Classy? Screw classy. We like ironic. Last night Jorja Fox walked away from her troubled CSI character Sara Sidle, ending her near-series run (Sidle started collecting DNA samples in the forensic drama’s second episode). It hasn’t been an easy road for Fox (click here to read her exit interview with EW’s Lynette Rice), who, along with George Eads, was briefly fired from the show over a contract dispute. Life hasn’t exactly been easy for her character, either—CSI’s season 7 cliffhanger left off with Sidle’s kidnapping, and this season picked up with her trapped under a car in the rain, nearly drowning, then stumbling in the desert until she was rescued, minutes from death by her lover/boss Grissom (William Petersen).
While last night didn’t provide all that dramatic an exit—Sidle does not go down in a blaze of glory of any kind—it was a memorable one. CSI fans will remember Hannah West (Juliette Goglia), a conniving child prodigy who got her big brother off on a murder rap. As brilliant as she is devious, Hannah’s fluent in manipulation, and she takes nervous-wreck Sara on one last, emotional ride, this time framing her big brother—the only family she has left—for murder. In the end, though, both the CSI and the prodigy end up as little girls lost. Yeah, maybe it’s a tidy little bow with which to wrap up a complicated character that had fans falling on both sides of the love/hate divide. But look at it this way: We damn sure won’t forget her.
What did you think of Fox’s CSI swan song? And will her character be missed as the show goes on without her? Let your feelings out in the comments section below.








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I didnt like it at all. I think that she didnt take the roll that she needed to take at the end. sucks when its always about money! but guess what show she has 4 episodes coming up?
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2295305
I am sad, I agree Tommy-all about the money. I am just glad she will move on to bigger and brighter things. I love that she got to close that little puck kid story line!
I think the Sara character was a complex and interesting one…and played very convincingly by the very pleasant looking Jorja Fox….but as usual,the show will go on….no doubt another very interesting character will become part of the CSI team and the actor/actress who is chosen to replace Sara will do just as well in his/her respective role.
I was soo sad for Grissom!!! Generally, I thought the episode was good. She was convincingly riled enough to warrant an emergency exit.
i loved jorga’s character, and believe she is one of the very best actor’s on the show. she will be missed alot. i love her and grissom together,just didn’t last long enough.i hope she comes back soon,the show won’t be the same without her. she should make the money she deserves. i’m sure she is paid much less then all the rest of the cast.well, i hope they will consider all the shows fans, and the fans of jorja’s,and do what it takes to get her back there where she belongs.
I like Jorja, but never really felt the love for Sara…I’m not sorry to see her go, but I enjoyed Greg’s flirting with her…I hope they kick up Hodges from the lab and send him out on the field…But I also hope Jorja finds what she’s looking for…walking away from the #1 show – not always the smartest thing…Sherry Stringfield, anyone?
I was never a fan of Sara, but I was moved by her realistic departure from the show. And Jorja’s explanation for wanting to leave and pursue other roles is also completely understandable. Though I wonder about the break-up-letter-motif – this is the second goodbye through a letter we’ve seen, the first on CSI:NY, sent to Mac. Poor CSI guys. At least Gil has his fetal pig and bugs.
I can understand her leaving while the show is still on top. Yeah Sherry Stringfield left then came back but her reason was more of exhaustion and being overwhelmed at the crazy fame she gained. Sara’s exit was very realistic for TV, I liked that she did get to make that little girl cry. I like the girl who’s there to replace her, she’s sweet..it won’t last. haha. I wish Jorja the best to find what she’s looking for.
Why did it take Gil so long to try and find her after she kissed him…Jorja is a great ensemble actress, but a stand alone lead actress remains to be seen.
Never liked her. Glad she’s gone. We cheered when we found out she was leaving the show. Sara & Gil together? EWWWW!! Gil & Lady Heather, anyone? Now THAT would be an interesting relationship.
Jorja Fox has been a regular cast member, at one time or another, on three of the biggest dramas of the past 10 years: ER, The West Wing, and CSI. She’s done all right for herself, so I can’t exactly relate to her desire to go on to bigger and better things (and more money). But she does have an unconventional kind of beauty, and is always compelling to watch.
As for the Sara character, I’m bewildered–she accepts Gil’s proposal one minute then leaves him flat the next. I don’t care if she wrote in her “Dear Gil” letter that she loves him–she could have quit the job but still stay with him, no? She just dumped him with no warning, no heart-to-heart about the stress she has been under lately, nothing. But then, I never thought their relationship had much spark. When did they ever even SMILE at each other, the way people do when they’re in love? Not very often over the past several years. A casual observer would be surprised that they had a personal relationship at all. Oh well.
I think it the best thing to happen to CSI. Sara has always been annoying and a very dark, depressing character. Her relationship with Grissom ruined CSI for me so I am glad it is over. Now maybe the writers can focus on cases again and the other cast memebers. CSI will be so much better without Sara.
I loved the episode and I was cheering her departure at the end. I never liked Sara or her obsession with Grissom. I believe CSI will be better off without her. I want to see Greg’s character move up in the ranks and be more prominent. I will not miss her.
Good riddance – I won’t miss her.
I’d rather see more of the gorgeous Det. Sophia Curtis now that there’s a little more elbow room on the show…but I doubt that will happen.
I’d rather see more of the gorgeous Det. Sophia Curtis (Louise Lombard) now that there’s a little more elbow room on the show…but she hasn’t been around much lately. Too bad!
I didn’t like the Sidle character the first few years, the last few she was great to watch. Grissom got new depth when we discovered their discrete affair. They have been tender when we see them together. Sidle burned out – she was going thru life with a haze/glaze over her (think Pigpen). Her goodbye letter, what she said and the way she said it, was one of the classy exits from a show – ever. I think we may see her and Gil again, when Grissom vacations! (booty-call)
so so so very sad
jorja as well as sara is such a character on tv. she’s perfect for the role and the role is perfect for her. ( i never like the girls from csi miami – which i think unsuitable)
gonna miss her.
please bring her back.
Goodbye Sara, hello to Gris & Lady Heather. Those two had SOOOOOO much more chemistry, besides Grissom totally understood her.
I liked her character. She was the one that I could relate to. She was quiet but always curious. And I loved the relationship she had with Gil. I think however they should have ended it with her just leaving the job not the area so her and Gil could continue thier relationship. Older men are SEXY.
I liked the episode. It was a nice close for her, lots of subtle moments.
Good riddance! She was always mopey, it just got worse this year. I was never fond of the character and didn’t believe in the pairing with Grissom. I would love to see Hodges become a CSI, but they probably need another female for balance and the new chick will slowly build up to be a regular.
I liked Jorja, I like her gravel smoky voice, which fit so well with the Las Vegas landscape. She was often prickly, not very likeable, but she always gave the impression of being the real thing. I’ll miss her.
Very heartwrenching, lovely preformance by Jorja Fox. As sad as I am to see her leave, I respect her decision. Her distincitve style will be greatly missed.
They should have just killed her off. Would have made for much better baggage for Gil and the rest of the team, plus been slightly unpredictable. (Cause, come on, like we didn’t know she’d get out from under that car?) Take a page from Lost and risk killing off a main character when the storyline calls for it. (Especially since she was leaving anyway.)
I’ll add my vote to see Gil and Lady Heather together — although the last time we saw Lady Heather, the writers messed her up, too. But those two have chemistry, and would be great to watch them jockey for the dom position. (g)
it was a fitting ending and sorta sweet…..
it was a fitting ending and sorta sweet…..
I never liked her, however I thought her exit was really sad. Can’t stand that new chick; I’d take Sara over her any day.
they should of had the mini killer kill her would have been a hell of alot better. greedy celbs
they should of had the mini killer kill her would have been a hell of alot better. greedy celbs