I guess watches, cell phones, and other clocks around the country are set to ring their alarms at 9:00 Eastern Time tonight.

That’s when CSI: picks up on the Warrick Brown shooting on CBS during last season’s cliffhanger.

Gary Dourdan’s legal issues have been well publicized, and it’s never been a secret that his character would be leaving the show.  But last season’s ender certainly left me eager for more.

I admit that CSI: isn’t as good as it once was.  Grissom’s deadpan personality went from quirky and amusing to mildly irritating, and his hearing loss and fascination with Lady Heather conveniently have fallen through the cracks.  Nick now freaks out after he was locked in an underground box with a gun and a bunch of fire ants.  Sara took off after falling in love with Grissom and nearly getting herself killed as a result of their relationship.  Greg went from hero to goat to victim in the teen gang episodes.  And Catherine’s paternal issues only got worse once Sam died.

Warrick, too, has had his troubles — most notably gambling and questionable taste in women.   Either all Las Vegas criminalists have serious issues, or going weird is the only way to keep the plots fresh.  But the undersheriff’s three slugs into Warrick’s car have added a whole new wrinkle.

Is Warrick dead?  How does he finger his shooter?  How many episodes will solving the case take?  Time will tell, and that time starts in just under two hours.  I, for one, can hardly wait.