C.S.I: Crime Scene Investigation - New York - Season 2 Part 1 [DVD] [2005[

We nearly didn't bother watching S2 of CSI NY. That would've been a mistake! It's a huge improvement over the first series, and is thoroughly entertaining television.

After the cosy familiarity of the original Las Vegas CSI set up, the first episodes of Season One in New York were grim. The NY spin off was deliberately gritty, intentionally harsh. While intense drama is always watchable, you have to be a bit careful of this with series TV and overall we found the first season of CSI NY to be just too uncomfortable and nerve-wracking. Like Millennium, it was just too close to the bone to be thoroughly enjoyable.

The producers must have felt the same because the second season of CSI NY is much brighter, much less oppressive and so much more entertaining. The characters are given space and depth, and the plot lines are far less harrowing. The overall feel of the production is less intense, and the result is a better, more watchable tv programme.

Gary Sinise is the lynchpin of the series and his character, Mac Taylor, has become one of my favourite fictional heroes. The character's back story as a decorated Marine officer stimulates some fascinating episodes and Sinise carries off the role with charismatic dedication.

The supporting cast have grown in stature -- the addition of a new CSI from Montana was a masterstroke -- and a slight reshuffle among the other roles has worked really well. All of them can carry a spotlight episode on their own, so you don't feel disappointed if any epsiode centres on one character.

Even though the series is definitely lighter this time, it still tackles some serious issues and our team are all put at risk in various epiosdes. If I have a criticism it's that the job becomes personal too often, and sometimes it's heading towards a soap about the characters rather than a detective story with regular players... but that's a minor gripe.

Buy it or rent it -- if you buy it then you'll certainly be able to watch some episodes over and over, to catch all the details.

Of course, with CSI you get great effects and some mind-bogglingly daft plotlines, but those are to be expected. Sometimes I yearn for a really straightforward death and old fashioned police work -- because some of the plots really are bizarre -- but it's not a documentary, after all.

It is compelling entertainment. 45 minutes of near perfection.

Must say, I can't agree with Roweena the Red who commented that "...Even though the series is definitely lighter this time..." because to my mind, Season 2 is darker, MUCH more dramatic and vastly more exciting that season 1.

Having now seen the whole of season 2 (bought it as region 1 because I was so keen to see the full set), I find this to be pretty well the best of all the CSI's so far - and that includes Las Vegas 1-6 and Miami 1-2. In this season, two of the CSI team find themselves under investigation for possible involvement in different crimes; one is fired, one is killed and several characters from previous storylines and/or Season 1 make a re-appearance. There is also a cross-over with CSI-Miami and the involvement of Horatio Cain. The characters of Mac and Stella and developed in much more depth and a new CSI fits in really well. As you'd expect, there are murders and suspicious deaths of all sorts. So take my advice - don't just stop at Season 1 part 1, stretch to Part 2 as well. You'll need to anyway if you want to find out how one particular storyline is brought to an end - not to mention the mystery of how one CSI may or may not have been involved in a killing carried out by the Tanglewood Boys.

"..definitely lighter this time.." ??? I don't think so !

CSI New York Season 2 sees a reshuffle of characters and the introduction of new characters and it works to make season 2 even more entertaining than season 1. Some reviewers have complained about the amount of personal interaction there is between characters in CSI New York but for me that's what makes this series unique to the franchise.....the characters all work and interact so you feel like you're watching a growing family in some respects....but thankfully not to the point where you feel you're watching a soap opera. Season 2 gives us more insight into the characters we met in Season 1 and gives us a better understanding of why they are the way they are. Add that to some pretty explosive storylines and you've got a hit on your hands. I didn't think they'd top season 1 but CSI New York continues to amaze me. All I can say is roll on Season 3.