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« David's Numbers Blog
Charlie's Got Video Game!
Dylan Bruno and David Krumholz by Michael Yarish/CBS
Episode 7, entitled "Primacy," of our fourth season was written by Julie Hébert and directed by Chris Hartwill and focuses on the world of video gaming, namely online role-playing games. I was thrilled that we were finally doing something about nerd culture (we do it again in two weeks with a great episode about comic books) because the show from its inception was meant to speak to that very wide-ranging audience of geeks, dweebs, dorks, nerds and four-eyes. I mean, just take one look at me, then get to know me and you'll quickly recognize a true nerd.
I collected comics as a kid, and I am and have always been heavily into video games. From the Commodore system I had as a kid to the Nintendo 16bit system to the legendary Sega Genesis, to PS2, and now XBOX 360 (not to mention Game Boy and PSP), I've played them all.
In fact, embarrassing tidbit: I broke my hand playing video games. How? I was playing a game called NBA Ballers for PS2, and I had made it to the unbeatable Yao Ming level. Yao was very frustrating, and I spent weeks attempting to conquer him on the virtual court. In the moment I realized all my efforts were futile and that he was impossible to defeat, I screamed an expletive and simultaneously karate-chopped my apartment floor. It was a typical gamer rage moment, and I immediately knew I had broken my hand... I felt really stupid.
Numb3rs had just begun filming, and I'm lucky I didn't have to wear a cast, just a splint. But my hand is broken in the second and third episodes of Season 1. I spent the weeks following the injury lying to people about how I had broken my hand. I told them I punched a wall, or a door had slammed on it. One night, outside the Coronet pub in Los Angeles, I ran into an inebriated gamer who looked at my splint and asked me how I had broken my hand. I was inebriated as well, and very sick of making up stories. I told him that it happened when I got angry at a video game. I expected him to laugh at me, but instead he was curious, and quickly asked "What game?" I said, NBA Ballers. He responded knowingly: "The Yao Ming level?" he asked. I broke down and gave him a hug because I knew he understood my pain.
Needless to say, this episode was a lot of fun to make. A break from the norm for us. It guest-stars D.J. Qualls and James Urbaniak, both awesome actors, and centers in on Amita Ramanujan, played masterfully by the lovely Navi Rawat. Turns out Amita has been involved in an online RPG group for a while, and Charlie wonders why she's never mentioned it. It brings up a lot of natural relationship paranoia for Charlie, who begins to question who Amita really is. In the end, we learn that their bond is stronger than ever.
The video game Amita plays in the episode was completely designed, from top to bottom, by our ultra-talented video design group. They develop every on-screen video application for each episode, but they outdid themselves with their work on "Primacy." It's really cool. And Amita's avatar is one hot video-game chick.
But the coolest thing in this episode, for me at least, was getting to do the first real big stunt they've ever allowed me to do on the show. In our second season, Numb3rs was nominated for an Emmy for its stuntwork. The show consistently delivers high octane explosions, shoot 'em ups, fights, and car chases, and they all have one thing in common: I'm never in them. You can imagine my frustration, being a young, somewhat athletic, flexible man. But this episode finally allowed me the opportunity to run really fast, scream really loud, and save an FBI agent's life. And maybe the idea that feeble Charlie Eppes could save diesel Colby Granger from drowning in a rushing river — by using one arm to pull him to safety — is the slightest bit far-fetched. But it'll impress my girlfriend, and most importantly, it'll impress her parents. Mission accomplished. Thanks, Julie! You rock!
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Nov 6, 2007 3:43 PM
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I saw the previews and knew that this would be an awesome episode!
Thanks for keeping up on your terrific blog - I love NUMBERS!
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Nov 6, 2007 4:44 PM
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David,
Thanks for blogging for us! Numb3rs is one of my favorite shows and I especially love the episodes that let us get more personal with the Eppes.
Charlie and Amita are such fun to watch; I am really looking forward to this episode.
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Nov 6, 2007 7:35 PM
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Love the show, and have been faithfully watching since the first episode. (Funny as I reread that thought it looked like an "Epps" pun!). Great to read your blogs and see some behind the scenes stuff - adds to the enjoyment of the show - and you can bet I'll be watching Friday and waiting for your blog response.
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Nov 7, 2007 12:39 PM
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Heh heh! I'm not much for video games, but I can definitely picture my kids doing something like that.
Thanks for keeping up this blog. I'll be looking forward to guessing which scene is your favorite.
Jo
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Nov 7, 2007 9:06 PM
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David, thanks for blogging again. I love to read your take on things. I am looking forward to seeing the episode. 
Sorry, I had to laugh at your getting so mad at the game. I have never done 'that', but I have uttered a few choice words myself, and uh... threw my gameboy.
Thanks again for all you do!
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Nov 7, 2007 9:37 PM
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looking forward to this episode! I am sorry but I had to laugh at your little rage I do understand though, I only have one pc game that I play and have been frustrated at some levels but I haven't hurt myself... not yet. I will also be back to read your next blog.
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Nov 8, 2007 12:05 AM
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Thank you for that David. I can just see one of my Grandsons doing that. He has red hair and a temper to match.
You are my favorite actor. You have done such an amazing job bringing Charlie to life. You and Rob actually act like brothers, the way brothers should be. Keep up the excellent work, and I will see you at the usual time every Friday night at 10:00 on CBS.
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Nov 8, 2007 1:05 PM
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I confess I'm amused. That's probably wrong. But I laughed
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Nov 8, 2007 5:08 PM
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I am so glad that you are blogging...you're my favorite actor- you really make me believe in math. Keep up the AMAZING work and don't feel embarrassed about those video games- I've done it too 
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Nov 8, 2007 10:13 PM
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Greetings, David, all the way from the Dominican Republic (here in the Caribbean); you and Numb3rs have fans all over the world. Thank you so much for blogging. My mom and I started watching the show in the middle of season 2 and we got hooked (and then we got my sister hooked too); and now we're catching up with season 1. I just wanted to say to you and the whole cast and crew: Thank you for giving us such a great show each week! I really can't wait for tonight's episode. Sorry, but I also had to laugh a little bit on how you broke your hand (though it is quite understandable); btw, what is your favourite video game console? And your favourite video game? Looking forward to reading more blogs from you and can't wait to find out what your favourite scene was.
P.S. I was watching Addams Family Values this past Sunday (you were such a baby there!). It was funny seeing Peter MacNicol there too.
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Nov 9, 2007 2:35 PM
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DavidWhat was your favorite part? You said you would tell us!
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Nov 11, 2007 7:27 PM
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Ha Ha! That was my favorite scene too. It was great for them to show Charlie has physical "hero" in him too... not just brilliant.
This "eppesode" totally rocked, and is by far my favorite of the season. Congratulations on a job well done. Most impressive. Even in it's 4th season, Numb3rs continues to impress me, and never bores me. Way to go David !! And I wish you continued success in everything you do. You deserve it. 
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Nov 12, 2007 6:38 PM
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I concure, that was an awesome scene and as soon as it played I was pretty sure that would be your fav.
Season 4 has been getting better & better every week! I've been a fan ever since ya'll premiered after the Superbowl those years ago! I'm looking forward to more "eppesodes!"
And in the extras on the season 3 dvds you mentioned that you thought they might put Charlie in more "peril" this season... yeah, tell them I'll all for that!
You're brilliant, in physical and mental acting... keep up the good work!
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Nov 12, 2007 11:28 PM
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David, that was a great scene. And I loved that Colby mentioned Charlie's "deceptive upper body strength" afterwards.
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Nov 13, 2007 1:04 AM
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