CSI: Miami Season 5

Rating NR Formats DVD Genre television series Starring David Caruso, Emily Proctor, Adam Rodriguez, Khandi Alexander, Rex Linn, Jonathan Togo Directed by Various Publisher CBS External Links Official CSI: Miami Website

High-energy, exciting scene. Horrible murder. CSI detectives show up. Horation says a cool line. Intro plays. Crime is figured out in roughly 30 minutes. Emotional ending plays. Credits roll.

To say CSI:Miami is formulaic is an understatement. Following a group of crime scene investigators in the Miami-Dade district, led by Horatio (or H, as everyone calls him), each episode plays exactly like the others, following the investigators as they attempt to solve a crime. But the formula works incredibly well. It gives the viewer exactly what they want: a fun, 42 minute crime investigation story with eclectic characters and a vibrant setting. More importantly, having a set formula allows the show's writers to concentrate more on creating creative crimes to solve rather than deciding how to structure each episode.

And what a creative season it is. With murders involving biker gangs, modeling agencies, and import car groups, season 5 covers the many diverse aspects of Miami. While the crimes committed are extremely unrealistic, each one fits the setting. This is because CSI: Miami is an over-the-top show. Between the bright color palette, the quick cuts, over-dramatic acting, and Horatio's one-liners, the show puts a unique twist on the criminal investigation drama by taking a more light-hearted approach to the genre, in contrast to other more serious series such as Law and Order.

This is best exemplified by one of the highlights of the show, its emotional endings. CSI: Miami is a very shallow show. The characters are archetypes, merely there to support the main attraction, the grisley murders and their solving. But, to add emotional depth to the show, the show has emotional endings, meant to make the viewer reflect on the episode, and how horrible murder is, and what lengths people will go to for money. Perhaps the best example occurred at the end of one episode when the team is seen walking along the beach. Calming, peaceful music plays in the background, and the sun is setting in the background. Quick cuts emphasize each character as they walk stoidly along the beach. It is pure, over-the-top, drama that adds to the more-lighthearted nature of the show.

With its light-hearted, over the top nature and mix of eclectic characters, CSI: Miami is one of the most fun shows airing today. Unlike many shows today which require the viewer to invest time and energy into both understanding the story and into the characters, CSI: Miami lets the viewer sit back, relax, and enjoy a roughly 42 mintue crime investigation drama. I highly recommend picking this set up.

Note: Make sure to either watch the last episode of season 4 or read a summary of it online before starting this season. Otherwise, the first episode will be incredibly confusing.