The more things change, the more they stay the same. Season 5 of CSI saw really the first shake-up of any kind on this CBS anchor series. While there weren’t any serious cast changes, the team was split up. It’s apparent that idea didn’t work out very well. Modest ratings decline and vocal dissatisfaction from the internet fans and even many of the cast members were heard loud and clear. Now Season 6 brings the team back together again. It doesn’t take long for the old team chemistry to remix, and CSI returns to th…t comfort zone it has ridden for so many years. That comfort zone doesn’t necessarily mean same old stuff. The two-parter Bullets In Motion is one of the most action packed episodes of CSI ever. With an opening like Saving Private Ryan, the bullets are flying and the sirens are wailing. In the aftermath of this gang shootout with the cops, we have a dead cop and a lot of evidence to sift through. Fortunately for them, and us, the old crew’s back together and on the case.
There are some very nice moments in Season 6 to look for. Faye Dunaway stars as the corpse of the week in Kiss Kiss Bye Bye. This is also a good episode for the often underused Greg character. Werewolves is an amusing episode with some great moments for another underused character: David Berman’s Dr. Phillips. Even your Thanksgiving dinner will never look the same again after Dog Eat Dog. Fortunately you don’t need to use your imagination to figure this one out.
Video
Once again the season’s episodes are presented in a great HDTV 16 x 9 wide screen ratio. Colors are dynamic and the transfers are flawless. Blacks maintain the high standard set since Season 2. You won’t be disappointed in this release.
Audio
This Dolby Digital 5.1 sound once again reinvents TV sound. Highs and lows both exhibit dynamic performance. Dialogue is crisp and always clear. There is noticeably more sub range than on the previous two seasons. This fact is most evident during the music cues.Cast and crew members show up on the 7 commentary tracks.
Special Features
“The Science Of Sound” This is one of the best extras to appear on these sets. It begins with the epic shootout from A Bullet Runs Through It. There’s tons of gunfire and a riot of sounds going on all around you. Mark Matiosian is the show’s Supervising Sound Editor,and we’re treated to an in-depth look at how e sound is created for this episode, and really the series in general. Everything is covered, from music to foley stage work in great detail. By the way, you’ll likely never look at fajitas the same way again. We get a great look at the equipment used and the engineers behind the scenes. Ever notice those black pens in the lab coats? You will after watching this one.“Gadgets and Gizmos” This is a six-part look at some of the tools of the CSI trade. Unfortunately each of the 6 segments is only about a minute long, and a few appear to end very abruptly. You can view them individually or in a play all format. “Coroner Reports” This is a hoot of a series of four segments, again way too short at about a minute each. Morgue actors Robert David Hall and David Berman give us some funny behind the morgue looks. Some great anecdotes and interesting tidbits are to be found by all. These look like they would have made neat little Easter egg bits. Again, a play all option is available.“Apparent Cause of Death” This 6 minute extra really belongs with the Coroner Reports. It begins with Hall and Berman playing with one of the corpse actors. Really, this is a good look at the gory make-up f/x employed during those famous autopsy scenes. It’s pretty graphic, but a somewhat humorous piece.“Season 6 Trajectory” This is your typical season synopsis. There are interview segments with pretty much everybody connected with the show here. I think they left out the second stage hand. Clips are interwoven as the piece acts as a narrative on the season. “The New Title Sequence” Each year the title sequence was tweaked ever so slightly. In Season 6 there was a major overhaul to make it look more modern and fit in better with the spin-off versions of the show. Actually it’s way too busy now and cuts far to quickly to be pleasing. There is a look at a not used version that I liked a lot better.
Final Thoughts
CSI continues to do what it does best. It delivers entertaining stories with a great cast. The trademark f/x continue to amaze and delight. There seems to be no sign of the show running out of gas. You get the impression that Peterson wants out, but that’s been true since the spinoff controversies of the past. This is another solid release you should feel good about adding to your collection. “Stroke one up for the good guys.”
Special Features List
- Audio Commentaries
- The Science of Sound
- Gadgets & Gizmos
- Coroner reports
- Apparent Cause of Death
- Season Six Trajectory
- The new title sequence
