Greetings and Partings in ‘The Season That Changes Everything’

2 April 2009, Singapore – For nine solid seasons, loyal viewers went through thick and thin with the heart of the original CSI series, Gil Grissom (William Petersen). We were there as Grissom plowed through puzzling evidence and pulled himself through heart wrenching grief (the departure of his beloved fiancée Sara and the tragic death of his comrade Warrick). Season 9 will be Grissom’s swan song, highlighted in a special two-episode tribute to the quirky sleuth and an intriguing introduction to CSI newcomer, Dr Raymond Langston (Laurence Fishburne, The Matrix). Tune in to the first and exclusive broadcast on AXN on April 15 (episode 9) and April 22 (episode 10)!

The bombshell is dropped right at the beginning of Episode 9. “I made a decision. I’m going to leave CSI,” Grissom announces matter-of-factly to a CSI team stunned into silence and disbelief. Even as they attempt to come to grips with Grissom’s impending departure, the CSI team is thrust into the thick of action with a relook into a closed case – the infamous Dick-and-Jane killer, Nathan Haskell, whose victims were couples, although the female bodies were never found. Strangely, fresh murders have surfaced in a similar style while the convicted killer is still serving his prison sentence. As they race against time to save lives with their forensic expertise, Grissom gatecrashes a university seminar, which has arranged for a live video conference with the Dick-and-Jane killer as part of his investigation.  This is also where he comes face-to-face with the professor, Dr Langston (Laurence Fishburne), for the first time.

Langston’s debut episode was the ratings champion in its timeslot, drawing an impressive 20.6 million viewers in the US. This boosted a 19 percent increase from the previous episode and was its best performance since the season premiere. Similarly on AXN, the ‘Home of CSI’, Season 9 has been more than warmly received by viewers in the region, with the premiere leading its timeslot in the key markets of Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Laurence Fishburne’s debut on CSI marks his most significant TV role of late, having been active in film and theatre in recent years. Most would remember him as Morpheus from The Matrix, the philosophical freedom fighter searching for the prophesied ‘One’. Fishburne’s character brings new vitality to the CSI team with his background in criminal pathology. Despite his expertise, Langston remains a greenhorn in CSI work - fumbling his way through collecting evidence in his first official case and adjusting to the brutal, late-night hours of the graveyard shift. Langston’s acclimatisation

into the CSI team will also be interesting, following Season 7’s story arc where Mike Keppler (Liev Schreiber) temporarily replaced Grissom when he went on sabbatical; only this time round, Langston will be staying for good. How will the CSI team get along with a new Level 1 team member?  Will Langston hold his own among these seasoned forensic experts?

Fans of Grissom can still look forward to a silver lining; Petersen will remain as an executive producer on the show and will return on a guest star basis. It will not be truly farewell but au revoir for CSI’s beloved Grissom.

CSI Season 9 Episode 9 airs 15 April 2009
Episode 10 airs 22 April 2009
Every Wed on AXN @ 10pm (SG, MY, PH, TH), 11pm (HK), 9pm (JKT)

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