mikesmithfl Reviews

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Under My Skin (2015) Season 15, Episode 17

I wanted to blame the director, but...

[5/10 · 23 February 2015]

Definitely not one of the best episodes from the acting standpoint. Early on, I wondered if maybe there was a guest director from daytime soaps or something. The acting and writing just didn't sit right with the norm. Guess we'll have to blame it on the moon or sun-spots or ??

Nope. I wasn't too far off. Apparently, a couple of the actors are actually from the daytime serial-dramas. Either the directing was unduly influenced by their presence or, just maybe, there was a conscious decision made to adjust things a little so the daytime audience wouldn't be led to expect better acting on the soaps. hmmm.

Still, though the acting here was not bad enough to wreck the memories of everything before it, there will be a negative impression. I'm looking forward to the possible return to excellence next time.

Nick's not going to stick around? Maybe it's time for another spin-off to So Cal? CSI San Diego? Could be time to cue the Simon brothers. They'd probably make good consultants for Nick in his new role, right?

Intelligence (2014)

Let's say it has a LOT of potential...

[5/10 · 18 January 2014]

I'm another one who was really interested in the success of this show. It's lacking on a number of fronts, from writing to direction to technical accuracy. Fiction is one thing, but mixing up the simple facts of existing tech isn't forgivable.

Tech that doesn't exist yet is OK to go overboard with, but at least get current tech accurate.

From other shows, we've seen how good these actors are. So we know it's not their lack of ability.

There's a balance here that is way off kilter. To succeed, a show needs to overpower its weak points and compensate for the inadequacies, so there would be a net positive experience.

Taking a good concept, using modern tech and future tech, getting really good actors together in a vibrant team are all big positives.

The immature writing and direction outweigh all those positives. Then add in the failure to get good technical consulting and the show just can't win.

I so much wanted this to be a winner. What a letdown.