CSI not-so-boldly goes to a science fiction convention
The original CSI series has a habit of setting episodes in the worlds of various subcultures — they’ve had cases about furries, vampires and the BDSM scene. Surprisingly, it’s taken until the ninth season for them to get around to solving a crime at a science fiction convention.
Tune in tonight to CBS at 9 PM EST for the episode "A Space Oddity," where two of the lab rats, Hodges and Wendy, go to blow off steam at a convention for a fictional show called, "Astro Quest" (that bears a striking resemblance to a Certain Program about a 5-Year Mission) and find their work following them when a murder takes place.
This episode is going to be a field day for TV SF fans — behind the scenes, it’s a Star Trek/Battlestar Galactica reunion party (with quite a few other series represented). If you’re a credits reader, you may recall that CSI executive producer Naren Shankar worked on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine (as well as other shows such as Farscape). The CSI episode is written by David Weddle and Bradley Thompson, who wrote for DS9 and most recently, BSG. The episode will be directed by Michael Nankin, who has also worked extensively on BSG. Joshua Cox will play the star of the fictional "Astro Quest" show (TV SF fans will remember he played the bridge officer on Babylon 5).
Keep your eyes open for cameos by BSG (and former Star Trek) producer Ronald D. Moore, as well as BSG stars Kate Vernon (Ellen Tigh) and Grace Park (Cylon "Skin Job" Model 8 — I’ll leave it to the reader to keep track of how many names she went by). There may be other cameo appearances too, so get that freeze-frame button ready.
Finally, in the category of "Hey, it’s That Guy!" Arne Starr will show up as an artist guest at the convention, which we understand will be quite a stretch for him.
Astro Quest? Why not get permission to use Galaxy Quest?
Because they were mimiking Star Trek. They probably couldn't get permission with the movie coming out soon and everyone that loves Sci-Fi would recongnize what they were doing immediately. I quit watching CSI after William Peterson left, but after Survivor I just decided to give it a chance and at least watch the first scene, which was often the best anyway, and WOW am I glad I did! The original Star Trek will always be my favorite, but loved Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica too and what a feast this episode of CSI was for a Sci-Fi geek like myself!!! Can't wait to irritate my sons with this one! He,He, He!
And of course, Liz Vassey, who plays Wendy (and who I went to high school with, though I didn't know her) had a guest part in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode "Conundrum."
A hilarious episode for me, since I got most of the references. RDM's cameo was excellent, and I was lucky enough not to blink when Grace Park was on shown! And Hodges' fantasies were great.I did have to explain many to my friend who's a CSI fan, but knows next to nothing of science fiction.
I loved this episode. It's been mentioned or hinted at in past shows that several CSI team members were SF/fantasy fans or gamers. It was fun watching so many ST cliches being poked and in a very timely fashion, as the new film will be opening in a few weeks.