Well, physics ate my life for the past few days, but I finally got to sit down and watch the episode.
Overall I liked it even though it wasn't very CSI. I really loved Greg's scenes with the dad. I don't like the lack of Wendy lately though. I really wish that she'd followed in Greg's footsteps and became a CSI level 1 rather then bring in Reily. I thought the hostage scenes were a little bit slow for CSI. I think it was like 20 minutes of the episode without cutting into different scenes at the lab/ect.
The ending was very touching. The warmth displayed by the team is something I never, ever saw with the old team. This is something I had longed to see and finally got.
I find that the relationship between the new team is forced. And being shoved into my face. Almost every episode has a diner/team building scene and it just feels unnatural. A hefty part of me is just bitter that the writers neglected these scenes with the old team for so many years. However, I found their bond to be richer and stronger even without having to show them eating together every episode.
This new team is just so happy and perfect.
Which is fine, but I find boring and one dimensional.
Grissom's team was so dynamic and complex. It was so much more then just everybody getting along and being happy. Their arguments/disagreements/fights/struggles are what brought them close together. And Grissom being an extremely flawed supervisor also took a toll on the team whereas Catherine seems to be flawless this time around (Which is fine and appropriate, I'm just saying). Since Grissom straight up sucked with emotions and comforting people, it was so much more powerful when he opened up to someone. Catherine will comfort anyone at anytime and knows how to deal with emotional situations, which makes it less of a leap when she reaches out to someone.
One of my favorite scenes from the good old days is when Warrick blows up at Griss and tells him "I can't be like you, I'm not a robot". Or when Nick clashes with Grissom over science vs sympathy when it comes to victims and their families. Or how Catherine and Sara's relationship develops from hate to friendship.
To me the old team was so diverse and so much more then just a "happy team". But then I guess it takes fights/tears/laughter/forgiveness to upgrade from a simple CSI team to a CSI family.
Well, this rant is mostly just a victim of my bitterness. And it's not really directed at anyone personally. I just adored and was completely attached to the old team as you might have gathered. It's not that I don't like the new team, it's that I was so in love with Grissom's team that I find the new one bland in comparison.
Which might not be fair since they've only had 7 episodes as opposed to 9 years. I just don't think they have a fighting chance for me.
Also, I think I should give a shout out to the composer.
The music in the end scene was gorgeous!
CSI should really invest in more piano time.