(S03E11) This was great Numb3rs episode. It made you think beyond just what was going on with Don and the team, especially since it dealt with such a hot topic: sex offenders. Despite the obviousness of the overall theme for this show being math, I still find it incredibly entertaining when they apply algebraic principles and theories to things that I would never think to apply them to. Credit to the writers and producing team behind Numb3rs, because the amount of research that goes into each episode must be staggering.
As I said, the case dealt with sex offenders and those that seek vigilante justice against them because they feel as though the system has failed. Obviously I'm not saying that I support that kind of justice, but the episode made a very good argument for why these people turn to such desperate measures.
In recent years, numerous laws have been passed to help ensure that people know who in their neighborhood might have a questionable police record regarding sex crimes. This episode made it a point to argue that certain laws (such as Jessica's Law) may be faulty in the sense that they don't achieve what they're supposed to.
One of the provisions of Jessica's Law that the show tackled (I may be interpreting this wrong) is the proximity that sex offenders can live in relation to places like movie theaters and malls -- places where children frequent. The inherent error with that logic is that malls and movies theaters are everywhere. You can't walk five feet without bumping into one. I don't know... I just found it interesting the way they addressed this. It was in your face because of the case but it was the subtle jabs at the system that left an impact.
On a completely unrelated note, anyone else notice that our killer was Robin Weigert a.k.a. Deadwood's Calamity Jane? And for those that caught CSI last week, Dayton Callie (Charlie Utter) turned out to be the miniature replica killer. Then if I recall correctly, Sean Bridgers (Johnny Burns) was on Criminal Minds about a month ago. Just seems like the stars of Deadwood are all over CBS TV shows as of late.
Anyone else find themselves a little choked up at Larry's departure when he and Buzz Aldrin flipped on the sunglasses and busted out their best Right Stuff swagger? I wonder for how many episodes he'll be out for? Surely not the rest of the season. From what I've read, he has a sizable role in the upcoming season of 24 but I'm sure he'll be back on Numb3rs before the season is out. Although, knowing 24, his character will probably be killed before we have a chance to remember his name.
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-16-2006 @ 4:58PM
BillS said...
Robin Weigert was also on The Unit a few weeks back.
Reply
12-16-2006 @ 4:59PM
dwacon said...
Considering that CBS/Paramount owns "Deadwood," I guess it only fair for the network to give the cast jobs. I hope that applies to my good buddy Leah, one of the "whores" at the Gem Saloon (but a genuine sweetheart in real life).
Hey... can I get back on my soapbox and demand that CBS renew Deadwood on the Showtime network? Please? Pretty please? With Aspartame on it?
The concept of child predators is getting a pretty decent workout on a number of serials... not to mention the weekly "To Catch a Predator" reality segments on NBC's Dateline skein.
--
dwacon
http://www.dwacon.com
Reply
12-16-2006 @ 5:00PM
La-di-dah said...
Bye Larry (for now). We'll miss you.
Reply
12-17-2006 @ 9:05AM
Mike said...
Um... research going into this show? You mean like Charlie's sooper-dooper algorithm that can track onion routers? Or the mysterious database of broadband users cross-matched against the list of wireless router owners? Or the way that the FBI can crack into a server and match the IP address with a street address using a satellite map? Oh, or how Charlie's phone call to NASA to "personally vouch" for Larry got him back on the shuttle?
I've been watching Numb3rs since the second or third ep of season one, and that one had to be the worst I've seen. Embarrassing for the writers, the tech consultants, and the entire production crew. Ugh.
Reply
1-18-2007 @ 11:04AM
La Ritt said...
I totally agree with Mike. Absolutely the worst. If there was any math used here, I didn't see it. More like cross matching data bases. And what was Amita's BS about be experienced in asymmetric combinatorics. I burst out laughing. I wonder how many takes it took for her to say that and not sound a total bimbo.
Also, there seemed to be two shows going on at the same time. This horrendous killer beating men's brains out with a bat because they were pedophiles. And then all this silly, Larry's going on the shuttle. And I loved Charlie's phone call. "Ah Larry is deranged but I think he's a really nice man." Amazing how that worked. And everyone being so warm and fuzzy. I was waiting for one of them to say, Hey, you know we will miss Larry while he is gone doing this cool thing, but at least were not dead from a blow to the head or victims of child abuse.
Reply
12-19-2006 @ 2:37PM
doog said...
To add to Mike's comments about the silly WiFi router database, and the amazing ability to crack onion routers, the killer's M.O. is to assault somebody in a home for sale that is currently empty. So Charlie can come up with some sort of magic WiFi router database, but he doesn't think that he should check to see if the house that he is directing the FBI to assault is actually one of those houses for sale? Rather than make up a pretend WiFi router database, why not have Charlie look up houses on the real estate market near the house that was attacked instead?
Reply
12-21-2006 @ 8:37PM
sharon said...
I agree with the above posting about that particular episode. It didn't seem to be that exciting as I think it could have been. Personally I don't know how long this show will still be on because of it's time slot and because of all the math that is in it that really isn't all that interesting to watch. I do like some of the characters but let's face it numb3rs will soon be over.
Reply
1-06-2007 @ 1:53PM
Chris said...
OK - Numbers isn't perfect.
But -- isn't it cool that there is a show that MAY act as an exciting role model for kids - who as a result of the show may find an interest in some of the concepts and think about this as a potential career choice? (Likely not working for the FBI - but some other career touching the physical sciences / mathematics).
Given the state of Global Competition and the number of jobs that are off shored, and the comparisons of US kids to those of other nations and where they stack up educatinoally - maybe a few good seeds can get planted here. Not enough to change the world - but maybe enough to provide a good influence to someone (or several someones) to look at a career or education option they wouldn't have otherwise considered.
While I went through Calculus and some Physics in college - I don't have the background to identify the truthfulness of the math -- but it is interesting that one of the actors playing one of the agents I believe is an MIT grad, and often takes some time explaining some of the technical details to the actors.
Just my two cents - but I did enjoy the comments above.
Reply
1-13-2007 @ 12:06PM
Bob said...
I love this show. I think every episode keeps you interested. The whole cast is amazing, and I can't wait to see the next one.
Reply