CSI: Miami (TV Series) Golden Parachute (2002) User Reviews

First CSI Miami Show!

[ShelbyTMItchell · 8/10 · 29 March 2013]

Well officially if you do not count the episode of the crossover with CSI LV. As this is how David Caruso redeemed himself in his new trademark role of Horatio Caine. As the team investigates the downing of a private plane.

Everybody on board is dead except the chairman and owner. As the team finds out that his firm was being investigated by the SEC. For the team has to figure out why he is the only one alive. And if he had cause for to get everybody on board except himself killed. In order to leave no witnesses.

The show and dialogue can be lame. But also it does have a little more personality and heart than the LV and not as dark as NY is. But still, it is one show I miss despite not being a Caruso fan.

CSI: Miami - Golden Parachute

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 19 August 2013]

You know, I had completely forgotten that Kim Delaney was temporarily on CSI: Miami at the very beginning. I understood, however, after watching the second episode of the series, Golden Parachute, that her departure was necessary. There was just too much "bucking for supremacy" going on there between her and Caruso. He was the obvious star of this CSI outfit and her presence was a deterrent to that. That said, I like her take charge, follow-the-evidence attitude, sometimes flying right into the face of Caruso's "gut feelings" and tendencies to follow-his-instincts. This is a really cool whodunit where the whole team converge at the hollow shell of the wreckage of a plane that crashlanded in the Glades at the end to detail the exact time and what happened during the final moments that led to a number of deaths, one murder, a heel that went into the engine, and a divot that went "through-and-through" on the pilot.

There is usually a dead character who gains a respect and honor as the case unfolds, someone who perishes for doing the right thing. In this episode's case it was a woman who worked for a company having to go before the SEC for improper business practices (she was to be the whistle-blower, and perhaps her killer was the company's boss, and only survivor, Scott Somer (Sam Anderson), maybe responsible for pushing her out the plane), and her past (hairs from her head provide the evidence to Delaney) speaks of excessive use of anti-depressants and pot. Ultimately Somer's possible guilt will need to be proved with little evidence linking him to her murder, but two distinctive markings on the victim's arm could be the death knell if the weapon used to send her out of the plane can be found. The "black boxes", containing precious audio recordings inside the plane prior to its disastrous crash, come in handy in another nifty scene that has the whole CSI gang gathered together in a sound proof room with their sound recording expert listening intently/intensely for any crucial evidence that could give them just something worthwhile to close the case.

As every freshman series goes through, CSI: Miami had its growing pains, trying to find the right rhythm for the characters, the right style, and the proper way to show the CSI investigators processing the crime scene. I love the early period because we see a lot more of Caruso working the entire case, instead of making token appearances and having his "slinging dick" back-and-forths with major "heavies of the week". Here he engages in some pretty tense (but respectful) exchanges with Delaney; she was once the lead CSI, but left to mourn over the loss of her husband, returning to active duty as just "one of the guys". The empty briefcase is quite a gulper when it seems the heroine of this episode who died, it was in vain because she had already sent off her incriminating documents prior to boarding the plane. Somer's fate was fitting, but it robbed our crime team of seeing him to justice the proper way.

To Whom It May Concern

[biorngm · 8/10 · 8 December 2017]

To be on the air 2002 through 2012 something has to be worth watching for many viewers. The production coupled with excellent writing made CSI: Miami a show seen by many who enjoyed a different take on the already successful original. Let the collaborate episode stand on its own, or at least be a part of the original series, episode one of this series keeps you in your seat for the hour because it is a superbly acted script, a new location, daylight investigations, conflict among the characters to add to the plot, and the intrigue offered by Miami.

I did not spot any guest actors to help bring the story along, but I did see characters molded, some to be short-lived, some around for years and maturing. I have watched the series throughout its run and was never disappointed, some episode better than others, but for the most part, always intrigued; which is more than I can say for the predecessor.

The writers have to build the characters, establishing them as leads, each with their own persona. This is accomplished at the onset, particularly the tension between Megan and Horatio, and secondarily, the differences between Tim and Eric. Megan demands by book procedure suggesting Horatio respect the Feds with a plane crash and Horatio knowing the swamp changing their exam site by the hour. Tim asking Eric to respect Megan, only back to the job after her husband was killed from military duty, Eric asking no forgiveness when asked to return to duty, arguing with Horatio.

Methodology followed, gut feelings too, as the team works to find the crime and solve it. Once it is known the company personnel were on a plane trip to D.C. for a SEC inquiry, it is hypothesized the whistle-blower is Christina, the possible crime committed by the owner Sommer with other factors brought out during the story.

The clues are presented well with the fishermen, the empty brief case, no seat belts worn by two passengers, the alcohol-drug intake, and the plane parts being less than new for starters. Not until midway through the episode do Megan and Horatio agree, Sommer killed his senior accountant, but how, and what brought the plane down. What about the dead pilot with a hole through his torso? Answers to every conceivable question are answered before the episode is complete.

Examining the door for fingerprints and re-enacting the struggle between owner and accountant gives us poignant insight into the crime. Getting evidence to prosecute the owner for the murder, learning how the pilot died, finding out what made the jet engine fail all are answered by the conclusion.

The viewer should enjoy seeing how the piece are put into place and the characters begin to be defined as the story moves along. It would not be fair to give away all the details, but suffice to say this was the beginning of a very successful crime series. Well done writers and producers.

Shallow and airplane nonsense

[tstudstrup · 1/10 · 5 June 2022]

It is not possible to open a cabin door inside a plane while its in the air. The pressure from the air outside makes the door weigh a ton. Even if the villain of the episode could open the door and push a woman out he would be sucked out of the airplane immediately after. That he would be the sole survivor when he wasnt even sitting in his seat strapped in, makes no sense either.

Its insulting in a show about science, that they insult the viewers intelillegence, by making the crime so unrealistic.

As for the show itself its bad. David Caruso is not very good as Horatio Crane. And there is zero chemistry between him and Kim Delaney, the only one that can act on this shallow show.

A pilot episode is suppose to introduce us to the characters. By the end of the show I cant remember a single characters name. Theyre all just very pretty crime scene investigators, with zero personalities. And the acting is really bad.

I have never understood why these shows are ao popular. But Naval CSi and CSI New York at least have decent acting.

And why the show was shot in Los Angeles and not Miami, must be because it was cheaper. But it seems stupid.

Avoid this if you want to watch an exciting cop show with an interesting story, likeable characters and good acting. CSI Miami has none of that.