Did you ever pull an all-nighter? I find that around the 36 hour mark, I start to get a little goofy. Things that seem to make a lot of sense at the time, really start to unravel when put under the harsh light of a good solid nap. That’s how I imagine “A Space Oddity” came to be. It’s just weird, and probably could have used a couple more naps somewhere in the process. But it’s still totally worth seeing. For one thing, it’s going to go down as one of the most memorable CSI episodes for the strangeness alone. If that’s not enough, it also offered the opportunity to get Liz Vassey in a bunch of great costumes. Liz Vassey just being on a show makes it better. Liz Vassey being on a show in the sexy alien lingerie makes it, by definition, must see TV.
In case you missed it… our story takes place at a sci-fi convention, which is like a syfy convention, only it doesn’t make you want to hurl. The featured attraction is the sneak peek at a pilot for a remake of the classic show, Astro Quest. And, given that this is CSI, you know what’s coming. The brains behind the new show, Jonathan Danson, isn’t long for this world. Yes, “He’s dead, Jim.”
And really, that gets right to one of my complaints with the episode. While they went to a lot of trouble to shoot examples of the classic Astro Quest, who are we kidding here? This is Star Trek. A point driven home as characters continue to make references (“He’s dead, Jim.” “I’m not a seamstress, I’m a coroner’s investigator, dammit.”) to the show. The show even spawned its own language, Vellikon. They meant Star Trek. We hear Star Trek. Someone should have kicked some suits in the crotch until they let them just say Star Trek.
The remake itself left Trek behind, instead calling to mind Battlestar Galactica. Danson’s new ‘reimagining’ of the show takes it in a very dark and gritty direction, much to the chagrin of the assembled fans. There’s a fun moment as we see the crowd reaction. Standing in the audience, without even a line, is Grace Park. And our view of her is soon blocked as Ronald D. Moore stands up to tell Danson, “You suck!”
There were a few other nice bits peppered throughout the episode. Back at the lab, an argument starts over what is sci-fi, and what is fantasy. And two of the suspects even hail from Pahrump, the on-again, off-again, home of the legendary Art Bell. It was strange, and fun, and just not what you expect from the trusty old CSI. I can’t remember the last time I actually recommended CSI to someone, but if you get the chance, this one is worth a look.
Clacked by Brett Love 
on Apr 17, 2009 @ 12:05 EST5EDT
I thought it was a fun episode. I thought it was Ronald D. Moore but was not 100% sure. I did not even notice Grace Park. Man how the heck can a person not notice Grace Park:-)
*POST AUTHOR*
Either you were distracted by Liz Vassey, or you need to have your Grace Park radar checked out.
I’m kinda surprised you didn’t mention the other suspect was Kate Vernon…Ellen Tigh. I know Grace Park is pretty captivating, and Liz Vassey……..wow.
But to miss (leave out) one of the Final Five?
Scott, I may have left a mark, my palm hit my forehead so hard when I read your comment. I totally didn’t recognize Kate Vernon. Good grief, I plead the Liz Vassey amendment.
I loved CSI’s “reimaginings” of several Star TREK: TOS episodes, including the ‘Gamesters of Triskelion.’
Also, was that a nod to Stargate Atlantis’ John Sheppard, when CSI’s Nick Stokes (George Eads) wore the navy blue tennis wristband on his left wrist during Nick’s interrogation scene?
And nice to see Michael Welch (Stargate SG1’s young Jack O’Neill in Fragile Balance) and Jamie Ray Newman (Stargate Atlantis’ Lt. Cadman).
You can never have enough of Liz Vassey
This was AWESOME. As a Sci-Fi fan this was just over-the-top good. Not as good as Stargate SG-1’s 100th but right up there. I asked for more Hodges – BAM! I get more and boy was this so in-character and totally fitting for him and the rest of Lab folks. Lovely. Even better than the lye discovery back in the day. CSI is going strong you better believe it and “crossovers” like this one only make it stronger.
Now if only they manage to tap into the “Matrix” crowd some way ;-)
I loved this episode. At the beginning, I was thinking “Hodges and Wendy?!? No way!” but by the end of the episode I was totally buying it. I hope we continue to see more of Hodges (and Wendy) and their somehow fitting sexual tension.
Vancouver background actor Ed Rocker also noticed (and has a screen cap at his blog) that BSG actress Rekha Sharma was also in the convention crowd in the episode:
https://adventuresofedrocker.blogspot.com/2009/04/battlestar-galactica-peeps-on-csi.html#links
*POST AUTHOR*
Nice! Thanks for the link Morjana. :D
I’m watching this on Netflix now and had to pause to make sure I drank the right Kool-Aide when I saw Ron Moore. I normally watch CSI as brain fodder, but I am actually lol’ing and captivated by this episode…and yes, nice to see more Liz Vassey as a main character.