Warning: lots of spoilers for Without a trace, CSI and Desperate Housewives ahead!

Without a trace

Season 5 premiere: “Stolen”

Having concluded last season with no cliffhanger, “Without a trace” begins its fifth season with an episode like any other – weren’t it for the excellent acting and rather simple, yet engaging story. Luckily for me, it also concentrated heavily on the interaction between Bryan (Darian Weiss), a boy who claims his father has kidnapped a five year-old boy, and Samantha Spade. Ordered by a distant and bossy Jack to press the boy further without revealing too much of the investigation, Sam tries her best but ultimately fails. In the end however, she manages to give peace to Bryan by returning him to his own family.

Not much to say about the other characters, since we see next to nothing of them. Poppy Montgomery seems to have enjoyed the sun a bit too much (or applied too much self-tanner :P ) because her skin looks rather reddish. Apart from that, no significant changes to the looks were made which explains the absence of promotional shots for the new season.

All in all: very well acted and for once so grittingly realistic that it was difficult to breathe sometimes, “Stolen” promises a strong season. – 5 out of 6 Meeps

CSI

Season 7 premiere: “Built to kill, part 1″

A very clever way to keep viewers hooked right at the start of your season is to begin with a two parter. Taking that into consideration, it’s a bit hard to say anything about this episode without having seen the second part, which hopefully will give reason to a few somewhat dull and overly lenghty parts of this one: John Mayer’s performance, for instance.

While I love John Mayer’s music (and himself, when he’s had a shower and a haircut :P ), the gig at the club reminded me of the endless performance shots on “Charmed”, but since that was set in a night club, it was okay. “CSI” however isn’t, and even as a set-up for Catherine’s rather gruesome night, it was too elaborate.

The other cases would only be mildly intrigueing weren’t it for the Cirque du Soleil and the fact that the other (male) victim had a man as life partner. The final murder with the miniature recreation of the crime scene shows much more promise, but we will have to see what they make of it in the upcoming episode.

All in all: a sometimes unevenly paced episode which concludes with a very disturbing note – Marg Helgenberger does a really impressive job here. – 4 out of 6 Meeps

Desperate Housewives

Season 3 premiere: “Listen to the Rain on the Roof”

It’s good to be back. Strangely it felt a bit like coming home seeing all the inhabitants of Wisteria Lane again, though it took a while to get re-acquainted with the facts from last season.

Let’s take notes: Nora is still – and even more so! – a pain in the ass and I can hardly understand how Lynette has kept up with her for the past six months, Gabby still rude to Xiao Mei, Susan still a klutz, Bree still doesn’t have the right touch when it comes to men (how about choosing one who didn’t murder anyone for a change?) and Edie is still her charming self, especially to Mrs. McCluskey.

There were some really nice moments: Susan “asking” Mike’s permission to go on a date or Tom inhaling Helium to amuse Lynette, but no such tenderness for Gabby: in every scene she was in, she behaved like a coldhearted, vulgar (sorry!) bitch. I’m hoping that will dramatically improve because ShrewdGabby – not funny.

All in all: I felt a bit cheated about the six month gap but maybe good things are coming out of it. It’s too early to say where all the developments will lead. As a season opener, it was good but not spectacular. – 4 out of 6 Meeps