Unlocking the Ultimate Guide to CSI Crossover Episodes: Unraveling Intriguing Crime Dramas!

Summary

The CSI franchise popularized crossover episodes before shared universes became the norm for popular franchises.

Backdoor pilot episodes were employed to introduce spinoffs and facilitate crossover episodes amongst various CSI teams. The successful inclusion of other shows, such as Without a Trace, through crossovers resulted in boosted ratings for both series.

Shared universes have become commonplace in popular franchises, but even before the trend took off, CSI was already doing crossover episodes. The CSI franchise began in 2000 with CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, also known as CSI: Las Vegas. This show followed a team of forensic scientists solving unusual cases in Las Vegas and went on to run for 15 years, spawning three spinoffs and a revival called CSI: Vegas.

The first spinoff, CSI: Miami, started in 2002 and lasted for 10 seasons. Two years later, CSI: NY debuted on CBS as the second spinoff. In 2015, a fourth spinoff called CSI: Cyber was introduced just before the original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation ended. Each spinoff introduced new characters and premises through backdoor pilot episodes, which became a tradition for CSI. However, the crossover episodes were not limited to setting up spinoffs. It became common for at least two CSI teams to participate in crossovers. Below is a breakdown of every CSI crossover episode, including those that served as backdoor pilots.

Cross Jurisdiction

The story of Horatio Caine and the CSI: Miami crew began in the twenty-second episode of season four of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, titled "Cross Jurisdiction." Airing on March 9, 2002, this episode follows the usual format of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, where the Las Vegas forensic team, Grissom and Catherine, are summoned to investigate a crime scene after the death of LVPD Chief Duke Rittle at his residence. Chief Rittle had a wife who also meets her demise later in the episode, and their daughter Sasha, who had been missing since the investigation began. Upon receiving information that a girl matching Sasha's description has been sighted in Miami, Catherine and Warrick are dispatched to Florida, and this is when Detective Horatio Caine and the Miami CSI team are introduced to the viewers. This episode successfully introduces the new characters and draws an impressive audience of over 27 million viewers, second only to one other episode in terms of live viewership.

MIA/NYC NonStop

The backdoor pilot for CSI: NY, titled "MIA/NYC NonStop," is featured in season 2, episode 23 of CSI: Miami. It originally aired on May 17, 2004, and served as an introduction to Mac Taylor, portrayed by Gary Sinise from Forrest Gump. Mac Taylor later becomes the head of CSI New York. This episode also introduced key characters Stella Bonasera, Aiden Burn, Dany Messer, and Sheldon Hawkes, who play significant roles in CSI: NY. Horatio Caine, the CSI: Miami detective, promises a young girl named Laura, whose parents were killed, that he will find the murderer. He follows a lead to New York but discovers that the potential suspect has already been killed. Now, Horatio must collaborate with the CSI team from New York to unravel the truth behind the events. Similar to the first CSI backdoor pilot, this episode generated significant interest, attracting 2 million more live viewers compared to any other episode of the season. These numbers highlight the strong anticipation for CSI: NY.

Felony Flight

Manhattan Manhunt

With the establishment of both CSI: Miami and CSI: NY, the possibility of various CSI crossovers was now open. The first two-episode crossover occurred in CSI: Miami season 4, episode 7, titled "Felony Flight," which aired on November 7, 2005. In this episode, Mac Taylor, an NYPD detective, travels to Florida to assist Horatio Cain and his CSI team in capturing a serial killer who is on the loose. However, the pursuit of Henry Darius proves to be more challenging than expected. Ultimately, the episode concludes with the serial killer still evading capture and making his way back to New York.

In episode 7 of season 2 of CSI: NY, titled "Manhattan Manhunt," which aired on November 9, 2005, the pursuit for Henry Darius continued. The notorious serial killer had returned to New York, prompting Mac and Horatio to regroup in Manhattan. The focus of the episode primarily revolved around the New York team, with Horatio being the sole representative from Miami. While this particular crossover may not have been as gratifying as previous ones, where multiple characters interacted, fans remained captivated and their interest unaffected.

Without A Trace/CSI Crossover

On top of the usual CSI crossovers, 2007 witnessed a unique collaboration between the procedural drama series Without a Trace and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. This crossover occurred in two episodes, namely Without a Trace's "Who and What" and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation's "Where and Why." The narrative followed Jack Malone from Without a Trace as he joined forces with the CSI team in Las Vegas to solve a missing person case that transformed into a murder investigation. Notably, the crossover resulted in a boost in ratings for both episodes, proving the significant intrigue surrounding crossovers, even across different series. Remarkably, Without A Trace's audience experienced such substantial growth that the episode garnered more viewers than the entire show did in the previous year.

CSI: Trilogy

In 2009, a groundbreaking crossover event brought together all three CSI shows for the first time. Known as the "CSI: Trilogy," this thrilling series of episodes began with CSI: Miami season 7, episode 8, titled "Bone Voyage." The story continued in CSI: NY season 6, episode 7, titled "Hammer Down," and reached its climax in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation season 7, episode 10, titled "Lost Girls." Laurence Fishburne, known for his role in The Matrix, portrayed Ray Langston, who led the Las Vegas team during this captivating trilogy. It is important to note that the "CSI: Trilogy" remains the only crossover event involving all three original CSI shows. This gripping storyline focused on the tireless investigation of a criminal organization that operated nationwide.

In Vino Veritas

However, despite each episode attracting over 14 million viewers, it became evident that Las Vegas remained the favored show among CSI fans. The concluding installment of the trilogy garnered an additional three million viewers compared to the first two episodes. One drawback of such a crossover is the absence of interactions between characters from different series. Regrettably, only one character, Ray Langston, appeared in all three episodes. This limitation resulted in missed opportunities for the CSI crossover episodes.

The two-shows-only crossovers were revived in 2013 for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation season 13, episode 13, titled "In Vino Veritas." Mac Taylor planned a visit to Las Vegas to see his girlfriend, but to his shock, he discovered that she was nowhere to be found. In a twist of events, Mac Taylor teams up with his friend D.B. Russell, portrayed by Ted Danson, who had taken over as the head of the Las Vegas team after Laurence Fishburne's departure in 2011. Meanwhile, Fishburne himself returned to the limelight, starring in major movies such as Man of Steel and Batman v Superman.

Seth And Apep

Russel and Taylor were unsuccessful in locating Taylor's girlfriend, Christine, in "In Vino Veritas." This eventually led to the events of CSI: NY season 9, episode 15, "Seth and Apep." Despite their efforts, the duo discovered that Christine had been kidnapped by a criminal named Jimmy Bond, who intended to use her as leverage to retrieve stolen diamonds. Surprisingly, it was in "In Vino Veritas" that it was revealed Christine had been held captive in New York all along. As a result, Taylor returned to Manhattan accompanied by CSI's Russell (played by Ted Danson).

Kitty

Over 14 years after CSI: Crime Scene Investigation first premiered, a fourth show in the CSI franchise, CSI: Cyber, began its development. Similar to how CSI: Miami and CSI: NY were introduced, CSI: Cyber's main character and premise were introduced through a backdoor pilot. In season 14, episode 21 of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation titled "Kitty," Patricia Arquette made a guest appearance as Avery Ryan, who helped the Las Vegas CSI team solve the murder of a casino owner's wife. This crossover episode aired in 2014, and CSI: Cyber season 1 premiered approximately a year later.

When this episode of CSI was broadcast, the number of live viewers was not as high as it was during the earlier seasons. However, the episode still managed to attract nearly 10 million viewers in the United States alone. Additionally, it set a world record by being simulcast in 171 countries, demonstrating the international appeal of the CSI franchise. The episode effectively utilized its characters and showcased the enduring popularity of the CSI series.