|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Synopsis:- |
| Rob Morrow stars as FBI agent Don Eppes, who recruits his mathematical genius brother, Charlie (David Krumholtz), to help the Bureau solve a wide range of challenging crimes in Los Angeles. From two very different perspectives, the brothers take on the most confounding criminal cases, aided by Don's partner, Terry Lake (Sabrina Lloyd), and new FBI recruit David Sinclair (Alimi Ballard). Although their father, Alan (Judd Hirsch), is pleased to see his sons working together, he fears their competitive nature will lead to trouble. Charlie's colleague, physicist Dr. Larry Fleinhardt (Peter MacNicol), urges Charlie to focus more on his university studies than on FBI business. Inspired by actual events, NUMB3RS depicts how the confluence of police work and mathematics provides unexpected revelations and answers to the most perplexing criminal questions. |
|
| My review:- |
| Numb3rs is an interesting twist on the crime drama formula. The use of maths to solve crime might on the face of it seem a dull and limiting idea but it is done in an interesting and dramatic way. |
|
| The action swaya between the FBi scenes, scenes of Charlie working, and scenes in the Epps home. This latter element seems somewhat superfluous. There are no particular family tensions to liven the mix and the moments at home merely serve to slow the pace of the episode and allow for a little homespun wisdom from dad. Although Judd Hirsch plays the senior Epps with expected quality, there is little for him to do beyond providing the aforementioned fatherly wisdom. |
|
| A similar point could be made for Peter MacNichol. As Charlie`s friend/colleague he acts as a sounding board for him to bounce ideas off. This is a necessary character to have, but it certainly doesn`t strain Peter`s talents. |
|
| Terry is coolly professional, providing a contrast to the more emotional characters we are used to seeing Sabrina play. Sabrina carries the role off with her usual finesse, but it is not one that stretches her abilities. Despite a promising basis, the character seemed under-developed during the first season. A prior relationship with Don was established but not explored. And her FBI role as psychological profiler was under-employed. There was considerable scope to use that skill as an adjunct, or even in opposition, to Charlie`s mathematical methods. |
| |
| It is interesting that three superb actors, Sabrina, Peter and Judd are all being used in roles well below their capabilities. |
|
| Non-mathematicians might question just how many ways there are to solve crimes with maths. And with every episode following the route of Crime > FBI stumped > Charlie comes up with an equation > crime solved, there is the danger of repetitiveness with Charlie solving every crime every time. A little fallibility would not go amiss, but that calls into question the foundation on which the series is based. |
|
| However, questions on the longevity of the formula are moot as Sabrina chose to utilise the option in her contract allowing her to opt out after the first season. |
|
| NB: Season one of Numb3rs is available on DVD. |
|
