David Krumholtz, Navi Rawat, and Tony Hale staring at a chalk board in Numb3rs
"When am I ever going to use calculus or trigonometry in real life?" We have all either made or heard that complaint before in high school, but CBS's Numb3rs begs to differ and puts the magic into math like never before.
If you think you've seen it all when it comes to cop procedurals, you've yet to see Charlie Eppes explain how a mathematical concept can be used to solve a crime while numbers and formulas whirl around him. Even if you have an aversion to math, Numb3rs brings the usually-perceived-as-dull subject into the most high-stakes investigations and heartfelt family dramas that you'll gain a new appreciation for it. 'Numb3rs' Is Like No Other Crime Drama You Have Watched Before Crime drama fans are very familiar with the techniques and tricks investigators tend to employ when on a case. We get used to the barrage of evidence collection, autopsies, forensic analysis, clever IT jargon, and that burst of sheer dumb luck or intuition that breaks the case wide open. Some shows step out of the box with the flamboyant social manipulation techniques in The Mentalist or the importance of a well-connected confidential informant in The Blacklist, but who knew math could be an investigative tool? In Numb3rs, FBI agent Don enlists the help of his mathematics professor brother, Charlie, who creates formulas and algorithms to help solve crimes. From predicting criminal behavior to pinpointing geographical locations, there is something otherworldly about what math can achieve. Assuming you're not a math genius yourself, there is a distinct sense of mystery and wonder in how Charlie rattles off numbers and devises formulas that almost float out of him and onto the window he scribbles on. As the digits hover around the room, and we watch the gears behind Charlie's eyes work, we are right alongside Don, holding our breath and waiting for the"gotcha" moment. It holds a different kind of suspense than your usual crime drama, as Charlie almost speaks a different language but is still mesmerizing in how he arrives at conclusions. Don is also the perfect partner for him, as he takes on the physical tasks of running after the criminal, giving us a shot of adrenaline after the mathematical mystique. With Charlie on our side, complicated algorithms and convoluted murders don't seem as daunting. An Endearing Brotherly Bond Is at the Heart of This 10/10 Crime Drama If Spencer Reid is your favorite character in Criminal Minds, then you will absolutely adore Charlie in Numb3rs. Whether or not you find math convoluted, Charlie's explanations of the algorithms and his reasoning are just as clear and as engaging as Reid spitting out random facts. Krumholtz mixes his character's hyper-intelligence with a bumbling awkwardness that is easy to root for, as we often sympathize with Charlie's inability to reconcile his rigid, formulaic approach to living with the messiness of reality. That being said, there is value in how Charlie offers advice on how math can be used as a tool to make sense of life, which Krumholtz delivers with earnest, guileless expressions. Related ABC’s New Crime Drama Proves It's the Perfect Weekend Binge for ‘High Potential’ Fans Scott Speedman stars in the new hit series. Posts By Lade Omotade Amid the high-stakes criminal investigations are the brotherly moments between Don and Charlie, a bond that forms the foundation of the show. Though they cannot be more different, where Charlie prefers to be methodical and ponder solutions while Don prefers a head-on, ask-questions-later approach, they are still close-knit brothers who look out for each other. Krumholtz and Morrow are a pleasure to watch together, leaning into lived-in sibling banter and that all-too-familiar family tension. Their individual character arcs also weave together, as they evolve while supporting each other through traumatic experiences. So, even as you navigate the dizzying collections of numbers, these two give the show a human quality that grounds the mysteries of numerical criminal-hunting. Subscribe to the newsletter for smart takes on math in TV Unlock deeper perspectives by subscribing to the newsletter for thoughtful analyses, character and formula breakdowns, and curated recommendations that explore how math and logic shape TV storytelling. Perfect for fans who crave smarter show insights. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Numb3rs goes beyond crime-procedural-by-numbers and adds a whole layer to the investigative process we could never fathom. By throwing in equations, the show almost reinvents the genre and adds a strange mystique to how we can navigate our world. Between Don's unpredictability and Charlie's uncanny ability to predict, the series makes for a fascinating push-and-pull crime drama, with plenty of interesting cases to fill the time. If anything, it may encourage you to apologize to your high school math teacher for underestimating just what those pesky numerals can achieve.
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