Click the images to see them full-size. They are the exclusive property of CBS Broadcasting Inc. and may not be archived, leased, sold or distributed in any fashion without consent from CBS. They are released for one-time editorial use only.

"Stealing Home" -- David Hodges (Wallace Langham), Julie Finlay (Elisabeth Shue, center) and Nick Stokes (George Eads, left), all want answers as they piece things together on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- David Hodges (Wallace Langham), Julie Finlay, Elisabeth Shue, center) and Nick Stokes (George Eads, left), all want answers as they piece things together on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- David Hodges (Wallace Langham),and Nick Stokes (George Eads, left), all want answers as they piece things together on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox, right) and Nick Stokes (George Eads) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- Nick Stokes (George Eads) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- Julie Finlay (Elisabeth Shue) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- Julie Finlay, (Elisabeth Shue), D.B. Russell (Ted Danson), Nick Stokes (George Eads) and Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) all want answers as they piece things together on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- Julie Finlay (Elisabeth Shue) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- D.B. Russell (Ted Danson) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- Julie Finlay (Elisabeth Shue) and D.B. Russell (Ted Danson) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- Julie Finlay (Elisabeth Shue) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- D.B. Russell (Ted Danson) and Julie Finlay (Elisabeth Shue) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Stealing Home" -- Julie Finlay (Elisabeth Shue) and D.B. Russell (Ted Danson) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click to see each image full-sized:

Click to see the full-sized images!

Click the images to see them full-size. They are the exclusive property of CBS Broadcasting Inc. and may not be archived, leased, sold or distributed in any fashion without consent from CBS. They are released for one-time editorial use only.

"Tressed to Kill"-- Morgan Brody (Elisabeth Harnois, left) and Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda) both search for clues while trying to figure out who and what would motivate a killer of young women with an unusual calling card, on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 8 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Tressed to Kill" -- Morgan Brody (Elisabeth Harnois) hopes what she just shined her flashlight on is a clue to the case, on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 8 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Tressed to Kill"-- Nick Stokes (George Eads, right) wants some answers after breaking up an odd occurrence at a local whig shop, on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 8 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Roger Bart guest stars. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Tressed to Kill" -- Nick Stokes (George Eads) looks for clues as he searches through a whig shop, on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 8 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Tressed to Kill" -- Nick Stokes (George Eads) looks for clues as he searches through a whig shop, on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Feb. 8 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Tressed to Kill"-- Coverage of CBS' CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Alec Smight has directed over twenty episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and there’s no sign of him slowing down. Employed since CSI’s inception, Smight started off as an editor and gradually explored other avenues behind-the-scenes such as producing and directing. His latest episode–which airs this Wednesday–marks the fourth time Smight has played a critical role in a cast departure. The incredibly busy director took some time out of his weekend schedule to discuss his transition from editor to director, playing a major part in cast departures, and tease his upcoming episode with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders.

Alec Smight, Marg Helgenberger, and Crescenzo Notarile. (Photo: Alec Smight)

CSI Files: CSI has done a really good job at allowing people the opportunity to try different things on the show, and you’re really no exception. After editing the show’s pilot episode and many thereafter, how did the chance to direct an episode come about?

Alec Smight: It’s interesting because when I first took the job on the “Pilot,” I had been offered another series with an opportunity to direct as well, and it turns out that the person that hired me on CSI didn’t hang around, so I kind of had to start from the ground up and develop a relationship with Carol [Mendelsohn, Executive Producer] and everybody but they’ve been so supportive of my work. They were great.

CSI Files: Do you miss editing at all?

Smight: It’s interesting because my other role as a producer is in the cutting room mostly, so I’m still involved in editing, just not hands-on at the machine. I don’t feel like it’s not part of my day-to-day activities. That’s what I bring to the table, I think it’s my strength. Not running the machine, I don’t miss that, but I’m still in there making editorial choices when we’re making changes working with our three amazing editors. It’s a lot of fun.

CSI Files: You’re the producer of the editing department just like Louis Milito is the executive producer in charge of production, and so forth?

Smight: Yeah. It’s funny, at this point, this particular season, I’m directing so much I ended up grabbing an extra show because somebody had dropped out of the rotation. If I’m unable to go in and sit there with Carol and Don [McGill, Executive Producer] when we’re going through the cuts, he’s done that as well, but for the most part that’s how that’s supposed to work out. We all screen the shows together once the directors are done with their cut, and then a lot of times Carol and Don will have some broad stroke notes, and I’ll go in the cutting room with the editors, and we sort of execute those together and then as long as I’m not in prep or directing an episode, I’ll sit in with Don and Carol when we do the final cuts. I’ve been doing this for a long time. A lot of times I can help come up with solutions to problems that they have, and I can help the editors figure some things out, so I really enjoy that. It’s the problem solving side of it that I always loved about post production.

CSI Files: What do you find to be the biggest challenge as a director? Do you find it to be more or less complex than editing?

Smight: I’m an outgoing person, so the hardest part being an editor for me for so many years was just working by myself. I love being on the set. We have an amazing crew. The cast is amazing, so it’s really fun to work with everybody and collaborate. That’s what I love about the directing side. The difficult side is the television schedules. We are an ambitious show in terms of what we want to put on the screen, and we only have seven days of prep, and we shoot our episodes in nine days, so it’s just trying to get the most out of your day. That’s probably the biggest challenge. But sometimes it also creates interesting opportunities to be clever and figure out a solution, a way to do something where you’re running out of time or something that’s difficult to execute. I love having to figure those things out on the fly, it’s fun.

CSI Files: Your next episode is a rather significant one titled “Willows in the Wind,” which focuses on the departure of Marg Helgenberger. From a director’s standpoint, what do you do differently on an episode like this compared to a more standalone installment?

Smight: As you know, this was part of a three-episode arc, and I had the good fortune of doing the first and the last ones, so I was involved in helping to build that. That was actually kind of fun. And then Louis Milito did the one in the middle, and it was kind of fun sharing that with him. The challenge I think is—we wanted to give Marg a good sendoff, obviously, and I think they wrote a really cool story, and it’s different than what we normally do week in and week out because our shows for the most part are standalone. Trying to bring CSI world into a three-story arc, which we rarely do, was probably the biggest challenge. And also making room for Marg to have her big moment at the end where she gets to say goodbye to everyone, wrapping up the story to not feel like that moment was short-changed. That was everybody’s big goal, make sure we serve a good story and give Marg her time at the end to have her goodbye. I think we did, and she’s wonderful. Her last couple of scenes are just terrific, and hopefully there won’t be a dry eye in the house.

CSI Files: You played a major part in previous departures as well. You directed William Petersen‘s final episode and edited both “Goodbye and Good Luck” and “For Warrick”, which saw Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle) and Gary Dourdan (Warrick Brown) leave. How much pressure do you feel when being attached to such an important episode?

Smight: If you look at the big picture of CSI world, you can certainly get overwhelmed like, “Oh gosh, I’m having to deal with kind of a big thing here for this series.” But in terms of just personally dealing with stuff like that, you have to look at it like another episode and not get overwhelmed by what’s going on. At the same time, I know at the end of the day, when the show’s all over with, that these are significant episodes. I’ve just been very fortunate to have lined up with a lot of them. I feel honored to have been part of Billy’s departure and Marg’s. Again, the trick I think in approaching them is to try to not think about all that and just worry about what we have to do to get the show made, and usually that turns out to be the best approach.

CSI Files: In “Willows in the Wind”, Catherine and Russell (Ted Danson) find themselves in quite the predicament. Can you tease a bit about some of the things happening in the episode?

Smight: In “Ms Willows Regrets”, the whole FBI zipper guns thing sort of comes back into play, and Marg essentially becomes a target. In my episode, it’s all about survival and then figuring out a way to catch our bad guys.

CSI Files: It’s fair to say that you’re not killing her off. That’s pretty much for certain.

Smight: Without tipping anything off—I’ve looked at the promos already, I don’t think the network is trying to tease that. No, we’re not killing her off. But she does have a brush with death, we’ll put it that way.

CSI Files: How do you approach the emotional beats in the episode? Were you relying more on the actors’ real life feelings as opposed to them acting out their sadness over Catherine leaving?

Smight: Yeah, I think you kind of hit it there. In this instance, especially after twelve seasons, there’s no avoiding the fact that a goodbye to the team at CSI is also a personal goodbye for Marg. One of the things I wanted to make sure we did when we shot her last scene was…I thought we should do her close up and coverage first. No matter how skilled you are as an actor, when you turn and face people you’ve worked with for that long, it’s going to become as much about the character as it is about Marg personally. I wanted to make sure that we could capture that. If there’s anything I did out of the ordinary in those scenes, it was that. I wanted to make sure that we did Marg’s coverage first instead of traditionally doing sort of a master and then moving in for closer coverage.

CSI Files: What was your final moment on set with Marg like?

Smight: It’s weird because for me too, I was there right at the beginning because I was involved in editing the pilot. It was emotional. She gave a wonderful speech to everybody, kind of her own goodbye right after we did her last shot, and I was pretty choked up. Her son Hugh works on the show, and he was there. It was just a lot of hugs. It was a big moment, similar to when Billy left. We all knew it was coming, and luckily our schedule allowed us to shoot Marg’s goodbye scene as the absolute last thing we did. The last thing I did was drive a nail into the spot where her final mark was, and Louis Milito did the same thing when we shot Billy’s last scene, so if anybody ever gets to visit our stage, those two spots are marked permanently.

[I'm] not sure what they’re going to do for Marg. They were shooting in that set yesterday, and there’s a nail in the ground with paper around it that says “do not remove,” so whatever they’ve got planned for it isn’t done yet.

CSI Files: Has there been an episode you directed that you found particularly challenging? You’ve directed like 25 episodes, so that might be a tough question.

Smight: It is a tough question. Probably the one—it was the second-to-last episode last year, the two-parter for Laurence‘s departure because so much of it took place in Los Angeles. It was almost like doing a pilot. Our normal locations, we’re always looking for parts of Southern California—or occasionally we go to Vegas—but mostly parts of Southern California that could double for Las Vegas. In this case it was the opposite, all of a sudden we were scouting Los Angeles to be Los Angeles, which we all decided should be sort of iconic. We wanted to have the ocean, we had the Santa Monica pier, we shot at Hollywood. So just logistically, that may have been one of the bigger ones that I’ve had to do.

You mentioned Billy’s departure and Marg’s departure. I think just in terms of emotional impact, those two. I guess if I had to pick three that were challenging for me, it would be those.

CSI Files: And the opposite side of that question: you’ve directed a lot over the years. Is there one you’re especially fond of?

Smight: I don’t think my answer could be anything but my first one, just because it was something I’d been wanting to do my whole career. The people on the show are such a great group. Carol’s been so wonderful to me, and getting that opportunity and having the crew be so supportive, and I was blessed with a great script—I couldn’t have asked for a better situation. It was a dream come true, and I was really proud of it when the show came out. Allen MacDonald wrote that episode. It was just a great experience from top to bottom. I had a lot of George Eads [Nick Stokes] and Jorja Fox in that show. Billy actually wasn’t in it because we were doing double-ups that year. They were all wonderful, it was just great. That was like a dream experience.

CSI Files: This season alone you’ve directed four episodes, and you started shooting your fifth on Monday. What can you share about the episode you’re filming right now?

Smight: Elisabeth Shue‘s [Julie Finn] debut was in the episode that just wrapped, and she comes in as a consultant, so I got her first episode as sort of a regular CSI and part of our team. I’m excited about that. That’s the challenge, I think, to see how we integrate her into our team. There’s a lot of meeting everybody that’s involved in the episode and trying to make that not feel anything but real. There’s also a lot of comedic elements in it. I think those are some of the more interesting shows that we do, but there’s a fine line. You have to be careful not to let the comedy become too broad and drift into silliness. So that’s my challenge on this one, to keep it grounded and real. Melissa [Byer] and Treena [Hancock] wrote a really fun script, and we’ve got a wonderful guest cast, so I’m excited about this one.

CSI Files: Will you step behind the camera again this season, or are you taking a much-deserved break?

Smight: I actually have two more after this. I was scheduled to do six episodes, but we had somebody to drop out of the rotation, so this one I’m doing right now is sort of a bonus episode. I have two more after this. I’m sort of on a greased rail to the end of the year. I’m doing Episode Eighteen and Episode Twenty-two.

CSI Files: So basically what you’re telling me right now is you haven’t slept in almost six months.

Smight: [Laughs.] But you know what, I’m not complaining at all. These are rock star problems. I’m having more fun than I ever have professionally, so it’s just been a blast.

Shane Saunders is a freelance writer and reviewer. His work can be seen on EDGE Network and ShaneSSaunders.com. Twitter: @ShaneSSaunders.

New York’s Gary Sinise (Mac Taylor) shared a few images from the set, including himself and costars Sela Ward (Jo Danville) and Eddie Cahill (Don Flack). Click to see each image full-sized:

CBS shared two pictures from the set of CSI, featuring Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows), Ted Danson (DB Russell) and newcomer Elisabeth Shue (Julie Finlay). Click to enlarge:

Director and Line Producer Frank Waldeck shared a bunch of CSI pictures, including shots of Helgenberger, George Eads (Nick Stokes), Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle), director/Producer Alec Smight, and guest stars Jesse McCartney and Sarah Dumont. Click to see full-sized images:

McCartney also posted a picture from his guest stint on CSI, and the image includes Eads and Waldeck—click for full size:

Jesse McCartney on WhoSay

Director Jeffrey Hunt is preparing to film episode sixteen of CSI, and he posted some pictures from the location scouting. The last image, featuring Hunt doing prep-work for the episode, is from Waldeck. Click to enlarge each thumbnail:

It’s hard to imagine how David Berman has the time to sleep, eat, or even give an interview. On CSI: Crime Scene Investigation he not only plays the role of David Phillips–the man who assists Doc Robbins with the slicing and dicing of victims brought into autopsy, looking for clues and determining cause of death on a daily basis–but behind the scenes Berman serves as head researcher, conducting his own investigations to ensure the show uses accurate information. Berman took some time out of his incredibly busy schedule to discuss his character’s evolution, a season of change, and his upcoming National Geographic Channel project with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders.

CSI Files: As the years progress more layers are peeled back on David Phillips; he’s gone from being in the background to developing a quirky sense of humor and working more prominently with the CSIs. How would you describe Super Dave’s evolution from Season One to where we’re at now?

David Berman: I think you did a pretty good job of describing it in the question. I think that over the first few seasons the character was written kind of as you said–as shy, kind of nerdy, but a very respectful guy who really just wanted to do his job. They established very early on that he came from a military background and has a deep respect for Doc Robbins [Robert David Hall], so I really was just kind of working by trade. I was in my early twenties when the show started and was dreaming up my background for the guy assuming it was my first job out of college. Even early on they did a nice job giving me fun stuff to do. I had a crush on Sara [Sidle, Jorja Fox] early on; my very first scene on camera I kind of awkwardly hit on Jorja Fox’s character which was really fun. I love playing those moments.

As time passed the writers have given me more responsibility. I like to think the team respects my opinions more and more, and I’ve gone from being Doctor Robbins’ assistant to actually being his colleague. A couple of seasons ago I got to perform my own autopsy which was a real highlight for me.

CSI Files: In “Built to Kill, Part One” we found out David was a married man, but we have yet to meet Mrs Phillips. Who would be your ideal actress to play the part?

Berman: That’s a tough one. I think she’d have to be a particularly strong woman. The writers have established that my wife kind of doesn’t take shit from anybody and doesn’t tolerate B.S. The couple conversations we’ve had are usually conversations where we’re fighting about something. It’s a very passionate marriage, which I think would seem to contradict the way David Phillips is presented most of the time; he’s respectful and somewhat quiet. I can’t think of an actress per se other than her being tall and strong and vocal.

CSI Files: How do you think Sara feels about David being married? You had feelings for her, but she didn’t quite reciprocate those feelings back to you.

Berman: I think she adores David Phillips, but in the way a big sister loves her little brother. I’ll always have a soft spot for Sara Sidle, but I think they have a very nice working relationship.

CSI Files: Doc Robbins and David had an ongoing bet in last season’s “Hitting for the Cycle.” Some say it was out of character for the two to participate in such a morbid activity. What do you think?

Berman: I disagree completely. Having met dozens and dozens of medical examiners and coroner’s assistants, and physician assistants, I’ve seen more than my fair share of autopsies and I’m very familiar with that world. If you don’t have a sense of humor you will not last very long. That doesn’t mean these aren’t compassionate people, but I think at the end of the day this is a gruesome job. Unless you are able to create some distance between you and the decedent I think you will go crazy. The case was actually based on a real life episode that happened to one of our technical consultants. It didn’t come from out of the blue, which I think lends credence to the idea that it wouldn’t be out of character for them to be making a bet.

CSI Files: The two of them clearly did not like Kevin.

Berman: Yeah, Kevin was a real jerk. But a great guy and a wonderful actor!

CSI Files: David is closest to Doc Robbins in the morgue, but David is also getting to spend a fair amount of time out in the field. Who else would you say is close with David?

Berman: David has a really nice relationship with Nick Stokes [George Eads]. Nick is the one that gave him his nickname “Super Dave” which I really love. It’s not very often I get a chance to play a quirk or something that doesn’t directly have to do with the decedent that I’m examining. So George or Nick really goes out of his way to kind of play up those moments which I love. It’s really–I’m not just saying this because you’re interviewing me for CSI Files–I really love the cast of CSI. I really look forward to working with everybody. It’s a really great group of actors to spend time with.

CSI Files: Do you get called Super David off camera?

Berman: Sometimes. I always get a kick out of it. I think it’s nice that fans really take to the show and embrace me at times.

CSI Files: You’re well into filming on Season Twelve. What do you think of the season so far?

Berman: It’s been a season of change. We’ve had Ted Danson [DB Russell] and Elisabeth Harnois [Morgan Brody] join us and soon to be Elisabeth Shue [Julie Finlay], though I haven’t met her yet and I’m really excited to. Of course Laurence Fishburne [Ray Langston] left and now Marg Helgenberger [Catherine Willows] is leaving, so it’s been a real transitional year. That being said, working with these new actors has been incredible. Ted Danson had some mighty big shoes to fill with William Petersen [Gil Grissom] and Laurence before him–two of the best actors in the world. I don’t know about you, but I think he’s done just a remarkable job; he’s charming and smart and just elevates the material in such an incredible way. When I’m through with work I’ll just stay and watch his scenes because I just love watching him work. Elisabeth is wonderful as well. She also has a really tough role to fill; traditionally a lot of women come and go on CSI and for whatever reason that’s always been a difficult role. It makes Jorja’s role on the show all the more impressive. I think Elisabeth has been doing a great job.

The way I met Ted was a pretty funny story. I filmed a documentary in Israel this summer for the National Geographic Channel and I was there for almost two months. It was a rather exhausting shoot with very long days and lots of driving and shooting in the hot desert–it was rewarding and fun, but difficult. I came home on July 14th from Israel and when I landed there was an e-mail waiting for me from one of our executive producers asking me if I would escort Ted Danson to Las Vegas on Tuesday–I got in on Sunday morning–and kind of show him around the morgue. That was all they really had planned, just a tour of the morgue, and evidently they had tried and couldn’t get him a tour of CSI or the morgue or a ride-along. Because I am a researcher on the show and I do know quite a few actual CSIs, I made a bunch of calls and I scheduled this fairly intense fourteen-hour marathon of covering basically all the sides of Clark County law enforcement. After I did it I kind of thought, “Oh no, what if he doesn’t want to do this?”

I had terrible jetlag and was absolutely exhausted–pretty much couldn’t sleep at all–and I picked him up from CSI at Universal Studios and went to the airport. Our flight was delayed like two hours, we didn’t get there until pretty late at night, and the next morning we got picked up at seven, driven to the morgue, and we’re inside where there’s several bodies splayed open. As we walk in–it was as if the director had yelled “action!”–the medical examiner picks up the bonesaw, slices off a guy’s cranium, pulls off the skull cap, and goes “Hey Ted, hold this.” I went from filming a documentary in Israel to performing an autopsy with Ted Danson in three days. That’s certainly a story I never thought would happen.

CSI Files: Based on what you’ve heard, what is your take on Julie Finlay? How different is she from Catherine?

Berman: I won’t give too much away. She’s certainly a strong-willed character and she’s definitely her own woman. She has lots of experience in law enforcement and kind of a tumultous background with DB. That will definitely play out the first couple episodes.

CSI Files: How emotional were you on Marg’s last day?

Berman: Marg’s last day was very difficult. She’s been my colleague and friend for over a dozen years and saying goodbye to her was very hard. It was bittersweet, but bittersweet because we’re still going to be friends and still going to see each other, we’ve exchanged phone calls and texts even since she left. She’s doing what she wants to do, she left on her own terms. But it was sad to say goodbye to someone who’s so talented and someone I’ve really enjoyed working with. She was very emotional and you can see just how much the show and the cast meant to her.

CSI Files: You mentioned doing research for the show, and you’ve been doing so for quite some time with Jon Wellner (Henry Andrews). Are you at all numb during the research excursions?

Berman: The actual horror of the stuff we’re researching? Yeah. It’s just a job; our job is to solve mysteries and put puzzles together and to help the writers out.

CSI Files: Your brother Josh Berman likes working behind the camera, and you seem to enjoy working behind the camera doing research duties, and also performing as an actor in front of it. Would you ever want to write or direct an episode?

Berman: Not really. My ambitions are to be an actor, that’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was eight-years-old. I got into research to pay the bills when I was very young and acting work was hard to come by. On CSI we have eight full-time writers who are spectacular. Maybe in the future I would like to writing something but on CSI I think I should leave that to our primary staff.

CSI Files: You talked a little bit about working on a documentary last summer. What else can you share about the film?

Berman: I was the on air host. I hosted a four-part miniseries for the National Geographic Channel called Faces of the Bible. It’s four one-hour segments where each episode I look at a skull or complete skeleton that was found in an archaeological dig somewhere in modern day Israel. Using forensic art, the Bible, good old fashioned deductive reasoning, we try to recreate these skulls to see what people may have looked like. Each episode loosely corresponds to an event from the Bible. In one episode, we’re looking at a three-thousand year old Philistine skull to figure out what the biblical character Delilah may have looked like. It was a pretty cool idea and I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

CSI Files: Do you have an estimate on when it’s going to air?

Berman: I don’t. We haven’t even done the narration for it. But I’ll definitely let you know as soon as I find out.

CSI Files: Do you have any interesting fan encounters?

Berman: None I can think of. Lots of nice letters. One story which I hesitate to tell because I can’t really confirm it. But I was at The Grove walking down the street and I saw James Gandolfini, one of my all-time favorite actors. I was kind of trying not to stare, kind of glancing at him, and he was with I assume his wife and child. His wife and child were looking at me and I got very excited, but I thought they couldn’t possibly be looking at me. I kind of kept walking and I took about twenty steps, turned around, and all three were looking at me and James Gandolfini pointed at me and smiled. That was a pretty cool fan encounter.

CSI Files: Tony Soprano watches CSI!

Berman: [Laughs.] I guess he does.

CSI Files: What else is in store this season for David Phillips?

Berman: I really don’t know. Certainly in the next couple episodes David Phillips isn’t doing much other than investigating crimes. There’s some pretty gruesome murders coming up that David Phillips will be examining, but I don’t know much beyond that. I don’t think he’s getting divorced or having a kid in the next couple episodes. [Laughs.]

CSI Files: Maybe there’s a girlfriend on the side.

Berman: I like the way you think.

Shane Saunders is a freelance writer and reviewer. His work can be seen on EDGE Network and ShaneSSaunders.com. Twitter: @ShaneSSaunders.

2011 was a bittersweet year for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation‘s George Eads. During the summer hiatus, Eads happily wed his girlfriend Monika Casey after spending more than five years together. Shortly after the passing of Maverick, his dog and best friend of many years, Eads received news that his father’s health was rapidly declining, ultimately ending in the unfortunate passing this last November. With all of the pressing personal matters in his life, the Nick Stokes actor asked producers of the show that made him a household name to write a “light” start of the season for him so he could travel back and forth from California and Texas to spend some time with his father Arthur Coleman Eads. Now back on the show full-time, the actor is “eternally grateful” to his bosses at CSI for allowing him to be away from the forensic series and promises to be the “best Nick Stokes imaginable.” In his first interview since last year, Eads talks with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders about the loss of another CSI star, how long he imagines being on the CBS series, a potential love interest, and much more. Spoilers after the jump!

CSI Files: You’re one of the few cast members left that’s been with the show since Day One. How hard is it to see all of your closest friends and colleagues of twelve years leave?

George Eads: [Chuckles.] Woooo! It’s been difficult. You continue to learn with every passing year in this business and you have to roll with the punches. In the end I’ve just learned–and I’m learning–that sometimes change is good and things happen for a reason. They’re so missed by me. I learned so much from Billy Petersen [Gil Grissom] as a man and as an actor. Gary Dourdan [Warrick Brown]… I just love Gary Dourdan, he’s sorely missed. He’s unlike any other man in this business. I love the guy. But having said all that, I have to try and improve as an actor and welcome these new people and move forward. It’s been difficult.

CSI Files: With Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows) being the latest cast member to leave, are you starting to contemplate whether you want to start pursuing other projects as well?

Eads: Yeah, I contemplated that for a while, but for me in the end I want to nurture what’s right in front of me and who’s to say I can’t have some brilliant moments here on CSI? If I continue to link these scenes together and make them seamless and really make them smooth and great, then that can only bode well for me when CSI is cancelled. I think if somebody says, “What is the most recent work of the guy?” hopefully they’ll be able to show them last year’s CSI and it’ll get me more work. I think having the reputation of being loyal and a hard worker and a good fun guy working on a set for twelve hours a day, I think there’s something to be said for riding this out until the end.

CSI Files: When the show does end what kind of projects do you want to go after?

Eads: I’m just going to let my work speak for itself and hopefully take meetings with people who get together as a group of producers and see me in a different light or want to see me as something that I haven’t been [on CSI]. Would I like to do films? Of course. Would I possibly like to direct one day? Maybe some TV, I really know what I’m doing so of course I’d like to do that. There’s a big difference in saying, “Oh I can do this!” and sound like a bragger. That’s just not me. It’s not up to me, it’s up to the people who do the hiring and firing. I just try to be a good guy in front of the camera and in life so hopefully that will do me well. I’m just glad I’m on CSI, I love it just as much now as the first day I started.

CSI Files: Speaking of Marg leaving, what were your final days on set together like? The previews show Nick and Sara (Jorja Fox) tearing up.

Eads: That was very emotional. Marg has been a huge influence on me as an actor and as a man, too. Again it’s the same song, different verse about what a great person she is. I went to her trailer personally one on one with nobody around and we had a heartfelt, really heartfelt feelings of gratitude and that we’ll both miss one another. So what you see on camera is not acting at all. It was acting for me to try not to blubber up. [Laughs.] I did all I could to not fall on the floor like a kid in a grocery store and just have a temper tantrum, I didn’t want her to leave. She’s a beautiful person.

CSI Files: So would you say it was art imitating life?

Eads: I think for maybe a few characters it was. I think when I saw her goodbye speech–well, maybe I think it was something she said to us as a group after the cameras were off–and she said something about how Laurence [Fishburne, Ray Langston] did and how we’ve seen people born and we’ve seen people die, and we were all looking at each other because we’ve all been through it personally as a company; man it was a cool moment. It was really cool.

But I think when you see that monologue and see the emotions she has, that you know when somebody is putting on and she’s definitely authentic in that moment.

CSI Files: Well I called Costco and they’re delivering a large quanity of Kleenex to me.

Eads: Well, I did cry.

CSI Files: Let’s talk a bit about the next couple of episodes. How does Nick factor into Catherine’s departure?

Eads: I think they kind of have him take the reigns and be in command for a while with Catherine and Russell [Ted Danson] in the predicament they’re in. He’s kind of the catalyst to make sure stuff gets rolling. So we see him a bit in that leadership role, which I really personally enjoy because I feel like I’ve earned it. I’ve been here a long time… I was promoted to a CSI Level Three in the “Pilot”; Grissom said I was his best student. I think in other labs he could be the supervisor, you know what I mean?

And then there’s a couple of storylines in the following episodes when she leaves where I get to be in the episode a lot and sort of driving these scenes and I dig that. There’s a lot where I’m working with Elisabeth Harnois [Morgan Brody]. I pull a guy out of a burning car tonight, save his life… I’m running over to the car peeling things off and trying to save his life. That’s the kind of stuff I really enjoy. The guy I’m saving is Jesse McCartney, so there’s a spoiler. He’s in peril when I save him.

CSI Files: I’ve noticed you work with a lot of musicians on the show.

Eads: [Laughs.] Yeah, it just so happens. I always go “Wow.” And for me, with no disrespect, I like getting to go, “Wow, I got to work with that kid.” When I watch them perform, I get to go “Wow, they’re really talented, special, and one of a kind kid.” Again, with no disrespect to stunt casting, there’s a big community here in LA that need jobs. I kind of like getting to watch people you’ve never seen before on TV shows. We’re only as good as our guest stars.

CSI Files: To clear something up, viewers aren’t quite sure whether Nick was demoted along with Catherine. Are you aware of his senority status or are you in the dark as well?

Eads: That I don’t know. Those are specific details that I think the fan community sort of talk about and discuss. There hasn’t been a discussion and it hasn’t been brought up. I don’t think there’s any level of difference between anybody other than Ted as the boss.

I really felt like I maybe had a chance to be put in Billy’s shoes and cast around that. But that’s just something that never has been the formula for the show and I kinda needed to accept that a patriarchal type character is what drives the show. That’s a discussion for the people that created the show, not me.

CSI Files: There was a bit of tension at the beginning of the season between Nick and Catherine due to the Nate Haskell (Bill Irwin) fallout and Nick going rogue somewhat with Langston. Looking back, what do you think Nick should have done differently?

Eads: Well again, real quick, those scenes aren’t written to be hot. Marg and I chose to make it a bit of a tit for tat argument with some level of volume. It turned into something fun for us because we never get to fight on the show. I love to have more arguments on the show, even more shouting matches. Nick and Sara got into it in the hoarder episode and we had a really good time. But looking back, Nick could only do what was written for him to do. I really wanted to be involved in saving Langston’s life. I told them, “Hey, I want to be involved with this. I maybe even want to save his ass.” It ended up coming out differently. But the only thing that I would have done differently is write a cooler scene and make him more involved. [Laughs.]

CSI Files: Now you’re working with Elisabeth Shue (Julie Finlay) on Episode Fourteen. You two share scenes in the episode, correct?

Eads: No, we don’t have any scenes together in this episode. I don’t think. But I did meet her yesterday and she’s great.

CSI Files: And what’s it like working with Elisabeth Harnois and Ted?

Eads: Because of the situation with my father and me being so light [on the show] this year, I think I’ve been light with her. I think you’ve seen Eric [Szmanda, Greg Sanders] be really heavy this year to help me out and help himself out, he’s a great actor. My time’s been limited with Ted just because of my personal situation, which is over, but you continue to evolve your relationships on camera with every scene that you do. I think every time… I don’t want to say it gets better, but it gets more authentic every time I get together with the two of them. One thing I can take from Quentin Tarantino is make it real. It’s a collaborative thing on our set; they allow us to add and take away dialogue. Yesterday I had a discussion in my trailer with the producers about a small point of contingency that I had in a scene with Jesse. We ended up clearing it up and it was great.

CSI Files: With there being several cast additions this year, does it feel like CSI: 2.0 to you or does it still feel like the CSI you’ve been with for more than a decade?

Eads: A little bit of both. I’ve always felt a certain way about the show from the start… I’ve always felt like it was mine. And it’s not; it’s theirs too. We all had an equal stake in it almost like being partners in a company. I know I still certainly feel the same way about CSI like I did from Day One. But does it seem weird to look across at Ted instead of Billy or Elisabeth instead of Gary? Of course. Do I miss those guys? Of course. Do I think it’s better or worse? That’s relative. That’s relative for the audience to decide. I still feel passionate about it.

CSI Files: And for being on a show for more than a decade Nick can’t get some proper loving! We hear there’s a potential love interest coming up, are you excited for Nick to start getting more personal?

Eads: You know we keep teasing that and every time it’s absolutely nothing. I think it’s fun to flirt on camera and to have a little chemistry with somebody but even with this episode right now, the nurse that’s involved with saving this victim we kind of bat eyes at each other and we say, “If you’re ever free for dinner…” but then it never goes anywhere. I can tell you and I can probably tell the producers right now through you, if he’s going to fall for anybody it’s going to be Elisabeth Shue. It’s going to be a character like Marg Helgenberger or Elisabeth Shue. I already told Elisabeth, “I admire your work” and she goes, “Thank you. That’s great, we’ll play that.” I told her I’m already in love with you and she turns around, laughs, and says “Great!” [Laughs.] I think they keep putting people in front of me but the whole time the girl is right there. I think Nick’s going to fall for somebody he has respect for and works with. I don’t know; it’s not a soap, it’s not a show about people making out. I applaud those shows that do it well, but I don’t know if this is the one. But do I want Nick to have a partner? Absolutely. [Laughs.] Line them up, please. I’m ready to interview! [Laughs.] I don’t know how my wife would feel about it… [Laughs.]

Carol [Mendelsohn, Executive Producer] picked Naz [Boniadi] I guess through the audition process. It’s so light and it’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, but it’s a reminder that Nick is available and he needs loving. I don’t mind putting that out there, again, I lean towards it being Elisabeth Shue. We had an immediate connection yesterday. I think she’s awesome.

CSI Files: Over the summer there was a comment saying Billy Petersen contacted you and shared he would be making a return. What changed?

Eads: Billy, in his personal life, was having twins. He was having twins and I think there were some complications, so he needed to be there with his wife and his family. That’s my understanding. He had a lot going on.

CSI Files: Do you still keep in touch with him?

Eads: It’s a phone call away. We’re pals. I think Jorja may talk to him more. He’s open to any phone calls from us. He will always be the king and the patriarch in my mind. I think he’s an amazing actor and an amazing guy.

CSI Files: For years you’ve gone on the record saying you’d like to direct an episode, but it seems the timing and scheduling hasn’t quite worked out. Have you ruled out directing an episode or is the idea still on the table?

Eads: Well, no. The pathway to do that though is, as much as I know about the process, I would really need to take steps to on my offtime here stay on set and shadow a director for at least two or three episodes. I would also need to spend hours in the editing bay watching them edit; that’s long days and long nights and when you’re acting at the same time, I don’t know if I want to spread myself that thin. I feel like if I went lighter on the show and had a couple episodes off I would be able to shadow. I’ve gotten encouragement from all the directors and producers here that I should do it and even the actors, which really shocked me. I’d hate to do it and let everyone down. I care about everybody too much to screw them over. I feel like there’s a part of me to direct.

CSI Files: You’re not on Twitter, correct?

Eads: No, but I thought about getting on there.

CSI Files: Let’s do it, c’mon!

Eads: Well, is it just me or does it seem like once you open that door providing access, you’re asking for some trouble? Is it weird to think like that? Council me on that.

CSI Files: I think a lot of people have gone through that mindset, but they’ve also seen how great of a tool it can be.

Eads: Yeah! I think it can be too if it’s used properly. [Laughs.] You better use it right or you’re gonna hurt yourself.

CSI Files: I know Jorja isn’t on there, but Liz Vassey (Wendy Simms) and several others from the cast are.

Eads: And Elisabeth Harnois, right? I’m sure Eric Szmanda is too. I’m going to think about it, I really might. It’s simple to do, right? But you know what I’m afraid, Shane? I’m a sensitive guy. [Laughs.] I’m afraid man that some of the harsh critics will spin me off and put me in a funky mood that I didn’t ask for. You know what? I’m thinking about it, man. When I go out to a meeting or something and someone has never met me before, if they IMDB’d me or went online, there’s just weird stuff posted about me: what possessions I have, my sexuality, and all this weird stuff. I’d like to just be able to clear up the smut. There’s stuff like me owning two Cadillacs and I live in Santa Monica–all this weird stuff that’s not true. I’m going to think about doing Twitter, I’m serious. I just think you can’t drink two bottles of Sake and get on there. [Laughs.]

CSI Files: But there are some celebrities who do that!

Eads: [Laughs.] I like my Sake, Shane.

CSI Files: 2012 will definitely be a new era for CSI. You have Jesse McCartney working with you on the current episode and the long talked about “love interest.” What else is coming up for Nick and the show in general?

Eads: I’d love to give an elaborate, cool answer on that. I just don’t know. I don’t know how the producers see me and what’s in store with me. I’d like to continue a bit and have an action level, like I said. I chased a guy from a convenience store one time, I had a shootout, I pulled a guy from a burning car; I like that kind of stuff. I would love to see over the course of the next four years, maybe in the final episode of CSI–which is hopefully ten years from now–Ted looking down and say, “I’m leaving, you’re the supervisor.”That’d be the end of the CSI series, I finally make the supervisor in the final scene of the last sixteen years. [Laughs.] I want Nick to be there and be able to tell people what to do, I think he’s earned the right to lead.

We’ve scratched the service on what potential my character has and what his abilities are. He’s a good leader, he’s fearless, he’s compassionate, and he’s old school when it comes to this whole fighting for justice. He’s a dedicated employee, I like playing him.

Shane Saunders is a freelance writer and reviewer. His work can be seen on EDGE Network and ShaneSSaunders.com. Twitter: @ShaneSSaunders.

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"Willows in the Wind"-- Behind-the-scenes: Marg Helgenberger while the next scene is being set up in this behind-the-scenes photo from her last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Coverage of CBS' CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Marg Helgenberger receives her name plate knowing millions of fans across the world will miss seeing her on CSI. See her last episode airing, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger, left) stands in the doorway along side Laura Gabriel (Annabeth Gish) in this scene in her last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) walks through the walls of CSI one last time in her last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) hugs one of her longtime co-workers (Nick Stokes (George Eads) as members of the CSI team look on in her last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Ted Danson, Paul Guilfoyle, Elisabeth Harnois, Marg Helgenberger, Eric Szmanda and George Eads. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) hugs one of her longtime co-workers (Nick Stokes (George Eads) as members of the CSI team look on in her last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger, left) hugs Captain Jim Brass as other CSI members including D.B. Russell (Ted Danson, left), Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) and Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda) look on in her last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- This is a very emotional moment for Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) in her last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- This is a very emotional moment for Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) in her last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- This is a very emotional moment for Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) in her last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox, left) and Nick Stokes (George Eads) are about to be hit with some news in Marg Helgenberger's last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Morgan Brody (Elisabeth Harnois, left), Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), Nick Stokes (George Eads) and Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda) all look concerned as they leave the lab in this scene from Marg Helgenberger's last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) checks her phone while being engaged in conversation in this scene in Marg Helgenberger's last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) stands beside Laura Gabriel (Annabeth Gish) and Agent Pratt (Matt Lauria) in this scene from her last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Marg Helgenberger's last episode. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Catherine Helgenberger on her last day on the set of CSI, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Members of the CSI team from left to right Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda, left), Morgan Brody, (Elisabeth Harnois), Nick Stokes (George Eads) and Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox, right) all react to what Captain Jim Brass (Paul Guilfoyle, standing) has to say in Marg Helgenberger's last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"Willows in the Wind"-- Cather Willows (Marg Helgenberger, left) and D.B. Russell (Ted Danson) in Helgenberger's last episode on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Wednesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.