grissom was not just a nerdy guy in the corner but a true pillar character that so much can be hung off of.
Changes out of the first episodes included Holly Gribbs getting knocked off, and (what would be a little wierd later) Grissom "taking over the lab", only for us to discover later that he really wasn't in charge (did anyone every truly explain that?)
Jorja Fox was a perfect import, as she created a long term foil for Grissom, and the subject of their personal relationship past and present has hung quietly over the show for 7 seasons, much in the same way the Catherine / Warrick thing has.
Since that first season, CSI has been very careful in introducing new characters, first putting them in a guest star or "featuring" style role, and then slowly bringing them up to the top of the show. Greg and Doc Robbins are both graduates of what might only have been bit parts, and they have both strengthened the show and lent both comic relief and interesting story arcs to the show.
