LAS VEGAS, Sept. 28 (UPI) — Iconic crime-drama series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation solved its last case Sunday with an emotional series-finale.
The two-hour installment reunited the ensemble cast with old favorites including original protagonist Gil Grissom (William Petersen) with Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger), Jim Brass (Paul Guilfoyle), David Hodges (Wallace Langham), Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda) and Grissom’s dominatrix friend Lady Heather (Melinda Clarke).
The final episode involved the forensics team coming back together after a bomber blows up a casino owned by Willows. Subsequent evidence starts to point towards Lady Heather, until it becomes clear that she was being framed by one of her clients.
However, the real drama of the finale was Sidle and Grissom working together again after getting divorced earlier in the series. Both characters admitted to Lady Heather that they are still in love with each other and in the end Grissom and Sidle sail off together on his boat into the sunset.
After 15 seasons and 337 episodes, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has had plenty of twists and turns, several cast changes and three television spin-offs. The cast spoke with People magazine to discuss the series and take a look back on some of their more memorable guest-stars including Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift.
Bieber, who played a serial bomber in two 2011 episodes surprised audiences with his dark character and is credited for reeling in a younger demographic to tune into the show.
“He was huge back then,” recalls series creator Anthony E. Zuiker. “We brought in a bunch of new viewers for us during that time. We don’t really get starstruck in the business, but it’s just really fun to kind of have somebody that huge on the globe to come do the show.”
Despite the hike in ratings, cast members recall the pop star being a nuisance on set, playing pranks on the crew and someone who was difficult to work with.
“We definitely did not want him back,”said Zuiker. “He had to apologize to the crew when coming back, which he did. He left in good graces, but boy, we didn’t like him for a bit.”
Swift however was the exact opposite when she guest-starred on the show as a murdered teenager. Jon Wellner, who played toxicologist Henry Andrews for several seasons, spoke highly of the singer when he recalled the first time he met her.
“I went into the makeup trailer, and she was there – and you know, you don’t want to be a fan,” recalls Wellner. “She’s getting her makeup done, and she jumps out of the chair and said, “Henry! That’s my character!” The fact that Taylor Swift knows who I am? I made it! She was with her mom, just so happy to be there, with the perfect attitude. I thought she did an amazing job. If you saw the episode, she really kills it.”
As CSI closes the morgue drawer for the last time, Zuiker is confident in the show’s impact and its lasting legacy.
“I think when we’re all long gone, I believe CSI will still rerun and be honored and cherished like Twilight Zone and I Love Lucy. That’s great company.”
