About that sentimental "CSI" sendoff for Grissom ...

The final moment of Gil Grissom's "CSI" career -- and the surprise first moment of the rest of his life -- were in the planning stages for two years.

That may be why the closing scene of Thursday's episode of "CSI" was so satisfying. Yes, we are going to discuss spoilers here, so run to your DVR or cbs.com and get caught up. We'll wait.

The departure of William Petersen's character from in front of the camera was mapped out in long conversations between two of the show's two executive producers, Petersen and co-star Jorja Fox, according to Carol Mendelsohn, one of the showrunners on "CSI," who has been overseeing production of the show since episode one.

"The initial discussions began during the miniature killer storyline," said Mendelsohn in an interview on the "CSI" set this week. "We knew at that time that Jorja (Fox's) character was going to move on," Mendelsohn said, "and we discussed what that would mean to the relationship."

That story arc, which dominated the show's 2006-2007 season, involved the hunt for a serial killer who left behind perfectly detailed miniatures of her crime scenes. At one point, Fox's character, Sara Sidle, was kidnapped by the killer, and that experience was cited in her eventual departure from “CSI” last season.

Sara and Gil had been a romantic item since year four of “CSI.” Viewers seemed to like the idea of these two in love, though many reacted badly when the affair went away for nearly two years only to reappear suddenly -- some thought it a shameless ploy at a time when "CSI" was getting its first serious ratings challenge in years, from ABC's soapy "Grey's Anatomy."

When last seen on the show, Sara was leaving to work on her personal issues. Well, apparently she worked through them just fine, and sent word to Gil to come see her in the rainforest of Costa Rica. There the couple shared a long moment of passion as Thursday's episode went to black.

The final two episodes of Grissom's run coincided with the introduction of Laurence Fishburne as Dr. Ray Langston, a new CSI from the academic world. If you watch them closely, said Mendelsohn, you will see little clues about the "evolution" of Grissom "from a guy who would rather have breakfast with his bugs to a guy who had these great feelings for a woman."

Specifically, two things: In the second-to-last hour, which first aired in December, you'll see Grissom almost -- almost -- finish a crossword puzzle, but toss it in the wastebasket before completing 19 down. (The episode was named "19 Down.") "In previous seasons he would finish the crossword puzzle," Mendelsohn said.

And then, in the closing scene on Thursday night (the episode titled "One to Go"), Grissom is walking through the thick brush in Costa Rica when he lights upon an exotic bug sitting on a leaf. He stops to admire the insect for a moment ... then marches forward into the arms of Sara.

So that leaves only one mystery concerning Grissom: What's going to happen to his memorably cluttered office? The office once immortalized in a scale model that Grissom built as part of the mini-killer caper? Naren Shankar, the other showrunner on "CSI," promised that in next week's episode "you're going to get an answer to that."

And then all attention can turn to Langston. I asked about the professorial earnestness of Fishburne's character -- or snooty intellectualism, take your pick -- since it seemed out of place at "CSI," TV's original home for mordant humor. But no one was willing to say whether Doc Langston would turn into just another jaded, zinger-spewing crime pro.

I hope not. I know it's stereotypical to make the black guy on the show the strong, sincere one (think Dennis Haysbert on "24" and Haysbert on "The Unit" -- hey, it's not my fault the sample is so small). Still, as stereotypes go you could do worse.

Petersen retains his producer credit on "CSI" and, according to Shankar and others, plans to maintain an active presence behind the scenes. He will, of course, make Very Special Guest Apperances at some point.

Meanwhile, in a not-very-subtle attempt to pull younger viewers into the "CSI" audience, girlish country star Taylor Swift has been cast ... no, not as a CSI, but as a local teen whose situation intersects with the crime lab in some way.

Comments

[Lucy K]

I believe that Taylor Swift has previously said she would love to appear on CSI as anything. So, I am not shocked that they've chosen to appear on at least one episode. Great fun for the young one, I'm sure.

[Sandra]

I am so disappointed that Bill Petersen will no longer appear on CSI. Why you hooked him up with Sara at the end, I just can't figure out? They make a terrible couple. They never seemed to have any connection on any show that I watched. I just couldn't get my head around that one.

I will continue to watch to see if I like Laurence Fishburn - but right now it's like mourning a death in the family. I just want to cry. Tell Bill I love him.

[DIANNE SHOREYS]

AS GRISSOM LEAVES SO WILL MANY, MANY OF THE VIEWERS, INCLUDING THIS ONE. GRISSOM WAS THE SHOW AND WITHOUT HIM THIS SHOW WILL FADE SLOWLY AWAY. THE EXEC'S WILL FIND THAT RATINGS WILL DROP AND THIS SHOW WILL DIE A LONG SLOW DEATH. BETTER IF THEY HAD JUST ENDED IT AND PUT IT OUT OF ITS MISERY. IT ISN'T THE FIRST NOR WILL IT BE THE LAST SHOW TO LOSE IT'S STAR AND LOSE IT'S RATINGS AND IT'S VIEWERS. GOODBY...I'M TURNING TO OTHER STATIONS AND TURNING OUT THE LIGHT ON THIS CHANNEL.

[Midge Nagle]

I really enjoyed CSI's program sending Grissom off to find Sara again. Along with all the other members of the cast, The entire program has been great. Sometimes it becomes a bit gruesome, but that's the story line.

If I may, I would like to make a comment, in kindness. Sometimes the characters either speak too softly, mumble, or the background noises overwhelm their words. I'll be 80 this year and have a hearing problem and really would like to catch all the dialogue!!!!(I do have hearing aids,,,,,,,,,,,,,but still can't catch the words. This comment applies to all 3 of the CSI show. Can you help? By the way last night's (Jan 14th & 15th) shows seemed much better.

Thanks for listening and continue on with your good work

Midge Nagle. Centennial. Colorado

[Morjana]

Perfect ending scene for Grissom - and Sara - on CSI. :)

[Allie]

I thought it was a beautiful exit for Grissom.