David Caruso: CSI Miami Panacea!

Before we continue our daily rant, please be advised that Emily Procter is NOT, we repeat, NOT leaving CSI Miami. We notice a fair number of visitors to our site each day have "googled" looking for information about Emily leaving the show. We have no idea where this idea originated. It has no basis in fact.

An admission is not absolution. While we realize that, we have to acknowledge having seen only bits and pieces of Alexx Woods (Khandi Alexander's) farewell to the cast of CSI Miami last night. In another in a long line of stupid stunts, we set the DVR. Upon returning for a full-attention viewing, we discovered we had set it to the A&E channel instead of the CBS channel. We should have left it to the 7 year old. He's far more advanced at these things than we are, which has become glaringly obvious.

Isn't it strange that the only episode in 6 years as a starring cast member, Khandi's swan song is the only full episode to feature her character? Had she been similarly cast in any previous episodes, perhaps she would still be an integral part of the ensemble.

The strike brought out some interesting concepts. The Powers That Be do listen to complaints. Certainly not all, but we've seen some slight improvement in several areas. Horatio interacting with the team and working in the lab is a huge plus for fans, it seems. TPTB had thus reacted with a couple of scenes in most post-strike episodes featuring David Caruso in labcoat and latex gloves, bent over some speciman. Duly noted by fans, and thank you, Ann and Co.

Horatio and Calleigh, as team leader and co-leader, interacting together in scenes. Pre-strike their onscreen time had dwindled to nil. Post-strike, we've seen a capsulized scene or two of them together. It's not a pacifier, and the fans can't be placated with a dab now and then. These cast members are the glue of the team. They were set up as close allies; the fans expect that comraderie to continue. It jars the comfort level of the long-standing viewer to be brought short again and again by what often seems to be character inconsistencies

Which, as many reading this may have guessed, brings us to Horatio, The Liquidator. This is so alien to the developed character as to turn many fans away in disgust. The argument that he's still the sensitive, intense lieutenant doesn't wash. The Lt. Caine we know would have never stooped to the tactics we've seen this season. Rio was the beginning; however, we saw that as an attempt to bring a killer to justice. The fact that Horatio killed him was clearly self-defense and marginally acceptable to us, although not to some fans. Post-strike has reinforced those viewers unsettled by the change of character. We have to agree.

Rounding out the cast, we've been impressed with the development of Eric's character; not so much Calleigh. Emily Procter doesn't do hard-ass well. Ryan is a unique character, worthy of far more exposure than he's had this season. Frank is an incredible second banana, a well fitting role for Rex Linn. He deserves his own storyline. Natalia has had way too much exposure, though we're warming a bit to the character. We like Kyle a lot; good chemistry with Horatio. Julia hopefully will evaporate in a short time. One episode of her was one more than our tolerance could bear.