Without a Trace

TV review by Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media
Without a Trace Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Predictible crime drama for older teens only.

CBS Drama 2002
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Parents say

age 3+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this crime drama deals with sensational topics, many of which involve children and teens, such as abduction, molestation, child pornography, and infanticide. The regular characters also struggle with adult topics like adultery, divorce, addiction, and serious health problems, which may upset sensitive young viewers.

Community Reviews

Jared Galczynski
Jared Galczynski Adult
May 31, 2014
age 3+

Without a Trace, but with a Mayra.

AY MAYRA. AY AY MAYRA. Maybe a little sex & violence, but not over the top. Without A Trace is a really good show overall.
JewishPrincess
JewishPrincess Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

Good Show

This is a well done, intelligent show. It features likeable, intelligent characters with mostly decent morals, and a strong determined attitude. Without a Trace centres around a team of FBI agents who investigate mysterious disappearances. The show is not on par with the CSI franchise, but is smart and enjoyable all the same. The characters are well rounded and interesting, they are appropriately flawed making them seem fully human; they are nicely diverse and the interaction is excellent. While kidnappings are a frightening and frequently featured aspect of the show that some people might find disturbing, those who are not easily disconcerted are likely to enjoy the fast paced, smart, and generally likeable show. I recommend it for those 15+.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

WITHOUT A TRACE follows the small team of FBI investigators on the Missing Persons Squad who step in when someone disappears mysteriously. Knowing that every second counts in an abduction, the crew works quickly to chart the missing person's activities during the previous 24 hours. This involves interviewing friends and family, checking into the person's financial and personal records, and searching for any clues that might reveal the circumstances of the disappearance. Storylines also explore team members' personal lives, such as division leader Jack Malone's (Anthony LaPaglia) divorce, the office romance of Samantha Spade (Poppy Montgomery) and Martin Fitzgerald (Eric Close), and the health scare of Vivian Johnson (Marianne Jean-Baptiste).

Is It Any Good?

This procedural drama follows a similar formula to many crime investigation shows and bears the slick, fast-paced mark of Jerry Bruckheimer, who produces this show as well as the popular shows CSI and Cold Case. Though Without a Trace's producers have clearly made attempts to deepen the show's characters, the show itself, while dark, stays pretty close to the surface. The storylines are predictably sensational, involving child abductions, accidental infanticide, and teen sex rings.

Moderate violence, sexual themes, and drug use with repercussions definitely make Without a Trace a show for older viewers. But even more distressing to young folks might be the storylines, which often involve children in disturbing situations, such as being snatched from their nanny, or dying from experimental medicine.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the rare nature of the cases that the show's team investigates. Under what circumstances do most people go missing? How safe do kids feel? Is there anything families can do to make everyone feel safer?

TV Details

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