CSI: West Side 7X04 review (**out of 5)

It’s the Sharks versus...well, the Sharks (Jets need not apply) as a gang leader begins systematically killing members of his own gang in this weeks episode Sangra Por Sangra; however, don’t expect a romantic duet between Mac Taylor and guest star Edward James Olmos’ character Luther Devarro--they prefer to swap trite, uninspiring, and stagnant dialogue as they engage in what can only be referred to as one epic stare-down. To paraphrase Don Flack, this episode starts out as a hot shot, but ends up a shish-kabob, as writer Aaron Rahsaan Thomas weaves an uneven, poorly developed tale of righteous indignation and hypocrisy, leading us all to the grand conclusion: vigilantism never ends well.

If you’re like me, then you were immediately engaged by the opening scene of a clearly wounded Mac with blood rolling down his arm, moving silently in and out of the shadowy darkness with his gun drawn as he hunts his prey, or perhaps he is the hunted with the deadly opponent just around the corner. Sounds and colors are muted, heightening the tension and we find ourselves in a damp underworld, watching as Mac comes face to face with the barrel of Luther’s gun. We are left with a cliff hanger moment when Luther pulls the trigger, releasing the bullet in Mac’s direction and the scene changes, providing no resolution. This of course follows the old adage ‘leave the audience wanting more’ and is rather effective...the first time around that is. A few scenes later and we have the exact same cliffhanger moment as a perp aims his gun at Don Flack and fires, cut to commercial. This is obviously the second time the episode deals with this particular story device and the second time definitely comes off as cheap and lazy. This may be blamed more on the director, Norberto Barba, than the writer, but I still think it goes back to the fact that one can’t really force a poorly written episode into a good one, but the narrative wasn’t helped any by the choppy pacing--some scenes lasting too long, while others weren’t afforded enough time.

The storyline follows the notorious gang member Luther Devarro (Olmos), recently released from prison and founder of the rough and tough El Puno (the fist), as he secretly--or not so secretly since I found the plot to be rather obvious--murders the members who ran the gang while he was behind bars for fifteen years. The motivation we are presented for his killings basically seems to boil down to semantics. The younger generation defines “the fist” as a weapon to be used to fight, destroy, and batter the community, to be used as offense. Devarro’s definition of “the fist” is about control, maintaining a tight grip on the community, to be used as defense. As he tells Mac, “I never intended to create something violent.” This statement is made after it is revealed that Devarro is the one responsible for the dead bodies *insert your own disbelieving tone*. His character is riddled with such inconsistencies. In one of the more well written lines of the episode, Devarro validates his lack of willingness to involve the police by stating, “Last thing I want is an army of badges canvassing my neighborhood with itchy trigger fingers. Someone’s son [is] liable to be out on a stoop, holding a cell phone and catch bullets.” A disheartening sentiment, but unfortunately also a very believable possibility. His statement, however, is rendered moot when he blows up a building, in the middle of the day, on a crowded street. He didn’t seem too concerned with the number of innocent lives he could have taken.

Can a person really take the moral low ground? When Hazel Ortega (Lymari Nadal-who gave one of the better performances of the evening) was being accused of one of the murders, Devarro, knowing that members of El Puno were thirsty for revenge and cognizant of his own guilt, did not do enough to try and protect her, resulting in the before mentioned shoot out between Flack and two members of El Puno. It is revealed that Ortega witnessed Devarro killing, but her fear of retribution kept her silent, and Devarro didn’t hesitate to use that fear, otherwise he would have killed her to protect his own identity. Instead, he was willing to use his status as El Puno’s infamous cutthroat leader--a status he gained not by his own devices, but by the actions he professes to despise of the younger gang members--to ensure her silence. This undermines Devarro’s claims of for an “aw shucks, mom ’n’ pop” type of gang operation he dreamed of.

We again see the repetitive nature of Thomas’ storytelling when Mac confronts Devarro, twice, each time promising the hand of justice to come down--note to writers, a threat loses its power when it has to be made twice. These cringe-worthy moments were inundated with boring, cliched, George Lucasesque lines such as “a handshake used to mean something” and “If you don’t, this fair man will lock you up again, and this time you won’t get out.” Tension has to be created organically because if it’s forced, for example Mac making the ridiculous choice to go into a gang’s hangout alone and without back up, it takes one out of the situation with its lack of believability, therefore voiding the intensity, nearly make a mockery of it.

There is plenty to pick apart in this episode (the occasional role inversion between Mac and Devarro, the lack of commentary on what effects it would have socially and fundamentally on a community when one gang is whipped out leaving it’s rival full rein, Devarro’s misguided Utopian view, his God-like-complex failing to understand “that you first make thieves and then punish them”, choppy editing, stilted scenes, and jokes that just weren’t funny) which is disappointing considering last week’s fantastic episode, and the deep respect I have for Edward James Olmos as an actor. It’s a shame we can’t have a re-do, bring him back for episode worthy of his caliber.

On a positive note, I am thoroughly enjoying the inclusion of all cast members in most of the episodes this season, each having a role to play in the weekly fight against crime, and I hope that trend continues, especially the continued use of Team Messer. I am glad the writers are realizing that they worked well together before they were married, and they can continue to work well together post matrimonially as well. Here’s hoping next weeks episode maintains a better balance.

Highlight of the Night: Seeing Sid out of the morgue.

Guilty Pleasure: Danny’s sexy voice when he was talking to Lindsay about “kiss and tell”