CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000 - Present): Review By T.Clark

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

CSI has suffered some major changes as of late. Warrick is dead, Grissom and Sarah have left...it almost seems like Dr. Robbins' beard is the only thing that remains constant. It would take someone with some real cajones to try and fill that gap after the heartfelt last episode, in which Grissom leaves CSI and finally ends up with Sarah. I thought it was done very well. In comes Laurence Fishburne, who trades in his black, leather trench coat and shades for a suit and tie as Dr. Ray Langston.

This episode offered the usual heinous crimes...burglary, arson turned homicide...honestly, it would have been mediocre if Langston's story wasn't involved. But, the episode offered an insight into what Langston will be like as a character. Him wearing a suit and tie out in the field suggests he's a classy, hard worker. I think the tie might even get some credit as a new character. He has to cut it off as evidence here, and we see him doing to the same thing in a different setting in previews...

It also previews how the characters will interact with Langston. His and Hodges dynamic should prove to be amusing in future episodes. Hodges was quite distressed by Grissom's departure and he's bothered by the new guy. However, when Langston ingeniously solves the case, Hodges admits to being impressed, offering hope for their "relationship."

That ingenious idea was interesting...who would have thought of a cornmeal bomb? It sets up Langston as an asset to the team. However, I don't see him as Grissom's "replacement," just a plug to fill the void left by Grissom leaving. He'll be a Grissom-TYPE character, which the end suggests as Langston ponders over fingerprints. Catherine's smile says it all. I actually see Nick as his "replacement(I use quotations because nobody can really ever replace Grissom). Nick has become his protege over the years. He expressed to him how he'll never forget what he's learned from Grissom before he left. Catherine even offers Nick his old office. Nick, always the nice guy, takes it, but decides to share it with Greg and Riley. If anything, Nick is to Grissom what Robin is to Batman.

Overall, this was a nice, laidback, refreshing episode after the events that have taken place recently. It'll be interesting to witness Langston's evolution as a character and how others interact with him. He will soon have to learn that class won't get him through this job as he finds out the hard way when a kid spits in his face when he tries to help...hardly the welcoming gift.