Well I like to think every character gets thrown into the pond, and creates ripples in the show. Speed was one of those rocks you'd throw into a pond, and the ripples would continue for seasons to come. He was just
that important to the show's development.
In a way, I think the show has changed
because he's not there. You really think if he was still there, all this angst would be happening? I don't think it would be. I think the storylines would have stepped it up a notch, sure, but it's very doubtful that the show would have turned the 360 degrees that it has now.
Besides, half the storylines wouldn't have happened. No Eric getting in trouble with IAB, Horatio wouldn't have had recurring nightmares
rolleyes
Ryan Wolfe wouldn't have been hired. It would be a very different show.
The one thing I don't like about the whole 'Speed dying' storyline, is that he was mentioned in what...Three/four episodes? Then they just forgot about him.
Also, there was an episode where Valera was using notes that Speedle gave her
five years ago. The last time I checked, Valera showed up in 'Blood Brothers' which was nowhere near five years ago. - In the season three timeline. In their perspective, Speed had only been dead for a few months.
Unless there is some kind of unexplained time jump between seasons 2 and 3, I'm not getting it nor am I buying it. The writers screwed that one up.