Philiana Ng
Issue date: 9/29/06 Section: Lifestyle
How far would you go to erase your past mistakes?
In the two-part season premiere of "NUMB3RS," we meet Crystal Hoyle (Kim Dickens, "Deadwood"), a 30-year-old teacher who embarks on a vicious cross-country rampage to right every wrong from her past. Accompanying her is Buck Winters (David Gallagher, "7th Heaven"), her 17-year-old boyfriend who believes he has found true love.
Questions begin to surface about Crystal's complex past as time goes on, and a complicated string of crimes committed by the couple is gradually revealed.
Now in its third season, "NUMB3RS" follows Agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow), a dedicated FBI agent, after he recruits his mathematician brother, Charlie (David Krumholtz), to help solve complicated crimes set in Los Angeles. Inspired by true events, the series focuses on an interesting dynamic unique to all other crime series: the use of mathematics to provide answers to the some of the FBI's most bewildering investigations. Fellow agents Megan Reeves (Diane Farr), David Sinclair (Alimi Ballard) and Colby Granger (Dylan Bruno) add support and perspective.
One of the premiere's high points is a heart-to-heart (of sorts) between an agent hostage and Hoyle in a dingy hotel room. Instead of depicting Hoyle as a heartless killer, the uncovering of her past adds another dimension to her character, revealing her human side. There is even a tinge of sympathy for all she has endured.
Unlike the usual formula-driven show where the characters are only seen in the workplace and on the crime scene, this series strays into their personal lives. Judd Hirsch adds depth as the Eppes' father, Alan. Charlie's co-workers at CalSci Library, Dr. Larry Fleinhardt (Peter MacNicol) and love interest Amita Ramajuan (Navi Rawat) counteract the seriousness with intellectual humor and heart.
The premise of the show is relatively easy to follow and the believable acting jobs by the majority of the cast and notable guest stars (Dickens, Gallagher and Lou Diamond Phillips as Agent Ian Edgerton) are commendable. Krumholtz and MacNicol, in particular, steal every scene they are in with their good-natured banter and innocence.
The weakest link, though complementary to his counterparts, is Morrow's monotonous portrayal of Don, clearly the leader of the ensemble yet somehow ineffective in his delivery. Often seen giving orders or interrogating the suspect of the week, Don's straight-edge personality and failure to maintain a personal life only make it more difficult for Morrow to depict his character in a more relatable way to the audience.
"NUMB3RS" follows the typical recipe for a crime series, adding suspense and drama effectively when needed, while offsetting the more serious tone with personal connections.
Overall, "NUMB3RS" adds up to a gripping show.
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Part II of the third season premiere airs tonight on CBS at 10 p.m.
http://media.www.dailytrojan.com/media/storage/paper679/news/2006/09/29/Lifestyle/numb3rs.Adds.Up.To.Good.Tv-2316323.shtml?sourcedomain=www.dailytrojan.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com
In the two-part season premiere of "NUMB3RS," we meet Crystal Hoyle (Kim Dickens, "Deadwood"), a 30-year-old teacher who embarks on a vicious cross-country rampage to right every wrong from her past. Accompanying her is Buck Winters (David Gallagher, "7th Heaven"), her 17-year-old boyfriend who believes he has found true love.
Questions begin to surface about Crystal's complex past as time goes on, and a complicated string of crimes committed by the couple is gradually revealed.
Now in its third season, "NUMB3RS" follows Agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow), a dedicated FBI agent, after he recruits his mathematician brother, Charlie (David Krumholtz), to help solve complicated crimes set in Los Angeles. Inspired by true events, the series focuses on an interesting dynamic unique to all other crime series: the use of mathematics to provide answers to the some of the FBI's most bewildering investigations. Fellow agents Megan Reeves (Diane Farr), David Sinclair (Alimi Ballard) and Colby Granger (Dylan Bruno) add support and perspective.
One of the premiere's high points is a heart-to-heart (of sorts) between an agent hostage and Hoyle in a dingy hotel room. Instead of depicting Hoyle as a heartless killer, the uncovering of her past adds another dimension to her character, revealing her human side. There is even a tinge of sympathy for all she has endured.
Unlike the usual formula-driven show where the characters are only seen in the workplace and on the crime scene, this series strays into their personal lives. Judd Hirsch adds depth as the Eppes' father, Alan. Charlie's co-workers at CalSci Library, Dr. Larry Fleinhardt (Peter MacNicol) and love interest Amita Ramajuan (Navi Rawat) counteract the seriousness with intellectual humor and heart.
The premise of the show is relatively easy to follow and the believable acting jobs by the majority of the cast and notable guest stars (Dickens, Gallagher and Lou Diamond Phillips as Agent Ian Edgerton) are commendable. Krumholtz and MacNicol, in particular, steal every scene they are in with their good-natured banter and innocence.
The weakest link, though complementary to his counterparts, is Morrow's monotonous portrayal of Don, clearly the leader of the ensemble yet somehow ineffective in his delivery. Often seen giving orders or interrogating the suspect of the week, Don's straight-edge personality and failure to maintain a personal life only make it more difficult for Morrow to depict his character in a more relatable way to the audience.
"NUMB3RS" follows the typical recipe for a crime series, adding suspense and drama effectively when needed, while offsetting the more serious tone with personal connections.
Overall, "NUMB3RS" adds up to a gripping show.
-
Part II of the third season premiere airs tonight on CBS at 10 p.m.
http://media.www.dailytrojan.com/media/storage/paper679/news/2006/09/29/Lifestyle/numb3rs.Adds.Up.To.Good.Tv-2316323.shtml?sourcedomain=www.dailytrojan.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com