Without a Trace

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 26, 2002
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
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Critic Reviews

  1. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jul 9, 2013
    60
    A slickly shot, competent series with a talented ensemble cast. It's not revolutionary or groundbreaking by any means, but it is a decent crime drama.
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Bianculli
    Jul 9, 2013
    60
    "Without a Trace," however derivative, is a solid program, and ought to please "CSI" audiences.

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best TV Season of 2002
18
#18 Most Discussed TV Season of 2002
18
#18 Most Shared TV Season of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. drlowdon
    Apr 2, 2013
    6
    Trying to list all the procedural crime dramas that have graced our screens over the last twenty year would be a difficult task indeed withTrying to list all the procedural crime dramas that have graced our screens over the last twenty year would be a difficult task indeed with every angle from forensics to cold cases being covered somewhere along the line.

    Without a Trace focuses on an FBI team whose primary focus is missing persons' cases. With a strong cast and well written scripts it is certainly amongst the best of its genre, unfortunately it still suffers from many of the same issues as other procedurals. With cases having to be introduced and solved within the 45 minute time period each week we are never able to get the sort of in-depth look at the subject matter that shows such as The Wire and The Shield provide. This problem also applies to the characters themselves with the writers only ever making half-hearted attempts to delve into the personal lives and motivations of the law enforcement officers involved, why must two of the characters always have to had some sort of romantic past in this type of show?

    Too many cases also seem to involve a 'leap in logic' whereby someone will make a link they could not possible make based on a seemingly innocuous piece evidence or an irrelevant conversation in order to wrap everything up before the episode ends. Anyone that enjoys procedural crime dramas like CSI or Law and Order will certainly enjoy Without a Trace but with no ongoing plot to draw me back I have found there are far more interesting dramas, crime based or otherwise, available on DVD.    … Full Review »
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