CSI: Vegas Review: Legacy (Season 1 Episode 1)

On CSI: Vegas Season 1 Episode 1, “Legacy,” the CSI unit is back, and they’re coming out swinging. Old characters mixed with new brings nostalgia to the forefront of a solid pilot episode. 

On “Legacy,” Jim Brass is attacked in his own home, bringing none other than Sara Sidle back into the city. She brings her usual fire and wit and a few mentions of her out-of-town hubby. 

The best thing about CSI: Vegas is that it still carries all of the things we love about CSI proper without trying too hard: the crime lab montages, the fast-paced atmosphere, even the chemistry amongst the new team. 

The directing, from Uta Briesewitz, is smooth, concise, and just the tiniest bit chaotic, which is exactly what I was looking for in a CSI “sequel.” 

“Legacy” introduces us to new characters, and also shows us the dark secrets of some past characters. Allie Rajan is like a ray of sunshine in dark, depressing cases, and David Hodges is apparently a master con artist. 

Who would’ve thought? Not me.

This Hodges reveal is, of course, something scheduled and planned, but it really feels out of left field. We can assume, of course, that he’s being framed, as Sara thinks, or we can assume that he’s a mastermind criminal, as Roby thinks.

But honestly, if he was a hard criminal fabricating a bunch of false evidence, there’s no way at least one person on the OG team wouldn’t see that… right? Something to think about.

It’s bold of them, in the first episode, to establish some sort of romance between Allie and Folsom, whether it’s unrequited or not. 

Not that I’m opposed to a romance — it makes the show all the more fun — but it’s certainly a choice for them to come right out the gate and say it instead of letting the audience acknowledge it on their own. 

It’s very clear through the episode that Sara desperately misses being back in the crime lab, though she never admits it. This is the thing that Sara wants, and the one she’ll probably, hopefully, get. 

The case as a whole is interesting, as it starts off with Brass and leads us to someone he put away in the past, and it’s also apparently a two-parter. Or, theoretically, this goes on for the entire season, hence why Sara and Grissom are there. 

However, it always makes me laugh when the killer leaves a note such as “Jim Brass is just the beginning,” because they either are caught in 42 minutes, or we know this will be a season-long case. 

My very favorite part of the episode, and honestly, of the show, is Chris Park. Played by Jay Lee, Chris Park whips out one-liners, jokes, and facts at the speed of light. The soft, brotherly chiding of his coworkers shows that his banter is normal, even expected. 

He’s not annoying about it though, he’s funny and charming, and I want more of him immediately. 

He’s especially good when he’s working with other people, Sara and Allie specifically. They all three are clearly very comfortable with themselves and with each other, which makes for a more believable family unit within the CSI crime lab. 

Overall, “Legacy” is an incredibly good pilot episode, and CSI: Vegas is something I’m looking forward to watching throughout the season. 

Stray Thoughts:

• Best quote of the episode? Sara asking Brass “is this bird your only helper?”
• Chris Park canonically gay when? 
• Did anyone else tear up hearing the opening notes to the theme song? Whew, that caught me off guard!

What did you think of this episode of CSI: Vegas? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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CSI: Vegas airs Wednesday at 10/9c on CBS.

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