CSI and Relationships, Part 1

I'm a big fan of CSI--really, my wife and I both are--the original, CSI, that is. We do enjoy CSI New York from time to time but almost never watch CSI Miami, which, in my humble opinion, is awful. Sometimes, P. doesn't want to tune in even to the original CSI because of the disturbing nature of some of the crimes. I hate to miss the show on the other hand.

What really draws me in to the show--even above the crime solving--is the personalities and relationships that have developed throughout the show's running. Above all CSI characters, I would have to say I most enjoy Warrick Brown and perhaps this is because I feel like I can sort of identify with his flaws, including his struggle with addiction in various forms (a prominent addiction for him has been his attraction to gambling). A fellow CSI, Nick Stokes, has his own unique character traits, one of which is his very personal approach to his job, which sometimes gets him into trouble. Nick has a tendency to empathize with those close to crimes; sometimes this blinds him to potential manipulation and causes him to underestimate the enormity of evil that can reside within the human heart. (Being buried alive, though, has a way of curing this.)

[One question that comes to mind when watching a show like CSI is how representative are such shows in depicting characters and relationships as they really are? Perhaps CSI is not a favorite, but are there any other programs out there that do a particularly good job of focusing on such matters?]

What's been particularly enjoyable and thought provoking of late has been to watch the way relationships among the CSIs have developed over time. One specific episode really struck me powerfully because of its implications for relationships in general and in particular for relationships among Christians who, in addition to being committed to Jesus as Lord, are also thereby committed to each other. . . .