Uncertainty Principle (Numbers)

"Uncertainty Principle" is based on a series of bank robberies, solved with the assistance of an Arkansas mathematician, that occurred in Maryland in 2004.[1] Since bank robbers follow predictable patterns, the FBI called in the mathematician to specifically predict which banks were likely targets.[2] The bank robber was arrested while selecting his next target.[3]

Early in the series, series creators Cheryl Heuton and Nicolas Falacci decided that one of the elements in the series would be the emotional effects of cases on the characters. When writing "Uncertainty Principle", Heuton and Falacci wanted to show Charlie's reaction to the violent nature of Don's work. They learned during their research on mathematicians that, in real-life, most mathematicians dislike violence. Heuton and Falacci decided to incorporate into the episode elements, including an opening shootout, from their earlier feature writing. While discussing the episode in "Uncertainty Principle"'s commentary, Heuton and Falacci mentioned that Charlie could not tolerate Don being shot shortly after their mother's death.[4]

Heuton and Falacci changed the title of the episode from "Cause and Causality" to "Uncertainty Principle" after including the Heisenberg uncertainty principle in the script.[4] Heuton and Falacci wanted to use the principle more as a metaphor expressing Charlie's decision to leave the case than as an application to the case.[4]

In developing the script, Falacci and Heuton wanted to include a problem that would be unsolvable. They asked Dr. Gary Lorden of the California Institute of Technology for a problem. Lorden suggested using P vs. NP.[4] P vs. NP describes the length of time needed to solve a problem as compared with the number of steps in the problem. Generally, the length of time increases as the numbers of steps increase. [5] P signifies polynomial time, the length of time in which a problem can be solved by a computer algorithm even when the number of steps in the problem increases.[6] NP represents non-deterministic polynomial time. Although a solution to a NP-type problem has not been discovered, a computer algorithm should be able to verify the NP-type problem in polynomial time once the solution is found. Leonid Levin, Stephen A. Cook of the University of Toronto, and Richard Karp of the University of California, Berkeley proposed a type of problem known as a NP-complete problem. They proposed that if one can solve one NP-type problem, one can solve every NP-type problem[7] in the same number of steps as it took to solve the first problem.[8] Previously, scientists assumed that P and NP should be equal. Since a solution to NP-type problems have not been discovered yet, they conclude that the two are not equal.[9]

During their research, Heuton and Falacci found a real-life variation of the problem called Minesweeper.[4]

With regards to the series, the episode set the backstory of the characters, particularly the Eppes family. First, the episode highlighted the Eppes family's dynamics and the intensity of the dynamics, especially the effects of Charlie's genius on Don. While Don and Charlie's parents met Charlie's educational needs, Don's needs were neglected. Second, the episode explained the absence of Mrs. Eppes. While creating the series, Heuton and Falacci included Mrs. Eppes in the family. During the show's development, CBS asked the creators to eliminate the role of Mrs. Eppes. The episode was also the first episode to end with a family moment. Falacci and Heuton felt that the family moments would show that the series was about a family.[4]

The cast and crew delayed production of "Uncertainty Principle" until director Davis Guggenheim could film the episode. Guggenheim decided to film the episode similar to a movie. He used an experiential form of shooting, which allowed the audience to see the action from a character's viewpoint. He also shot through clear boards, a filming technique that would be used in subsequent episodes of Numb3rs.[4]

The opening shootout was shot at the LA Center Studios, the studios where Numb3rs filmed, a few weeks after production began on the series. For most of the actors involved, it was their first shootout. Halfway through filming, the production crew realized that they needed nine and one-half days to film the episode instead of the usual eight days. Producers and Guggenheim used the extra day of filming to film the shootout. Also shot at LA Center Studios was the scene where Don lost his gun. Unable to use a hardware store as planned, the producers changed the location to the studio's basement.[4]

While filming at the house that series producers rented for the series, Guggenheim suggested that a scene in which Charlie placed chalkboards in the garage. Although the scene was not on the schedule, Guggenheim felt it was essential to the story.[4] David Grynkiewicz, a graduate student of Dr. Rick Wilson's who was working with the series producers,[10] developed the mathematics within one-half hour without any guidance. The boards in the garage would also be used in subsequent episodes. Guggenheim also designed and filmed the Minesweeper audience-vision.[4]

During the production of the arrest scene, the production crew and Guggenheim discussed the size of the scene. The producers and Guggenheim debated whether to include the RPG in the scene, and Guggenheim eventually decided to include it. Due to the filming schedule, the scene was filmed during the Christmas break. Producers changed the location for the scene from the Los Angeles River as storms occurred before filming.[4]

Throughout production, CBS executives objected to the violent nature of the episode. They asked Guggenheim to make it less violent, but Guggenheim refused when possible. The executives also expressed concern about the overall plot of the episode. They felt that it would be too early in the series to show Charlie's emotional reaction to the violence. The executives expressed concern about Charlie's emotional state during a scene set in the Eppes family garage where Charlie recalled the violence. Heuton and Falacci agreed to remove the scene as they felt that the scene did not suit the plot. Citing the convention that the protagonist in a crime drama does not lose his or her gun, the network executives also felt that the loss of Don's gun was inappropriate for the series. Heuton and Falacci insisted on keeping it in the script, and series regular Rob Morrow also liked the idea of Don losing his gun. Heuton and Falacci assured the executives that Don would have an emotional reward at the end of the episode.[4]

After producers sent the film to the network, the producers learned that CBS's test audience requested the inclusion of two additional scenes. The first scene to be included was a scene in which Don explained Charlie's reaction to their mother's chemotherapy and subsequent death due to cancer. In the original script, the explanation was never given. Heuton and Falacci added the scene for storytelling purposes. CBS wanted the audience to follow the plot without any confusion.[4]

The second scene was a scene toward the end of the episode in which Don and Charlie talk while Don prepares for the arrest. The scene was in the original script as Charlie's emotional reward and as the reformation of Don and Charlie's partnership. During production, the production crew realized that they did not have enough time to film the scene, and the scene was removed from the production schedule. After the test audience suggested its inclusion, the cast and crew filmed the scene.[4]

Originally scheduled to air fourth, the episode instead followed the "Pilot". The network executives wanted an episode which would attract an audience to the series with both the characters and the action. In spite of earlier protests during production about the violent nature of the episode, the executives felt that "Uncertainty Principle" was a strong story to follow the "Pilot".[4]