Numb3rs 5.20 - Don Eppes

Show: Numb3rs

Episode: S5E20, "The Fifth Man"

Character: Don Eppes

Whump Factor: 3

"The Fifth Man" begins with Don leading a tactical assault with his team on a mansion-like property. It is revealed that Charlie has been working hard using game theory to profile and predict a group of robbers the FBI has been tracking.

Don and his team enter the house. A gunfight ensues. In the confusion, most of the home robbers get away. Distracted and unaware there is yet a robber in the house, Don leaves the side of his partner, Nikki Betancourt, to call for backup and an ambulance. As Don nears the house, a figure emerges from the shadows and stabs Don in the chest as he turns around.

For much of the episode, Don is bedridden and unconscious in the hospital. His father Alan stays at his side almost constantly, while a guilty Charlie divides his time between the hospital and the FBI attempting to solve the case. Don's partner, Nikki, spends most of the episode deeply guilty about not having Don's back at the critical moment. At least once during the episode, Don degrades into ventricular fibrillation and must be resuscitated, much to the horror of his visitors. Towards the end of the episode, Don finally awakens with Alan at his side. He is soon visited by his family and teammates, who bring him gifts and are relieved to hear Don will soon be back on his feet. Charlie and Don share a touching moment in which Don insists his condition was not Charlie's fault.