Life will never be the same for Eric Delko.  CSI: Miami producer Corey Miller hints that fans will see the fingerprint and drug identification expert dealing with the aftermath of his brain injury when season 6 airs on September 24.

In the last season of CSI: Miami, Eric Delko, portrayed by Adam Rodriguez, was shot in the head and was nearly killed from a shootout with men hired by Clavo Cruz (Gonzalo Menendez).  Following various revival attempts and tense surgery, he survives but struggles with memory loss and the frustration of relearning the basics of his work with the Miami-Dade Crime Lab.

According to Miller, Eric's injury is a life-altering event for the character, making it very difficult to go back to the way things were before.

"This turn of events will affect him for the rest of his life," Miller told the official Yahoo group for Adam Rodriguez.

"Brain injuries have been called a silent epidemic, with so many people suffering in silence, misunderstood," the CSI: Miami producer explained.  "What we have been able to learn through our research is that people with these types of brain injuries will never be the same as they once were. With proper medication and care, some semblance of the person's former life may be restored.  But they will never look at things the same way again.  Completing what used to be mundane tasks may now be a huge struggle.  And no two injuries are alike, because the brain is such an amazing, complex organ."

As a CSI, Eric's job is not easy.  But his injury has made it even more complicated to perform his tasks. 

"[N]ot only will Delko have to try and do a complicated job and do it correctly, he will have physical and emotional effects to deal with as well," Miller said.  "Not to mention that a portion of the sniper's bullet still rests in his brain, and could kill him at any moment.  There is still a long road ahead of him."

Miller also brings some light to the hinted romance between Eric and Calleigh Duquesne (Emily Procter) during season 5.  Although Miller didn't give any details, he gives his views on what is or isn't going on between the two.
 
"We began to think of Calleigh and Eric as a possible couple after Delko was shot," he said.  "There are many things that keep people apart romantically, and Calleigh and Eric were always too professional to do anything but occasionally flirt with each other.  When Delko was shot, Calleigh was right by his side.  And we thought that would be an interesting way to make them closer – because of Delko's brain injury, he may perceive things in a different way.  He began to read into everything, and possibly mistook concern for affection."

"Just when these feelings could potentially be explored, Calleigh had already begun to see Jake [Johnny Whitworth]. Again, just more potential for drama…there will be complications.  If there weren't, everything would be too easy," he added.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: CSI Files, the official Yahoo group for Adam Rodriguez
(Image courtesy of CBS)