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« David's Numbers Blog
Watch Video: An Inside Look at Charlie's FBI Training
This week's Numbers episode, "Checkmate" — written by Robert Port and directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal — finds Charlie Eppes sent to FBI training... finally. This is a storyline I've been anxiously waiting to perform since the inception of the series. When a show like this is pitched to an actor, the actor's mind races through all the possible storylines for his character. This is a storyline that I thought would have been written earlier in our run, and I've been encouraging our writers to flesh out the idea for four seasons now. Finally Robert Port was good enough to make an "old" actor happy. (I'll be 30 in five weeks — eek!)
Charlie's curiosity gets the best of him and he requests to be sent to FBI training in the hopes that he may learn more about the intricacies of FBI work, and thus form a greater kinship with his brother and the other agents. Factored in (no pun intended) is the fact that Charlie has been shot at twice, pursued in a high-speed car chase, and has faced general danger scenarios at different points throughout his consultation with the FBI. So it's high time that he learn to defend himself. What Mr. Port wrote was an absolutely hilarious storyline, true to what would probably happen if a young mathematician had a gun put in his hand.
The three scenarios are High Pursuit Tactical Driving, Prisoner Take Down & Escort, and the Gun Range. When you are one of the youngest cast members on an action-packed show and you never get to see your fair share of the action, it's a great release when it finally happens. Needless to say, your boy was super-psyched! This was the most fun I've probably ever had on the show, and I hope that spirit comes across in the performance.
To start, we filmed the High Pursuit Driving. A stunt double would film the exterior shot in my place... but no need. The interior shot with me at the helm and the FBI instructor in the passenger seat was filmed as I haphazardly navigated the actual driving course. I didn't hit a single cone or cardboard cutout (except when the scene called for it). It was awesome, high-adrenaline and way too much fun. Watch a clip:
Next we shot the Prisoner Take Down. I decided to do my own stunt, which required that I be flipped over an FBI agent's knee and slammed onto a gym mat. I thought I was being brave, but in retrospect I was just being plain stupid. That dude slammed me hard! My head snapped back and I saw stars, as is evidenced by the actual shot of the moment used in the final cut. Please enjoy my glorious moment of unadulterated shock, embarrassment and pain.
The Gun Range was Charlie's comeback. After being humiliated in the other events, he triumphantly rises to the occasion by shooting the hell out of his target à la "Gomer Pyle" in Full Metal Jacket. Albeit exhilarating, guns are not my thing. I'm a pacifist... and hopefully so is Charlie. The whole experience was a blast. I hope it makes you laugh. Getting to do some comedy in the midst of crime-solving was a great opportunity. I hope they let me do it again.
Watch outtakes from the driving sequence (contains expletives):
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Apr 11, 2008 9:47 AM
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Great blog and great video clip! I to ohave ben waiting for this moment for Charlie! Long overdue!
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Apr 11, 2008 2:56 PM
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Thanks for the update!! I can't wait for the episode tonight. That video was hilarious; reminds me of the good old drivers ed days. I hope you didn't hurt yourself too badly doing all your own stunts. Woohooo! Charlie on the gun range!! Can't wait.
T-minus 7 hours till the ep!!!
Hope to see more updates soon. Also, happy early birthday! No need to fear, 30 is the new 20.
-K8T
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Apr 11, 2008 3:21 PM
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David -- I hope that you recovered well from Prisoner Take-Down and Escort scene. This was filmed on the day that I got to do my walk-on role with the show (by the way, my students are super-excited for tonight) and I remember hearing the sound of you hitting the mat. All my husband and I could think of was - ouch! I can't wait for tonight! Thanks to you, the rest of the cast and crew for an awesome day and night on the set! I will never forget it! Everyone was wonderful!
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Apr 11, 2008 3:40 PM
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Hey thanks for the great blogs and doing such a great job on Numb3rs, i looked forward to it every Friday night.
Austyn "The Math Major" Hughes
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Apr 11, 2008 4:45 PM
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LOL! That clip was sooo Charlie! It was hilarious! Can't wait til tonite. Hope your OK. Don't try to be MacGyver or something. I guess this blog are where everyone went to 'cause there are hardly any messages on the Numb3rs page.
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Apr 11, 2008 8:05 PM
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Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! I love reading your blog.
And I want to tell you that I really like what you and the writers are doing with Charlie this season. You're really developing him as a character. I don't think you've lost any of what's special about him as he grows and matures.
Too bad this season was cut short, but it's great to see a few new episodes before summer.
Jo
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Apr 12, 2008 8:24 AM
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"Checkmate" was great! It was a great balance between comedy/fun and action. Wow! Thanks for posting the outtakes of the driving sequence - funny!
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Apr 12, 2008 12:24 PM
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This show is THE AWESOMEST SHOW ON TV!!!!
I absolutely enoyed every single split second of tonight's show. David you totally rocked in every scene. You and Don and the gang rock every week but tonight you outdone yourself. Comedy, you nailed it.
Full riot gear and the BIG GUN that was my favorite!!
Each week we get Comedy, Drama, Romance, what more could you want from a show. I just thought of something! Charlie, (DAVID), could sing us a song!! I have heard that David has a wonderful singing voice. Could we talk Nick and Cheryl into letting you sing? We would totally melt if you did!!
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Apr 12, 2008 1:12 PM
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 I think this episode was great and Charlie's training was definitely a high point. The driving--well, Charlie's driving has always been an issue. I mean he was 30 something when he finally got a DL because he had a "speeding" problem. Let's face it Charlie is a lover, not a fighter. As far as being shot at it was actually 3 times not two. In the first season Charlie was a target in Sniper Zero. In the second season-although not directed specifically at Charlie he was "in the vacinity of a shooting" in Rampage. Season 4 brought Charlie for the first time as a specific target. In Sniper Zero he was a ramdom target.
And David--Happy early birthday--old NOT I can't even remember 30.
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Apr 12, 2008 5:35 PM
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Enjoyed this "epp" even more than usual because of the FBI training for you (Charlie) and the fact I'd read your blog for the behind the scenes info prior to seeing the show. Only got to see it last night BTW because I taped it on Friday night but waiting made it even more sweeter.
Love how everybody in the cast seems to get along and like each other. That adds to the enjoyment, and believability, as well.
Couldn't see the clips unfortunately. Have slow dial up. But I bet watching was a blast.
Have a GREAT Birthday (I remember 30 fondly. Didn't realize THEN it was MUCH BETTER than 40, and on up!!) and keep your blogs coming. Great to have them to read and comment on. Cheers David. Hope your wishes all come true when you blow out the candles on your cake!!
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Apr 13, 2008 10:29 AM
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Thanks for the outtake David. I love watching those. I really liked this episode and your driving in pursuit scene just cracked me up! I cringed a little bit though when you got slammed to the floor. That looked a little painful, I hope you recovered soon after. Great come back at the gun range too! not much of a gun person myself, but I have shot a gun at a shooting range, just once though,that was enough for me. I did pretty well, but not quite as good as you did.
You all did a really great job with this episode.
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Apr 13, 2008 3:25 PM
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I was very happy to see that they up the note's on numbers, it every little man thing to grow up to be good at being a good guy and this show is good and getting good by the week, also what wrong with being 30s year old? well when I was that age, I was being shot at, but anyway no more crying about your age, wait till you get to be 53 year old and living in pain. 
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Apr 13, 2008 10:54 PM
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The clip is hilarious!!
LOL!! 
Please use that stunt double next time, okay? 