I thought the first five minutes were quite "explosive." From that point on we have a "patriot" urban terrorist group, planning to move away from society, attack the government and authority. Among them is the guy who orchestrated the explosions in the graveyard. His brother is Justin Bieber. I've never been a big fan (I'm pretty old), but I suspect tht many dropped the ratings by five points. The thing is he had about 20 lines in the thing, so his bad acting really didn't make much of a difference. The British explosives expert is a bit tiresome. She looks to be about nineteen years old.
12 Reviews
Disappointing Return and Chance Lost
claudio_carvalho25 September 2023
Ray survives the attack of Nate Haskell. During the funeral of the police officer Franklin Clark, his family asks Nick to leave the ceremony. Nick suspects of a parked van and when two bombs explode at the cemetery, people run towards the location where the van is, but Nick makes them stop and saves their lives. Bomb squad officer Kacey Monahan joins the team to help their investigation that leads the CSI investigators to an anti-government group led by Dr. Huxbee.
"Shock Waves" is the first episode of the Eleventh Season of CSI. Unfortunately, it is a disappointing return. With the exception of the sequence of bomb explosions, the episode is boring and bureaucratic. The character of Raymond Langston is annoying and an awful replacement of Grissom. The attack of Nate Haskell could have been a great opportunity to get rid of Ray and fix the show. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Shock Waves"
"Shock Waves" is the first episode of the Eleventh Season of CSI. Unfortunately, it is a disappointing return. With the exception of the sequence of bomb explosions, the episode is boring and bureaucratic. The character of Raymond Langston is annoying and an awful replacement of Grissom. The attack of Nate Haskell could have been a great opportunity to get rid of Ray and fix the show. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Shock Waves"
Awesome
coll-1224 September 2010
awesome opening to a season with probably the best pre credits sequence ever. No quips, just action, excellent acting from George Eads as usual 'There's another bomb!!!' i've heard that Marg Helgenberger is leaving in episode 19 of this season which will make Nick the ranking CSI, well deserved but I am thinking that the Producers will find a way to make Langston the Supervisor, good characher but a level 2 CSI. Greg Sanders is more qualified!
I do agree with the other reviewer who says that they may as well call it the Ray Langston hour, Laurence Fishburne is an awesome actor but he isn't Grissom and never will be. Biggest name actor does not always mean best for the show.
Cant wait for episode 2
I do agree with the other reviewer who says that they may as well call it the Ray Langston hour, Laurence Fishburne is an awesome actor but he isn't Grissom and never will be. Biggest name actor does not always mean best for the show.
Cant wait for episode 2
Still a decent episode, why hate it?
xiaorho13 March 2021
I found it as decent as always. Some reviews are so negative just because of one additional player? Come on.. Grow up! So much hatred for the poor young boy (with so few lines and scenes). Not a fan of Beiber, but I still love the episode anyway. Some scenes are captivating, the regular members of the show are awesome as always, I like the scene between dr Robins and Ray.
CSI gets Bieberized
red-wolf3 October 2010
Bieber wasn't much to get excited about but it's not the worst acting I've seen from anybody. Maybe the director or somebody helped in that area. Bieber is not somebody I would be interested in watching on TV or in a movie anyway.
I was mostly interested to see Sienna Guillory who played the bomb tech, Kacey Monahan. If that is who the previous reviewers were talking about, Sienna Guillory is an actor from the UK. I've heard her speak in interviews and that is her British accent.
The rest of the episode was not interesting to me but not a regular viewer or fan of CSI. This is probably one of ten episodes I have watched over the years. I like the rest of the cast though just not into the show that much.
I was mostly interested to see Sienna Guillory who played the bomb tech, Kacey Monahan. If that is who the previous reviewers were talking about, Sienna Guillory is an actor from the UK. I've heard her speak in interviews and that is her British accent.
The rest of the episode was not interesting to me but not a regular viewer or fan of CSI. This is probably one of ten episodes I have watched over the years. I like the rest of the cast though just not into the show that much.
Horrible
Placiddragon11 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
As season premieres goes, this has got to be one of the worst ones ever made (for any show). As a normal episode, it would probably rate among the bottom 10 percent of CSI episodes.
The show has been going seriously downhill for a good while now, and mostly to blame for that is Lawrence Fishbourne. I like him as an actor, but this role just doesn't "fit" him, he is abysmal in it. And as a bonus effect, he drags everyone else down with him.
Episode spoilers ahead, so if you haven't seen it yet, don't read on :)
I found everyone's acting to be very "wooden" in this episode, even veterans such as Sara, Nick and Catherine. They seem to just be going through the motions rather than acting. The "obligatory" replacement to the team is absolutely atrocious (pretty, young girl with what i think is an Australian or Kiwi accent). Seeing that she is a bomb expert, please let her find one she cannot handle ASAP, and write her out of the series :)
The guest cast is just as bad as the regular cast, and the story is unengaging and unbelievable (Langston directing from a hospital bed and what have you). In fact i struggle to find a single bright spot to the episode, i really found it that bad.
After 8 great seasons and 2 on the downhill track, maybe i should just call it a day :/
The show has been going seriously downhill for a good while now, and mostly to blame for that is Lawrence Fishbourne. I like him as an actor, but this role just doesn't "fit" him, he is abysmal in it. And as a bonus effect, he drags everyone else down with him.
Episode spoilers ahead, so if you haven't seen it yet, don't read on :)
I found everyone's acting to be very "wooden" in this episode, even veterans such as Sara, Nick and Catherine. They seem to just be going through the motions rather than acting. The "obligatory" replacement to the team is absolutely atrocious (pretty, young girl with what i think is an Australian or Kiwi accent). Seeing that she is a bomb expert, please let her find one she cannot handle ASAP, and write her out of the series :)
The guest cast is just as bad as the regular cast, and the story is unengaging and unbelievable (Langston directing from a hospital bed and what have you). In fact i struggle to find a single bright spot to the episode, i really found it that bad.
After 8 great seasons and 2 on the downhill track, maybe i should just call it a day :/
Popularity Over Quality?
RecceR9 November 2010
I enjoy watching this show as often as I can. This season-started had such great potential. The story revolved around a bombing that created quite a scare to both the citizens of Las Vegas and police officers.
That being said, it was all soiled by adding Justin Bieber into the mix. He felt so out of place and did not seem to fit in with the group of people his character was involved with. He was supposed to be part of a radical group who opposes the way the US government functions. His acting was emotionless and made the actors he interacted with look bad. I say shame on everyone who suggested this idea of brining Justin in, and allowed it to actually happen. It is so disgusting when shows sell out on a "pop sensation" like Bieber, especially when they can't act at all and have no prior acting experience and most possibly training. I think it would not have been as distasteful if Justin was good at acting. He needs to go to acting school before he takes any future roles on anything to do with him reading from a script. As for CSI, they need to make sure their future guest stars can actually act and not just sell out for popularity.
That being said, it was all soiled by adding Justin Bieber into the mix. He felt so out of place and did not seem to fit in with the group of people his character was involved with. He was supposed to be part of a radical group who opposes the way the US government functions. His acting was emotionless and made the actors he interacted with look bad. I say shame on everyone who suggested this idea of brining Justin in, and allowed it to actually happen. It is so disgusting when shows sell out on a "pop sensation" like Bieber, especially when they can't act at all and have no prior acting experience and most possibly training. I think it would not have been as distasteful if Justin was good at acting. He needs to go to acting school before he takes any future roles on anything to do with him reading from a script. As for CSI, they need to make sure their future guest stars can actually act and not just sell out for popularity.
Disappointing
laurent197925 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I think the biggest mistake the writers/producers have made was making their headliner - Laurence Fishburne - an entry-level CSI. The idea of him directing the investigation from the hospital was laughable at best and disgraceful at worst. Liev Schreiber was credible in his run as Keppler because he was experienced and established in another jurisdiction, and he fit in as a leader of the team. By making Fishburne a CSI Level 1 AND giving him the screen time and authority (laughing) of someone who knows what they're doing is, quite frankly, ruining the show. Langston needs to be acting like he noob he is; I don't remember Holly Gribbs directing anything from her hospital bed....
My other issue is the bomb-chick-with-a-bad-accent that I'm not going to grace with a name. I'm supposing it's an attempt to gain viewers by introducing a "quirky" character with a supposed-to-be-sexy accent? Maybe? In the history of the show, the writers have tried this crap before, and it's never ended well. The first and worst was the annoying, loud teenager who followed Warrick around the lab in the pilot; the second was Ronnie Lake who was annoying and unbelievable as a CSI. This most recent character leaves viewers with a bad, but familiar, taste in their mouths and the feeling that the writers are trying again to pull a fast one. I think the two "quirky" characters that have worked (Greg and Hodges) have done so because they were lab techs and appeared in small doses. Notice that Greg has calmed down tremendously in his more prominent role.
Other than the (still laughing) Langston issues, and the eye-roll-worthy bomb chick, I found the episode engaging and interesting, though not one of the better episodes by far. I'm happy to see the Catherine/Vartann relationship continuing, and I'm happy that Greg, Sara, and Nick are back. I long for the good old days of believable characters, believable circumstances, and an overall believable show.
My other issue is the bomb-chick-with-a-bad-accent that I'm not going to grace with a name. I'm supposing it's an attempt to gain viewers by introducing a "quirky" character with a supposed-to-be-sexy accent? Maybe? In the history of the show, the writers have tried this crap before, and it's never ended well. The first and worst was the annoying, loud teenager who followed Warrick around the lab in the pilot; the second was Ronnie Lake who was annoying and unbelievable as a CSI. This most recent character leaves viewers with a bad, but familiar, taste in their mouths and the feeling that the writers are trying again to pull a fast one. I think the two "quirky" characters that have worked (Greg and Hodges) have done so because they were lab techs and appeared in small doses. Notice that Greg has calmed down tremendously in his more prominent role.
Other than the (still laughing) Langston issues, and the eye-roll-worthy bomb chick, I found the episode engaging and interesting, though not one of the better episodes by far. I'm happy to see the Catherine/Vartann relationship continuing, and I'm happy that Greg, Sara, and Nick are back. I long for the good old days of believable characters, believable circumstances, and an overall believable show.
Why the sell-out?
nicholas-donaghey24 September 2010
I like this show; I always have. It generally has decent plots, good, sometimes witty, dialogue and it's pretty well acted.
Then this episode.
Who is this bomb disposal woman supposed to be and where did she get that accent? Does it sound authentic to people outside of the UK? I'm guessing that its some Hollywood/UK hybrid; absolutely atrocious. I'm guessing I'm not the only brit to cringe when she said "sodder" instead of "solder". More than once.
Then came that annoying talentless brat Justin Beiber. Who made the decision to cast him and what were they thinking? Are they trying to stay "relevant" and attract a younger audience? Don't bother - stick to your die-hard fans before you alienate them.
Get a grip Bruckheimer
Then this episode.
Who is this bomb disposal woman supposed to be and where did she get that accent? Does it sound authentic to people outside of the UK? I'm guessing that its some Hollywood/UK hybrid; absolutely atrocious. I'm guessing I'm not the only brit to cringe when she said "sodder" instead of "solder". More than once.
Then came that annoying talentless brat Justin Beiber. Who made the decision to cast him and what were they thinking? Are they trying to stay "relevant" and attract a younger audience? Don't bother - stick to your die-hard fans before you alienate them.
Get a grip Bruckheimer
A Very Disappointing Return To This Show
ccthemovieman-112 December 2011
After being a big fan of the show but turned off big-time by end of the eighth season, this was my first look at the show in three years. I was disgusted; it not only hadn't gotten better, it's become worse! (Hopefully, that will change as the season goes on and I didn't totally waste my money on this DVD.) Except for one crossover series (I still never miss a CSI-Miami or CSI-New York episode), I was also curious to see what "Ray Langston" was like on a regular basis. Off this episode, it's hard to say he didn't have a whole lot to say, although he still appeared to be running things from a hospital bed.
The annoying things included the overt political bias showing cartoon-like patriot characters, an out-of-place teen idol Justin Bieber, a new CSI person with an English accent so thick I couldn't understand half of what she said, another cheap shot again against anyone who believes in heaven (said by "Sara Sidle,"), a very hostile "Capt. Brass" (has he changed since I last saw him in Season 8?).
CSI-NY and CSI-Miami give you crime stories and an occasional personal story, but rarely deal in politics and religion. It's too bad this show has to be in-your-face with those things, on too many occasions.
Oh, well, it was still fun seeing the old "gang" - George Eads, Eric Szmanda, Marg Helgenberger, Paul Guilfoyle, Jorja Fox, Robert David Hall, David Berman, etc., and I thought the scene in which "Catherine" was trying to convince "Nick" to see a shrink was very touching.
I'm really hoping things get better than this lame opening episode.
The annoying things included the overt political bias showing cartoon-like patriot characters, an out-of-place teen idol Justin Bieber, a new CSI person with an English accent so thick I couldn't understand half of what she said, another cheap shot again against anyone who believes in heaven (said by "Sara Sidle,"), a very hostile "Capt. Brass" (has he changed since I last saw him in Season 8?).
CSI-NY and CSI-Miami give you crime stories and an occasional personal story, but rarely deal in politics and religion. It's too bad this show has to be in-your-face with those things, on too many occasions.
Oh, well, it was still fun seeing the old "gang" - George Eads, Eric Szmanda, Marg Helgenberger, Paul Guilfoyle, Jorja Fox, Robert David Hall, David Berman, etc., and I thought the scene in which "Catherine" was trying to convince "Nick" to see a shrink was very touching.
I'm really hoping things get better than this lame opening episode.
terrible, whose writing this useless drivel
custodianguard24 September 2010
What a terrible episode, i was hoping for a great episode to set this season off running, i wasn't expecting much after seeing the final episodes of season 10. They seem to be relying of Fishburne to pull a rabbit out of his hat to save the show.
i can't see this show getting a 12th season. Get rid off Laurence Fishburne, he is dragging this show down deeper and deeper each episode. He's a good actor, but no way is he suited to CSI.
They have to somehow tease William Petersen back or get a better actor like Kurt Russell, Jonathan LaPaglia, John Lithgow or at least hold some screen tests and let the fans decide who they should choose. CBS needs to have talks with Jerry Bruckheimer and quickly before this gets too far out of hand.
i can't see this show getting a 12th season. Get rid off Laurence Fishburne, he is dragging this show down deeper and deeper each episode. He's a good actor, but no way is he suited to CSI.
They have to somehow tease William Petersen back or get a better actor like Kurt Russell, Jonathan LaPaglia, John Lithgow or at least hold some screen tests and let the fans decide who they should choose. CBS needs to have talks with Jerry Bruckheimer and quickly before this gets too far out of hand.
A low point for new season episode
mspeed4423 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Bombs going off at a cemetery, Nick takes the blast while shouting a warning to others. This comes after we get a replay of Langston getting stabbed by Haskell, who then was beaten by police so both go to the ER. Langston loses a kidney, but quickly recovers.
Everyone is searching for a bomber; a new bomb tech girl shows up and she has a soft accented voice (hard to understand her). Langston, still in the hospital, is able to direct the search using his computer! (Is this for real--I have to ask myself "is this CSI?")
There is a sweet little scene between Nick and Catherine where she admits she has talked the police psychologist (after Warrick died) and perhaps Nick should do the same. After all, he was in the restaurant (last season) when the young cop was killed and is recovering from being shot, as well as the bomb blast.
Sara shows up for a few minutes when the police go to a meeting of anti-government folks--where we see a young boy (Justin Beiber). The crowd goes wild when the police bomb squad arrives, Sara throws a punch.
Greg and Catherine end up on a "trash" run, dead homeless guy. Vartann and Greg stumble upon another bomb, which goes off, but they are not hurt. Ends as Catherine says: this is not over. Closes on the kid sitting in jail.
This is a very odd episode for opening the season. All of the regular cast looked bored to tears (no lab rats) so maybe it is time to close this series. Or rename it The Ray Langston Hour as he seems to know everything.
Everyone is searching for a bomber; a new bomb tech girl shows up and she has a soft accented voice (hard to understand her). Langston, still in the hospital, is able to direct the search using his computer! (Is this for real--I have to ask myself "is this CSI?")
There is a sweet little scene between Nick and Catherine where she admits she has talked the police psychologist (after Warrick died) and perhaps Nick should do the same. After all, he was in the restaurant (last season) when the young cop was killed and is recovering from being shot, as well as the bomb blast.
Sara shows up for a few minutes when the police go to a meeting of anti-government folks--where we see a young boy (Justin Beiber). The crowd goes wild when the police bomb squad arrives, Sara throws a punch.
Greg and Catherine end up on a "trash" run, dead homeless guy. Vartann and Greg stumble upon another bomb, which goes off, but they are not hurt. Ends as Catherine says: this is not over. Closes on the kid sitting in jail.
This is a very odd episode for opening the season. All of the regular cast looked bored to tears (no lab rats) so maybe it is time to close this series. Or rename it The Ray Langston Hour as he seems to know everything.
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