CSI

William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger lead an appealing cast, but the real stars are the toenail clippings, hair strands and fingerprints that complete an investigator's puzzle and turn nagging doubt into scientific certainty. [5 Oct 2000, p.E2]

The action is swift, the characters lively.

The actors, including the charismatic William Petersen and the exquisite Marg Helgenberger, lend credibility to the portrayals that might be indistinct in lesser hands. There's also a compelling, pulsating edge at the outset of CSI that commands instant attention, thanks in part to dynamic work from director Danny Cannon. [5 Oct 2000]

CSI doesn't shy from the less savory aspects of the business it covers. There are flashback cams that show the crime taking place and micro cams that look closely at the evidence...But it's kind of tasteful, if you can imagine, and contributes to a Friday night show that is not only entertaining, but might actually teach you a thing or two. [6 Oct 2000]

I like the locale a lot. Heading up the forensics team is Gil Grissom (William Petersen), who is appealing mostly because, like James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, he doesn't look like he belongs on TV. [6 Oct 2000, p.117]

A droll Petersen and dependable Marg Helgenberger head the competent cast, and the opener is offbeat enough to stimulate curiosity. But please don't overdo the camera tricks.

The camerawork is startling, but it can't hide a plot that is dreary and unbelievable. [6 Oct 2000, p.10E]