CSI: NY's Carmine Giovinazzo Defends "Flawed" Danny

It seems like only yesterday that CSI: NY's Danny was the subject of a TVGuide.com Cheers & Jeers debate, with some fans hailing his evolving love life and others hissing at the "snake" who would forsake Lindsay. With the CBS hit's new season underway, we invited Carmine Giovinazzo to shed light on Detective Messer's messy affairs. Plus: What has Danny getting all emo on a Harley? - Matt Mitovich
TVGuide.com: You got some great notes from viewers for last season's "Child's Play" episode. Were you aware of that?
Carmine Giovinazzo: I heard a couple things, that they enjoyed that episode as much as I did. The actress (Jacqueline Pinol) that played Rikki was fantastic, and that makes my job a lot easier.
TVGuide.com: The catch 22, though, is that "Child's Play" kicked off a storyline which some fans have called the best... and some have called the worst, because of how waylaid the Danny-Lindsay relationship.
Giovinazzo: It's funny to me, the perceptions and feelings about that, because Danny has been courting Lindsay for it seems like 2-1/2 seasons. It got to a point where I was like, "Would I really continue to go after her like this? After I've been a stand-up a guy trying to break through...?" Then they had her story come out, showing what was holding her back.
TVGuide.com: Some have debated: Is Danny a snake, or is he just flawed?
Giovinazzo: I think he's flawed. He's definitely not a snake. He's a good guy, definitely.
TVGuide.com: What happened between him and Rikki was very organic.
Giovinazzo: It's drama and emotion and passion and circumstance.... They are contemplating, I believe, continuing on with that dynamic. They're just trying to figure out where to go with that whole triangle.
TVGuide.com: Well, Jacqueline is coming back. Do we know for how many episodes?
Giovinazzo: I'm not sure, I haven't heard. We just [resumed production], so I'm still getting up to speed.
TVGuide.com: One reader asks: "How is Season 5 looking for Danny and Lindsay?"
Giovinazzo: Right now, I'm sorry to say, it seems to be really stagnant. [The writers] are as troubled as the fans are about figuring out what to do with all that.
TVGuide.com: Right - does their off-and-on "romance" go further, or do you put the brakes on it entirely...?
Giovinazzo: The brakes are slowly being pressed, I believe. But every time that happens, the gas is hit. I'm know that I'm going to New York to do a sequence - a reflective moment where I'm riding a Harley through the streets. I think it has to do with something personal. Maybe it's something to do with Rikki or Lindsay, or a case that I'm on.
TVGuide.com: The speculation is that Rikki is back to say that she is pregnant.
Giovinazzo: Oh yeah? That would be interesting.... I'm just as excited to see what happens as you guys are! [Since the time this interview took place, it has been reported by EW that Lindsay is not only pregnant, but pregnant by Danny.]
TVGuide.com: What do you like most about playing Danny?
Giovinazzo: I guess it's that he gets to express himself and be the one that people can relate to a bit, or at least riles them up a bit. He goes through more of the human emotions you don't normally see a cop go through. He doesn't always have to keep himself in check like Mac or Flack. I've heard a couple people say, "Where did Danny's b---s go?" But A), I can only work with what they give me, and B), at some point he's got to realize that he needs guidelines and boundaries.
TVGuide.com: Would you be friends with Danny in real life?
Giovinazzo: I don't necessarily have friends who are forensic scientists, but I have tons of friends who are cops. So definitely. I'm pretty open to all walks of life.
TVGuide.com: Before we go, tell me about your band, CeeSau.
Giovinazzo: We released a record on CeeSau.com. I drew up the logo and the name, about 15 years ago, as a piece of art to put on hats and shirts to promote racial unity and equality. I grew up in a neighborhood with blacks and Puerto Ricans and Italians, the whole gamut, so conveying unity has always meant a lot to me.
TVGuide.com: How do you classify your music? "If you like blank, you'll like CeeSau."
Giovinazzo: If you like the early Nirvana period of rock, what they did.... Our music is not heavy and hard punk rock, like the Germs, but it comes from that world.
TVGuide.com: Speaking of music, will Danny get to interact with Maroon 5 or Nelly when they guest-star this season?
Giovinazzo: I did a couple scenes with Nelly and he's a cool cat, a sweet dude. He turns out to be [an informant] helping Flack with a case.
TVGuide.com: Hey, maybe someday CeeSau will be the guest-star.
Giovinazzo: That would be great! I'm trying to get them to put some of the music on the show, so lets hope that happens.