On October 9th, 2008,CSI: Crime Scene Investigationbroke the hearts of longtime fans by doing the one thing I never expected the show to do;killing longtime character, Warrick Brown.CSIhad a tried-and-true formula, and very rarely strayed from a satisfying conclusion in each episode. So, with a show that established and reliable, fans like me didn’t expect the season 8 cliffhanger, where Warrick was shot in his car, to actually result in the character dying. “For Warrick” flipped the usualCSIscript, and made its most memorable episode to date.
CSI, first premiering in the year 2000, is a show revered enough to have a franchise that is still successful 24 years later, and even after all this time, “For Warrick” is still on my mind. The bold decision to kill off a main character entirely changed the tone and expectations of the show- a huge risk to take, but it evidently paid off. “For Warrick” stands tall as an episode that provesCSIisn’t afraid to kill its darlings for the plot, and is more than capable of venturing further than a formulaic crime drama.
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“For Warrick” Is CSI’s Highest-Rated Episode On IMDb
Season 09
I’m not surprised that “For Warrick” is thehighest-ratedCSIepisode on IMDb. For most ofCSI’s runtime, the show had stayed professionally procedural, barely letting us into the personal lives of the characters. The season 9 opening took a drastic turn from the norm, giving us an episode that didn’t focus on just solving crimes, but masterfully dealt with the shock and grief that inevitably followed these murders.“For Warrick” didn’t just kill off a beloved character, but forced us to process the death alongside the team.
“For Warrick” removes that safety blanket
The team, being told to investigate the murder of their close friend, gave us a painfully raw and emotional performance that I honestly never expected the show to deliver. I know I’m not the only one who’s watched most ofCSIwith a level of detachment from the crimes presented by the show,CSI’s audience focuses more on the suspense and science than the idea of the murder itself. However, “For Warrick” removes that safety blanket. The decision merges crime procedural with personal drama, and the shock felt by fans like me gave the episode an unforgettable emotional weight.
What Made “For Warrick” So Different From Other CSI Episodes
Season 9
Killing off Warrick shifted the tone of the show in many ways, most notably being the stakes it raised. It’s not to say thatCSIhad never put a main character’s life in jeopardy before this, but the concrete death of a team member, let alone a beloved one, sent a hardcore message to the longtime fans of the show; no character is safe, even the ones you love. Breaking the expectation that the main characters will make it out in the nick of time created a new level of fear and suspense that hung over the tension ofCSIforever.
The season’s opening didn’t give us a chance to settle into our familiar formula. Watching Warrick die in Grissom’s arms was the tragically perfect way to place viewers in the same state of shock as the team. This sudden empathy is what singled “For Warrick” out from the rest ofCSI’s best episodes; we as viewers went from enjoying the characters to connecting with them. The usual approach to a case that we would see was replaced by an emotional and difficult show of grief, andwe saw an entirely new side to the team, emphasizing their humanity and emotions.
I’m Still Surprised CSI Killed Off A Major Character Like That
Gary Dourdan left CSI after season 8
Warrick’s actor, Gary Dourdan, was set toleaveCSIafter season 8, but despite his character inevitably having to leave somehow, the fact that the show decided to kill Warrick still surprises me. Procedural shows likeCSIrarely make extreme changes to their main characters, let alone kill them, as it could hinder the show’s ability to be watched in an episodic format. The murder of Warrick in particular makes for a drastic pivot from this norm, as Warrick had been in the main ensemble since the show’s pilot, and was beloved by the show’s fans.
Even viewers who knew Dourdan was set to leave would likely have been surprised by Warrick’s death. Integral cast members leaving a project is an incredibly common occurrence in television, but writing a character’s death around the decision means the actor can never return. Although I saw Warrick shot in theCSIseason 8 finale, I genuinely believed that the gun wound would be framed as his exit, having Warrick walk away from the investigation unit. So, the unprecedented decision to say goodbye to Warrick forever was heartbreaking, but it ultimately made for an unforgettable episode ofCSI.
