The “CSI” franchise dominated the small screens in the 2000s. It kicked off with “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and expanded with “CSI: Miami” and “CSI: NY”.
Whodunit fans were addicted to the different iterations that were helmed by formidable leads from Dr Gil Grissom (William Petersen) and Lieutenant Horatio Caine (David Caruso) to Detective Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise), respectively.
As the winds of change took root in Hollywood, female leads took over.
This was evident in later offerings like “CSI: Cyber”, which was helmed by Deputy Director Avery Ryan (Patricia Arquette), and “CSI: Vegas”, where Maxine “Max” Roby (Paula Newsome) ran a tight ship as the head of the crime lab.
While the other series are no longer, the “CSI: Vegas” continues to thrive.
The third instalment recently debut on M-Net and it remains stays true to the blueprint of the franchise. The strong female-led cast has seen several OGs make guest appearances since it first aired in 2021.
Marg Helgenberger, who plays Catherine Willows, is the only one who has been a season regular in the reboot.
The cases are compelling and the writers elevate the storytelling by making it personal for the team, even though they are led by the evidence and not sentiments.
The diversity in the casting is also a plus for the series, with the characters well-etched, and, for some, like Josh Folsom (Matt Lauria), carrying baggage.
The new season picks up where the previous one ended with Josh going awol after his estranged mother was murdered. He was joined by his childhood friend, Trey (Daniel di Tomasso), a convict.
Unfortunately, he finds himself in hot water when he becomes a suspect in the murder of the culprit.
His relationship with Serena Chavez (Ariana Guerra) hangs in the balance when he learns of a secret she’s kept from him.
Max is conflicted by one of her own being at the centre of the investigation. But she tries to remain level-headed.
This season, Allie Rajan (Mandeep Dhillon) is given added responsibilities that see her management style clash with Max’s.
Catch-22 situations are nothing new to the team and they find themselves in a few this season.
∎ “CSI: Vegas” is airing on M-Net (DStv channel 101) on Tuesdays at 9pm.