"Without a Trace" (2002)TV series 2002-????

Creator:

Hank Steinberg

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

26 September 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

The cases of a FBI unit specializing in missing persons investigations.

Plot Keywords:

Criminal | Investigation | Federal Police | Kidnapping | Suspect

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 13 wins & 27 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 27	12:35 AM	CBS	Without You	#5.16
Mon. July 28	1:00 PM	TNT	Prodigy	#2.4

Cast

Anthony LaPaglia	...	Jack Malone / ... (137 episodes, 2002-2008)
Poppy Montgomery	...	Samantha Spade (137 episodes, 2002-2008)
Enrique Murciano	...	Danny Taylor (137 episodes, 2002-2008)
Eric Close	...	Martin Fitzgerald (137 episodes, 2002-2008)
Marianne Jean-Baptiste	...	Vivian Johnson (136 episodes, 2002-2008)
Roselyn Sanchez	...	Elena Delgado (66 episodes, 2005-2008)

Also Known As:

Vanished (USA) (working title)
W.A.T (USA) (short title)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Chile:14 | Singapore:PG (season 1) | Singapore:M18 (season 2) | Australia:PG (one episode) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-15 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Jerry Bruckheimer Television

Trivia:

A few episodes are based on real life disappearances.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In more than one instance, suspects being interviewed with a polygraph answer all the control questions (Is your name John Doe? Are you 39?) truthfully. In reality, a suspect is told to answer all the control questions "yes", whether true or not, to determine the accuracy of the polygraph machine.

Quotes:

Jack Malone: What makes you assume I was a Catholic?
Fr. Sean Walker: You have the disillusionment of someone that used to believe.
[Jack nods]
Fr. Sean Walker: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be presumptuous.
Jack Malone: Hey, presume away.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: Road to Rupert (#5.9)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Fire Sign

On Second thought

A little while ago,I'd written a user comment that was faintly praising and perhaps a little more than cruel in dismissing this show as a sort of pedestrian,superficial attempt at sincere drama that is acted well-enough and scripted competently enough to be interesting. After watching more episodes(mostly in re-runs) and getting roundly unsupported by those who bothered an opinion of my review,I decided to do a rewrite.

While I still stick by my assertion that this show isn't quite as innovative or searing as it aspires to be,it's still quite compelling a drama. While the acting varies,from superb and sublime(mostly Anthony LaPaglia as the chief,but Marianne Jean-BAptiste and Poppy Montgomery are good as fellow agents),to completely flat(mostly Roslyn Sanchez,who IS easy on the eyes but not much more),the stories DO draw the viewer in,and the earnest and deliberate means of spelling out the Bureau's investigating a missing case. Good storytelling that is not (ordinarily) as graphic or de-humanizing as a CSI episode,that still handles the subject manner soberly(if sometimes short-sighted),this show may not be my favorite on the telly,but I will watch it if it's on more often than not. That,to me,seems like a more accurate assessment.