TVSquad

(S03E12) Good start for 2007 here. This is the type of Numb3rs episode I'm talking about when I say this show could easily carry its weight on another weekday night. Edgy topic, great guest casting, and a tense story. It was all there.

It was great to see Deadwood's W. Earl Brown (aka Dan Dority) too. Once again, the cast of Deadwood strikes on a CBS drama. This is maybe the fourth time I think? Beyond that, Joshua Malina reprised his role as U.S. attorney Howard Meeks and Teri Polo guested as another investigator. Nice little West Wing reunion right there. This show is really pulling in some recognizable faces lately, huh? Not too shabby.

Regarding Polo and Malina, together I thought they both added a nice dynamic to Don's team. This is Malina's second appearance, but I wouldn't mind seeing them both more often. It would work if they were even made full time cast members. There's room for it right now too. Peter MacNicol (Larry) is in space (read: working on 24) and Alimi Ballard (David) was absent once again.

Speaking of full time, wouldn't it make sense for Charlie to take a permanent job with his brother at the FBI? All the signs are pointing to it anyway. He does more work for the agency than he does for Cal Sci as it is, he clearly doesn't like his new boss (unless she's drunk and helps him out), lately he's conflicted because he can't help everyone from his current position, and finally it seems that he's realizing that teaching math and going to related conferences isn't all that exciting. So why not just dedicate all his time to the FBI? Although, it would probably create a new rift for him and Amita since she get's along with Mildred (Kathy Najimy) and seems more dedicated to the academic lifestyle.

One of the of the other things I like about this show is how the message, while subtle, often feels universal. Despite the fact that it was dealing with one isolated case of a cult and its practices of polygamy, it still dealt with one overarching theme. I think Charlie actually said something about it at one point. Something about how evil people always seem to be completely obsessed with the notion of purity. Think about it.

Overall, great episode. There was one exchange though, between Charlie and Alan, and it took the prize for unintentional comedy. They were talking about Alan's relationship with Mildred:

Charlie: "Dad... are you dating her?"
Alan: "No. I don't do that."

It's official. Alan Eppes is a player! From that caterer last season to his son's boss, the guy is a ladies man. Hilarious.