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

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

I LOVED this episode. After 9 seaons, CSI can still put out those rare, heart felt episodes that you don't see in other shows. This one, for me, had it all. I think it's safe to say that Dr. Ray Langston is one of my favorite TV characters. He's made an impact after only the 4 episodes since he was introduced. Laurence Fishburn was an excellent choice to fill the gap left by William Peterson's departure.

This episode opens with probably the most disturbing but awesome opening sequences I've seen in quite some time. It does for men at a urinal what Psycho did for women in the shower, and makes Rob Zombie's Michael Myers look like a p*ssy. Seriously, did you ever see him pull a guy's arm off? No, you didn't...well, you don't actually SEE it here either, but it's still pretty sick. The screaming coming from the bathroom and the ultimate blood bath from under the door makes for a great start to a great episode.

Now for the actual story: why did the above scene happen? Well, the guy killed was one of three fake FBI agents who were really "wackjobs" trying to help bring down the leader of a prostitution ring known as "The Fist." The episode is chock full of great moments besides just the opening sequence: we see that Brass still has a great shot and Vinny, the "arm ripper," takes a cops gun and shoots himself thinking it's not loaded...I laughed hysterically.

Besides some violent but awesome scenes, we also get emotionally attached to the character Miles, one of the fake FGI agents, through Frank Whalley's performance. I remember him from an episode of House in which he played a man who didn't know who he was exactly, so he copied other people. Here, he plays a mentally unstable man who just wants to do the right thing. Both performances require some real acting chops and Whaley's portryal as Miles makes you root for him. We also get more comfortable with Langston on the show, as I stated. The episode really captures Langston's experience, for he used to be a doctor. His interactions with Miles, especially the last scene, is heartfelt and shows he knows what he's talking about. Like Grissom, Langston seems to be the one who most connects with the victims, or even criminals.

Overall, this was an excellent episode and one of my favorites. CSI has really been upping the ante with emotionally charged episodes and character development, and this is no exception.