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By Mike Thompson

Last semester, I proclaimed Ed to be the best new show I had seen so far this TV season. And it’s true. Of the shows I had seen when I wrote that column, Ed was the best. But a couple of months ago, I discovered CSI on CBS. And with the show now airing immediately following Survivor Thursday nights, a lot more people are discovering CSI. So I thought now would be the best time to offer my opinion of the show. Ed may be great, but CSI is this season’s best new drama. From great acting to intelligent writing to well-done action sequences, CSI is true Must-See TV.

The CSI in CSI stands for Crime Scene Investigation. That is the full name of the unit of forensic investigators who solve crimes in Las Vegas. What makes these investigators unique is that they are trained to scour crime scenes for any facts that might be relevant to a case. From body hair and broken toenails to diamond studs and footprints, these folks look for and analyze anything and everything that might help them solve a crime. But these people aren’t detectives, mind you. Once they find enough evidence to prove a suspect guilty, they hand the matter over to the police. It’s not your standard cop show, and that’s a good thing.

Heading up the cast on CSI is senior forensics officer Gil Grissom (William Petersen, who also co-produces the show), who heads up the CSI division. Working on his team are: Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger), a tough former stripper and single mom; Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan), a young investigator who unfortunately has a gambling problem; Sara Sidel (Jorja Fox), a sassy young investigator; and Nick Stokes (George Eads). Captain Jim Brass (Paul Guilfoyle), of the homicide division, rounds out the cast. He both oversees CSI and acts as the liaison between the division and the police.

Each episode features two (and sometimes three) crimes being investigated by CSI. Usually, two investigators are assigned to each fascinating case. Initially the audience knows as much about the crime as the investigators do. Then, as the investigators find more evidence and interrogate suspects, we start to see how the crime may have occurred. These scenarios are always shown in black and white, and they evolve as the investigators start to figure out the crime. Basically, we get to see the investigators’ thought processes as they unravel the mystery. Finally, at the end of each completed investigation, we are shown the true account of what happened. The result is immensely enjoyable television.

Like I said, the writing in CSI is frequently top-notch. The writers don’t shy away at all from intense forensic terminology, but it doesn’t come off like technobabble. It’s very understandable and also refreshing, as the writers are actually playing up to the audience, unlike what is so often seen on TV. Also enjoyable is that all the investigators are very devoted to their craft. In one episode, Grissom tells Brown, "Forget about making a hundred, forget about the victim, forget about the suspect and focus on the only thing that won't lie: the facts."

As if you haven’t guessed by now, CSI is a terrific show. And I’m happy to report that the show is enjoying some big success in the ratings. The show slowly built a nice following on Friday nights, then was moved in February to Thursday nights at 9 PM, after Survivor: The Australian Outback. Even though the show now goes up against NBC’s highly overrated sitcoms Will & Grace and Just Shoot Me, CSI has become an even bigger hit, frequently outdrawing NBC in terms of total viewers. This is good news indeed. Check out CSI for yourself; you won’t be disappointed. CBS is located on two channels here at Marist: Channel 2 and Channel 6.