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Numb3rs

Decoy Effect

Season 5, Episode 2, Aired Oct 10, 2008

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8.8

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Don and the team must go after a group of kidnappers who are taking their victims while stealing their money. The stakes are raised when one of the victims is killed.

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Jon David Weigand

Thomas Chaney
GUEST STAR
Keith Carradine

Carl McGowan
GUEST STAR
Kristen Bush

Doris Casey

Sophina Brown

Nikki Betancourt
Rob Morrow

Don Eppes
Navi Rawat

Amita Ramanujan
David Krumholtz

Charlie Eppes
Peter MacNicol

Dr. Larry Fleinhardt
Alimi Ballard

David Sinclair

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Fan Episode Reviews (4)

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Just not up to par.

7.0

"Good"

By saleblanc, Sep 24, 2010

Okay, the case as a hole was actually surprisingly boring. Which for me was very un-Numb3rs like. The case was hard to follow and definitely missing Charlie. I think the missing Charlie affect is really coming into play with the cases. Although, the side storyline of Charlie's attempts to get his clearance back I think is going to prove very intresting to watch unfold. McGowan is not going to make things easy for the Ebbs boys. But from the sounds of things he may have other things up his sleeve. Nikki wanting to get her feet wet may want a life preserver before she drowns from pissing off the boss.moreless
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Don and the team investigate a series of kidnappings in which women are forced to withdraw odd amounts of cash from various ATMs. When one victim is killed while trying to escape, the situation becomes more dire.moreless

7.5

"Good"

By meathead704, Oct 13, 2008

I didn't love this episode, but I will admit I liked it. I think the whole story centering around the kidnappings and why and how the crimes were commited works well. What I also liked was how Don reprimanded one of the agents on his team for not calling in the cavalray. However, what I don't like is the tired plot device of the traditional FBI agent doing all he can to make sure Charlie's security clearance is never restored despite the fact that Charlie has done a lot of good for the FBI. That's something I hope goes away.moreless
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Am I crazy but I think it was darker in general than what we normally expect but more interesting...

7.0

"Good"

By DeodatusGirl, Oct 12, 2008

Every thing that went on felt like it was really meant to be there and be seen.
There was also definite build up for something to happen next like charlie sneaking in and out of the the FBI or Nikki out to prove something even though Don told her she doesn't have to does no-one else see the writing skill behind this that's taking the show in a more believable direction? I mean sure most episodes they catch the guy and every one is happy but this got to the edge of 'what if it all went wrong?' and pulled it back just in time.

Bottom line the shows has been waiting for a move like this since 'power'moreless
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Many different subplots

8.0

"Great"

By CRaivios, Oct 11, 2008

It is out of character to have Charlie twisting in the wind.

The first case is women being kidnapped off the streets, being forced to withdraw odd amounts of money, raped then killed. One was shot on the street as she tried to run away. The man who was shot her was later found dead with the burning getaway truck on fire.

At the same time, the New Guy, agent Nikki Betancourt, is getting blended into the old team.

Simultaneously, Charlie is dealing with an FBI bigwig to get his security clearance back. It turns out that this is having more to do with Don than with Charlie. Keith Carradine was great in his role as Carl McGowan. Tough but fair, Don said. I find McGowan to be mysterious, with some kind of ax to grind. There is more meaning than what is being said.

The mind blowing reason behind the crimes is revealed and the case winds up in spectacular fashion.

As before, I liked the show but did not love it. CBS is dragging this security clearance thing out too long. I know I have to wait three more episodes before things are back to normal and I do not like it.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (3)
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- Sinclair mentions that when he was stationed in Tel Aviv, he saw these types of kidnappings all the time, where people would kidnap people and hold them for a few hours to get money out of their families. This does not happen in Tel Aviv or anywhere else in Israel.
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- In the opening numbers, 48 decoys are listed, but the team used only 43 decoy women, including Nikki.
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- Opening Numb3rs:
  400,000 ATMS
  340 DOLLARS
  48 DECOYS
  38 HOURS
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QUOTES (4)
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- Colby: (while David takes a corner too fast) In one piece, please. David: Hey, you know the rule: you complain, you drive.
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- Don:(yelling) It took me five seconds to send them in, which is enough time for you to get your very undisciplined head shot off at least five times! Nikki: Boss, I was... Don: Get changed and start writing. And when you're done writing you can start getting to know the P904.
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- Don: What's the distress word? Sinclair: Mexico. Granger: You gave her our distress code?
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- Nikki: You know you're not in East L.A. when twenty dollar bills hit the ground and stay there.
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NOTES (2)
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- International Air Dates:
  Norway: January 15, 2009 on TV2
  The Netherlands: February 8, 2009 on Veronica
  Czech Republic: May 26, 2010 on TV Nova
  Finland: February 28, 2012 on Sub
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- Music used in this episode was "You're A Wolf" by Sea Wolf (opening scene).
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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