Monday, August 24, 2009

A Little Something for the Mystery Fans

As you may have guessed from my first post, I “don’t do crime procedurals.” Nothing against them specifically, they just aren’t what I gravitate towards when I turn on the TV. Never fear, though, crime drama fans- I’ve got it covered! My friend, fellow TV junkie, and aspiring author Sarah has been kind enough to write a guest blog post about the upcoming season in crime dramas.

Sarah's take on her favorite returning crime dramas (including mild spoliers for the upcoming season) follows...

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I wanted to share with all of you my top five returning crime dramas. As someone who enjoys crime (in the I want to fight against it kind of way, not the crazy delinquent way), I just can’t get enough of the procedurals.

So without further adieu, here’s my list.

5. CSI
Season 10 of CSI premieres Thursday September 24th at 9/8 central on CBS

Premise: A team of crime scene investigators in Las Vegas, Nevada handle the nitty-gritty science that gets cases won in court. The CSIs are followed from the first call to a crime scene through all of the evidence gathering and analysis.

Why it’s exciting: Over the last 2 seasons we have successively lost Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan) and Gil Grissom (Will Peterson). We’ve also gained Lawrence Fishburne as Dr. Ray Langston. Now for those of you who keep up with the spoiler news, we will be getting at least Jorja back for 5 episodes this season with Peterson following (maybe…hopefully). The GSR (Grissom Sara Romance) fan in me just can’t bear to see the writers break up the couple after giving them such a beautiful send off on Grissom’s last episode. But I’m looking forward to seeing how Ray changes from his initial time with the lab. Last season ended with him shooting a man for the first time. I’d like to see the repercussions of that action and how he and the other CSIs handle it.

4. Numb3rs

Season 6 of Numb3rs premieres Friday September 25th at 10/9 central on CBS

Premise: FBI Agent Don Eppes works with his mathematician brother, Charlie, to help solve crimes. Don is assisted by his team, including Agents Colby Granger and David Sinclair, and Charlie by his girlfriend, Amita Ramanujan, and fellow Cal-Sci professor, Larry Fleinhardt. Together, the Eppes brothers have survived attempts on their lives and livelihoods to do what they believe is right.

Why it’s exciting: For anyone who saw the season 5 finale, you know that Charlie has (FINALLY) proposed to Amita. It only took him 3 seasons, sheesh. So I want to know how that pans out because she didn’t say “yes” or “no” as of the final shot of the season finale. Plus, I want to see how Don’s ever-increasing tie into religion continues to unfold. I could do with some more Colby face time too. So what if he was a triple agent, he’s a solid guy who’d do anything for his boss and colleagues.

3. Criminal Minds
Season 5 of Criminal Minds premieres Wednesday September 23rd at 9/8 central on CBS

Premise: The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is an elite team of FBI profilers tasked with hunting down serial killers. The team’s leader, SSA Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner is assisted by agents Derek Morgan, Emily Prentiss, David Rossi, Dr. Spencer Reid, Field Liaison Jennifer “JJ” Jareau and Tech Analyst Penelope Garcia. The team travels across the country (and sometimes north and south of the border) to assist local authorities in catching killers.

Why it’s exciting: Last season ended with Hotch facing down an unknown gunman. The words “You should have taken the deal” are uttered and fade to black, the sound of a gunshot resounding as the credits roll. So clearly, I want to know what happens! Given my propensity to snoop out spoilers, I know that the actor Thomas Gibson (formerly of Dharma and Greg) is on for the whole season. I’m also excited to see what happens with the other characters. Will JJ’s new family (son Henry and fiancé...or did they ever get married...Will) play more prominently in the show? Will we learn more about Emily’s past?

2. NCIS
Season 7 of NCIS premieres Tuesday September 22nd at 8/7 central on CBS

Premise: The NCIS (Navy Criminal Investigative Service) team operates out of Virginia and handles all the cases that involve Navy or Marine Corps ties. The team is an eclectic bunch of agents including Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo, Tim McGee, Forensic Tech Abbie Sciuto and Mossad Officer Ziva David.

Why it’s exciting: At the end of last season we had some super Tony/Ziva drama with the death of Ziva’s boyfriend, Michael. And to boot, Ziva gets kidnapped (at her father’s order) in Africa and is being tortured. The guys have to rescue her. I mean they just have to. And I’ve heard (from Cote de Pablo) that there is more drama to come between her character (Ziva) and Tony. I’m a hopeless Tony/Ziva fan, ever since “Under Covers” in season 4. And on the non-romantic side we have the big mystery still surrounding NCIS Director Leon Vance (who isn’t really Leon Vance but is…it’s all very confusing).

1. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Season 11 of SVU premieres Wednesday September 23rd at 9/8 central on NBC

Premise: The Special Victims Unit is a division of the New York Police force dealing with heinous crimes such as child abuse, sexual assault, rape and murder. The squad is led by Detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson. They’ve been partners going on 11 years and have been through it all; from marriage problems and unexpected pregnancies to finding out about family they never knew they had. They are rounded out by fellow detectives John Munch (yes the same John Munch from Homicide), Odafin “Fin” Tutuola, Captain Donald Cragen, ME Melinda Warner and a slew of ADAs (Assistant District Attorneys).

Why it’s exciting: Well first off, we get ADA Alexandra Cabot back for at least 11 episodes this season! She was the ADA from seasons 2-4, with a guest appearance in season 6’s “Ghost”. NBC gave her a spin off called “Conviction” that only lasted a season. She returned to replace ADA Kim Greylick in season 10 (the character wasn’t very well-liked) and they worked the Conviction back story into her reappearance. So I’m extremely excited to see her back with the SVU crew. They had such great chemistry together. Plus I want to see what the fallout is of Stuckey killing O’Halloran. It’s so sad to see him go. And the show is likely to have a slew of great guest stars as they always do each season.

So I hope you found something of value in this little blog. And maybe you’ll check out some of these great returning shows come September!

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