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The series follows the CSI model set forth in the original Vegas version of the franchise. The lead CSI here is Horatio Caine played by former NYPD Blue actor David Caruso. Caruso left that series because he fancied himself better as a big movie star. Several failed leading roles later he finds himself back playing virtually the same character here. It’s the same Caruso odd speaking pattern, only this time he has a lab coat to go with that gun. Adam Rodriguez plays Caine’s favorite among his lab partners, Delko. He shares a bit of history with Delko. They’ve had a few off the reservation missions together and have bonded somewhat. Delko wants to be just like Caine. Next in the pecking order is Ryan Wolfe, played by Jonathan Togo. Togo is the Greek tragedy character here. It seems that every year this guy is getting the worst of it, from losing his hearing to getting roughed up by the Russian mob. He was a cop and transferred over to the CSI unit in season 2 under Caine’s wing. Emily Procter plays Calleigh. She’s the ballistics expert and all around tough girl with a disarming southern accent. She makes a living by being underestimated. By far the most annoying character is Eva La Rue’s Natalia. Her love lives and former life baggage turn her more often than not into the helpless whimpering damsel in distress. She’s by far the most frustrating character in the entire franchise. If I have to hear her whine one more season… Rex Linn plays the crew’s uniformed cop buddy, Frank Tripp. He’s getting more and more screen time and acts as the audience’s representative on the show. He’s a good tough cop, but the science just goes over his head. New to the 7^th season was Megalyn Echikunwoke, please don’t make me spell that last name again, as the new medical examiner on the series, Dr. Tara Price. She’s a huge change from the previous pathologist whom I’m sure fans are already missing. She’s got a bit of a ‘tude. She also flirts too much, while Alex always had this almost unnatural respect for the dead.

The 9^th season sees a few big storylines develop. This version of CSI has always been the more explosive action version of the franchise. That usually played out mostly with Caine and Delko. A big improvement to this season is that everyone gets to do a lot more running and jumping this year. The season begins with a full out assault on the lab and the action never really lets up for one episode. Emily Procter had a baby this season so the Calleigh character doesn't get near as much to do as all of the others. The lab rats had to step up and I even found myself enjoying Eva LaRue a bit more that usual. She's still annoying but a little less so when she's running for her life.

For the two or three people on the planet that don’t know, the idea is actually quite a simple one. The CSI night shift crime scene investigators utilize all of the latest science to solve often brutal crimes. Instead of guns, these detectives come packing microscopes and test tubes. The most senior member of the team is former Vegas showgirl Catherine Willows (Helgenberger) who juggles her long hours with raising a daughter. She usually provides the more clear-headed perspective. Grissom’s mild love interest is feisty Sarah Sidle (Fox). Promoted from the DNA lab is Greg Sanders (Szmanda). Sanders is often the comic relief, and while a solid team member, often gets into a spot of trouble. He’s the fresh eyes on the team, likely to be most identified with by the audience. Nick Stokes (Eads) is the macho man in the group. The newest member of the team is Dr. Raymond Langston (Fishburne) who came in last season after Grissom left to study bugs in South America.  Hodges (Langham) looked up to Grissom and has had to step up his game in the lab since his mentor left. He's the guy that takes some getting used to and not the most respected in the lab. It's a tough year for him because lab partner and girlfriend Wendy (Vassey) leaves as the 11th season opens. The team often works with Lt. Brass (Guilfoyle) and medical examiner Robbins (Hall). Together they follow the evidence wherever it might take them.

Things are still changing in this 11th year, and the show has never really had a chance to settle since the departure of Grissom. Katherine is having to go up against the lab brass and Detective Brass this season and feels on the outs more than she feels like a part of the team. We're also about to lose the new character played by Lawrence Fishburne as he ends the season by killing a serial killer, but it wasn't a clean shoot. Even with the lab trying to protect him he's gone, and Ted Danson will replace him in the next season. Sarah is married to Grissom now but is here at the lab instead of in South America with him. It's an awkward situation for her and for us in the audience. It's hard for us to get past his exit because they keep talking about him. It's also never seemed very realistic to me that he could fall for Sarah. She's about the most aggravating character in the entire franchise.