Someone else suggested this on an earlier thread, and on re-reading the current Dredd story I'm finding myself in agreement.
We've had plenty of spin-off Dreddworld series, but most have focused on street Judges in some shape or form, with a few honourable exceptions. While these strips - and Dredd - sometimes dabble in the investigative side of Judging, the majority of stories shy away from the sort of forensic detective work that has become increasingly popular in TV series - Silent Witness, CSI etc.
What do you think? Is there room in the Meg for a team strip featuring the Dreddworld version of a CSI unit?
I say thee nay.
Most of these types of shows are nothing more then basic detective stories, but padded out with pointless stylistic techno-fetishism and a tendancy to dwell on horrible aspects of particular crimes in lieu of doing anything interesting with the format - which is basically nothing more than an update of Quincy.
There would be fantastic crimes of the future, techno-spods scratching their heads trying to figure it all out, but what if it just turns out to be like an episode of Star Trek (TNG, DS9 or Voyager), where tecnobabble takes the place of actual research or clever ideas? Fantasy-science solves a fantasy-science crime? Doesn't sound enticing, to be honest.
Plus, I don't think any of the current crop of writers who'd be handed the job could make a go of it.
Also, it might look a bit faddy, or, even worse, outdated once the CSI trend dies a death.
"Also, it might look a bit faddy, or, even worse, outdated once the CSI trend dies a death."
Wot he said.
I'm agin it. The minutae of forensic examinations and scenes of people doing things in labs does not the most fascinating comics make.
The police here and in a lot of places across Britain I'm sure, have been organising 'midnight football' in a bid to keep kids off the streets, doing something other than nicking cars and beating up old ladies etc.
So what if the Judges took this on and had special 'Midnight Aeroball' for the juves? Giant could pass on a few tips I'm sure. Dunno how exciting that would be, but I'm sure there could be some story around it. Juves form bond with Judge Coach, Coach gets bumped off, then juves go out to avenge him using techniques learned from training, complete with poignant moment at end about juves becoming good citizens etc.
I reckon it'd be great :o)
Also, the CSI stylee Judge in the current story covers that. I guess the suggestion was a spin-off with him. Meeeeeeh, nah. Too trendy, as said above.
Judge Quimby: Accounts-Div
"Those dirty Sovs have tried to shave 0.56 creds off each munce transfer! Hi-Ex!"
(sorry)
Judge Quimby: Accounts-Div
"Those dirty Sovs have tried to shave 0.56 creds off each munce transfer! Hi-Ex!"
Beat me to it. Curse you.
Perhaps Dredd could be hit by a grav wagon and go back in times 30 years and solve crimes using old fashioned tech and beating up suspects etc...
I maintain there should be a CSI:UK. I mean, I love the efficiency of the CSI teams and how motivated and relentless they all are. One set over here would offer much comic potential...(!)
- "Boss! They've found a dismembered body in a wheeliebin, with traces of Alcopops. We're required on the scene ASAP!"
-"Yeah, alright! Give me a bloody minute! I'm up to my eyeballs in paperwork, and I'm still due a bloody cuppa. Crikey O'Reilly. Look, just blame some Asylum Seekers - job done."
--
Of course, Danny Cannon is heavily-involved in CSI, so I figure MC1 influences it rather than the other way around, especially some of the ludicrous tech. They have a machine for everything and I love the UIs on their computers (and the fact no-one on TV or in movies EVER uses a mouse!)
How cool is Horatio Cane though? I have taken to standing with my hands on my hips in pensive moments. It works!
M@
Only if you purse your lips like a forty-something man who missed on tickets for Will Young's concert tour.
I love CSI: Maimi despite my better judgement. One question: how come David Caruso's sunglasses don't get a namecheck in the title sequence? They're on screen more than the rest of the cast.
davidbishop
Link: blogging the bishop
"Also, it might look a bit faddy, or, even worse, outdated once the CSI trend dies a death."
Didn't hurt Ace Garp really. Dredd and Strontium Dog haven't been hurt overmuch by the decades-long decline in predictions of all-out nuclear war.
Sunglasses on = purposeful and ruthless.
Sunglasses off = considerate and caring.
Caruso spent five years at RADA perfecting that.
M@
it would have to have a very good twist on it.
or it could be fun to see as a one off piss-take of CSI. there are so many elements that could be liften for comedy value.
i am fuly aware of how lame my suggestions are...
Horatio Caine has to be the most ludicrous characters ever...
Channel Five are running a promo with all the main characters from their US series against a white background saying what they know.
Of course he appears putting on his sunglasses (or taking them off)
I really want him to miss a clue because of those fucking glasses, and someone to call him a creepy little shite.
I remember someone posting about an episode where he was chasing after a guy in a speedboat with the coastguard following (they were half-expecting him to be swimming, and towing the rest of the boats behind him)
- Steve
Horatio Caine has to be the most ludicrous characters ever...
or when he leads a SWAT team, shoots like a marksman,drives like a stuntman, knows every obsure bit of knowledge possible...
" yes, but the gestraiton period of a Koala is shorter when the moon is in its zenith, and the exiqinox tide conbined with the nighty sewer sweep team's sencond teabreak means he couldn't have done it"
Pensively takes off the glasses and looks at microscope again. Suddenly erect (!) he states:
"Come on we must reach the harbourmaster by the time the 3.34 bus from Burkenhead arrives!"
Anyways:
I think a CSI:MEG would be great IF (thats a big if):
1.There was a X FIles type, Chalk and Cheese, pairing with a Psi Judge, after all the PsiDiv seem the cause half the problems they resolve and cause the other half just by being there(see Judge Child etc) so CJ Hershey might want them shutdown.
2. There was no 'with one mighty bound they were free' type techno stuff.
3. They were short staffed, overworked and kept on getting hauled off for crappy duties like traffic, demos, house raids (What is the code for that?)etc leading to the use of zee old grey cells.
Huff the workshy
PS never try a chalk and Cheese sandwich.
Lenny Henry did a sort of CSI:UK sketch on his latest 'comedy' show. I remember thinking it had huge potential, if only someone else had thought of it....