CSI Reactions
Since some of you might not have seen this yet, I won't spoil it by giving away "Whodunnit".
I only spotted two technical errors in their treatment of the transgender subject matter. Both involved hormones. First, hormone therapy is not explicitly required for GRS, although someone stated it was. Later, someone else implied that failure to take your hormones during the healing interval after surgery can cause things to go very wrong. (Most TSes are required to stop taking hormones for a month before surgery, ostensibly to avoid blood-clotting. I don't believe there is an imperitive to resume during the immediate recovery period).
These two technical errors pale in comparison to the technical errors in forensic practice that the show commits in the name of narrative economy.
To their shows credit, the main characters show proper sensitivity to the TG people they encounter. We see TG performers, meet a caregiver, and visit a support group and a TG hooker bar. They get the pronouns right and draw a distinction between the transgender condition and its sexual associations. For the first time I am aware of, TG characters were played by TG actors.
I was disappointed that we were portrayed primarily as a marginal group with a lot of pain and problems. We have done a lot more for Las Vegas then turning tricks for the visitors. Among other things, transsexuals invented the computer gambling machine, the computer chips inside them, and the electronic music they make.
posted by Jamie at 10:08 PM
CSI-Las Vegas episode about TGs airs tomorrow
The CSI-Las Vegas episode premiering tomorrow night (Thursday) will feature a transgender plot-line, as described in the CBS press release below.
One of the players is local girl Cassandra Foreseter, who is a stunning TG actress and performer who works at Asia SF and Diva's. You will also notice the name of Dr. Marci Bowers, who took over the SRS practice of Dr. Stanley Biber in Trinidad, Colorado. Cassandra told me that the show has a very TG-positive tone.
As I have pointed out before, two years ago CSI-Las Vegas had a story involving a TG murder which aired days before the Gwen Araujo murder story broke. I doubt the timing of this program just before the Day of Rememberence is coincidental.
-- Jamie Faye
CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (11/18)
Air Date: 11/18/04 (THURSDAY)
Time Slot: 9:00 PM-10:00 PM EST on CBS
Episode Title: "Ch-Ch-Changes"
GRISSOM AND HIS TEAM DELVE INTO THE WORLD OF THE LAS VEGAS TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY, ON THE 100TH EPISODE OF “CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION,” THURSDAY, NOV. 18
“Ch-Ch-Changes” -- A murder investigation leads the CSI team to explore the world of trangenders, which turns into the ultimate case of mistaken identity, on the 100th episode of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday, Nov. 18 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Richard Lewis directed the episode written by Jerry Stahl.
The CSI team investigates a transgender woman found brutally stabbed and mutilated. This leads the team into the fringe world of sex changes and transgenders in order to catch a killer.
Gil Grissom: William Petersen
Catherine Willows: Marg Helgenberger
Warrick Brown: Gary Dourdan
Nick Stokes: George Eads
Captain Jim Brass: Paul Guilfoyle
Sara Sidle: Jorja Fox
Greg Sanders: Eric Szmanda
Dr. Robbins: Robert David Hall
David Phillips: David Berman
Mia Dickerson: Aisha Tyler
Archie Johnson: Archie Kao
Wendy Jones: Sarah Buxton
Officer Mann: Kevin Fry
Aaron Laner: Raphael Sbarge
Stage Manager: Allen Lulu
Mimosa: Kate Walsh
Pink: Cassandra Foreseter
Purple: Deprise D. Bredcia
Dr. Hess: Sam Anderson
Bev: Marci Bowers
Toni: Hunter
Tippi: Savannah Ajar
Francis: Don McManus
Amber: Katy Selverstone
Dr. Mona Lavalle: Lindsay Crouse
Ed: Peter Breitmayer
Dina Amber: Lee Hardin
Irv: Brian Beacock
Mrs. Claus: Jody Vaclav
Raspy Tranny: Bijoux Deluxe
Mercedes: Jazzmun
FTM: Fred Lusch
Bartender: Kelly Mantle
posted by Jamie at 6:51 PM
