The fourth season of Numb3rs heads back under the supervision of big-screen director.  Tony Scott, whose credits include Top Gun, Crimson Tide and Man on Fire, has already tapped into blockbuster movies but doesn't mind heading back to the small screen to give television viewers a dose of his ''major signature pieces.''

While working on the premiere episode entitled “Trust Metric,” Scott didn't limit himself for his first time behind the camera on CBS' drama.  In fact, he even gave some styling advice to the cast, and dismantled some parts of the set for a more interesting camera angle.

''He's sort of psyched himself up to do it,'' David Krumholtz, who plays Charlie Eppes, said referring to Scott.  ''There's this very energetic vibe on set.  A desperate, 'Got to get this done' thing.  As an actor you want to satisfy his sense of urgency.''

Despite being a film veteran, he also experienced many challenges while filming Numb3rs since the episode had only the typical nine days to shoot as compared to the months of doing a movie.

''Just trying to pack them [the scenes] into a normal schedule was a major feat, and I was proving to myself I could do it,'' Scott said.  ''But then I got something creatively, as well.  I said, 'Damn, this has actually benefited from time, or lack of.'''

''They had this tremendous energy, which is called fear,'' Scott said referring to the cast of Numb3rs.  ''I always drive at a pace because it's hard for actors who usually have a lot of time and have got to sit and wait.  And sitting and waiting can be very destructive in terms of acting.  I'm always driving to keep this momentum and keep them engaged.''

The season opener, as reported previously, will also include Val Kilmer, whom Scott has worked with on features like Déjà Vu, Top Gun and True Romance.

Catch the return of Numb3rs tonight at 10pm ET/PT on CBS.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Associated Press
(Image courtesy of CBS)