Dug Up Dead 8X06 Review (***1/2out of 5)

It’s Arsenic and Old Race to save a life this week on CSI:NY. Nothing says effective character moments better than Halloween…yeah, maybe not, but some how Get Me Out of Here, in a quirky way, managed to get the ambiguous white mask off and take a deeper look. However, the episode also scared up a number of disappointments as well. So for the first time in reviewing history (that’s right...the first time EVER) I am giving a half in my rating. There was just enough good to make the episode a four but just enough bad to make the episode a 3, and I couldn’t decide—also I finally figured out how to make that darn m&m a half.

Sorry to dig up the past but the show had a pretty high standard to live up to when touting a Halloween episode. Season four’s Boo was hugely effective in the “sleeping with the hallway light on” creepiness, as well as being emotionally strong, and show casing excellent CSI interaction and a real taste of New York City. This episode attempted to accomplish that, but came up short. For me it boils down to two main factors: Director Scott White is no Joe Dante and Writer Trey Callaway (as much as I have enjoyed several of his episodes) is no Peter Lenkov. Sticking with the Halloween metaphors that I am forcing down your throats, White and Callaway are more wearing the plastic masks of Dante and Lenkov.

The episode, rather than starting with an actual scare begins with what the show seems to really cling to: the “faux fright.” Oh look a girl running and screaming. I should be worried and scared for her except I’m not because I know that in 5 seconds it’s going to be revealed she’s playing flashlight tag or something equally inane. It’s a trick the show relies on much too frequently. A true “Halloween” episode shouldn’t have pulled that punch. (Remember in Boo when in the opening a body literally crawled its way to the surface? That’s some scary sh*t!)

Really, a big disappointment for me was the lack of fear. There wasn’t any real tension for me because the “scare” factor was never truly established or maintained. Which would have been fine, but it was clear they were trying to create that feeling. They just weren’t able to pull it off. No one ever assumed the guy buried alive would die. If that illusion is taken away then so too is the emotion and things become mechanical and boring. (Remember in Boo when they killed a family of four? Yeah, I felt that tension right away!)

Then—as one of my biggest pet peeves—the killer (who was so willing to MURDER another human being to protect himself) just gave a full confession in the end. No rhyme or reason is established; the show was just running out of time and Callaway knew he had trapped himself in a crypt and took the shameful road—Yes, shameful I say!—of the easy confession. (Remember in Boo when the killer is discovered it turns out he is absolutely bat crazy because he had accidently killed his sister? Talk about depth and well thought out motivation!)

And was I the only one to laugh out loud at the cemetery manager getting whacked ridiculously by the bulldozer? (Remember in Boo when that crazy ass old woman attacks Lindsay? Ok, I know those two things don’t really compare. I just like bringing up how incredibly fantastic Boo is.)

However, there was still plenty to like about the episode. In Boo the character stories were much more subtle and understated. I am always struck by the quiet sadness of Danny and Lindsay as they question the little girl in the hospital, but it is very understated. That has its place in story telling and works in that episode, but in this season I absolutely enjoyed every second of the obvious and over the top character exploration. There was nothing quiet about Danny and Lindsay here. They were entertaining and amusing. The topic of what to do with their bodies after death was macabre but playful (an interesting combination). The flow and progression of their conversation well communicated the shift in their dynamic, offering a glimpse in their too little viewed married life. It was wonderful to see a bit of that old chemistry again.

Likewise, Sid out of the morgue was a special treat. His pillow idea had absolutely nothing to do with the case and yet it didn’t feel forced or too out of place. I adore Robert Joy and his portrayal of Sid Hammerback is the reason he is my favorite M.E. across the franchise. Creepy Sid was well used in this episode. The same can be said for Adam and Hawkes as well. They all managed to get decent screen time and play pivotal roles in the episode. If the case had been better written and executed then it would have been an overall strong episode. It had strong pacing, and I can’t remember ever being bored or wanting a scene to hurry up and end.

I am getting a little sick of “Mama Bear” (and I typed Mama with a strong southern accent) Jo. That relationship has to be eased into and established; not forced down our throats. It would be nice to see someone else befriend Mac and show him affection for once. But even with Jo as the catalyst I love episodes that end with the entire cast doing something stupid like watch a dumb movie. (I will refrain from asking about Lucy since I’m beginning to wonder if she is just a figment of my imagination…you guys saw her once too right?…right?) It just feels like family finally getting the chance to connect for a moment. And for that kind of emotional manipulation I am a total sucker…OF BLOOD! Get it? ‘Cause I’m a vampire. (Does this mean I glitter in sunlight?)

So which do you prefer the Hokey Halloween or the Night of Horrors Halloween?

Next Week: Let’s Party like it’s 1999! And some poor balcony takes the fall for a murderer.