By Jae-Ha Kim
Amazon.com
October 30, 2007
The fifth season of CSI: Miami begins with revenge: Lead CSI Horatio Caine (David Caruso) and underwater recovery whiz Eric Delko (Adam Rodriguez) travel to Brazil to avenge the murder of Horatio’s wife Marisol (who was Eric’s sister).
While there, Horatio also helps his sister-in-law and nephew after his brother is murdered by drug lords. (Never mind that the crime-fighting duo seem to have carte blanche to do as they like in a foreign country.) The scenes are beautifully shot and the rhythm of the first few episodes are reminiscent of classic Miami Vice.
The most stylistic–and hammy–show in the CSI franchise, CSI: Miami is driven by Caruso’s quiet delivery. Never one to get overly excited, Horatio rarely exhibits more than a shy smile or a whispery threat. In this season, two CSIs–Ryan Wolfe (Jonathan Togo) and Natalia Boa Vista (Eva La Rue) face professional and personal problems that could threaten their jobs, while Horatio himself battles a recurring nemesis who always seems to be one step ahead of him.
The crimes range from an apparent death by grizzly bear to what looks like an off-shore betting pool dealing with celebrity deaths. After solving the latter case, ballistics expert Calleigh Duquesne (Emily Procter) observes that “Somebody will always think it’s easy to make [money].” Taking his classic hands on hips stance, Horatio says, “But we know different, don’t we?”
Considered smarmy by some, and dreamy by others, Caruso is a love-him-or-hate-him kind of actor. While he doesn’t have the depth of William Petersen (star of the original CSI), his preening works in the context of the glitzier CSI: Miami.
All 24 episodes, which originally ran during 2006-2007, are included in this six-disc set.
Extras include a six-minute look at the actors’ wardrobe and a 25-minute documentary hosted by Togo that explores the similarities (and differences) between real and fictional forensic experts.
Also, gamers will get a kick out of the CSI: Hard Evidence PC game that comes with the DVD box set.
