Numb3rs: Season 5

A lot of people hated taking math in school. It seemed far too esoteric to hold any relevance in the real world and besides all those numbers seem useless to a kid who just wants to get out of class. I must have been a geek as a kid since I love math class. The numbers made sense and the answers were either correct or wrong; no arbitrary criteria. As it turned out math did relate to reality; in fact it turns out to be the most precise way to describe the world we live in. one thing that would remain outside the normal parameters of probability was how to make and advanced mathematics professor into a crime fighter on an action oriented crime series on television. The closest anyone has gotten with a concept like this is in the movie ‘The Untouchables’ where the tax account picks up a shot gun and charges into a raging gun battle. About five years ago the CBS television network managed to accomplish this task and made a math geek into a hero with their successful series ‘Numb3rs’ this series is not only one of the better crime dramas currently in production but each episode contain a real life application of some esoteric higher math principle explained with an easy to follow analogy. One of the more significant things about this series is how it serves as a bridge between tradition detective shows and the new high tech trend that has come to dominate the genre. In the old days a crime was solved through the arduous leg work of a determine detective thinning his shoe leather tracking down clues in the gutter and seedy back allies of the city. Evidence was difficult and even dangerous to gather but ultimately the detective brought the perpetrator to justice. In the modern incarnation of this venerable type of programming the primary role of the detective has largely been supplanted by the highly trained and extremely well educated scientist who employs the latest techniques of forensic methodology to gather and verify the evidence that will result in the capture and conviction of the criminal. Basically the major difference between the old and new format is in the old style the goal was catching the criminal; now what matters ids obtaining unassailable evidence that will hold up in court.

Numb3rs’manages to straddle the two opposing methods by using one of the most ancient literary devices known; the diametrically opposite brothers. The older of the two Eppes brothers, Donald (Rob Morrow) is a supervisory FBI agent heading up a highly effective squad operating out of Los Angles. Even as a kid he was a natural leader, popular and great at sports; a born alpha male. His younger brother Charles (David Krumholtz) is a genius and was a child prodigy in advance mathematics. He already had his college degree behind him while most kids of his age were still collecting baseball cards. He is currently a tenured professor at California Institute of Science. Charlie was always the one that was the center of attention because of his genius but lived in Don’s shadow socially. The premise of the series is that Charlie helps Don solve cases by adapting various highly advanced mathematical procedures to the real life task of criminal behavior. While Don is more comfortable with the traditional methods always employed by the FBI he has come to appreciate the contribution Charlie routinely makes as a special consultant for the Bureau. Typically it is a synthesis of both men’s personalities and vantage points responsible for solving the crime at hand.

Both men have something vital in common; reliance on the people around them. At the center of their personal lives is there father, Alan (Judd Hirsch). He is a former city planning supervisory who has return to the university to finally obtain his graduate degree. His common sense and practical viewpoint is frequently excellent guidance for both his sons. Charlie is usually found in the company of the two people closest to him; his long time friend and mentor Dr. Larry Fleinhardt (Peter MacNicol) and former student, current girlfriend Dr. Amita Ramanujan (Navy Rawat. This season continues with the usual format of the series; an episodic crime of the week that acts as a scaffold for the long character oriented arcs. As usually the Eppes household is in a state of flux. After a near career ending confrontation on the job Don has decided to expand the scope of his world view and explore the religion of his youth; Judaism. Charlie has finally won his fight to regain his security clearance and return to his official consulting position with the FBI. On a more personal note the romance between Charlie and Amita hest up and formalize the relationship with Charlie proposing marriage. Don has to deal with a new team member and is being stalked by an old nemesis. As usual this is one of the stronger series on TV holdings down the otherwise supernaturally oriented CBS Friday evening lineup.

Posted 10/15/09