Opening with Closure 8X01 Review (*****out of 5!)

It isn’t often that an episode of television has the opportunity to create and inspire a powerful and lasting emotional response. So it is always a pleasant surprise when a show can do just that, but what is even more surprising is it was CSI:NY. I’ve seen every episode of this show (most of them more than once) and I have never seen an episode like this week’s season premier Indelible. This episode was packed with Humanism, love, and loss. It managed to bring to remembrance all the emotions of a truly tragic day in our history.

I was very worried when I heard that this episode would focus on the events of 9/11. As much as I love this show, it isn’t necessarily known for its deep emotional impact on and interpretation of the world. Yet, coming off a season finale that was possibly a series finale—perhaps inspiring those involved with the show to demonstrate to the world what a mistake it was to consider ending the show before its time—and from the real life efforts of Gary Sinise to help with the remembrance of those who suffered as first responders on the day of the attack, everyone involved clearly worked hard to give us something we as viewers could be proud of. It was bold, it was ambitious, it was respectful and honest, and it was successful.

As the episode opens with an unfamiliar looking Mac, one who exudes warmth and love, it is clear we will be witness to many deaths in this episode. Director Frederick E. O. Toye immediately set the tone by seamlessly shifting from Mac and Claire’s full, vibrant bathroom and morning rituals to Mac’s current sparse, sterile, and lifeless bathroom. The silence of the laughter and music was clear and effective; with Claire gone, so too was the light and joy of Mac’s life. She was the music in his life, a theme well established by his surprise opera tickets.

Writers Zachary Reiter and John Dove continued this emotional roller coaster throughout the episode. Mac remembers his last bus ride with Claire, again the music is present as they share ear buds, then to be immediately left standing alone. These ups and downs aren’t limited to specific moments. The entire episode moves through humor and tears, joy and despair. It was nice to be reminded of the writers’ comedic ability (who could forget Mac’s love of waterfalls?) as we watched Adam give his impression of Jo—though it came out as more Paul Lynde than Sela Ward—it was a perfect moment of levity in a heavy episode.

I was really impressed by their decision to not show us what ultimately happened to Claire. I respect that decision because I believe I would feel uncomfortable knowing more about what happened to her than Mac. It was unbelievably effective to have Mac speaking with Claire on the phone only to have her disappear in a swarm of ambiguity. There are still so many questions for so many people that it is heartbreaking to think that over 1600 people lost a spouse that day. The agony that comes from losing a loved one can only be compounded by the mystery and unknown. The writers’ choice was very realistic and, as a result, very emotional. They clearly established Mac and Claire’s love for each other serving to emphasis the amount of loss in Mac’s life. (Although, since I am a true blue dyed through and through DL fan I can’t help but think that if they could show Mac and Claire so affectionate towards each other then why can’t we get that between Danny and Lindsay? But because I know we are going to be getting decent DL stuff this season I’ll leave it at that.)

This brings me to Sergeant Messer and one of the most powerful scenes: the flashback to when Flack and Messer first met. It is interesting to note that as we see them in 2011 Don is in civilian clothes and Danny is in his uniform. As we move to 2001 we see the reverse, a uniformed Don leading a bleeding victim out of the fog of debris, smoke, and ash only to met by a street clothed Danny, also running out the same fog. There is no music, no added drama. It seemed like a scene out of a play where the emotion and impact almost relies solely on the actors and dialogue. And it was done beautifully. It reminded me of the film The Others where the characters are surrounded by the fog of their own nightmare and hell. It was solemn, scary, and uncertain; a perfect interpretation of that fateful day.

Each of the actors from our main cast brought every scene to a whole new level and acted as a voice to so many people. Sela Ward brilliantly delivered the uncertainty and worry as Jo looks onto a crippled Pentagon, Gary Sinise the heart ache and loss as Mac races to an already lost Claire, Robert Joy and Hill Harper as Drs. Hammerback and Hawkes quietly and firmly displayed the necessary commitment to help those in need, and Anna Belknap and AJ Buckley were the spot on and emotional voice of Lindsay and Adam, those who could do nothing more than watch and wait. While Adam’s story isn’t a new one—Without a Trace had an episode about 9/11 where a character had a nearly identical story—it was wonderfully used and AJ’s vulnerability created another dynamic in Adam. This episode marvelously incorporated our characters in such away that we were seeing their past, but gain new insight into each one. For example, Lindsay’s decision to come to New York may have stemmed from her time in the city when she was there to help with the bucket brigade—a truly creative and genius use of this episode.

There is so much more about this episode that I could go on about, but what it boils down to is to question whether the episode accomplished what it set out to do, then to question whether it exceeded that expectation. My answer is a resounding yes to both. While not perfect, this is a realistic portrayal of sacrifice and endurance. I am not my usually hokey self in this review because this episode isn’t about the typical crime fighting/case solving escapades our characters run into. This is The West Wing’s Isaac and Ishmael, or MASH’s Goodbye, Farewell and Amen—an episode set apart from other episodes, a risk with the attempt to actually say something meaningful, to be vulnerable. (Never fear, I can’t resist the corny or ridiculous for too long and will be back to my normal self next week…and I’m sure that was something you were fearing…) So with the respect this episode deserves I will end with Mac’s words:

“Ten years have passed since that tragic day… and here today we gather, a people united not only in our grief but in our resolve to stand together as one family of Americans.”

Which scene or character best personified your emotions that day 10 years ago, or is there a different perspective you could add?

Next Week: The rock and roll of murder mysteries appears and Danny and Lindsay try to finally have that elusive meal together. Sounds like a bit of dissonance is headed our way!

Season 8: Yo Mac! Back in Black!

The end of the summer is officially marked by the beginning of the Fall season on TV...at least it is in my house! So goodbye summer tan (you really only existed in my mind anyway) and hello frantic DVR programming!

In honor of the beginning of the season, and my return to forcing my opinions on all the unwitting, I am taking a moment to prepare for the season.

Where we left off:

Danny's 'movin' on up' and Mac pulls a George Bailey wondering if his life has purpose. Hawkes spent the summer sittin' in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G, and Flack, Adam, Sid, and Jo...um...well it was work as usual for them.

Where we're headed: (SPOILERS AHEAD MATEY!--that's my best pirate voice)

The Premier is set to be an emotional one. According to EW magazine, "In a story line inspired by star Gary Sinise, who raised money for a 9/11 memorial, the season 8 premiere flashes back to the day that Det. Mac Taylor lost his wife in the World Trade Center. "After the attacks I got very involved in meeting first responders," the actor explains. "I wanted to do something for them." Coming off the anniversary of his wife's death, Mac's getting emotional--and he's not the only one. "We let the audience into some personal moments this season," says exec producer Pam Veasey. Newly promoted sergeant Danny Messer struggles with work/life balance, and Jo Danville will delve deeper into the reason she moved to New York City. Hint: we'll learn more about that rape case she covered in D.C."

So Mac has found a purpose; helping with identification for victims of 9/11. I admit I am excited by that. It is a unique and believable way to tie in Mac's history with his future. It is a prime opportunity to help Mac finally move on from his wife's death while respectfully recreating the drama of that day. We've had hints of his struggle through out the years, and I will be interested in seeing if they write his character any differently this season.

Danny is now a Sergeant and things aren't running too smoothly for our favorite TV family. Eonline reports, "Anna Belknap tells us that there are some struggles early on getting used to Danny's (Carmine Giovinazzo) new sergeant position: "They are used to working together and seeing each other everyday, so it becomes sort of difficult. They try have lunch in episode two. They can't make it work. It's frustrating. You're used to seeing somebody everyday. He works long hours, she works long hours, they're not seeing each other, so it's tough."

This has great potential as a storyline. My problem with TV couples tends to stem from the fact that "drama" is usually so contrived or forced: the old "cheating" standby, or kidnapping, or something blowing up type thing. Those things have their place, but they are more cliched now. I am really interested in seeing this couple deal with a pretty typical marital issue. Work can get in the way of romance. I think it is unbelievably sweet that they have been so used to getting to see each other all the time that the shift to working separately is a very real issue for them. In a world where marriage is often represented on TV or film as something to be avoided or mistreated it is so refreshing to see a man and woman who actually love and care for each other, and their family.

In Friday night's chat with Executive Producers Pam Veasey and Zach Reiter they confirmed that "Flack's sister makes a return, we were very lucky for that. We're hoping to start something..."

Need another reason to get giddy? How about this from Pam Veasey in TV Guide: "This year, there are relationships for everyone. We want to see the other side of our characters. Who are they outside the lab?" says Veasey " You'll learn things that will make you smile"

Since the switch to single case episodes, CSI:NY has struggled to keep me interested in an episode from start to finish. Often there isn't enough in an episode to keep my attention, in other words I was bored. However, the episodes I did find successful were the ones that had an interesting case and the secondary story was filled with character development. Season 5 episode The Triangle is a good example of this. Interesting case and the parts of the episode that didn't deal with the case dealt with Danny, Lindsay and her pregnancy. Or Season 6 episode Cuckoo's Nest dealing with Flack going AWOL. If this is going to be the trend with season 8 then I am ready to see one of the best season's of the show's history!

Season 8; write it great! (I'm terrible I know)

Seriously, what sounds better for a Friday night than dealing with the death of a loved one, a family struggling to keep it together under stressful situations, a passed rape case that haunts those involved, a sister who is an alcoholic, and general murder and mayhem? What could beat that?

Enjoy the Premier and I'll be back to posting reviews on Monday.

Also, thanks to DLChem.net (a one stop shop for all things Danny and Lindsay) for their help in making sure we fans have all the up to date info. I was able to pull quotes so easily thanks to all their hard work! Looking forward to another year of gabbing like crazy about how cute Lucy Messer is. ^_^