Warning, colossal post ahead. :lol:
I've just had a thought storm about recent spoilers. I can't say I'm ecstatic about the news for the finale but then again at the same time, it's made me more hopeful for the future, particularly next season. I may be a little optimistic with these points, but I've drawn some of these conclusions:
Season 12 has been a tough one for the writers and for the viewers because of the huge changes that have been made this season. We've had
three new main characters that have needed development, two of them new show leaders as well as two departures, one of which has been on the show for 11 1/2 years. Like Season 9, this has been a real transition season. Unlike Season 9, I think it's been done very well.
For a start, the new lead, DB, is unanimously a far more likeable character than Ray ever was and unlike Ray he's been brought in as someone with authority and high experience. That says to me that TPTB have learned from their mistake. We've also seen the introduction of Morgan, who, unlike Riley has fitted in well with the team and has not been pushed into the background. I can't Elisabeth Harnois being pushed off the show in the same way as LLS was. Again, it seems to me that TPTB have learned from their mistake.
Okay, Finn's introduction seems that irked a lot of people here (I myself admittedly haven't warmed up to the character yet) and the recent spoilers imply that the show is rapidly turning into the DB/Finn show. BUT, I want to highlight a particular extract of the press release for the finale. "
...the investigation’s political fallout reveals the truth behind Russell’s troubled history with Finlay..." Do I care about this storyline? No, but it says to me that TPTB aren't planning on bringing it out any further than the season finale. (Except maybe into the first episode of Season 13.) Likewise, I think I'd rather see DB's family all at once than keeping on dragging it out a bit. This suggests to me that the show will get back to the other characters next season.
Okay, you could argue that the Ray Langston focus persisted for another two years, but the first pre-Finn episodes of this season have undoubtedly been reminiscent of some of the older seasons and I think once the writers have wrapped up this storyline we're going to end up getting back to these episodes. I think that every character has also had their moment to shine so far in the season:
Sara - "Bittersweet" being the obvious episode but also she had a good part in "Tressed to Kill" and we got some GSR references in the most recent episode.
Nick - Whilst he's had less screentime than in the Langston years, I'd put some of that down to George Eads requesting less screentime due to his father's health. "73 Seconds" was pretty much set in Nick's point of view, he got a bit personal in "Seeing Red" and also it appears that the upcoming episode "Altered Stakes" is going to be a good one for him. Not to mention that the small but noticeable scene showing the friendship between him and Vega in "Crime After Crime" as well as the fact that he originally had a major role in "Genetic Disorder" makes me think the writers, although are using him less aren't necessarily pushing him in the background.
Greg - Lots of screentime for him at the start of the season, certainly more than in previous years. "Genetic Disorder" was a massive episode for him (I personally think it was THE episode Greg fans have been waiting for for a while) and not to mention they appear to be delving into his relationship with Morgan. (The character bio was a BIG give-away in my opinion.)
Doc - Obviously "Genetic Disorder" was his major episode of the season (possibly series), we also got to meet Mrs Robbins and had a look at his family life.
Hodges - "Malice in Wonderland" was obviously his episode for the season as well not to mention we finally got to meet his mother!
Brass - Probably the least developed character this season so far, although he's had some interesting thoughts within "Crime After Crime" and "Genetic Disorder", however due to how last season finished off, I think there's been more (without any better way of putting it) scrutiny surrounding his actions.
SuperDave - Has been his usual self. I've got to be honest, off all the characters I really want to see a SuperDave-centric episode. Let's bring on Mrs Phillips shall we. :thumbsup:
I'd argue that's it's also been a fantastic season for any Ecklie fans out there. :lol:
Okay, this is starting to turn into a Season 12 review so I'll try and get back on track. The main point I'm trying to make is, I don't think this is turning into the DB/Finn show. Yes, I'd also rather they didn't play this storyline out but the way I see it, I don't think it's going to extend much further beyond the season finale. As much as I think it's important to continue developing the core cast, Elisabeth Shue I reckon has brought some new fans along, and I think it's important that they're integrated into the show as well.
I realise I'm being incredibly optimistic about the future, but hey, I'm not going to lie I've never enjoyed the show as much as I am at the moment. If you asked me how long the show had left last year, I'd say that it would have lasted one more year. Speaking one year later with the recent changes, I reckon it could go to Season 15 and episode 300.