"Numb3rs" - Episode 1.4 - Structural Corruption
Published February 15, 2005
After only three episodes, I was ready to write off what appears to be CBS's latest hit as just another by-the-numbers (pun most certainly intended) crime procedural. Granted, of the latest generation of "CSI" wannabes, it is certainly the one with the most promise, far more compelling than the lackluster "Medium" and more believable than the certain-to-be-short-lived "Blind Justice."
For the uninitiated, "Numb3rs" teams FBI agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow, surfacing on prime-time for the first time since "Northern Exposure") with his mathematician brother, Charlie (David Krumholtz), to solve various and sundry confounding crimes in (where else?) Los Angeles. Patriarch Alan Eppes (the always amazing Judd Hirsch) and professor Larry Fleinhardt (Peter MacNicol, just as manic here as he ever was on "Ally McBeal") both provide comic relief and a bit of a touchstone to reality.
While the premise is certainly promising, the show had developed a clear and predictable formula in just its first few airings. Criminals strike--be they serial killer, bank robber, or bioterrorist--and the FBI is seemingly helpless to track them down. Enter math professor Charlie Eppes and his amazing bag of tricks. Charlie has an equation for every problem and is somehow both more intuitive and intelligent than an entire team of federal agents. Almost single handedly, Charlie is able to save the day.
At least until this week's episode, "Structural Corruption," which sees Charlie obsessing over the apparent suicide of an engineering student at the university where he teaches. Charlie remembers the student coming to him for help with an equation, but Charlie gave him the brush off. With a guilty conscience, Charlie begins to investigate, slowly uncovering an apparent conspiracy surrounding the structural integrity of a downtown skyscraper. It seems that what was first easily ruled a suicide might turn out to be murder instead.
Two facets of this episode shake things up a bit from the show we've seen so far.
- "Numb3rs" - Episode 1.4 - Structural Corruption
- Published: February 15, 2005
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- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Crime, Video: Television
- Writer: Scott Pepper
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I like "Numb3rs", but it has too much of the feel of two concepts glued together. The FBI stuff is just generic case of the week, and while there are some good casting choices, the scripts aren't all that.
I always had problems with math in high school, and decided it was just because I couldn't do it. What I discovered later was that I wasn't taught it. That's where this show shines, in showing how math works, and why those who understand it use terms like "elegance".
The police stuff is just hooey. Now, if they did like the first ep of season two of "The Wire" (McNutty uses tides charts and currents to determine what precinct is responsible for a body dropped off a bridge) that's real police.
What they really should focus on is Charlie figure out when the cable guy is really showing up, and the best route to get to work.
Numb3rs occasionally hints at some smart writing, but it does comes off a bit artificial and cliched-- particularly in its exploration of Charlie's genius. It reminds me in some ways of the short-lived FOX semi-procedural, John Doe; which itself was a riff on NBC's The Pretender. Those likewise starred male super-geniuses who can figure out any crime by tapping some amazing reserve of knowledge of everything.
Numb3rs is Monk with less funny, and fewer phobias. It's A Beautiful Mind, but he's not so crazy and really is working for the government. And it's CSI, where you roll all the specialists into one guy.
The backstory romance between the agents bothered me on a number of levels, particularly because it was so trite. Now if Charlie comes in and starts up a fling with Agent Terry -- that might be interesting and raise a level of tension between the two brothers. 'Cause right now, it's all kind of boring.
This show rocks. I dont think that its boring. I find it very interesting. The show is awesome. Check out my Numb3rs site
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"Medium" has actually gotten pretty good too. Last night's episode was very similar to what you describe in "Numb3rs," where something appeared to be a suicide, but wasn't (or was it?). It's more mystery than straight forward crime-solving (I mean, the whole show is based around a psychic after all). Allison Dubois (Patricia Arquette) is also a fallible protagonist even though she can see the future (as she has no choice in what she sees and when she sees it). It's entertaining stuff.