Buckle Up! It's the Law. 7X13 Review (**out of 5)

There are laws against drinking and driving, but no one has ever really covered dancing and driving. Well now’s the time. You see kids, when your parents told you to never attend a party in the back of an unknown semi--even if you were specifically invited with blood ink art stationary--they were absolutely right. I can’t help moralizing when I see people acting completely retarded...I mean the back of a semi?! Seriously? At least I can get a chuckle out of the episode’s title; Party Down, because the episode didn’t sink quite as quickly as the truck, though it did have it’s issues.

CSI:NY has a pretty consistent ability to hook an audience with the teaser openings, and this episode was no different. I was interested as I watched the truck speed around corners, narrowly avoid two brawling cab drivers, slam through a fence, and finally submerging itself in the freezing, dark waters of the river. The effect of people swimming up through the water was attractive, and beautiful--a stark contrast to the violence of several people drowning or nearly drowning. We even had a typical groan worthy comment from Mac, only this week it was actually funny to me. “Crashing this party wasn’t an accident.” It’s the rest of the episode that I usually struggle with, and, again, this episode was no different. However, I enjoyed this episode much more than I have episodes weeks past. This episode reminded me of a really weak or, forgive the pun, a watered down season 2 or season 4 episode.

The story was a bit of a modern twist on the old murder aboard a train tale; only this time it was a semi and Hercule Poirot’s mustache did not make an appearance. We have four people in a room and we have to figure out who “done” it. I have issues with the story lacking in the science. They spent nearly 20 minutes in the police precinct questioning and taking statements. It really bothers me when they have CSI’s doing the jobs of NYPD detectives. I don’t mind it in small doses. It keeps the characters involved in the story, and as with most tales a suspension of belief is necessary, but writer Adam Targum was really stretching the limits. Law & Order is about solving crime through interviews and conversation. The CSI franchise is about solving crime through the science. There wasn’t much of that going on. It was also frustrating that the show turned into the Jo, Mac, Danny, & Don happy hour. If there isn’t enough story to go around, then add another case. I want to see Hawkes. I want to see Adam. I want to see Lindsay. Get off your lazy butts writers!

Targum really did expect us to swallow a lot. The party goers claimed to not know the truck was moving. I once drove over a speed bump a little too quickly and woke my child up from a deep nap. I’m suppose to believe a truck full of adults didn’t notice the earth moving beneath their feet? Also, I find it hard to believe that Abigail West (Marla Sokoloff) didn’t recognize Neal Cooper (Michael McMillian). Jo specifically said they were best friends when they were younger. They spent all evening together and she didn’t look at him for one moment and think, “huh? That guy looks familiar.” There were several other issues, but why harp?

The characters were entertaining, but a little random. I’m still not certain what Carmen Enzo’s role in the episode was. We saw Mac’s character regurgitate dialogue from season 2 episode, Zoo York. “Stay out of this investigation,” and “when there’s something to report, I’ll call you.” It sounded better the first time around. Enzo shooting Cooper at the end was a joke too. Season four’s episode Admissions was a pretty powerful episode. When Gerrard shot and killed that boy in the police precinct, I distinctly remember my jaw dropping and the strong emotions I felt. I was absolutely floored me. I’m not sure why they chose to go that route with this week’s episode. They did it so well the first time around. I mean really well. Why ruin it with a half-assed version of it now? Episodes just don't inspire the emotional response they once did. A writer should only reuse something if he/she has found a way to make it better. Although, interestingly, the man who played Inspector Gerrad was an actor named Carmen.

I like Agatha Christie stories, so the premise of the plot was interesting enough that I wasn’t bored the whole episode, but this still isn’t the caliber I expect from what was once the best show in the CSI franchise. As far as episodes go this season, I would probably put this one closer to the top than bottom, but in comparison to earlier seasons this one wouldn’t have even show up on the radar.

Guilty Pleasure: The music. I liked it.

Highlight of the episode: Don’s reaction to the artist’s installation. That was pretty funny!