CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (TV Series) Turn, Turn, Turn (2009) User Reviews

Pleasantly Surprised...

[cchase · 8/10 · 28 January 2010]

Before seeing this episode, basically all I knew about Taylor Swift had more to do with the Kanye debacle than anything else. I'm not a particular fan of her music, her videos or much anything else she's done, in spite of the Mack-truckload of awards she won last year. And when I first heard about this episode, I glumly thought, "Oh, GAWD! More 'stunt casting' to draw in the tweener audience. Just PEACHY."

But you know what? Not only did Taylor NOT suck in this role, she was actually pretty damn good, as a girl whose unfortunate destiny is already set in stone before Nick Stokes even knew of her existence. She gets to show some range as a character with more than just a "Polyanna" side, and you do feel for her when the awful and inevitable happens.

Good thing for Taylor that she leaves a great impression, because the "closer" here is not her, but George Eads. Nick hasn't really had a chance to show his more "sensitive" side since the trauma he went through about two seasons back, in that unforgettable Quentin Tarantino two-parter. The entire CSI team has to build up emotional calluses in order to do an effective job, but for each one of them, there is still that one case that comes along that reminds them that they still have feelings - they're still human, not super-human. And this one definitely brings home another wake-up call for Nick. REALLY good episode.

best episode of the season!

[xochristinnaaaa · 10/10 · 23 January 2010]

i love all the csi series, but i felt this season the original was falling short. after warrick and Sarah left, and girssom was on his way out, it just wasn't as good as it used to be. but this episode definitely changed my mind.

the whole plot of the episode was great, and they carried it through even better. Taylor swift wasn't just a guest on the episode, she was the whole episode. i had no idea she could act that well. but she was amazing throughout the whole thing. it was really sad when it turned out to be the mother who killed Haley, but it added something extra to the episode. it was without a doubt the whole episode of the season.

Taylor Swift touched the heart, Fishburne revealed more of his character

[akicork · 9/10 · 11 September 2021]

Two things struck me about this story. One was that it became clear, particularly in the later scene between Langston and Stokes, that Langston is not Grissom. OK, there is an obvious distinction in that they were at opposite ends of the heap - Grissom was a Supervisor, while Langston is a newbie, low man on the totem pole(*) as a CSI1 - but Langston has compensations. He is the oldest member of the entire team (apart from Al Robbins, who is more an appendix to the team, although necessary), his years as a physician and teacher combined with an innate empathy have given him a "bedside manner" that we would all want our doctors to have (and so few do!). And he projects a fatherly personality. So it would be like falling into a black hole for him to fill the void of Team Counsellor so conspicuously ignored by Grissom. Grissom was a hands-off, sink-or-swim manager. Perhaps from his familiarity with bugs he felt it right to let his staff go their own way, making mistakes when they happened - as long as the individuals learned from these mistakes. Willows has been the effective psychological support from the start, and she now has her own problems increasing, with baby Lindsey making her way into womanhood, finally, and modelled on Catherine's own values of independence and intellect - not prepared any more to be tied to mother's apron strings. Then there is the problem that her father has died and left her a major part of his estate - he was previously an occasional embarrassment but now is a career stopper. No matter how she spins it, she owns a large chunk of Las Vegas. So, the team needs a shoulder to cry on, and Langston fits the bill.

The second thing to particularly strike me was how naturally Taylor Swift fitted in to the process. Her character was just there, with no timidity, no beginner's woodenness, no overacting (all too common even in experienced actors!). She did the job, made us smile and broke our hearts. I really enjoyed her performance. I hope that she enjoyed it too, enough to come back to some serious acting. She's a brilliant musician, and I love playing her music (rights paid!) for others to enjoy, but she has a real talent in acting also. It would be good for the world to see more of it.

(*)Totem poles were typically found in Washington State, British Columbia and Alaska. Often, the "low man" was actually the most important. The invaders got it wrong!

Good Job, Taylor

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 27 February 2021]

This was a well constructed, well plotted episode, with some really good writing. There are numerous characters who are well portrayed. The conclusion is startling but understandable. I like Taylor Swift. Sometimes I think she is given too many awards when there is so much talent out there. But here she shows acting chops. I also liked hearing a song of hers dubbed over one of the scenes. George Eads does a nice job. There are times when he gets a bit prissy and maudlin, but he is a steady character.

Nick's Birthday

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 28 April 2023]

On Nick's birthday, he offers to investigate the death of a sixteen-year-old teenage girl in the parking lot of a low-budget hotel. The girl is Haley Jones, the daughter of Mark and Nicole Jones that Nick met one year ago while investigating the body of Harry Steadwell, found in a room in the hotel. The bad smell helps Greg to find a dead body in the ceiling. Four months later, Nick returned to the hotel to investigate the case of Haley's best friend Bree Lindale. Another four months later, Nick returns to the hotel to investigate the murder of Tanya Carrow that Haley had found in a room. Now Nick is back to look for evidences to find the murderer of Hailey.

"Turn, Turn, Turn" is a complex episode of "CSI" that happens along two birthdays of Nick, one year ago and one year later. Along the period, Nick returns four times to the hotel to learn that the last two murders are entwined. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Turn, Turn, Turn"