The big switch this season in CSI: NY could be summed up as, "One cougar leaves, another cougar enters." That's right, Stella Bonasera is gone, replaced by the new character Jo Danville. Technically, Sela Ward is too old for cougar status, but she could fool you in the right light. Mac Taylor and the other men don't seem touched by her charms, but maybe it's her creepy way of alluding to her previous experience with the FBI and how she's pulled the file on all her co-workers. Nothing like a little snooping to put a chill on a new friendship, eh? All jokes aside, CSI Danville settles right in, and even gets her share of gritty New York in one episode, "Identity Crisis." Adam seems much less geeky this season, perhaps after his fling with Bonasera in the previous season. Danny and Lindsay recover from the traumatic ending of Season 6, and very violently, in the lead episode of Season 7. CSI: NY: The Complete Seventh Season is lousy with special features and goodies that weren't available when the season aired on television, so dedicated fans will have all these extra bits to enjoy.
In addition to the new face among the CSI: NY crew, things get a bit more star-studded with guest appearances from Peter Fonda and John Larroquette. Viewers under a certain age won't know these guys, but if you're at least in your 30s, they'll be familiar, if well-aged faces. Larroquette's story arc is particularly nice. One thing we like about CSI: NY is how it manages to take every one of its lead characters on some kind of wild ride during any given season. Even Dr. Sid has a dramatic moment at one point in the episode "Hide Sight." Other episodes that test one or more CSIs include "Food For Thought," "Out Of The Sky," and "To What End." Flack gets more screen time in a few of these, and starts to feel more like a regular character than just a guy that does interrogations and has feet on the street. The final two episodes are a dramatic ending to the season, but what season of CSI can end without major drama? The conclusion of the season appears to be a real turning point for Mac and Danny, who are at completely opposite ends of the career spectrum.
The use of blog-style special features continues the show's tradition of using sidebar videos in earlier compilations. Casual fans may not care to watch all of these, but when you really connect to an episode and want to know more, it's worth it. The season is filled with content that draws from news headlines and current events, but there's not as much flash or whodunit in this show. CSI: NY has traditionally been the one you watched when you wanted to get a little deeper into the character drama, so there are a lot more reflections on the emotional impact of the crimes committed. This often pushes the show into very rough territory, such as child abuse, sexual violence against women, and some pretty horrific premeditated murder. The show's creators have learned to mask the perpetrator and withhold just enough evidence to keep you guessing until the final reveal. It's a well-paced show with a focus on good actors over special effects, and this season doesn't disappoint. The collection packs tons of material for new and old fans alike, making it worthwhile even for those who dedicated the time to catch CSI: NY: The Complete Seventh Season when it aired.
