CSI -- Crime Scene Investigation: Series 2, Part 1 [2001]

The show's trademark reveals of vital evidence--be it on the autopsy slab or under the microscope--add a fresh spin to what is, at heart, a good old-fashioned whodunit series. William Petersen brings the requisite air of antiquarianism to a character whose meticulous demeanour and love of order consciously inherits the mantle of Sherlock Holmes (whose vast collection of tobacco samples and bottles of chemicals are the ancestors of CSI's high-tech crime lab). This is a series in which scientific evidence-gathering is elevated to the status of a religion. "When a tree falls in the forest, even if no one is around to hear, it does make a sound", affirms Grissom with the calm assurance of a yogi on the path to Enlightenment.

And just when CSI starts to seem a little too pat, just when the trail of clues seems too neat, the show always seems able to throw a surprise or two at us: perhaps there has been no crime after all; perhaps the evidence concerns a completely different crime altogether; or perhaps, as in one brave episode concerning brothers implicated in multiple murders, the evidence simply isn't good enough to convict the right man, even when Grissom knows which one really is guilty. As a result, every episode is simply compulsive viewing.

On the DVD:CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Series 2 Part 1 comes in a three-disc set with several worthwhile extras. There are cast and crew interviews, an on-set tour, a peek at the workshop where all the bloody body parts are created, and, most informative, selected episode commentaries featuring writer-creator Anthony E Zuiker and director and producer Danny Cannnon among others. Picture and Dolby Digital sound are impeccable. --Mark Walker

Customer reviews:

Without a doubt the best show on Earth, 2005-07-13
I am a massive CSI & CSI Miami fan, and would recommend these shows to anyone and everyone, it is hugely popular and the actors are great, the Team of Forensic Scientists are brilliant, the way in which they look at the Crime Scenes and unravel the story as to how the the crime ocurred. It truly is one of the best programmes on TV & Sky at the moment.

Fills in the blanks from the channel 5 run, 2003-10-13
I am a massive fan of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and CSI: Miami but found watching the series on TV (UK Channel 5) could be frustrating!
I remembered seeing episodes ages ago but couldnt remember if these were pilots or not. Then I discovered that series 2 was being released on DVD. A godsend!
My favourite episode of all time, which I know now is called "Scuba doobie doo" appears on Series 2 Box set 1 and is an absolute cracker of an episode.
For people who are not au fait with CSI, I would recommend you watch this episode as Investigators try to figure out how a diver in full scuba gear ended up a tree in the Las Vegas desert, in the middle of a brush fire. An absolute classic. The extras are also compelling for die-hard fans, with set walkthroughs detailling the sheer amount of real equipment contained in the studio set.
William H Peterson gives what I would recognise as his all time best performance as Gil Grisholm and each of the characters has something that endears them to all watchers. You actually find yourself caring for the team.
For those who miss the excellent on screen "will they, wont they" of FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, we now have the "have they, haven't they" frisson of Sara Sidle and Grisholm.
Another fantastic quality of the series would have to be the amount of famous faces who pop up in episodes; look out for appearances from members of the ER team, the Enterprise crew and a few other famous TV and film faces.

I just hope they can keep making enough episodes to satisfy the fans addiction!