Season 8 of "CSI: New York" was written as if it could have been a series finale. E! Online spoke with showrunner Pam Veasey back before the Season 8 finale had aired, and she explained how the show had not yet been picked up, but the ending would be satisfying to viewers regardless.
That ending consisted of Mac (Gary Sinise) running through his entire history, interacting with all of the characters over the years, as he was nearing death from a gunshot wound. The gang solved the crime of his shooting in the meantime. Later, the team was gathered around solving another crime, and Mac happily joined them.
So, how does the show return from a series finale-worthy ending? By getting back to work! A string of fires will be next on the crime-fighting agenda. When a New York Fire Department captain dies in an arson fire, Mac and the team will have a tough job ahead, as they will be forced to team up with a known arsonist (Rob Morrow) in order to solve the crime. The arsonist storyline with Rob Morrow ("Numb3rs") will cover a two-episode arc.
After being stuck in limbo as to the show's future after the end of Season 8, let's hope the writers and directors will have some advance warning before the final episodes of Season 9 so they can create a proper story arc that can span multiple seasons if needed.
Watch the Season 9 premiere episode "Reignited" on Friday, 9/28 at 8PM ET on CBS.
