Numb3rs

Identity Crisis

Season 1, Episode 8, Aired 4/1/05

Episode Summary

A man wanted for stock fraud is found garroted in his apartment, and the crime is eerily similar to a murder committed a year earlier, a case in which Don closed when an ex-con confessed. Now, Don must re-investigate the old case to determine if he put an innocent man in jail. He asks Charlie to go over the evidence to see if he missed anything the first time around.moreless

8.8

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Cast & Crew

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Judd Hirsch

Alan Eppes
David Krumholtz

Charlie Eppes
Peter MacNicol

Dr. Larry Fleinhardt

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

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Logic, it all makes sense

9.5

"Superb"

By OnePerCentClub, Feb 11, 2008 Report Abuse

What an interesting case. You got a new suspect in a murder case similar to one that happened a year ago. Two suspects looking alike and only one of them did it, or maybe didnt? Don probably made a mistake by putting the wrong man in jail. As new evidence comes up it gets confusing but at the same time it all makes sense: Is it true that every fingerprint is unique? Has it been proven? Charlies statement about it is very convincing. I say that as long as human beings are involved in these kind or procedures, mistakes can happen. LGmoreless

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9.4

"Superb"

By cavanagh15, Jan 30, 2007 Report Abuse

I liked this episode for the case, hated it for the lack of personal connection between the characters.

The case was really good, with connecting something from over a year and a half ago with something that had just recently happened. I liked the emotion that guy that had been put incorrectly into jail showed throughout the episode. In the end he was realeased from prison, which I thought was a great ending to the episode.

The part I didnt like about the episode was again, this episode was all the drama about the case in question and nothing about the charcaters in there personal lives. Cahrlie and Anitas storyline remains undone and it needs to be finished soonmoreless

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A man is found garroted in his apartment, and the crime is reminiscent of a murder committed a year earlier, a case in which an ex-con confessed.

9.0

"Superb"

By willie01, Jul 15, 2006 Report Abuse

I really enjoyed this episode. I sat back and enjoyed the ride, loving the plot at each pivotal moment. In addition, I can relate to second-guessing oneself.

Don is outside of his comfort zone, he is doubtful of his own investigative methods, and Charlie is glad to help. I believe he revels in the fact that his brother needs his help. Charlie needs to be important in Don's life. Don has been distant in the past. Charlie most recently became conscious of this fact when he learned that Don was living with Kim, a Secrete Service agent, back in Albuquerque (Episode 7). Charlie has spent most of his time sitting on the sidelines of Don's life. When Don needs his help, this brings their relationship toward mutualism.

The sibling relationship dynamics keeps it interesting. What will we learn next?moreless

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The error in DNA testing.

9.1

"Superb"

By thepackleader, Oct 20, 2005 Report Abuse

One of the great this about this show is the educational ability of it. Charlie is a character that can truly get you excited about math. Maybe even people who wouldn't normally think twice about it. This episode actually deals with mathematical error. Espeically in DNA profiling and testing. Not only that but Charlie also makes references to the absolute error that can come with finger print analysis. While people believe that DNA evidence and fingerprints are fool proof, they simply aren't even close. In this episode we also learn some more about Don and his personality quirks. Juries really should be thinking a little longer and maybe a little harder when faced with DNA and finger print evidence.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- The MATH: Geometric Progression - A sequence of numbers where the quotient of two successive numbers is constant. Pyramid Scheme - A nonsustainable business model that promises high returns for very little investment. Random Match Probability - Used in relation to DNA evidence to calculate the frequency of a random sample match in a population. Schrödinger's Cat - In quantum mechanics, this is an exercise used to illustrate questions surrounding subatomic theory. Edit
- The method of execution--a garrote is a handheld weapon, most often a ligature of chain, rope, scarf, or wire used to strangle someone to death. Garrote refers to an execution device, and is sometimes used in assassination because it can be completely silent. Edit
- Opening numbers: 23,360,309 ACCUSED 1,541,809 CONVICTIONS 10,160 EXONERATED 2 SAME MO Edit
Notes
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- International Episode Titles: Czech Republic: Krize identity (Identity Crisis) Edit
- International Airdates: Czech Republic: July 14, 2008 on TV Nova Slovakia: October 14, 2009 on JOJ Edit
- This episode is rated: TVPG-V. Edit
Quotes
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- Terry: How is this math? Charlie: It's not math, it's logic. Mathematicians are trained in logic. Edit
- Don: So what's the possibility that these two murders could have been done by different people? Charlie: Okay. According to the FBI's crime stats, in the entire country three or four people are killed by garrot every year. Now five percent of total murders in the United States take place in Los Angeles. Assuming that he didn't get the idea from the first killer... 4.9 percent chance that this is a coincidence. Don: Yeah, I knew it'd be slim. Edit
- (Charlie explains to Larry the numbers he's working on.) Charlie: We're trying to say that we shouldn't be debunking the traditional method of identifying suspects through police lineups even though it's seemingly unreliable. Larry: Okay, I just... yyyyyeeeeaaaaahh. (Walking out) I would just consider the implications just very carefully, you know. Cause, this is a real murder case, isn't it? I mean, someone has died. I mean, yes, you're demonstrating that the identification may be wrong. It's just you haven't proven it was wrong. Edit
Allusions
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- Charlie: If I folded the paper 50 times, how high would the stack be? The world record for doing so (as mentioned in the episode) was performed by Britney Gallivan in 2001. She still holds the record for folding it 12 times. Edit