Missing

Missing (also known as 1-800-Missing) is an enthralling crime drama television series that aired on the Lifetime network from 2003. With a strong female-led plot, the series enjoys a dynamic narrative that is enriched with suspense, intensity, action, and touches of the supernatural.

The series revolves around two main characters – FBI Agent Brooke Haslett and a young woman Jessica "Jess" Mastriani. Brooke Haslett, portrayed by Gloria Reuben in the first season then succeeded by Caterina Scorsone in subsequent seasons, is a seasoned, tenacious, and dedicated FBI agent. Jessica "Jess" Mastriani, played by Caterina Scorsone in Season 1 and then by Vivica A. Fox in later seasons, is a young woman who develops a psychic ability after being struck by lightning.

The story takes off as Mastriani's latent psychic abilities start to bloom and she begins to have visions of the whereabouts of missing individuals each night. Primarily, these visions feature the missing people who are endangered or deceased. These enigmatic dreams are augmented by visual and auditory details such as familiar surroundings, significant landmarks, or personal objects, which assist her in determining the location of the missing individuals. This extraordinary talent earns her a special place in a unique crime-solving team alongside Agent Haslett.

The duo forms an unlikely but dynamic partnership. Despite their contrasting personalities and occasional differences, they work together, combining traditional investigative methods with Mastriani's unique psychic abilities to solve missing persons' cases. Based on this unique premise, the series familiarizes viewers with a wide variety of cases throughout each episode, moving swiftly between the personal and the professional lives of these major characters.

Haslett, the seasoned investigator, sometimes struggles to balance her respect for procedural norms with accepting Jess's unconventional means of piecing together clues from her visionary dreams. Meanwhile, Jess must also maneuver her way through the challenges of handling her new skills while dealing with the weight of touching human lives so deeply. Their combined efforts lead to the resolution of some very complex missing-person cases and life-threatening situations, contributing to the pulse-quickening suspense the series maintains.

The series continually offers an array of intriguing supporting characters, like the computer techies who assist them in linking Jess's visions with real-life locations and circumstances, and various potential culprits and victims who increase the complexity of each case.

The captivating storyline of Missing is based on Meg Cabot’s 1-800-Where-R-You book series. The show excellently presents a successful fusion of police procedural with supernatural elements. Each episode of the series opens up with a new mystery that engages the viewers till the end, all the while unravelling different aspects of the missing persons’ investigations and the interaction between the lead characters.

The series also puts emphasis on character development as it reveals Jess and Brooke's personal backgrounds, their ambitions, and their struggles. The friendship, trust, compassion, and resilience of these two women form the heart of the series, exploring the diversity of human emotions and courage. The exploration of Jess’s abilities also introduces engaging philosophical and ethical questions.

Shot in Toronto, Canada, the series makes use of varied and interesting locations, which contribute to the compelling ambiance of each episode. Moreover, the series does not shy away from deploying special visual effects to illustrate Jess' visions and flashbacks vividly, adding another layer to the viewing experience.

In terms of pace and presentation, Missing stands out with its swift narrative, brisk dialogues, and fluctuating from somber to heated moments. The dynamic and intensity of the series are heightened further by the performances of all leading and supporting actors who bring depth and authenticity to their respective roles. With its unique storyline, Missing is more than a mystery-solving drama. It offers an intriguing angle of how unusual abilities can be used for philanthropic causes set against the backdrop of crime investigation.

Overall, the show is a gripping ensemble of crime, action, drama, mystery, and touches of the supernatural. It maintains a perfect balance between seriousness and entertainment throughout its three seasons. The viewer is constantly guessing and engaging with the plot, making Missing an enthralling show that offers a unique take on the usually predictable genre of crime drama.