Immortality (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)

Plot

When a suicide bomber detonates his vest on the floor of the Catherine Willows-owned Eclipse casino, the FBI Special Agent returns from Los Angeles in order to join the investigation. Gil Grissom, meanwhile, working to preserve sharks in international waters, is arrested for trespassing at the Port of San Diego, and D.B. Russell offers Sara Sidle the chance to supervise the local investigation into the bombing. Sidle, who is vying for the position of Director of the Las Vegas Crime Lab, is initially irked when Sheriff Conrad Ecklie inquires as to Grissom's location when "Lady" Heather Kessler is linked to the crime. Ecklie ensures Grissom is released from custody, and he and Willows, alongside Eclipse security officer Jim Brass, assist in locating the suspect.

As the team works to restore safety to the streets of Las Vegas, D.B. decides it is time for him to "head East" and pursue new challenges, while he places a plaque, dedicated to the memory of Julie Finlay, alongside his personal possessions. Catherine expresses an interest in leaving the FBI and working alongside her daughter Lindsey in the Las Vegas Crime Lab, noting that, should Sara reject the promotion she is going to be offered, Catherine will accept it in lieu of her former colleague. The series ends with the newly promoted Sara, upon hearing a recording of Grissom confessing his love for her, sailing from the Port of San Diego with Grissom.

Deleted scenes

Off-screen, Sara quit and Catherine was granted the position of Lab Director. Scenes were filmed to explicitly depict the transition, though they were cut from the aired episode. A second deleted scene, featuring Catherine and her daughter, was also deleted. Catherine informs Lindsay that she should only resign if she doesn't feel like "King Kong on Cocaine" following her first arrest. She then informs Lindsay that Holly Gribbs was killed in the line of duty. A third scene shows Russell visit Finlay's grave.

Production

The finale was shot over seventeen days. Filming for the principal cast began on July 29, 2015, and production wrapped on August 21, 2015. The finale was filmed with the option to be broadcast as two episodes under the titles "Immortality Part I" and "Immortality Part II", respectively. The production codes for the episodes are 1601 and 1602.

Casting

During the CBS 2015 Upfront, Les Moonves and Nina Tassler announced that former lead actors Marg Helgenberger and William Petersen would reprise their roles as Catherine Willows and Gil Grissom, respectively. Ted Danson, who starred in the series since the beginning of the twelfth season, also returned as D.B. Russell. On July 24, 2015, it was confirmed that both George Eads, who played Nick Stokes for fifteen seasons, and Elisabeth Shue, who played the lead role of Julie Finlay for four seasons, had declined options to return. Elisabeth Harnois, Jorja Fox, Eric Szmanda, Robert David Hall, Wallace Langham, David Berman, and Jon Wellner, all reprised their roles, as did Paul Guilfoyle.

Melinda Clarke, who appeared as Lady Heather Kessler, a long time friend of Grissom, also returned. Katie Stevens was cast as Lindsey Willows, Catherine's daughter, a CSI Level 1. Recurring guest star Marc Vann also returned as Sheriff Conrad Ecklie, as did Larry Mitchell as Officer Mitchell.

Production credits

The episodes were directed by Louis Shaw Milito, and written by series creator Anthony E. Zuiker. William Petersen assisted in the breaking of the story. Like the series, the episodes used "Who Are You" by The Who as the opening and closing themes. Executive Producers included Ann Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn, Anthony E. Zuiker, Jerry Bruckheimer, William Petersen, and Cynthia Chavtel. The episodes were produced by CBS Television Studios, distributed by CBS Television Distribution, and broadcast on CBS. The episodes run-time were 44 minutes each, with a total of 88 minutes.

Continuation

Following the end of the series, Ted Danson's D.B. Russell joined the cast of CSI: Cyber. This relocation was alluded to in the movie, with Russell announcing his intention to "head east". Elisabeth Shue's Julie Finlay was featured prominently in archive footage during the Cyber episode "Hack ER".

Ratings

The episode received 12.22 million viewers and an 18–49 rating of 1.8.