CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Season 7

Rating NR Formats DVD Genre television series Starring Marg Helgenberger, William Petersen, Gary Dourdan, George Eads, Eric Szmanda, Jorja Fox, Robert David Hall Directed by Various Publisher CBS External Links Official CSI Website

Rating: 4/4 Formats: DVD Genre: Television Series Starring: , , , , , , Directed by: Publisher: External Links: Official CSI: Website http:// CSI has a boring title. Crime Scene Investigation? Not that interesting. But underneath that boring title lies one of the best, most interesting shows currently on the air. Offering an exotic locale, a strong cast of characters, interesting crimes, and slick production values, CSI: proves once again why it is the current king of the criminal investigative drama jungle with its 7th season.

The original CSI takes place in Las Vegas, a city which offers a rich backdrop for the series. With upscale clientele, a seedy underbelly, the nickname of “Sin City” and a tagline that promotes “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” there are going to be some strange happenings in the city. CSI uses this to its advantage, drawing from the city for its myriad crimes..The highlight of this season is the Miniature Killer, a criminal who leaves a detailed miniature replica of the crime scene behind as his “calling card.” Other episodes use fanny-packing, where people beat up tourists for fun, a women's crucifiction in a church, and a murder in a Cirque de Soleil show as their basis. Its wide variety of cases has always been a series strong point, and Season 7 continues this tradition. To say anything too specific would destroy a large part of the fun of the series, finding out what strange crime will be committed in each episode, but suffice it to say that this season does not disappoint.

But the crimes are only a part of the series. CSI actually gives its characters some background stories. While not as deep as NCIS, CSI's characters are more than archetypes. This gives the episodes a more varied structure- it is never as simple as solving a crime, as in most episodes some character is involved in a crisis. The series allows its characters to get caught up into things, as in one episode in which Greg is on trial for murdering one of the fanny-packers as he was attacked. It provided both a nice break from the normal crime solving, but also shows the viewer how the media can sometimes paint police with an unearned negative image. Events such as these add some variety to the normal crime-solving formula and help the show transcend its criminal investigative roots and expand more as a drama.

CSI is an extremely well-produced show. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, known for the Pirates of the Caribbean series, CSI has some serious muscle behind it. His guiding gives the series some of the strongest visuals in any current television series. Under his hand, CSI: perfectly captures the essence of Las Vegas- both the neon lights, Strip, glitzy look as well as the seedier side of the city. The two contrasts help keep things interesting, each giving the show a distinctive style. The music is up to the visuals level, too, as it helps set the mood well, for both the intense moments, as well as the dramatic moments.

CSI: Season 7 is worth picking up. The series is still at the top of its game after 7 seasons, and it is arguably the best criminal investigative drama currently airing. Highly recommended.