Though the nation's attention was fixated on 9/11, people still craved entertainment. CBS, often dubbed the "old folks' channel," never lacked viewers—especially for its crime dramas, which consistently delivered quality and remained highly popular. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which premiered in 2000, was a standout newcomer. Its first season drew over 20 million viewers, achieving ratings above 10 points and firmly establishing its dominance on Monday nights. Based on Chen Zhen's recollection, it wasn't until the tenth season that viewership began to decline for various reasons, yet even then, the show maintained a solid baseline.
Now entering its second season, the show was in the prime of its development cycle. It was scheduled in the coveted Monday 8 PM slot—the flagship time slot for flagship shows. Coupled with it being the season premiere, viewership numbers were theoretically poised for a slight uptick compared to the previous season. Whether loyal fans from the previous season, new viewers drawn in by promotions and DVDs, casual viewers with the TV on while chatting or moving about, or CBS executives themselves—at 8 PM Monday night, all eyes were tuned to CBS for the return of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
The episode opened with a brief recap and character introductions, then swiftly transitioned to a bustling musical performance. This was the renowned Caesars Palace Casino in Las Vegas. To draw crowds, the casino had splurged on a year-long residency for superstar Janetta Casson at an astronomical fee. Now, the concert reached its climax: screams and applause filled the venue. Wide shots showed Janetta moving about, constantly engaging with the audience.
A series of rapid cuts clearly conveyed all this information. The lavish special effects—from the stage production to the audience below—were all meticulously crafted through visual effects. Thanks to the generous budget, the execution was refined and high-end, catching the attention of many viewers. Though her face hadn't yet been revealed, Vanita's movements on stage had already drawn the notice of several young female audience members.
"Could it be some big-name singer making a guest appearance?"
"She definitely has that star quality, but I haven't heard anything about her on TV before. I'll check Yahoo."
Naturally, the Yahoo search yielded no results. The camera cut to several wardrobe assistants chatting as they hurried toward the dressing room carrying a long gown. Their conversation revealed that Vanita's next outfit had unexpectedly come apart at the seams. With only five minutes left, they could only attempt a quick patch-up.
In stark contrast to the glamorous front stage, the backstage dressing room was chaotic. The costume designer was nowhere to be found. Frantic, the assistant scrambled for needle and thread, then rushed back with the gown. After a few steps, she halted abruptly, her gaze slowly drifting downward—the hem of the black evening gown was dragging on the floor, soaked through with water.
"What the hell!" the assistant cursed under her breath, grabbing the hem to squeeze out the moisture. But as her fingers brushed the fabric, her expression shifted. The camera panned to reveal a trail of blood stretching from the dressing room, accompanied by chaotic bloodstained footprints.
Another cut: the dressing room had become a crime scene. Behind a folding screen, members of the CSI team were rapidly photographing and marking the area. The tall, handsome Nick recited the victim's details: "Judy Watts, 36 years old, divorced, no children. Professional costume designer, worked for the Vanita Kasson team for over a decade."
The investigation unfolded. Given Vanita Kasson's busy schedule and solid alibi at the time of the crime, she wasn't initially on the list of suspects. However, further inquiries revealed the victim's last confirmed sighting was actually the previous evening. That night, when a costume assistant went to retrieve garments, she only glimpsed the victim's silhouette behind the screen and discovered a cart laden with Vanita's clothes near the doorway.
Soon, forensic experts uncovered new evidence pushing Judy's time of death back over twenty hours. They also found Vanita's hair on the victim's collar, instantly making her a suspect. At that moment, she was attending an awards ceremony in Los Angeles. Nick was dispatched to immediately take her into custody.
Leading several LAPD officers, Nick slipped unnoticed into the VIP seating area of the awards ceremony. He politely tapped Vanita's shoulder. "Vanita Casson?"
Vanita turned at the sound.
She was stunningly beautiful.
That single line sufficed to convey the scene's intent, yet television viewers received a richer picture. Against the backdrop of dazzling stage lights and the elegantly dressed attendees in suits and gowns, Vanita's entire face seemed to glow. Her blonde hair, blue eyes, and red lips formed the quintessential Hollywood beauty package, but her facial features weren't the whole story.
Unlike the so-called stars in typical TV dramas, who often struggle to convince viewers that they are genuine celebrities, Vanita Casson radiated star quality. Before the cameras, she effortlessly exuded a languid, commanding presence—even echoing traces of Hollywood's golden age. Her serene elegance and unforced sensuality made her brief appearance truly breathtaking.
She seemed utterly unfazed by the police's arrival, showing no trace of tension or panic. Instead, she struck a decidedly seductive pose and murmured in a low voice, "Yes?"
Nick and the officers all fell silent—clearly, they were completely mesmerized by Vanita's beauty.
Vanita cast a dismissive glance around the room, her interest particularly piqued by Nick. She studied him for a moment longer before turning her attention squarely to him, her smile unmistakably directed at him as she asked, "Yes?"
Nick's Adam's apple visibly bobbed as he struggled to regain his composure. "You... you're a suspect in the murder of Judy Watts, Ms. Bell. We'll need to ask you to come with us."
The onlookers—celebrities and all—turned their attention to the scene, cameras whirring as they focused their lenses. Vanita shrugged at her male companion, striking a beautifully troubled pose before rising to her feet. Nick immediately signaled for several officers to flank her, ensuring her movements were controlled.
The cameraman, already shouldering his equipment, backed steadily while filming close-ups of Vanita. She walked with composed ease, offering her face fully to the camera. Instead of resisting, she addressed Nick: "Officer, if you don't mind, could you move to my right?"
Nick stared at her in confusion, hesitating to agree. A smile graced her lips as her eyes twinkled. "My face looks better from the left."
Her composed demeanor instantly sparked waves of chuckles among viewers at home. Many were already hooked: this was a tough suspect. Looks like this episode was going to be a show.
Meanwhile, from the moment Vanita appeared, many young viewers—including teens—were taken aback. Compared to their parents, this generation was the most attuned to pop culture. Many girls were entertainment experts, intimately familiar with celebrities from film, TV, and music. Yet none recognized this stunningly beautiful, dazzlingly charismatic "Vanita Kasson."
Of course, American teens don't understand terms like "mesmerizing presence" or "superstar aura." What they felt was an intense fascination with both the character of Vanita Kasson and the actress portraying her. Some particularly impressionable viewers were already celebrating—thank goodness they recorded tonight's episode, so they could rewatch Vanita's turn-around scene over and over after it aired. That breathtaking moment when she turned her head was rare even in big-budget productions. Who would have thought CSI would cast such a stunning guest star and execute it so flawlessly!
"Jon, who's that star?" several parents chimed in, intrigued. "She's absolutely gorgeous. Maybe we should rent some of her movies to watch."
"I don't know, Mom," the teenager replied, sounding a bit down. "I've searched everywhere, and no one knows who she is. Maybe we can catch her name in the credits later."
For regular viewers, that was the extent of it. But for agents and production companies, the approach was more direct. Right now, several phone lines at CBS were buzzing nonstop—all calls from people who'd happened to catch the performance, asking about "Vanita Casson."
"This girl has a magic that makes even the cheapest sets sparkle," commented seasoned drama and film buffs with more professional insights. Their BBS forums were already buzzing with posts: "CSI201, Vanita Casson—who is she?"
On screen, the episode continued. The CSI team analyzed Judy's death in the lab, concluding she was stabbed to death by someone she knew in a cabin. She had struggled and fought back, injuring the killer before dying. Vanita's shoulder bruise and the victim's hair found on her significantly increased her suspicion. However, there was still a lack of solid evidence and a possible motive. CSI team members took turns questioning Vanita, employing interrogation techniques repeatedly to no avail. Vanita remained detached, her testimony consistent—clearly prepared for her arrest. During questioning, she often turned the tables, flirtatiously teasing Nick, the lead interrogator. Every word and gesture radiated sensuality, visibly tormenting Nick while deepening his suspicion.
"Answer me!" Nick lost his temper after yet another fruitless interrogation, slamming his fist on the table. "Why was your hair found on the victim?"
Vanita's lawyer immediately protested, and CSI team leader Grayson entered to replace Nick. Nick shot Vanita a reluctant glance before turning to leave the interrogation room. Her gaze followed him out the door, seemingly piercing through the one-way mirror to fix on Nick as he entered the observation room behind the interrogation booth.
She flashed a confident smile, as if telling everyone: She had indeed committed the murder, but she was confident she'd done it cleanly and efficiently, leaving no trace for others to find.
"Looks like we're in trouble," team member Warrick murmured softly behind the mirror. "This is the kind of suspect I hate the most."
This line marked the end of the first half of the episode. After a brief musical interlude, the commercial break began.