• Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 23, 2005
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 24
  2. Negative: 2 out of 24
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Critic Reviews

  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Noel Holston
    Jul 8, 2013
    60
    Watching Charlie stare into space and compute somehow isn't as persuasive as watching Gil Grissom or one of his "CSI" cohorts peer into a microscope. [23 Jan 2005]
  2. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    Jul 8, 2013
    60
    What a cast. What a waste. ... Numb3rs doesn't have the humor of CSI, the passion of Without a Trace or the nervy style of Cold Case. [23 Jan 2005]
  3. Houston Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mike McDaniel
    Jun 18, 2013
    58
    In trying to service all the characters, the drama is not as compelling as it should be. [2 Jan 2005]
  4. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Sarah Rodman
    Jul 8, 2013
    50
    The glimmers of truthfulness in the family nucleus offset the chilly crime elements. ... The office environment is less compelling as the coterie of feds... perform their unpleasant tasks with little personality. [23 Jan 2005]
  5. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Sid Smith
    Jul 8, 2013
    50
    At times, Morrow seems not in the same family with Krumholtz and Hirsch, and at others not even in the same TV series. He's in a world of his own. [21 Jan 2005]
  6. Dallas Morning News
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jul 8, 2013
    50
    Mr. Morrow plays the lead character with no discernible flair or charisma, making even by-the-book Joe Friday seem like Willy Wonka or something. [23 Jan 2005]
  7. Detroit Free Press
    Reviewed by: Mike Duffy
    Jul 8, 2013
    50
    A sometimes clever twist on the overly familiar crime drama format ... is ultimately bogged down in the same old gory homicidal cliches and whodunit solutions. [23 Jan 2005]
  8. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    Jul 8, 2013
    50
    If you've somehow never seen any of the twelve dozen procedural crime shows that CBS does, it might feel a little new, but too often the scenes with Don and his colleagues feel obligatory, like everyone is doing their best to keep the plot moving until Charlie bursts in with the correct digits. [21 Jan 2005]
  9. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jul 8, 2013
    50
    It's not a bad show, merely ho-hum. Perhaps it will have greater appeal to people who liked math in school, but to me "NUMB3RS" just seems like a "CSI" clone with the quadratic formula tossed in for good effect. [23 Jan 2005]
  10. Reviewed by: Michael Abernethy
    Jul 8, 2013
    50
    Why is Charlie here? He doesn’t get involved in the action, only generates equations that are truly unexciting.
  11. Reviewed by: Megan Waitkoff
    Jul 8, 2013
    50
    The premise is fascinating enough to keep viewers' attention, if only to see what numbers Charlie will spin next. But some kinks need to be worked out before "Numb3rs" will add up.
  12. San Diego Union-Tribune
    Reviewed by: Robert P. Laurence
    Jul 8, 2013
    50
    The premise of "Numb3rs" is as gimmicky as its typographically tricky title. [23 Jan 2005]
  13. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Chuck Barney
    Jul 8, 2013
    50
    This is by no means a lousy show. The performances are solid and the brothers-working-together dynamic is intriguing. But the pilot lacked dramatic oomph, and it did a poor job of actually taking viewers inside the math and explaining how it works. Consequently, "Numb3rs" just doesn't add up. [22 Jan 2005]
  14. Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Jul 8, 2013
    40
    'Numb3rs' is strained... You can practically hear them groaning with effort as they milk the action potential out of a brainstorming nerd banging his chalk against a blackboard la 'A Beautiful Mind.'
  15. Kansas City Star
    Jul 8, 2013
    40
    Like other CBS crime dramas, this one is grim, dark and laden with production gimmicks. ... You would never know it came from two established filmmakers, Tony and Ridley Scott. [21 Jan 2005]
  16. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Bianculli
    Jul 8, 2013
    40
    Despite a way-above-average cast, the new CBS drama series "Numb3rs"... doesn't quite add up. [20 Jan 2005]
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. May 15, 2012
    7
    The acting seems alittle off a first but youl get used to it. Some eposides have action and some don't. Over-all its worth watching if youThe acting seems alittle off a first but youl get used to it. Some eposides have action and some don't. Over-all its worth watching if you have nothing better to do. Full Review »
  2. Aug 16, 2023
    7
    A mathematics professor is employed by the Californian branch of the FBI to help solve crimes.
    There can’t be a more common genre on TV than
    A mathematics professor is employed by the Californian branch of the FBI to help solve crimes.
    There can’t be a more common genre on TV than police procedural, and whilst Numbers provides a slightly different twist, one season was enough for me to feel like I’d seen everything it has to offer.
    Full Review »
  3. Mar 20, 2013
    3
    Another crime drama, but this one has a gimmick. Its relationship with and use of mathematics is merely superficial jargon. Meh. Don't watchAnother crime drama, but this one has a gimmick. Its relationship with and use of mathematics is merely superficial jargon. Meh. Don't watch this, there must be something better for you to do. Full Review »