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Episode Recap: "When Worlds Collide"
A season finale, a swan song for Diane Farr's Megan Reeves, and not quite a cliffhanger when in comes to Charlie's future involvement with the FBI.
Even given this is a show about an FBI unit and the CalTech-style academics who work with them, this series only infrequently runs head-on into political matters, but producers and episode-writers Cheryl Heuton and Nicholas Falacci have something to say about the National Security State and its sometimes blind disruption of scientists' work and sometimes of innocent peoples' lives. And so this scenario...a DC-based FBI counterterrorism expert is called out to the LA offices when two Pakistani-immigrant professionals are kidnapped by unknown assailants. The two are part of a Pakistani charity agency, which is under scrutiny by the FBI as a potential money-launderer for terrorist activity. The two kidnap victims are found, tortured before they were murdered, but not before one of faculty at the CalTech analog, another Pakistani immigrant, is arrested. Charlie and his fellow professors, who are at least friendly acquaintances of the arrested biologist, are less than convinced of the justice in the arrest, not least because he has been arrested for forwarding genetics research to improve food-crop yields; at the time of his arrest, the biologist asks how he was to know the sharing of such data was embargoed by the government, and the arresting agents reply, The list of forbidden, classified subjects about which information can't be shared is itself classified. Mr. Kafka, you're in violation of Catch 22, so please come along with us quietly.
While dubious, Charlie continues to aid in the investigation, albeit with some eagerness to prove his colleague innocent, even as the counterterrorism expert is determined to prove the charity organization and all the involved Pakistanis to either be conspirators with or dupes for terrorists, Al Qaeda or otherwise. The truth turns out to be a bit less expected: the kidnappers work for a rogue, and very mercenary, ex-Irish Republican Army operative who now specializes in simple arms deals, no longer adulterating his interest in cash with any ideological claims. The killing of the merchant at his arrest helps to clear up the lingering doubts about Charlie's colleague, but he still isn't being released, since there's still a case, however weak, to be made that he shared sensitive biotech with potentially hostile forces...or, as he and Charlie see it, attempted to help alleviate hunger in both Pakistan and its old rival and former constituent Bangladesh. Charlie risks arrest by sending the balance of the relevant research along via e-mail, is arrested, but having already convincingly argued that the technical assessment made by FBI's in-house staff was driven by political rather than scientific concerns, is released soon after...with his security clearance revoked, meaning he'll face some restrictions at work and even more in any aid he might give his brother with his work.
This isn't even the most significant change on the horizon, perhaps, since we also learn that Megan is officially resigning from the FBI, to work with institutionalized women while finishing her PhD on the East Coast. Larry seems philosophical, suggesting that a continent between them won't end their affair, and perhaps reassuring us viewers that Peter MacNicol won't be leaving the series.
A good episode, albeit one which seemed to be carrying a lot of series-plot development weight that might have somewhat impeded its episode storytelling.
And at least we know that Kathy Najimy's Mildred French isn't coming back this season...no word yet about next...
And if that episode title sounds familiar, it was also the title of a best-selling sf novel by Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer, and of the film made from that novel...
For more on Numb3rs, please see our Online Episode Guide...and see Ileane Rudolph's interview with Diane Farr here.
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May 17, 2008 3:55 AM
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You wrote on the blurb on the front page that it was the "series" finale and not the season finale.
You also wrote "comes to David's future involvement with the FBI." It is Charlie's future, not David's. Though I'm sure this little problem will be cleared up within the first few episodes next season. Kinda like last season when Colby was supposedly a double agent, yet we knew he wasn't leaving the series. That took all of one episode to clear up. I guess it won't take long for Charlie to be pulled back in.
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May 17, 2008 6:44 AM
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I'm so sorry to see Diane Farr leave the show (but at least she'll be on a new series next year), but I though Megan's departure was downplayed too much. Just a line or two referring to it, and a brief scene of her packing up and walking out. She could have been given a better sendoff than that!
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May 17, 2008 8:51 AM
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Charlie didn't have security clearance when he first worked with the FBI, so I don't see that this change is going to matter much in the long run, it's the trust issue between the two brothers that has to work it's way out - David thinking of the FBI side/Charlie the scientist's. It's usually been "there", but never where it mattered, and I doubt this will either.
I liked the downplay of Meagan's leaving. Especially since it could also signal an open door if she changed her mind, her new series didn't work (though wish her well), and she wanted to come back. Too, Larry could be "going to visit Meghan" with the knowledge that everyone treated her leaving as something easy, and good for her future.
One thing I DIDN'T GET and will someone please shed light on it for me. How did we determine that Kathy Najimy wasn't coming back? Was this mentioned during the show, and did I miss it??
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May 17, 2008 10:52 AM
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Whenever a friend of Don's gets into trouble doesn't he do everything he can, sometimes crossing the line, to prove his friend is innocent including asking Charlie to help?
Why should Don feel differently when it is one of Charlie's friends and Charlie is asking Don for help?
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May 17, 2008 11:06 AM
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Charlie always had government security clearance--he previously consulted for the NSA, which Don didn't even know about originally. And as Larry pointed out, Charlie needed security clearance to work on any classified material used for university research. So not only can he not consult (at least openly) for the FBI but his university work will be restricted if he can't use classified materials. I'm sure that Don will push to have Charlie's security clearance re-established when he's got a case that he can't solve without Charlie's math skills.
Funny that you brought up Millie--I was wondering what had ever happened to her. She was always bugging Charlie about the time he spent with the FBI rather than on his university work and had that flirtation going with Alan and lately she hasn't even been mentioned.
I was expecting a little more from Meagan's departure--a good-bye from Don at least, not just a passing comment that he knows she's leaving. I'll be curious to see how much Larry mentions her next season. And to see who's coming on to fill her spot.
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May 17, 2008 12:31 PM
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Interesting show and probably all to close to the truth. I think we can be assured of Charlie's being reinstated with his security clearance after all that is the premise of the show is it not? Although Charlie was aware of what could happen to him, I think his biggest fear was that now his brother was going off to work and at present would not be able to help him-he emitted some definite concern in that area as Don was called off to work at the end of the show. I was however like others disappointed in the way Megan's departure was handled. I mean they had more of a good-bye scene for Larry when he went into space, and he was coming back. Megan has "gone for good" and no one seemed to really care much. David and Colby asked if she needed help almost as an after-thought. Don was more interested in what was going on with Megan in last weeks show than this weeks. There should have been a good bye from him.
All in all not a bad show. Not a bad season other than being a little short. Looking forward to next season.
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May 17, 2008 1:40 PM
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Grant, thanks...I was thinking "Charlie," but wrote "David" as in Krumholtz, rather than Sinclair. And I'll have to admit to no direct control over what appears on the show's splash page on TVG.com, aside from the teaser excerpts from my blog, but that does help to explain some confusion I've seen around the site in comments...sorry about that, folks!
Dorjean, sorry, was just being a bit cute...we know Najimy's not coming back this season, because this season is over.
And thanks, folks, for all your input this season...I'm looking forward to next season, and Charlie's probable re-instatement (and perhaps a visit from Megan), too...
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May 17, 2008 2:40 PM
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I have to say I really enjoyed the eposide. However, I am very saddened that meghan is leaving . because larry has no love interest . For me, that was a big reason for watching the show. I want to see what happens with chales now that he is no longer working with the fbu. After the season premiere of next season, I doubt if i will continue to watch. Also I loved the camederie of donn and chales epps and their ability to work together. What keeps me interested is what will happen to charlie?
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May 17, 2008 2:50 PM
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I want to thank the writers and such for this episode which keeps us aware of the glut of Irish terrorists disguised as Islamic terrorists in the USA. Without this depiction, I would never have known of all of the altruistic Islamists there are.
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May 17, 2008 4:50 PM
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One last comment to Todd-this is my first experience with a blog. And I really enjoyed it. The only thing I would change is Rob's photo. I think we need to update that pic it is pretty bad. Maybe something with the whole Eppes family--yes??
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May 17, 2008 5:55 PM
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Thanks, Todd, for clearing that up. It WAS a clever statement, it was just DUMB ME because I read it to mean that she's not coming back next season. OF COURSE she wasn't coming back for this show. Cute!!
Looking forward to Fall (though glad to have a summer break from too many of my MUST SEE TV shows) AND to your Number3s blog.
Have a good summer - if you're blogging on other shows, I'll read em!
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May 17, 2008 7:18 PM
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This was the best of Season 4. I too would have liked to see Don say Goodbye to Megan, but she can always come back for a visit.
David Krumholtz and Rob Morrow are so believable as brothers. They really had me crying at the end, but they have got Papa Eppes to keep them together. I really enjoyed seeing the storyline about getting David and Colby back as friends and partners from last sesaons cliff hanger.
Bravo to the whole cast and crew at Numb3rs, Great Work with only Greater things to come I am sure.
Enjoy the summer!!
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May 17, 2008 8:33 PM
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I have to agree with everyone else that Megan's farewell seemed a bit lacking. It would be great to see her back for a guest appearance next season. She is great with Larry and those scenes between them will be missed! In addition, I must say that Millie was missed this season. Her character is a great complement to the show and the other characters and she was a nice match for Alan. I think it'd be great for Liz Warner to come in and take over Megan's spot on the team unless there is a need for the profiler aspect that Megan brought to the team. Overall, great show and I can't wait for next season!
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May 19, 2008 5:07 PM
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I agree with what a lot of people have already stated! This was a great episode, except for the Megan walking out part. They used to have so much to talk about. Was she even in the previous episode? I don't remember. But I think it had to do with the fact that even Colby and David didn't know what was going on. At least in terms of what she had been doing during her "time off."
Grant it though, the moments between Larry and Megan were cute. And yes, their relationship really never relied on distance! Who said LDR's can work?? hahaha!
And the thing about Don. He was making me a little upset because of the fact that he didn't even try to help Charlie's friend; when in past episodes, he tried to help his friend by doing all that he could. Every single time it comes to Charlie, it's like an afterthought to Don. He should be a better older brother. I mean, I thought he got a lot of resolved, or at least more-so, in the beginning of the season when he was seeing the shrink! -- I think that was the beginning of the season. -- Either way, he should be more concerned about what happened to Charlie. I mean, all he said was, "What did you do?" as if it were another thing "big brother" had to get his little brother out of. I mean, Don completely missed the whole point of what Charlie was trying to convey by "disobeying" the law that he technically wouldn't have known without his clearance (ahem! the general public!). The whole locker room scene when Don says, "He'll get his chance in court," (or something along those lines), kinda pulled the last string for me. I would like to know Don's definition to the word, "objective." Who knows? Maybe it's more issues that need to be brought up at the beginning of the new season!
I liked how Alan's starting to get used to the idea of his two sons basically going off to war in the streets of LA. I mean, there was almost no reaction from him when Charlie got "arrested" in his own house. But I think he had the best lines in this episode.
Speaking of, I think they'll solve Charlie's security clearance thing. I mean, if not, then they technically took off two people in the show (Charlie and Megan) and then what would happen? They can't possibly substitute people in for both of them. Also, what would Charlie do? What will Don do? I think he's gonna end up realizing how much he won't be able to get done without Charlie. No matter how much Don might want to deny it, he needs his brother! That's what family is for!
I can't wait for the new season! Thanks Nick and Cheryl for another job well done and all the crazy stuff that happens in the shiny FBI office.
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May 23, 2008 2:01 PM
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