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Numb3rs

First Law

Season 5, Episode 17, Aired Mar 06, 2009

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The team's prime suspect in the death of a scientist is a super computer. Meanwhile, Charlie considers a compelling job offer.

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Nancy Travis

Jane Karellen
GUEST STAR
Liane Balaban

Jessie Robertson
GUEST STAR
Barrett Foa

Andrew Gibbons

Rob Morrow

Don Eppes
David Krumholtz

Charlie Eppes
Judd Hirsch

Alan Eppes
Alimi Ballard

David Sinclair
Navi Rawat

Amita Ramanujan
Dylan Bruno

Colby Granger

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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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Well written Numb3rs episode

10

"Perfect"

By lolajohnston, Jun 25, 2011

First of all, I have to say-I'm so glad to finally see Larry back! I didn't realize I missed the guy THAT much =) Though he wasn't a lot in the episode, his role was once again important to the whole plot.

The things I enjoyed most about the episode : * The computer kicking Charlie out =) that was fun
* Don and Larry being all protective of Charlie and his brains
* Charlie and Amita working together
* Alan being all passionate about the b.ball
* The whole concept of the episode. It was interesting and though I kinda guessed from the beginning that the wife is the killer, I never would have guessed that the guy and the tech. were actually lovers. Well written and well acted guys

The things I didn't like...well there were none. I know I maybe should miss Nicki (or however her name is written) coz she wasn't once again in the episode, but truth is, I just don't really like her character that much. Megan was so great (and even Terry in the first season), that I don't really see any need in another female agent (and we already have Liz as a regular). So, I'm willing to give this episode the whole 10 points coz that was a great, well written, interesting episodemoreless
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A.I. Not...

8.5

"Great"

By saleblanc, Mar 07, 2009

I love the concept of artifical intelligence. To me I think it's very believable with the way technology is advancing. But how the episode was written it was very well done, especially given the government a basis for it's research. I thought it was a clever twist having Karellen not only offer Charlie a job but she is a link to Larry. I think the only thing that had me shaking my head was the true motive behind the scientist and his assist's murders. I found some pretty powerful scenes throughout the episode. Amita's disappointment is AI not truly being established as well as Larry and Don's confrontation of Karellen in efforts to protect Charlie and do what's best for him. I'm glad to see Coach Ebbs taking the reins of the CalSci basketball team and can't wait to see what he does.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (6)
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- Math used in this episode: The Turing Test
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- Jane Karellen is one of Larry's former flames, whom he also worked for many years ago.
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- Baley reveals that Amita was born on June 10, 1975 at 6:31 am at Cedar Sinai Hospital.
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- Opening Numb3rs:
  2 MILLION LINES OF CODE
  80 MILLION PROCESSES PER SECOND
  985 MILLION PERSONAL COMPUTERS
  1 ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE
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- Having an incomplete Artificial Intelligence controlling any vital systems in a laboratory is simply not possible. The AI would be on a self-contained system until it was operational, and then it would be connected to outside systems such a fire extinguishers or let alone the internet.
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- The Turing Test is for measurement of intelligence, not for life. Since plants are incapable of conversing with the interviewer, they would automatically fail the Turing Test, but that does not mean they are not alive. The repeated statements of "an new life form," however eloquent they may have been, is wrong, and both Anita and Charlie should have been the first to point this out.
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QUOTES (4)
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- (Don and Charlie are talking about a job offer for Charlie.) Don: I think you can do better. Charlie: For instance? Don (shrug): Today's FBI.
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- Charlie: You wanna check out a supercomputer? Amita: Be still, my beating heart!
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- Alan: It's not how you play the game, it's whether you win or lose! Larry: That doesn't sound right...
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- Karellen: You know, I've been following your brother's work, his papers, I've noticed a precipitous drop off in the last five years. Don: What? Karellen: Perhaps Charlie could be doing something more productive. And you, of all people, should know that Charlie only has so much time before his genius is wasted.
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NOTES (2)
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- International Air Dates: The Netherlands: May 24, 2009 on Veronica Norway: August 6, 2009 on TV2 Czech Republic: June 16, 2010 on TV Nova
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- Music used in this episode was "The Geeks Were Right" by The Faint (opening scene).
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ALLUSIONS (3)
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- Character Name: Jane Karellen
  Allusion To: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
  In Arthur Clarke's novel Childhood's End, Earth is taken over by aliens who at least appear to have the well-being of humanity at heart. The only alien with whom any human ever speaks is named Karellen.
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- Daniel's Password: Olive, Daniel R. ... Computer name: Baley In the series of novels by Isaac Asimov, R. Daneel Olivaw (R. for Robot), a humaniform and almost sentient robot, partners with human detective Elijah Baley in solving crimes and mysteries. They first appeared in the story The Caves of Steel
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- Title: "First Law" Alludes to the first of the Three Laws of Robotics created by renowned science fiction author Isaac Asimov: (1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. (2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. (3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
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