[Photo: © 2009 CBS, all rights reserved]

Last night, we saw the third part of the all-CSI crossover trilogy. I was so excited to see Laurence Fishburne on all three CSI series, and I knew the story would be gripping. I was not disappointed about either. But I felt just a bit like the three parts were a bit too different. Is it just me?

I get it that the same group was taking girls and forcing them into prostitution and when they refused to cooperate they would dismember them and dump them. And I get it that the girls were being trafficked all across the nation by crazy truckers. And I get that pimps in Las Vegas were fighting over turf and would hijack each other’s girls. But it just seemed a bit like each of the series’ portions of the story were too disjointed from the others. Maybe that’s just me…?

I loved Langston getting to work with both Horatio and Mac. And I loved the idea of a series of crimes that moved from city to city. But it seemed to me like the M.O. of the crimes changed too drastically with each city.

I could be completely wrong about it. I would love to hear your input about the three episodes. Do you think they tied together smoothly enough? Did you think the differences in the crimes on each of the segments was necessary or clear enough? I would love to get your opinions and hear what other CSI fans have to say. Please leave a comment and let’s discuss!

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[Image: stock.xchng]

I was out listening to music and having a drink with friends last week in Las Vegas when we struck up a conversation with some women at the table next to us. One of them, it turns out is an undercover Las Vegas police officer! I just had to ask her to talk to me a bit about what it’s like for her to work there in the “city of sin.”

I’ll call her Fran, but it’s not her real name. She’s a petite, pretty woman, but with a handshake like a vice. It’s plain that in her case, looks are definitely deceiving. She’s smart & tough and I’m glad she’s on the side of the law.

Fran works in the undercover unit that tries to get young girls off the street and out of the psychological and physical clutches of their pimps. She told me that most of the young working girls ran away from bad home situations and fell prey to the “charms” of their pimp, who promises to protect them and whom they swear they love.

Fran spends her time trying to convince those girls that their pimp is out for no one but himself and that there is more for them elsewhere. Believe it or not, many of the girls are extremely difficult to convince. They’ve never known any better.

She says that the Vegas unit she works in sends the girls to Los Angeles to be a part of the Children of the Night Program.

Sometimes Fran dresses like the working girls so that she can gain their acceptance, so I don’t want to identify her at all, but it’s clear that she’s very passionate about the work she does. She knows that there are a lot of girls that won’t ever leave their pimp, but she keeps working to save the ones she can.

She’s married and her husband works in Las Vegas in the entertainment industry, so I know he comes into contact with some unsavory characters now and then too. But Fran is the super courageous woman I got the chance to talk to and I am in awe of her strength. She’s a true hero. She doesn’t want the spotlight. In fact, in her work, she can’t get public recognition. She is an unsung hero that saves young people from horrible situations, and perhaps worse every day.

I know she’s not in the CSI unit, but she’s someone that touched me and made me happy that there are such heroic people, ready to do what they can to save other people’s children. My hat’s off to Fran and to all of her counterparts everywhere that work to help others who don’t even know how to help themselves.

I was so impressed with Fran and the work she does that I just had to share it with you. I know I’ll watch crime dramas with a bit of a different attitude. I’ll watch with more respect for the undercover officers now that I’ve met Fran. I hope you might too.

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Here’s a spoiler from TV Guide that I hope doesn’t mean what it suggests that it means…

As you know, season 5 of CSI: NY ended in a cliffhanger where no one knows which character is being written out of the show. I don’t like the thought of where this casting notice takes me:

What can you tell us about CSI: NY’s decision to hire a new CSI? — Karla

TIM: The show recently sent out casting notices for the new series regular role of Kaye Sullivan, a young, attractive risk-taker whose personality has elements of Lindsay, Dr. Peyton Driscoll and ADA Natalie Greer (played for two episodes by Heather Mazur). How do we know? Because the audition script prepared for prospective Kaye Sullivans consists of dialogue spoken by those familiar characters. [Source: TV Guide]

But then, here’s another spoiler about the cast changes for the show:

Question: I read that they are casting for a new female CSI on CSI NY. Any info on if this is a replacement or an addition? In other words, is someone not returning in September? –Kate

Ausiello: I can tell you that it’s not a replacement for either Anna Belknap or Melina Kanakaredes. Both are officially returning next season. Not sure about the rest of the cast. [Source: EW]

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Just as my friends and I were waiting for our car to be brought up by the parking valets at the Bellagio, this armored car pulled up. I couldn’t help myself. I had to snap a picture.

[Photo: Lynn DeVries, Please do not repost without permission]

We’ve seen armored car heists in all of the CSI series, but standing there, right next to an armored car, outside of one of the richest casinos in Las Vegas, I couldn’t help but look around for the story to begin. LOL!

Thankfully, no crime was committed and everyone was safe here today. But I thought it was such a fun thought and photo that I just had to share.

Have a terrific day, CSI fans.

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[Photo: FlyNet Pictures]

[Photo: FlyNet Pictures]

[Photo: FlyNet Pictures]

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[Photo: Kevin Mazur/Courtesy of HBO via image.net ]

This is an image of then President-Elect Barack Obama speaking during the HBO program entitled We Are One. The entire event was filmed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. It’s a truly inspiring program. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check your HBO listings for air times in your area.

No matter your political party affiliation, I hope that the promise of new ideas, fresh attitudes and a new sense of urgency in our leaders is inspiring to you. My hope is that the spirit of change is a good one for us all.

It was so appropriate that yesterday was the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., since the change he started back in the 1960s was a big part of why President Obama even could become president today. Now, instead of looking back, we can all begin to look forward to a brighter future. I’m more proud of America today than I ever have been.

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[Image; stock xchng]

Post from: CSI Fanatic

So I thought it was appropriate to post my holiday wishes for all of you on this Festivus day.

[Image: stock xchng]

No matter the holidays that you personally celebrate, I wish you the best ever. So, Happy Festivus, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Kwanzaa, Joyous Winter Solstice, Wonderful Ramadan and Happy Hanukkah!

May you have the most prosperous, happy and fulfilling 2009 too!

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Save the Ta-Tas

And there are a lot of celebrities getting involved, and one of them is CSI: Vegas lab rat Liz Vassey. It’s a very serious subject, but why not let people have fun while supporting the cause?

[Photo: courtesy of SavetheTaTas.com]

Remember, anything you buy on the site will not only make your friends smile, it will help raise money for breast cancer research!

Good for Liz for supporting the cause!

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[Original image: StockXchg]

Whatever your political leaning, it’s your privilege and your duty to go vote.

Post from: CSI Fanatic