The Locator (WE)

THE LOCATOR is as manipulative as all get-out, but it works tremendously well -- you'd have to be pretty hard-hearted to not get at least a little teary-eyed by the end of an episode. The producers do a very good job of establishing who the participants are and why head tracker Dunn cares about them. It could be argued that the show's "search" element is largely glossed over in favor of the "reunion" portion, but the sense of joy, relief, and sometimes fear that these people display when meeting their lost family or friends is palpable -- and impossible to watch casually.

The importance of family to the folks behind the show is obvious. Dunn's mother is one of his research assistants (though the team is mostly kept in the background), and in many episodes he consults with his wife, Katie, about whether or not a particular case is worth his attention -- then listens to her advice and considers it honestly. Dunn's humility and grace are worth noting; they help set The Locator apart from many reality shows. In each episode, once the reunion has begun, Dunn simply exits quietly. There's no grandstanding, no demands for fawning gratitude or undue attention. He just leaves without calling any attention to himself, recognizing that in this moment, it's no longer about him. It's a refreshing and humanizing change of pace.