Confession time: Punk doesn’t really do it for me. When I hear of the Ramones I usually get them confused with series of children’s novels. However, this week’s episode of CSI:NY definitely got my toe a tappin’ and my heart a thumpin’!
The episode, Keep It Real, opens with the pumping tones of “Blitzkrieg Bop” as a crowd of young hipsters reinvent the glory days. The band is fronted by a vivacious blonde. The focus is immediately brought to a young man who clearly thinks she’s a sensation. Some secret smiles and a few ogling looks and it’s apparent the magic isn’t just happening on stage. Cue the dead body.
I was a little concerned because my mind immediately went to season three episode The Ride In where a body is found covered in cash, as was this week’s unfortunate victim. I worried because we have seen the writers regurgitate past episodes, and they were just as pretty as the image of regurgitation inspires. But again, I was pleasantly surprised. Even though there were several themes and ideas that were repeated, I wasn’t left feeling like I wasted my time. There were so many wonderful new elements that it kept my interest. That is a direct correlation to the show’s use of character. For two week’s in a row we have been given more character interaction than, I would argue, we got in the entirety of season 7. From Danny and Lindsay’s several conversations about life with the new promotion, Flacks tender interaction with victim’s girlfriend, to Hawkes’ childhood revelation, and Jo’s college boy drama, we have gotten to see and learn about our favorite characters.
I never understood why the show would invest so much time in each episode on people we’ve never met before and seem to ignore the cast we return to watch week after week. This episode, as did last week’s episode, had a superb balance between a plot driven storyline and character driven story lines.
As the case progresses, we find out that the rock star girlfriend likes expensive guitars and to kick in windows (clearly well prepared for fame), but probably didn’t murder her boyfriend of only a few weeks. In fact, Aly Michalka delivers a rather believable performance as a girl who has lost the potential for true. I found her relationship with Michael to be exactly as she described him, “sweet and genuine.” Writer Bill Haynes gave us a few twists and turns, keeping the case interesting and engaging. Not to mention the guest actors and their characters were a lot of fun to watch and played their parts well. Even those who weren’t a big part of the case, like the tattoo artist, helped to keep the story evolving and moving.
Director Alex Zakrzweski managed to keep things flowing and moved between the case and the sub-plots well. There is one aspect of his directing that frustrates me; too many flashbacks. I can’t stand it when a show “flashes back” to a scene we saw only 5 minutes previous because they think the audience is too stupid or too slow to pick up on the details. This isn’t CSI: Sesame Street, we don’t need everything spelled out for us! (Although, how cool would that show be? Brain now running rampant with images of Muppet crime scenes…)
Outside of the case, Mac’s sudden return to the lab left me a bit confused at first, as well as a little disappointed. Last week he was lamenting about never coming back and then he suddenly walks off the elevator and back into his old position? It nearly gave me whiplash! But at the end of the episode as Mac stares at the plaque from last week’s episode, I was reminded of the storyline involving Joe Vincent, the firefighter who lost his son on 9/11. Joe insisted over and over again he wasn’t coming to the ceremony. This paralleled Mac’s own feelings on returning to the lab. Perhaps Mac realized his own words of support and encouragement needed to be directed inward, and seeing Joe show up at the ceremony provide Mac with the realization that he too needed to show up. I really wondered about Joe’s story line in Indelible, but now I see it making perfect sense when married to this week’s episode. That’s pretty strong writing.
We really are getting to see the characters dealing with life outside the lab. Danny and Lindsay’s storyline is being well plotted and nicely paced. The concept of life with separate jobs was well introduced with their initial interaction, “I’m looking for Danny Messer. He’s my husband; at least I think he is. I haven’t seen him for days.” Lindsay jokes to which Danny responds, “You tryin’ to break my heart?” Clearly they are trying to deal with the separation, but it isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. This theme continues as they have their “lunch jacking” moment. This is an extremely interesting development in their relationship and the ground work is being well laid for them this season.
Jo’s own sub-plot with her son and his new roommate was also well integrated into the show. It provided humorous material from Adam, as well as a moment of insight into Hawkes’ life. It also continued to give shape and depth to Jo’s character. She broke the “Mom Code” but still managed to give her son the respect he deserves at this age. I am enjoying her character much more this season, and glad to see her interacting with more than just Mac. What an odd team she and Adam make, but it seems to really work.
Overall, it wasn’t the most suspenseful story, but I’ve always said if I get a decent case with great character interaction then I am happy. And this episode definitely makes it on Billboards Top Chart!
Question: So Jo was in definite mom-mode this week—going to extremes, overacting—but all in the name of love. Any moment come to mind when your own parent/guardian managed to embarrass you with such parenting skills?
Next Week: A bunch of girls with some junk in their trunks! CSI:NY is gone in 30 seconds, so too perhaps, Danny’s new promotion? Hmm….
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