Every CSI Show, Ranked

It goes without saying that Anthony E. Zuiker’s “CSI” franchise is a real heavy hitter. That being said, some people may not realize how popular he was during (and after) his pop cultural heyday. A year after its end, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” — the series that started it all — remains the most-watched series on the planet, a feat it has achieved several times. Additionally, this had concrete consequences for the American legal process, but we will return to that later.

Most of the “CSI” spinoffs have also been successful, but as is often the case with long-running franchises, the quality of each show varies. As of this writing, the CBS procedural saga has five shows, all of which bring a different style and flavor to the table. As such, we decided to rank them all — the good and the bad — and determine which “CSI” show ranks at the top. So, without further ado, here is the definitive ranking of /Film from the Zuiker franchise.

“CSI: Cyber” looks like an exciting series on paper, but don’t let its appealing qualities fool you. The spinoff, which aired from 2015 to 2016, boasts an all-star cast including Patricia Arquette, Ted Danson, and James Van Der Beek, all of whom have strong track records of producing good work. The story, meanwhile, is about a ragtag group of former cybercriminals who use their abilities to solve tech crimes for the FBI – a premise unlike anything else in the franchise and one that should have made for entertaining viewing. So what went wrong?

The biggest problem with “CSI: Cyber” is that it’s boring. Despite its premise teasing an outlier series that stands out from its franchise counterparts, “Cyber” is riddled with clichés and fails to bring new ideas to the table. The series also fails to make the most of its talented cast, but their natural charms ensure that the series is somewhat watchable, even if the writing leaves much to be desired.

CBS canceled ‘CSI: Cyber’ after 31 episodes, ratings fell after the network moved it to Sundays. The change meant the series had to compete with NFL games, and the average “CSI” spinoff doesn’t measure up to football’s drawing power.

The third installment of the “CSI” franchise moves the action to the Big Apple, with Gary Sinise’s Mac Taylor heading the crime lab that investigates incidents in the city. Mac is a tragic character who lost his wife in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, making him one of the most sympathetic heroes in the entire “CSI” universe. That said, the series he’s a part of isn’t a franchise highlight.

“CSI: NY” is by no means a bad series: it ticks all the boxes that viewers want to see in a police procedural. However, the New York spin-off falls victim to repetition, with the crime of the week too often being tied to the team member investigating it. As a Redditor summary“How, in [sic] in a city of 8 million people, is every murder linked to at least one member of the team? Weird. Otherwise, good show.”

Despite a few flaws here and there, “CSI: NY” is an entertaining crime drama with dark and gritty plotlines. It is also one of the most successful entries in the franchise, having lasted nine seasons between 2004 and 2013.

“CSI: Vegas” is a sequel to the original series, and it’s an entertaining sequel that brings a sense of energy to the long-running franchise. The story follows Maxine Roby (Paula Newsome) and her team as they solve crimes in Sin City, which can range from investigating model-themed murders to uncovering mysterious disappearances. This franchise has never struggled to come up with interesting stories, and “Vegas” has some doozies.

That said, it is the actors and the characters who give “CSI: Vegas” all its charm. Maxine is the kind of lovable chef who commands respect and doesn’t consume enough caffeine. We also have the great Allie Rajan (Mandeep Dhillon) and Josh Folsom (Matt Lauria), the very capable agents whose relationship is fraught with sexual tension. Even the supporting characters, like the witty Chris Park (Jay Lee), bring a lot of personality to the series.

“CSI: Vegas” also allowed OG fans to reunite with some actors from the past. Gil Grissom (William Petersen), Sadie Sidle (Jorja Fox), Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger), and David Hodges (Wallace Langham) are among the original parts to appear in the series, and they’re still going strong. Unfortunately, “CSI: Vegas” was canceled after three seasons and CBS has yet to greenlight any other shows under the “CSI” umbrella. If “Vegas” ultimately proves to be the franchise’s swan song, it was a strong way to go out.

“CSI: Miami” is not the best series of the group, but it is undoubtedly the most entertaining and the most aesthetic. Starring David Caruso and Emily Procter, the story follows an elite branch of the titular city’s police department as they do what they do best. But what makes it so good?

If you like entertainment with a touch of over-the-top cheese, “CSI: Miami” is the show for you. Horatio Caine’s sunglasses-wearing character is the king of one-liners, and the series features more action sequences than its counterparts (which is very helpful for viewers who like to live their lives a quarter-mile at a time). A lot of superb detective series are elevated by their action sequences, and “CSI: Miami” is no different.

Of course, any series set in Miami will make the most of the city’s sunny visuals and culture. One of the standout episodes, “High Octane,” takes place in the world of street racing, and it’s not uncommon to see speedboats, yachts, and other cool vehicles throughout the series. “CSI: Miami” retains the elements that make the other series in the overall saga great, while adding an extra touch of fun to the proceedings.

“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” is one of the longest-running dramas in American television history. The series debuted in 2000 and ran until 2015, producing 335 episodes over its 15 seasons. Longevity doesn’t always mean a series is good, but “CSI” has lasted as long as it has because its forensic take on the procedural genre has captivated viewers all these years.

The influence of “CSI” cannot be underestimated. The series’ popularity created a phenomenon known as the “CSI effect”, which saw real jurors demanding to see more forensic evidence during criminal trials, similar to how events unfold in the series’ courtroom scenes. The Anthony E. Zuiker drama literally illuminated some people’s views on law enforcement practices — and apparently made jurors take a closer look at the facts. Is this a bad thing?

“CSI” also contains the franchise’s most interesting storylines, like the “Miniature Killer” arc in which the team investigates an unpredictable murderer who leaves detailed dioramas at the scene of the crime. Or how about the episode “For Warwick”, which shocked viewers with an unexpected death at the time? “CSI: Crime Scene of Investigation” is full of memorable episodes and moments, and that’s why it’s the franchise’s finest hour.