Twelve years have lapsed since the CSI: Miami series concluded, with Jonathan Togo retiring his role as CSI Ryan Wolfe, a character rooted in the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation franchise. Streamed on numerous platforms today, the show stands as a testament to a golden age of crime-thrillers. Togo’s character, an expert in trace and DNA analysis at the Miami-Dade Crime Lab, was particularly compelling, navigating a complex web of personal challenges, including a severe gambling addiction that tested him at certain points of his career.
Over the years, Ryan Wolfe discarded his disruptions and emerged as a composed investigator, marking a significant transformation in his arc. In more recent times, Togo has shifted his acting capacity to portray Damon Drew, an officer in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In ‘Countdown,’ a suspense-driven drama, Drew integrates into an exclusive task force constructed to apprehend a cold-blooded killer.
The storyline revolves around an adored DHS officer’s murder in broad daylight, leading to an intense path of investigation. Derek Haas, a well-known showrunner, crafted this thriller to stimulate audiences through twists and turns. Becoming a law enforcement officer again was a familiar yet simultaneously deceptive experience for Togo. He found some aspects reminiscent of his previous roles in criminal investigations.
Portraying a character with a badge and a gun was second nature to Togo, given his forte in the procedural, crime television genre. Similar styles of acting permeated the new role, which was designed to convey a sense of urgency in solving televised cases. But what added another dimension was the dexterity in Haas’s writing, blending intellectual dialogues with subtle humor. This brought novelty to his acting experience and was further embellished by his comrades on set, all of whom were magnetically gripping personalities.
As ‘Countdown’ unfolds, Damon Drew is introduced as the trusted aide and right-hand of task force leader Nathan Blythe. Balancing a tragic past marked by the loss of his son and his present commitment to securing Americans, Drew is a character enriched with multiple layers. For this role, Haas envisaged Drew as a Watson-esque figure in relation to Blythe playing a Sherlock analogy. Blythe often turns to Drew for his judicious viewpoints, and this dynamic adds a fascinating layer to their characters.
Togo perceives Damon as a matured version of his prior character, Ryan Wolfe. Back in the CSI: Miami days, Wolfe skewed toward youthful ambitions and a tad recklessness. Still, with time, just like Togo in real life, he ripened his perspective and learned from his career’s challenges. Today’s Damon may reflect Wolfe’s younger ambitions, but his persona has been tempered by wisdom and years of experience.
However, Togo’s portrayal of Drew in ‘Countdown’ concluded sooner than expected. A deadly shootout in the third episode leads to Drew getting fatally shot while attempting to save a person tormented by the notorious terrorist Volcheck, the primary antagonist of the first ‘Countdown’ season. Derek Haas did not obscure Damon’s imminent death from Togo during their initial discussions regarding the role and the show’s overall progression.
Haas wanted to convey to viewers the substantial threats that the characters face, reminding them that in this high-risk field, anyone could fall victim at any moment. Togo, while sad to depart the team he had grown fond of, saw brilliance in Haas’s decision. He believed it added gravity and immediacy to the story, raising the stakes and engaging the audience more profoundly.
Despite his character’s abrupt departure, Togo expressed immense pride in portraying members of law enforcement. He emphasized their heroism and selflessness, and how they often go unnoticed until situations require their sacrificial courage. Damon’s demise serves to remind the audience of the selfless bravery displayed routinely by these characters, irrespective of their flaws.
Togo was deeply moved by the unique opportunity to illuminate and humanize the faces behind law enforcement agencies. The on-screen sacrificial act reiterates to the audience the real-world sacrifices that these brave hearts make daily, enhancing the depiction’s authenticity. ‘Countdown’ continues to air new episodes each Wednesday, leaving its fans in thrilling anticipation for its gripping plot twists.