(S04E07) "You could move in with me but I don't live anywhere." - Larry
Calling all nerds! Kind of an odd choice for this show. I know for a fact that my folks and many of their friends love Numb3rs, but after watching this episode, they had no idea what an MMO, an ARG, or an MMORPG were and as a result were lost as to what was going on. I'm not saying I know all there is to these games. World of Warcraft is something that I gave up playing a long time ago. But when it comes to the demographic that this show is trying to reach, I'd be willing to bet that only about 50% of that group knows what an MMO is. Most would probably describe this episode as being "something about computers" (as my Mom put it). But if this episode proved one thing about MMOs, you never know who's behind the avatar.
Online games, alliances, spawned alternate realities... and prize money. The more things change, the more they stay the same. If there's money involved, then greed, deception, and murder usually follow on a crime procedural.
The story itself was very enjoyable as it gave literal meaning to the idea of "catching an online predator." A new MMO (Massively Multi-Player Online game) had started a spawned ARG (Alternate Reality Game), where players had to walk away from their computers and search for clues in the real world. Clues that would lead to a million dollar prize. If that sounds confusing, then stop reading because it isn't going to get any easier. A better description can be found at our MMO themed sister-site Massively. They talk about the games. I talk about the TV.
I think CSI: NY recently had a similar episode so maybe this stuff is becoming more ubiquitous that I know. On Numb3rs though, it was just another case. I think a lot of cast developments were made here. Charlie and Amita's relationship reached new levels as he asked her to move in. I think her involvement with the case was great too. It was only a matter of time before Amita got in harm's way and this episode proved to be the perfect venue since she played the game in question.
Once again, we had missing cast members though. David was MIA and Liz was presumably taking the day off since she was still stewing over Don lying to her. I know I've complained about this before and I know people have brought up the fact that perhaps some of the actors are only signed to do x-amount of episodes in a given season, but the more I thought about it, the more that bugs me. No other crime drama out there has cast members just disappear for episodes at a time unless it directly impacts the story. No one is ever just "gone" in an episode of the CSI shows or Criminal Minds, or L&O: SVU, or NCIS. It's just weird to me that Don's team is so fragmented in that regard.
OK, back to the episode. I also liked how Alan made some progress here too. The possibility of him buying a condo seems to be back on the table and he also appears to be doing well in his class. It looked like her made some sort of little device or robot that actually worked. Anyway, more from him is still needed and that starts with Millie returning rather than just being one of those characters who's name gets mentioned occasionally.
The other thing that needs to happen is some sort of consequence to Charlie's fame. His book hit the Top 100 on Amazon and he's hitting the talk show circuit. He's got fans. That much is clear. It's only a matter of time before one of those fans becomes an obsessive stalker, right? This story just seems like such waste if something doesn't come from it. Hopefully we see more episodes like this one where personal involvement is paramount to the case.
This week's numb3rs: 100,000,000 avatars, 6 billion dollar industry, 54 alternate realities, 2 technoutopian visionaries
This week's math: Primacy
Six Mad Men characters who are in limbo after the finale
Fact or Fiction: Big Bang, Brothers & Sisters and CSI
The TV Squad Podcast: Linda Purl talks about The Office, we talk spoilers, and more
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-11-2007 @ 6:27PM
Gordon Werner said...
Yes ... CSI:NY had an episode featuring this kind of game ... and they didn't catch the Murderer. They also have something you can join in 2nd Life to play with others as a CSI to solve crimes.
Law & Order (SVU I think) also had an episode recently featuring online gaming and now this one.
You'd think they could come up with a real idea once and a while
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11-11-2007 @ 6:28PM
Arclight said...
"No other crime drama out there has cast members just disappear for episodes at a time unless it directly impacts the story. No one is ever just "gone" in an episode of the CSI shows or Criminal Minds, or L&O: SVU, or NCIS."
It is odd that you say that.
This week on NCIS, a corpse was nailed to an elevator's wooden floor and Ducky's assistant Jimmy Palmer was no where to be found, with no explanation for his absence.
Not that TV Squad actually acknowledges NCIS's existence.
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11-11-2007 @ 6:29PM
La-Di-Dah said...
Okay. I guess for all you guys who watch CSI and co, you were familiar with this theme. For me, this story worked really well; it was suspenseful and eye-catching and I really, really, enjoyed it. My only complaints: yea, David and Liz MIA did not look that good. And Amita suddenly springing this idea that she plays a game (since I don't know which abbreviation to use, I am just going to call it a "game"). But once I got over those 2 prickling things, I super-enjoyed this episode, especially with Amita kicking Specter's butt online, and the consequence of that. Another development, I don't think you mentioned, Reviewer, is Larry (or "Lawrence") moving out of the monastary. Do I need to do a little jiggy now?
One of my fave moments: they called attention to Charlie being able to one-arm-pull Granger out of the dam-bridge-athingy. He says "adrenaline." Cute.
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11-11-2007 @ 6:29PM
MrC said...
It was a fun episode overall. At least they acknowledged the missing cast "Where's Liz? Filling in for David?" of course, where's David was not addresses, and Liz obviously wasn't filling in for him since she wasn't there either.
Keep in mind Numbers while a consistent performer, is not CSI caliber in the ratings or ad sales (it is 10pm on a Friday afterall) so they probably need to do the "X episodes per season per actor" like they did on Veronica Mars' secondary characters.
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11-11-2007 @ 10:36PM
JeffT said...
I believe Don said something about David being at some training class when he asked Megan to partner with Colby. I think it was when they still were on top of the building. I enjoyed this episode, especially with Larry returning from the monastery. Other than Colby and his no non sense kick ass attitude, Larry makes this show. I hope offer he was talking about doesn't make him take a hiatus from the show. Don has become a wuss, he needs to snap out of this woe is me funk he's in.
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11-12-2007 @ 10:09AM
eric f. said...
regarding the inclusion of mmorpg and such, I don't think there is any reason to "dumb it down" for the general public. I think they did a fine job of having the agents be just as confused as anyone else about what they are...then having it spelled out for them.
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11-12-2007 @ 11:32AM
Ric Kaysen said...
The only thing that bugged me was Amitas' unexplained urge to inject herself into an unknown and potentially dangerous situation and the "grab" by the bad guy was completely unconvincing. Did he even have a weapon? I mean all it seemed to take was one good bitch slap and he surrenders. I'm one who appreciates not being talked down to by writers and while I didn't know much about the games referenced, I was motivated to look it up and learn something.
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11-12-2007 @ 10:43AM
Guido said...
I thought it was the first weak episode of the season. It was a little too geeky .. which is saying a lot for this show.
I'm used to characters not being there, so David's absence isn't really abnormal now.
I wonder if we'll ever see Don's shrink again?
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11-12-2007 @ 1:22PM
Sean said...
the device that alan made was a sterling engine...
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11-12-2007 @ 5:16PM
Piper said...
The thing that bothered me about this episode was the unnecessary use of the mathematical formulas to locate the killer. One of the first things that the FBI would've done would be to look at former employees for suspects. Especially after they said they thought it might be someone on the inside.
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11-12-2007 @ 5:40PM
Jazzie said...
The thing that's bugging me MOST is missing David. David has been an original cast member since the beginning, suddenly, his name doesn't appear in the credits? That's crap, almost as crappy as Charlie's hair. Can he get a haircut, PLEASE? We have watched the show since the beginning, but Charlie is beginning to annoy me.
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11-13-2007 @ 11:26PM
catherwood said...
did you know that CBS left clues in the episode that lead to a *real* website with Spectre's game? www.chainfactor.com is a simple flash game on the surface, but there is a place to submit codes. Some of the codes can be found by freeze frame in the episode; other codes are hidden in banner ads on CBS-owned websites. And snippets of conversation show up in random error messages in the flash game, between the game developer and someone who signs his memo with a simple "/s" -- Spectre??
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12-20-2007 @ 11:30PM
Tigger said...
Very nice -Geeky episode- polite of the artist(s) to DONATE there music(with no credit) Can't find anyplace on the NET that lists credit to music on Trailers or TV shows
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