When Worlds Collide

Season 4, Episode 18, Aired
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Episode Summary

In the season finale, Don and Charlie work together on a case that ends up with them going head to head about their personal beliefs, and one team member will walk away forever.
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Fan Episode Reviews (10)

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  • Painful to watchh as in a good way, it might have you in tears! Lost a 0.1 because of what happened to Charlie

    9.9
    "Superb"
    By kalybree, Jun 07, 2010 Report Abuse
    Really i did not expect the ending to end that way at all. Im verrry religious when it comes to watching numb3rs, but omg what happened to Charlie at the end, is heart wrenching! Why is megan leaving? oh my god. this episode is brilliant, except for the ending... well it wouldve been a good ending if they didnt take Charlie's security clearance. Does anyone know if there will be a season 5? I love numb3rs, this episode really got me to bawling my eyes out. Really did. Oh someone has to answer my question on whether there will be a season 5!moreless

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    3 0

  • Awesome Idea! The inevitable question of whether or not Don and Charlie could work every case together forever was answered with a painful NO...

    8.5
    "Great"
    By DeodatusGirl, Jun 07, 2010 Report Abuse
    (This is my 1st actual review so be nice...)
    The fact that Charlie finally has to break the law because of the knowledge he gains working with it, does no-one else see the irony!?

    yes, of course, the show and the fans will miss Megan but the exit was well scripted and could not have gone better from where i see it; should minds be changed there's chance of a come-back plus no other character (especially Larry) was hurt by it.

    As all good final episodes should, WWC left a cliff hanger and though it was more heart breaking than heart stopping, it makes the audience wonder how season 5 will go on without Charlie having security clearance.

    It could have been better but it had all the right elements.
    Bring on season 5!!!!moreless

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    2 0

  • Charlie helps on a case, but knows the person Don is investigating. Charlie's own opinions get in the way of the case and ends up getting his NSA clearance taken from him.moreless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By xxAnnaSuetxx, Aug 01, 2008 Report Abuse
    I love the series Numb3rs. I am a dedicated viewer and personally wish my own math teacher was named Charlie Eppes. However, this episode disappointed me slightly and I hated the ending. Charlie is my favorite character and I was stunned when it concluded with him not being about to help the FBI. Though I love the series and and a devoted fan, I - not hated, but - disliked the last episode. This is not to say that I didn't like the ENTIRE episode - just the beginning. The overall plot was enjoyable and better than some of the others.moreless

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    1 0

  • Great story, stupid ending

    8.0
    "Great"
    By CRaivios, Jun 19, 2008 Report Abuse
    This episode was interesting, as usual. What I hated was the unrealistic ending. How on earth do they plan to continue the show when Charlie loses his security clearance? In real life, it would be nearly impossible for him to get it back. In TV land, they will figure something out within the first couple episodes of next season.

    Hey, they turned Colby from being a traitor as a Chinese spy into a double agent hero last year in one episode.

    Numb3rs is one of my favorite shows. However, I have seen fantastic finales on other shows this season and I must say I am disappointed with Numb3rs in comparison.

    Lastly, we had to say goodbye to Diane Farr. I wish her well in her new endeavor and with the twins on the way.moreless

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    0 0

  • Awesome, but I nearly died watching it!

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By SMARTALIENQT, May 28, 2008 Report Abuse
    **SPOILER ALERT**
    I actually adored and loved this episode, strange since a good portion of the season was too rushed for me. I liked the storyline, since I know that I and several of my fellow Numb3rs fans were hoping for Don and Charlie to go head to head, but Charlie's little helping hand nearly gave me a heart attack from the shock. Charlie lost his clearence? How can they DO that? For what is Numb3rs without Charlie? I'll tell you what: yet another CSI cop show spinoff. It won't be Numb3rs without the math! However, I'd like to see how they resolve Charlie's security clearance (hopefully they make a us wait a bit, unlike the famous Five Minute Worry Over Amita's Gay Friend), and the argument was just waiting to happen, and was beautifully done. Memo to the Numb3rs people: please bring back Charlie soon!

    --SMARTALIENQT :)moreless

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    3 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Megan resigns her position with the FBI to move to Washington to pursue her doctorate and a career in counseling. Edit

    • Opening Numb3rs:
      783,350,200 ONLINE RESEARCH DOCUMENTS
      41,000 GENE LOCI IN RICE
      112 DESIGNER VIRUSES
      2 KIDNAPPED MEN

      Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • International Air Dates: Australia: July 9, 2008 on Ten Czech Republic: August 21, 2009 on TV Nova Finland: May 13, 2011 on Sub Edit
    • This is Diane Farr's last episode as Megan Reeves, as the actress did not renew her contract, opting instead to spend more time with her family. Edit

    • Music used in this episode was "Warning Sign" by Coldplay (closing scenes).

      Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • (Don drives off after being called to a case, leaving Charlie and Alan on the front steps) Charlie: This is gonna be harder than I thought. Alan: I think it's...to be continued. Edit
    • (David pulls the mask off the suspect, revealing a white male) Fraley: Who is that?! David: I don't know...doesn't look much like a Pakistani. Edit
    • Colby: Okay, if it wasn't you guys, who else does this sort of thing? CIA Agent: The FBI. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • While talking with his brother next to the koi pond, Charlie identifies one of the koi as an older fish named "Tombrello." Dr. Thomas Tombrello (PhD Rice University, 1961) is the Chair of the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy at California Technical Institute (CalTech), the real-world university upon which Numb3rs' CalSci is based. Edit
    • Don: All roads lead to Pakistan. This is in reference to the common phrase, "All roads lead to Rome." Edit
    • Title: "When Worlds Collide" This episode shares a title with both a song and a book. The song "When Worlds Collide" is by the group Powerman 5000, while the book by the same name was written by Edwin Balmer. Edit

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