CSI: Vegas showrunner Jason Tracey has explained that cut Gil and Sara kissing scene in episode 4. The procedural crime series debuted on CBS in October and serves as a sequel to the long-running CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, making it the fifth installment in the CSI franchise. It follows a new team of investigators who enlist the help of a few old friends to preserve and protect the streets of Sin City when an existential threat looks to bring down the crime lab and release thousands of convicted killers. The series sees the return of William Petersen and Jorja Fox, reprising their roles as Gil Grissom and Sara Slide from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and features Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Mandeep Dhillon, and Mel Rodriguez as new additions.
CSI: Vegas episode 4, titled "Long Pig," tracked the investigation of a body dug up in the luau pit of a Hawaiian-themed hotel. What viewers and long-time fans of the CSI franchise were eager to see, though, was a moment of intimacy between the married forensic experts, Gil and Sara, as teased in the episode's promo. The footage showed the two leaning in for a kiss, however, when the episode aired, viewers were left wondering if they had missed the scene. Fans had been treated to various flashes of the couple's working relationship since their characters returned to CSI, but many were hoping for more moments relating to their personal lives as well.
As it turns out, the kissing scene in episode 4 of CSI: Vegas was scrapped. Series showrunner Tracey explained to TV Line why that decision was made. He says that while it might have been enticing for those editing the promo to include, the scene didn't necessarily make sense from a storytelling point of view. He also revealed why a lot of Gil and Sara's other intimate moments were left out of the season's ten episodes, stating that sometimes, waiting for the right moment to further explore certain ideas has more of a satisfying pay off. Read Tracey's full quote on the cut kissing scene below:
"When you shoot something and the folks at [the] promo [department] get a hold of it, it’s a very enticing moment [to included]. But from a storytelling standpoint, I think that when the audience sees where we left things [with the season finale] and how we kind of brought it all home for those two characters, sometimes rewards are sweetest if you kind of have to wait. We like the shape of the story that we told. I hope people don’t feel too cheated, but we’ll see how they feel when they’ve gotten to absorb the finale and see that maybe we saved the best for last."
Ultimately, Tracy says he's happy with how CSI: Vegas season 1 story developed, and most fans would agree, despite the lack of public affection between Gil and Sara. Consisting of ten episodes and originally intended as an epilogue limited series, CBS officially decided to order CSI: Vegas season 2 in December. Moderate ratings and a streaming presence on CBS All Access suggest that audiences would welcome more of an extended arc for its characters. The series' season 2 will continue without William Petersen though, who only agreed to appear in the first ten episodes.
Without Petersen returning as Gil, CSI: Vegas could take a different approach with its characters, especially if Jorja Fox decides to depart from the sequel as well. It might make the season's lack of intimate scenes between the two more upsetting for some, but the pair did at least finally get to embrace on screen in its finale. Fans of the CSI franchise can look forward to seeing what direction the series goes in next when CSI: Vegas returns with season 2, and hope that some other sweet moments get a little extra air time.
Source: TV Line