Common Sense Media Review
Mature, captivating forensic whodunit.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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CSI: NY
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say the show offers a captivating mix of strong characters and engaging plots with frequent graphic content that some viewers find disturbing, yet it provides wholesome role models and positive messages about crime prevention. While many appreciate its educational aspects and emotional depth, caution is advised for younger audiences due to the mature themes and violence.
- graphic content
- strong characters
- positive role models
- educational aspects
- maturity required
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The third addition to CBS's hit CSI franchise, CSI: NY follows a team of five New York City crime scene investigators as they discover forensic evidence at murder scenes and interpret it to solve the crimes. In each episode, the team typically works on two homicides: one of which drives the main plot, the other a subplot that usually has some type of comedic or sexual overtones. Leading the team is Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise), an introverted yet charismatic leader who lost his wife on 9/11. Reporting to him are four investigators, each of whom has a unique area of expertise outside of the typical forensic purview. For example, Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo) has highly tuned street smarts that give him a trustworthy familiarity when he speaks with suspects and witnesses.
Is It Any Good?
CSI: NY is better-developed than its Miami counterpart, but not as strong as the original Las Vegas installment. That said, the characters are smart and edgy. And the show rarely leaves the viewer with a cliffhanger, making it a great choice for viewers who prefer all-inclusive episodes with no strings attached.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the science behind the show, using that to transition into conversations about what teens are learning in science class. Could what they're learning be used to investigate crime? Do they think science is something they'd like to pursue as a career? On another tack, how do teens feel about the crimes depicted in the show? Is the neat nature of the episodes' plots a realistic reflection of crime solving?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 22, 2004
- Cast : Carmine Giovinazzo , Gary Sinise , Melina Kanakaredes
- Network : CBS
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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