Last season, CSI: Miami ended on a surprising cliffhanger that raised my eyebrows.

The season 6 finale of CSI: Miami was jam packed with death threats on Horatio Caine and some surprise character developments, or so it seemed.  The episode had a different pace than most because it had a lot more to tell.  (If you were planning on watching last season to catch up, the rest is a bit of a DVR spoiler.)

In the last episode, the new Medical Examiner who replaced Dr. Alexx Woods (Khandi Alexander) was shot almost within minutes of showing up!  Bummer, she was hot.

Horatio was inordinately busy tracking down illegal ammunition; dealing with his recurring nemesis, Ron Saris (Played by actor Kim Coates) and dealing with death threats to himself and his family.

After Horatio arrests Juan Ortega, the man behind the illegal ammo, he makes a phone call, giving Horatio's name over the line and asks to be told when it's done.

CSI: Miami, Julia and Kyle

Julia, his ex-wife, who should be scrambling to meet Horatio, disappears for a bit - leaving their son in the hotel room.

While Horatio is awaiting the arrival of his family on the airport tarmac, a shot rings out and Horatio falls to the ground; his infamous sunglasses break.  An intense symbolic representation. He seems dead.

The surprise ending that really took me for a spin was Ryan Wolfe getting a text message that read "It's done" right after Horatio is shot.  Are you kidding me!?

Is Wolfe involved?  Is Horatio's ex involved?  Could it be the continuation of the ongoing feud with Saris?  Or the obvious choice, Ortega?  I can't wait for the new season to GET HERE ALREADY!  It's a good thing I am a calm and PATIENT person.

I like some of the developments that have been occurring in the show.  We saw just how brave Callie can be under extreme duress when she was kidnapped earlier.  The direction that Horatio has been going in the last few seasons has been interesting, where he's been dispensing his own form of wild west justice.  It's a nice change of pace from his usual set of stoic one liners and last minute arrests.

CSI: Miami - Horatio and Julia

CSI: Miami Cast Notes

As you may or may not know, Khandi Alexander (Dr. Alexx Woods) left the show.  I really enjoyed Khandi Alexander's portrayal of the even keeled medical examiner who always had a bit of wisdom to dispense in any situation.  I am bummed she's leaving.  When Khandi left the show, rumors were that she was butting heads with David Caruso. But she's recovered fine with a new gig on HBO called Treme.  (BuddyTV)

My gripe when characters leave / actors fired is that we get this quick one episode explanation.  No build up, no warning, just a sudden development that was made to look like things were always going on in the background.  I think if they spent just a little more time on Khandi's character, it might have been harder to dispense with her.  I hate the quick explanations.

Rumors have it that Alexx may show up every now and then, but I'm not holding my breath.

The new medical examiner, who's likely to not be shot within the first few minutes of showing up will be played by Megalyn Echikunwoke, who joins the cast as Dr. Tara Price.  Her last gig was on USA's 4400.  (NY Daily News)

An interesting side affect with Horatio getting shot was people panicking that he was leaving the show.  CBS was going through some cast changes across all CSI shows and everyone started freaking. (TV Pop Crunch)

SPOILER (of sorts)

But let it be known that he will be back this year, don't fret.  As Caruso pointed out with some glib humor, it's easier to count the characters who haven't been shot on the show than the characters who have! (ET Online)

Now if they can just get past those infamous one liners of Horatio's in the teaser openings, things could just start looking even better.  Otherwise, look for some character development of his ex, Julia Winston this season.

Based on different tidbits around the internet, the CSI staff gets serious about finding who shot Horatio and some other interesting things are coming, but I'm not about spilling all the beans.

CSI: Miami on CBS will be starting it's 7th season on Monday, September 22nd

Images from CBS.