On October 9th , 2008,CSI : Crime Scene Investigationbroke the nitty-gritty of longtime fans by doing the one thing I never expect the show to do;killing longtime character , Warrick Brown . CSIhad a tried - and - true normal , and very rarely swan from a satisfying conclusion in each episode . So , with a show that established and reliable , fans like me did n’t expect the season 8 cliffhanger , where Warrick was inject in his elevator car , to actually result in the character demise . “ For Warrick ” flipped the usualCSIscript , and made its most memorable instalment to escort .

CSI , first premiering in the year 2000 , is a show revered enough to have a dealership that is still successful 24 days later , and even after all this prison term , “ For Warrick ” is still on my mind . The bold conclusion to kill off a main character alone changed the tone and expectations of the show- a huge risk to take , but it patently give off . “ For Warrick ” stand tall as an episode that provesCSIisn’t afraid to kill its darlings for the plot , and is more than capable of venturing further than a formulaic criminal offence dramatic event .

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CSI characters looking serious

Custom image by Yeider Chacon

primitively brandmark as the epilog to CSI , CSI : Vegas has now enjoyed a three - season run on CBS , but the democratic procedural has been canceled .

“For Warrick” Is CSI’s Highest-Rated Episode On IMDb

Season 09

I ’m not surprised that “ For Warrick ” is thehighest - ratedCSIepisode on IMDb . For most ofCSI ’s runtime , the show had stayed professionally procedural , barely countenance us into the personal lives of the characters . The time of year 9 opening took a drastic turn from the norm , giving us an instalment that did n’t focus on just solving crimes , but masterfully dealt with the shock and grief that inevitably follow these murders . “For Warrick ” did n’t just bolt down off a beloved character , but forced us to serve the death alongside the team .

“ For Warrick ” removes that base hit mantle

The squad , being told to investigate the murder of their tightlipped supporter , gave us a sorely raw and aroused carrying into action that I honestly never expected the show to deliver . I know I ’m not the only one who ’s watched most ofCSIwith a point of detachment from the crimes represent by the show , CSI ’s audience focuses more on the suspense and scientific discipline than the idea of the murder itself . However , “ For Warrick ” polish off that safety blanket . The decision fuse criminal offence procedural with personal drama , and the shock felt by fans like me gave the installment an unforgettable aroused weightiness .

A composite image of the cast of CSI Vegas season 4

What Made “For Warrick” So Different From Other CSI Episodes

Season 9

Killing off Warrick wobble the tone of the show in many ways , most notably being the stakes it advance . It ’s not to say thatCSIhad never put a main character ’s living in jeopardy before this , but the concrete expiry of a squad member , let alone a beloved one , sent a hardcore message to the longtime fan of the show ; no character is good , even the unity you love . Breaking the expectation that the main characters will make it out in the gouge of clip create a new level of fear and suspense that cling over the latent hostility ofCSIforever .

The season ’s opening did n’t give us a chance to make up into our familiar formula . Watching Warrick break in Grissom ’s sleeve was the tragically perfect way to place viewers in the same state of shock as the squad . This sudden empathy is what singled “ For Warrick ” out from the quietus ofCSI ’s best episodes ; we as viewer pop off from savor the characters to connecting with them . The common approach to a case that we would see was exchange by an emotional and difficult show of grief , andwe see an whole new side to the team , emphasizing their humanity and emotion .

I’m Still Surprised CSI Killed Off A Major Character Like That

Gary Dourdan left CSI after season 8

Warrick ’s actor , Gary Dourdan , was set toleaveCSIafter time of year 8 , but despite his quality inevitably having to leave somehow , the fact that the show decided to kill Warrick still surprises me . Procedural show likeCSIrarely make extreme change to their principal characters , let alone stamp out them , as it could hinder the show ’s ability to be watched in an occasional format . The execution of Warrick in particular makes for a drastic pivot from this average , as Warrick had been in the main ensemble since the show ’s pilot , and was beloved by the show ’s devotee .

Even viewers who knew Dourdan was set to leave would likely have been surprise by Warrick ’s death . Integral casting members leaving a labor is an incredibly common occurrence in television receiver , but writing a graphic symbol ’s dying around the conclusion intend the actor can never hark back . Although I control Warrick shot in theCSIseason 8 finale , I truly believed that the gun wound would be framed as his loss , having Warrick take the air away from the investigation whole . So , the unprecedented determination to say goodbye to Warrick everlastingly was heartrending , but it at long last made for an unforgettable instalment ofCSI .

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