Ep 1. Viva Las Vegas

The episode titled "Viva Las Vegas" is the first episode of the fifth season of the popular crime drama series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The episode was directed by Danny Cannon and written by Carol Mendelsohn, Naren Shankar, and Anthony E. Zuiker. The episode was aired on September 23, 2004.

The episode takes place in Las Vegas, where the CSI team is called in to investigate a double homicide that took place during a magic show at a casino. The two victims, two magicians, were stabbed to death during the show, leaving the entire audience as potential suspects. The case takes on a new twist when the CSI team finds out that one of the magicians was actually a retired CSI agent.

The episode introduces viewers to new characters like forensic scientist Sofia Curtis, who is working on her first case with the team. Curtis is a strong, independent woman who brings a fresh perspective to the team. There is also a new medical examiner, Dr. Robbins, who is tasked with performing the autopsies on the victims.

As the team delves deeper into the case, they discover that the victims had plenty of enemies, including fellow magicians, ex-wives and business partners. The investigation takes on a new urgency when it is discovered that the killer is planning to strike again at the same casino where the murders took place.

The episode features some exciting action sequences, with the CSI team racing against time to stop the killer before they can strike again. There are also some thrilling moments as the team works to uncover new clues and piece together the evidence that will solve the case.

The episode also delves into the personal lives of the CSI team, with some interesting subplots. There is a budding romance between Nick and Sofia, while Catherine is struggling to balance her work and home life. Grissom also deals with personal issues as he confronts his hearing loss, which is affecting his ability to do his job.

Overall, the episode "Viva Las Vegas" is an excellent start to the fifth season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. It is filled with suspense, drama, and plenty of twists and turns, making it a thrilling episode from start to finish. The new characters add a great dynamic to the existing team, and the personal subplots add depth to the overall story. If you are a fan of crime dramas or simply enjoy a good mystery, then this is an episode that you won't want to miss.