Summary

• The success of CSI spin-offs relies on a compelling dynamic between characters, both in the lab and outside of work.
• CSI: Vegas benefits from familiar faces from the original series, but the team's balance is still finding its stride.
• CSI: Miami's success comes from providing intricate backstories for characters, but it could result in uneven development within the group.

One of the most iconic crime procedural franchises on network television, CSI, has incurred multiple spin-offs since the original series premiered, but not every investigative team is as strong as the others. As with most procedurals, the cases are the hook, but the interpersonal drama and development keep the audience watching. To be invested in these relationships, the characters working together in the lab must have an intriguing dynamic and enough chemistry to make their decisions important to the plot.

The original series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, started it all in 2000, and due to its popularity, the spin-offs CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, CSI: Cyber, and CSI: Vegas have all reached high levels of success in their own right. Taking the revolutionary formula of looking at a crime through the eyes of scientific investigators and showing how different that role can be based on the setting and characters was a stroke of genius. Though they all have similarities, every series is unique due to its spin on the procedural format, and the characters who each bring something new to the table.

5 CSI: Vegas (2021 - )

Maxine, Ahalya, Josh, Gil, Sara, Catherine

The most recent iteration, CSI: Vegas, returns to the roots of the first series by taking place in Las Vegas and bringing back familiar faces from CSI. Gil Grissom (William Petersen), Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), and Catherine Willows (Marg Helenberger) were brought on to help ease the transition to a new era of CSI. The new faces include the head of the crime lab, Maxine Roby (Paula Newsome), Josh Folsom (Matt Lauria), and Ahalya Rajan (Mandeep Dhillon). Though the fresh characters are interesting in their own right, it's clear why the creators included familiar faces as well.

CSI: Vegas would have been a hard sell to viewers without having the credibility of Gil, Sara, and Catherine behind it. The cases on the show have great twists for modern audiences, but the balance of the team hasn't hit its stride yet. So far, the most compelling dynamic is the romantic tension between Josh and Ahalya, but a team needs more than romance to make it memorable. Hopefully, with time, CSI: Vegas will find the right combination to make it as iconic as the rest of the franchise.

4 CSI: New York (2004 - 2013)

Mac, Stella, Jo, Danny, Lindsay, Sheldon

The cast and characters of CSI: New York had to be tough to handle the crime in one of the biggest cities in the United States. Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) is a tough leader, but for good reason, as his methodical approach serves to make the team an efficient and formidable group. CSI: New York has a grittier tone than some of the other shows, and this is reflected in the team dynamic.

Due to Taylor's reserved and by-the-book approach, the other characters, like Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo) and Dr. Sheldon Hawkes (Hill Harper) tend to lighten the mood and make jokes whenever they can. Since Taylor anchors the show, the dynamic of him being serious and the rest of the team having more fun can become repetitive. This leaves little room for character development as well as making it easy for the audience to guess how Taylor and his team will respond to any situation.

3 CSI: Miami (2002 - 2012)

Horatio, Eric, Calleigh, Alexx, Tim

As the first spin-off after CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami had big shoes to fill, but the show made strong choices that helped it distinguish itself from its predecessor. Team leader, Horatio Caine (David Caruso) has become a well-known figure in the crime drama genre, and his detached mannerisms were what made him able to solve so many emotional cases. The series succeeded because of the intricate backstories it provided for its characters, and the full lives they had outside the investigation team. While this made every character compelling on their own, it sometimes stunted the group's development because more time would be spent on one character than another.

2 CSI: Cyber (2015 - 2016)

D.B., Avery, Raven, Daniel, Elijah

Though short-lived, CSI: Cyber had an innovative premise and a cast with great chemistry. By including D.B. Russell (Ted Danson), who got his start on the original CSI, the series made it difficult not to fall in love with the team. He is such a charming and ive investigator who elevates the cast. Alongside him was Dr. Avery Ryan (Patricia Arquette), who was in charge of the unit of FBI agents looking into the world of internet crime. This was a major shift in the plot for the franchise, and it didn't prove to be the most successful, but the team itself was worth watching for.

1 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000 - 2015)

Gil, Catherine, Sara, Warrick, Nick, D.B., Langston

Holding the top spot for the best show and the best team of the CSI universe is easily CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Team leader Gil Grissom may not stick around for the entirety of the series, but he's an unforgettable character who binds together his team as a tight-knit group that can handle anything. It's his leadership that paved the way for future Lieutenants D.B. Russell, and Dr. Raymond Langston (Laurence Fishburne).

Standout characters like Catherine Willows and Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan) were excellent investigators who were always able to crack the case. The series never failed to strike the perfect balance between the hard-hitting cases and intrigue in the personal stories. Though there was sometimes friction within the group and the fight to be head of the lab caused tension, that only increased the closeness and effectiveness of the team at the end of the day.