CSI Season Eight Arrives on DVD

CSI has proven to be an unbeatable and successful franchise for CBS. Season eight was a roller coaster season with the writer’s strike and eventually having two of our favorite CSI investigators say goodbye. Still it was a season that continued to push the limits and flesh out our favorite characters.

The season began where season seven left off, CSI investigator Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) some where in the desert, pinned down in an upside down car slowly drowning by the hands of the miniature killer. This season had a seven episode arc focusing on the relationship between Sara Sidle and CSI Nightshift Supervisor Gil Grissom (William Petersen), as they came to terms with their relationship and Sara’s struggle with the responsibility as a CSI investigator.

Another big storyline that provided some of the highlights of this season was the downward spiral of CSI investigator Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan). Warrick’s limits are tested as he deals with his marriage failing and his ongoing quest to take down mafia boss Lou Gedda. In episode 808 as Warrick tries to find answers for one murder investigation, he finds himself in the middle of one himself.
After trying to find answers at a Gentleman’s club run by the one of the last of the old mafia, Lou Gedda, Warrick finds himself getting involved with stripper named Candy who works at Lou Gedda’s club. The night ends with the stripper dead in Warrick’s car and him ultimately being the prime suspect. His troubles are only beginning and the first of two murders that point to Warrick. Rumors also surface that Gedda has a mole in the LVPD and all the fingers are being pointed in Warrick’s direction.

These are just a few of the great storylines that run through season eight and help to make season eight so enjoyable even though it was cut short by the writer’s strike. Along with all 17 episodes,ther is some bonus material to keep you interested way after the crimes are solved. Most of the bonus material is found on disc 3 and 5, but disc 2 and 4 has additional content as well.

On disc 2 there is an episode of Without a Trace that was is a crossover storyline from episode 806. The story involves Gil Grissom and Without a Trace character Jack Malone (Anthony LaPaglia) as they work together to track down a serial killer and his son. It’s an affective way to bring the two series together and still provide a great story.

On disc 3 there is commentary track options for episode 809 - You Kill Me and 808 - Cockroaches. You Kill Me is a follow up to last season’s Lab Rats episode. Both of these episodes focus on the secondary characters that are the techs in the lab. Lab Rats had the techs trying to examine the evidence of the Miniature Killer and You Kill Me has lab tech David Hodges (Wallace Langham) staging through the course of a day, hypothetical murders with his colleagues.
It’s one of the rare episodes on CSI that pokes fun of it’s self and is very lighthearted. You Kill Me has the actors that portray the techs providing entertaining commentary as they banter back and forth with one another about the episode and their characters.

On the other hand, episode 808 is one of the most intense and serious episodes of the season. It is also an episode that is directed by acclaimed filmmaker William Friedkin who is known for such films as The French Connection, The Exorcist and To Live and Die in L.A. to name a few.

The commentary track has director Friedkin, actor/producer William Petersen and producer/writer Dustin Abraham sitting down and talking about their experience making this great episode.
Some of the commentary highlights we find that actor Gary Dourdan wrote the score during the sex scene in the episode, we are given reasoning and insight for the flash forwards and the subliminal shots and that some of the signature style of CSI came out of scenes from the French Connection and To Live and Die in LA (a film that William Petersen also starred in).

On disc 4 the only extra is a deleted scene from episode 812 - Grissom's Divine Comedy. The scene was featured in teaser previews for episode 812 but was cut when it finally aired. Exec producer Carol Mendelsohn was quoted as the reasoning for its removal was “crime-solving trumped romance.” Still she loved the scene so much it was later available on the CBS website. The 2 minute plus scene gives us a look into Grissom’s apartment and CSI Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) makes an interesting discovery.

On disc 5 there is several featurettes including one on the departure of character Sara Sidle. It’s interesting to note that although there is one on Sara’s departure but not one on the Warrick Brown character.
It seems unfortunate that two long running characters that have been on the show from the pilot episode and characters that fans have come to know and love aren’t treated in the same way on the DVD bonus material.
The truth might simply come down to the fact that actor Gary Dourdan and CBS could not come to terms with his new contract and led to his character being written out of the show.
The other featurettes include What Happened in Vegas…, Shot in The Dark and TOD: A Bug’s Life.

CSI is one of CBS’s most profitable franchises. Season after season CSI has engaged us with great stories, strong characters and fascinating scenarios. Going into its 9th season, CSI is at an interesting crossroads. With 2 reoccurring characters now gone and another preparing to depart, the 9th season could make or break the series. Catch up with season 8 and prepare to see where they go next when they introduce Laurence Fishburne as Dr Raymond Langston.

But let's all hope CSI will not depart