owl | Numb3rs 5.18: 12.01AM

I didn't like the basketball storyline. Larry screaming and throwing chairs? And cheating ? Really? The only bits I liked were Charlie getting totally out of his depth. Because, really? Most rubbish sports coach ever. Stick to the mathematics, Charlie.

I loved David and Colby's game, and Nikki refusing to play it right (that's kind of a Charlie thing to do, actually), and teasing David about calling Colby. So, I wonder is Colby really on a fishing trip, or is he undercover? Either that, or he and David really are secretly married.

I liked the main plot, however. It was less clichéd that the evidence didn't come through in time to save Curtis Senior from execution. And there wasn't really an easy answer: if his original confession was what condemned him, what was the moral difference between it, if it had been true, and his telling Don that he had sixty-something bodies on his hands? Legally, yes, but morally? It was interesting to see Don, the occasionally rule-bending conviction-at-any-cost cop, fighting to vindicate the criminal, while Robin the lawyer was going all-out for his death.

Different beliefs on the validity of the death penalty are more what Alan's thoughts on differences making a couple stronger than something as major as religion, although of course Don's beliefs are going to influence what he thinks. But I didn't get the impression that it was a recent change. It came across more as coming from his own experience of having killed in the line of duty, plus probably Alan and Margaret's beliefs. And I can see his distinction between killing to save a life and killing after everything is over.

Also, oh, Don, is it so very Don Eppes to disagree with the death penalty when you catch murderous criminals for a living. That story of the first time he shot someone, and simultaneously knowing that it was what he was meant to do, and if he were wrong, he'd blow his own brains out? Oh, Don, you poor darling.

I can see Robin's point as well, because I believe, theoretically, that if you deliberately murder someone, you forfeit your own right to life, but practically there are so many problems with the death penalty. However, she was clearly letting the fact that she had known the murdered AUSA affect her judgement, especially when she taunted Curtis with 'I hope you suffer'. Don wins the maturity points in this one. He's really grown the last series or two. But I don't dislike Robin for freaking out or wanting Curtis dead. It shows she's human.

How cute were Don and Robin holding hands walking down the street, and Don pretending to chicken out of talking to the chef because there are sharp knives in kitchens and he's left his gun in the car? And I liked both of them assuming that the other one has no experience of death row and trying to shield them. And Don trying to calm Robin down when she freaks out at Curtis, and him being so patient and calm throughout. And Don grabbing Curtis's son and checking him for weapons, there is something so sexy about competence.

The last scene with nothing but the music on the audio was very touching, because of it being intercut with Curtis' son being arrested, so you knew that the father's sacrifice was wasted. And Don's thoughtful face and Robin's remorseful one, and the shot of the two of them walking out into the sunlight.

Although that last shot shows how messed up the timeline was for this episode. Solving a case in the length of a basketball game? Really?