^^^
Flo,the writers shouldn't have to bring on new characters in order to "refresh" Natalia and Ryan.Perhaps what is needed is new and refreshed writers.I still think if they can write for new characters,they can write for these two..Bringing on new characters in no way means they will do better by these two characters.As writers,they should feel ashamed of themselves,the writers are the ones that need redemption.We have more talented fanfic writers right on this sight.We keep getting crap because that is what we accept,and I pretty much told TPTB that very thing when I wrote them a letter.There can be improvement all around and there should be.With this upcoming season,perhaps there will be less emphasis on some things and characters,and improvement seen else where.
Totally agree with you,
greatfan! The writers, and the show runner who is approving this stuff the writers are coming up with, is the problem. There are other shows with ensemble casts where every character gets the attention they deserve - perfect example in my book, NCIS. Their writers make it look easy and you won't see a more inclusive "team" on television. (btw - and totally OT - did anyone catch the NCIS cast discussion on ET last week? Didn't seem to be an ego in the room and they genuinely seemed to care about each other - even kidding Mark Harmon when he talked about caring so much for all of them being protective of the bunch and what they have).
What it comes down to is the writer's inability to produce a coherent story that includes participation from every character and, I feel, a total disrespect for certain characters on the show.
Natalia, Ryan and Frank have limitless potential simply due to the fact we know so little about them. And they are portrayed by actors with huge talent - if given a chance to display it. People are BORED with all Horatio, Eric and Calleigh all the time. They have been the focus for too long. Its someone else's turn.
And probably the only thing that most CSI Miami fans seem to stand together on these days is that the show needs to stop ignoring Natalia, Ryan and Frank. And we have been pleading for this for a while now.
Eric may be leaving but I think we stand a good chance of having to watch Calleigh be oh so angst ridden for the rest of Procter's contract with Eric being gone constantly referenced. And if Calleigh pops up pregnant - my stomach is turning at the thought of the escalation of the soap opera that, IMO, already exists as a result of that "ship"!
Use Horatio and Calleigh to bring the other characters out of the background! Make them the support every once in a while and the other character the focus. (It's clear from the past couple of seasons putting Horatio and Calleigh together isn't a good idea anymore.)
Natalia and Horatio and Natalia and Ryan work wonderfully together. Bring her back to some quality time by hooking her up with one of them on an alternate basis (work wise - I'd rather seen every idea of a "ship" sink like the Titanic than go through another "romance" the way CSI Miami writers conceive one). Eva is an amazing talent and given the opportunity she can truly shine. I've seen it. She is one of the best actresses on television and they do her a great injustice keeping her in the background.
Frank works really well with all of the characters, but he's truly funny with Ryan and Calleigh. He's also had some really good moments with Natalia. He and Horatio are good friends. How about a "personal" story with Horatio as a support/confidant for Frank, but Frank the focus of the story.
Ryan has so much potential he almost needs a show of his own! I truly love that character, but they need to quit beating on him and making him a screw up. He much too smart for that. For Ryan I believe it's acting on emotion and not thinking it all the way through. Also, failing to trust those who would be there for him. Horatio has never NOT been there for Ryan. Natalia has always been a good, supportive friend. Hell, Horatio and Natalia were there for Ryan during his suspension when no one else was. Ryan tends to be a loner much the same way Horatio is when he dealing with personal challenges. Maybe that's why Horatio appears to be such a strong ally for Ryan - he sees himself and empathizes with Ryan's struggle. This is why he makes himself available as someone Ryan can turn to - if Ryan would get it through his head! Ryan has been referred to as a Mini-Horatio on more than one occasion.
Calleigh has also been a mentor and friend (excluding her joining with Eric in WISC). I can see him not trusting Eric and I don't blame him there.
How about Rick Stetler? Why is he eternally stuck in IAB? Let's get him in a position where he is forced to interact with the team more often. The interaction between Horatio and Rick is always priceless. I'd love to see a lot more of Rick.
Jesse is a character I'm hoping they will use very carefully - for the show's sake and for the actor's sake. His personal life is his own business, but it doesn't stop people from making negative comments about him because of it. He doesn't need the wrath of the CSI Miami fans on him as well (I feel so bad for Lawrence Fishburne - they have really screwed up introducing his character). I love that this character will have a past association with Horatio. Please make him a serious criminalist and not a "player". Men can be reduced to nothing more than eye-candy in the same manner that they do it to women - and it's not fair for either.
Horatio I'll leave alone. His behavior has been discussed ad nauseum. While there are signs of a change on the horizon, the past couple of seasons he hasn't been the best leader and has had moments of truly questionable decisions. That said, he remains my favorite character and I think he can find his way back to who he once was. Last season was a good start and I'm hoping it continues.
A Horatio moment I would truly love to see that I know will never happen? One brief scene with Horatio entering an office that indicates he's talking to a counselor. Wouldn't have to be much, just enough to let us know that he's finally decided he needs to get some help dealing with some of the demons in his past.
They make the same mistake on this show that they do on House. All these life experiences for Horatio and Ryan, but neither of them ever seems to "learn" anything from them.
There is a promise that may change this season - I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I truly believe that this show can return to what it once was - a true "team" working together to solve crimes with their focus on the victim and not their own little dramas. It would be intersting to visit their personal lives occasionally, but not as a focus of the story. You leave too many fans out when you focus on only one or two characters.
Whoa! Time for me to shut the heck up!
