TVSquad

We're far enough removed from Buffy's original run now that there really aren't any surprises left for most of us. By this point we've seen the episodes so many times through DVD, streaming, and syndication that the story has been told. There's still something to be gained from watching again, though.

A little water under the bridge has given all of those bit-part actors that were once feeling lucky to book a Buffy gig a chance to move on to bigger and better things. I'm still occasionally surprised when I catch an old Buffy and realize just who that is standing in the background. After the jump, nine of my favorite small part players from Buffy that went on to bigger successes.

(S03E01) I'm not planning on covering CSI: NY all season (once it starts up, I'll be writing reviews for 30 Rock on Wednesday nights), but I figured I should at least put something up on the season premiere. It was actually pretty decent, especially since I think this is the weakest show in the CSI franchise. Describing any of the intricacies of the cases seems pointless at this point though. In the off season, this show has gone through a lot of changes and that's what I'd like to discuss.

(S02E24) Well, this was a little disappointing. Don't get me wrong, it was a finale that suited the mood and pace of this entire season - which was up, down, left, right, and all over the place. CSI: NY (and Vegas to some extent) is still very much individual, packaged episodes. There weren't many ongoing storylines this season (mainly Aiden and DJ Pratt). Miami (which has it's finale this coming Monday) is the only one of the three that's really broken the mold and become heavily serialized. Soap opera-ish many argue and I agree. I hope next season that NY heads in the same direction because I think it makes for better viewer involvement/investment... whatever you want to call it. 

The episode started with Mac and Don responding to a stabbed security guard in an office building. While investigating the floor, Mac found a duffel bag filled with C-4 explosive. Lindsay was outside and she helped clear the street block as Stella arrived. But then the bomb went off. Mac and Don didn't make it outside in time.

(S02E23) I was looking forward to and dreading this episode all at the same time. After last week's previews, we already knew what was in store for former Detective Aiden Burn, but I didn't want to accept it. She was a great character in the first season and it was too bad that she was written out of the show. Although, I remember reading somewhere that she requested it. So in that sense, I suppose this was a logical storyline and it was nice that it tied up the questions that have been hanging around since the second episode of this season.

After Aiden was fired by Mac at the beginning of the season, supposedly she was going to pursue her private investigator's license. Instead, she set up shop in her apartment (she had a mini crime scene lab it seems) and continued to track down DJ Pratt to bust him for all the rapes he had committed. We knew Pratt was smart though. After all, he's been covering his tracks and alluding arrest for years now. So it only makes sense that he'd catch on if someone was watching him regularly. Aiden had a goal though and she knew what had to be done.

(S02E22) Mermaids and multiple wives. I like it. Plus, for once we had an episode that really focused on Lindsay - something this season has lacked thus far. We got to see what drives her, hear some of her background, and see what it's like when a case really gets under her skin.

Even better, we got to hear someone say what we've been thinking all along. While Sid was examining the dead woman's body (the one in the mermaid costume), Lindsay mentioned that she was from Montana just like her. She goes on to say that she doesn't like it when Danny calls her "Montana." Then Sid drops the gem: "Danny calls you that because he's got a crush on you." It's about time that storyline picked up some steam.

(S02E21) Very powerful episode... well, half of it anyway. The Kid Rock side of the story was just incredibly corny and I really don't see it as anything other than a ratings booster. Which leaves me wondering, why Kid Rock? They couldn't have written in another rock star? There are plenty more out there that I would have chosen to create some buzz. Does Kid Rock even still tour? He had four shows in NYC in this episode... unless you're someone like Madonna or Billy Joel, who ever has four shows all in NYC anymore? I just don't get it because there's no way Kid Rock approached them and said, "Man, I love CSI: NY. Can you write me into an episode?" Anywho, his limo driver was shot and Kid (Is that really his first name?) didn't do it. The other a half of the episode is all that really mattered, because it picked up where last week left off: Stella's boyfriend is crazy.

Last week I said I was starting to get used to the direction this show was moving in: complete devotion to the cases at hand and no backstory whatsoever. I'm thinking I may have spoken too soon.

Don't mistake that last statement as dislike for last night's episode. It was great; interesting, and one of the cases was very topical. But what I'm starting to realize is that it gives me, as a reviewer, less and less to say about each episode when all there is are the two cases. Just look at the difference in length between my CSI: Miami (which is chock-full of ongoing storylines) and my CSI: NY reviews. I always have plenty to say about the former.

I mean I suppose they could give us something. Anything. A conversation between Mac and Stella, where Mac admits that "I made a pot roast last night and boy, did I overcook it!" At least I'd know what they did the night before.