Parents' Guide to

Missing

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Action drama mixes motherhood and bloody violence.

TV ABC Drama 2012
Missing Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Steel Claw
Steel Claw Adult
March 21, 2012
age 12+

High Intreuge Must See

Missing shows the high impact of a mothers love for her son who has been abducted while attending college in Italy. It is believed tha her son was possibly abducted because of dealing with or knowing about illegal drug trade going on while he is attending school. This program has an awesome sense suspention, drama, and action all roled into a very dynamic drama.

This title has:

Great role models
dr dew
dr dew Adult
March 15, 2012
age 11+

wow

well me and my 12 "yes you read that right 12 " year old brother just finished watching this show and we both absolutley loved it action packed fun for the both of us and we will ceartinly watch for weeks to come oh yea this show is extreamly vilolent so you may not want to let very small chilodren watch alone or even at all but otherwise great show

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

MISSING stars Ashley Judd as Becca Winstone, a retired CIA agent who's forced to use her training in order to find her missing son. After her CIA agent husband Paul (Sean Bean) dies at the hands of Russian Intelligence, Winstone commits her life to raising and protecting her son, Michael (Nick Eversman). When he's kidnapped a decade later during a summer internship in Italy, Becca finds herself returning to Europe and relying on former colleagues for help, including Italian agent Giancarlo Rossi (Adriano Giannini). But following the leads that will lead to her to Michael proves difficult, especially when she raises the suspicions of American agent Dax Miller (Cliff Curtis), as well as other European operatives.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

Missing tells a rather traditional story about a mother doing anything to help her child, but it does so by offering an action-packed drama that revolves around the secret world of international intelligence. The result is a heroine whose empowerment comes from her determination, strategic thinking, and superhero-like ability to withstand lots of violent attacks with minimal injury. It also presents motherhood as both a benefit and a hindrance when it comes to getting the job done.

While Missing offers some of the suspense that you'd expect from this type of show, Becca's awkward transitions between being a cold and calculating field agent and a desperate mother lead to some uncomfortable, over-the-top melodramatic moments. The result is a show that's entertaining but that leaves you wondering who it's trying to appeal to.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the media presents motherhood. What questions does it raise about the compatibility between parenthood and working at a dangerous job? Is this an issue that pertains more to mothers than to fathers? Why or why not?

  • Thrillers, mysteries, and crime dramas often incorporate violent themes into their stories, but is it necessary to show this violence? When does showing a violent act go too far? What kind of impact does watching violence in the media have on viewers?

TV Details

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