Missing (Canadian TV series)

Missing (originally titled 1-800-Missing) is a Canadian crime drama television series based on the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU book series by Meg Cabot. The series aired on the A network and W Network in Canada, and on Lifetime in the United States from August 2003 to February 2006.

Synopsis

The series is centered on Jess Mastriani, played by Caterina Scorsone, a woman in her twenties^[1] who receives psychic abilities after being hit by lightning. She is employed by a special FBI Task Force because she has visions which, once interpreted, contain clues that will help her find missing people. The series initially starred Gloria Reuben as Brooke Haslett, Jess's skeptical partner. Other stars of the series during its first season included Justina Machado as Sunny Estrada, and Dean McDermott as Alan Coyle. Alberta Watson appeared in the pilot as Jess' mother, however; the part was later recast and Watson did not appear on the show again.

In the second season, significant changes, including casting, were made. The show was completely retooled. Jess's partner was changed to Nicole Scott, portrayed by Vivica A. Fox. Taking Sunny's place was Mark Consuelos, and Justin Louis assumed the role of the Assistant Director John Pollock. Jess's psychic powers remained important, but more focus was given to the other characters.

The series finale aired on February 5, 2006 alongside the show's partner Strong Medicine and, in April 2006, it was revealed that Missing had been canceled after a successful three year, fifty-six episode run. Lifetime said the show had "run its course."^[2]

Series overview

Cast

• Caterina Scorsone as FBI Agent Jess Mastriani
• Vivica A. Fox as FBI Agent Nicole Scott (Seasons 2–3)
• Mark Consuelos as FBI Agent Antonio Cortez (Seasons 2–3)
• Justin Louis as Assistant Director John Pollock (Seasons 2–3)
• Gloria Reuben as FBI Agent Brooke Haslett (Season 1)
• Justina Machado as FBI Agent Sunny Estrada (Season 1)
• Dean McDermott as FBI Special Agent in Charge Alan Coyle (Season 1)

Characters

Jess Mastriani

Special Agent Jessica Mastriani wanted to take over her parents' restaurant in Indiana, but when, after being hit by lightning, she started seeing visions that helped her find a number of missing people, the FBI took her on as a "consultant". Jess spent a year helping the FBI, and when it was over, she decided to join the FBI and to be trained as an agent. During the second season, Jess began learning the ropes of being an agent after John Pollock took her off probation and hired her as a full-fledged agent. As Jess was new to the job, and very by-the-book, working with her new partner Nicole Scott who often broke the rules and did what she thought was right was not always easy. Eventually Jess began to rely on Nicole for advice and the two became friends; Nicole even referred to Jess as her family once or twice.

Jess began having more control over her visions during season three, except that visions of Janey Cooper, an agent who had come to train with the bureau, kept popping up in them. Jess and Janey did not get along very well, and when Janey went into a store without backup, she was shot in the head and killed, left only to taunt Jess in her visions. During season three, Jess started a relationship with Colin McNeil, an agent who accepted her even when she told him about her visions. Unfortunately, Colin was sent undercover for a year which caused the two to split up. When Jess was last seen during the series finale, she and Jack Burgess, a former co-worker, were going out for a drink.

Nicole Scott

Special Agent Nicole Scott could be one of the FBI's top agents except that she has a problem with authority. Nicole is introduced (in season 2) as a smart, take-charge agent who can think on her feet, which is the opposite of her new partner, straight-by-the-book Jess Mastriani. As the season progresses, Nicole provides some helpful insight to her partner and the two become friends. She reveals ("Resurrection", season 2) that she was raised in foster homes after her mother had a boyfriend kill Nicole's abusive father, right in front of her. The next season had Nicole looking for her mother, and with Antonio's help, she finds her and renews their relationship.

Nicole's biggest storyline in the series was her relationship with co-worker Antonio Cortez, a previous lover from her past who she at first dislikes but then falls back in love with. The two keep their relationship a secret from everyone except Jess because it is forbidden by their boss but eventually it cannot be hidden anymore and Polluck finds out. Antonio is about to switch bureaus so that they can continue their relationship but Nicole stops him, saying that she would not do that for him. As the series winds down, Nicole buys a house for her future family and just as she and Antonio agree to start things over at the end of the season, Antonio's car blows up, leaving her grief-stricken.

Antonio Cortez

Special Agent Antonio Carlos Cortez is revealed as a forensic at the first episode of the second season. Antonio and Nicole worked together previously and were romantically entangled at that time. The two bickered during the first few episodes but eventually Nicole and Antonio reconcile. He also became fast friends with Jess, Nicole's new partner, sparking a friendship between the three of them. In season two, Antonio was the Forensics specialist and his history was shown: Antonio's ex-wife's sister went missing and he took the field to try to find her. During the end of season two and beginning of season three a relationship developed between Nicole and Antonio during a two-week vacation, which unfortunately was forbidden by their boss. When Antonio was shot and Nicole fearfully came to his aid, Pollock found out about their relationship and they were forced to break up so one would not have to transfer to another district.

Antonio spent more time in the field during season three, although he did remain a big part of forensics. After being stalked by the brother of a person he convicted, Antonio and Nicole agreed to start over on their relationship and when he turned the key in the ignition of his car, it exploded and apparently killed him, ending the entire series.

John Pollock

Assistant Director John Pollock is one of the most powerful men in the Bureau. He is a shrewd, ruthless political player who can turn any situation to his advantage. He brought Jess to Washington, D.C. because her solve rate in Indiana was spectacular. However, her gifts make him uneasy because they can not be quantified or controlled. He appreciates Nicole's stellar solve rate, but he is cautious of her independence and nonstandard methods. John may be a tough man, but he still cares about his agents and even partially blamed himself when Janey was killed in season three. As a result, he was judged as unfit to continue working and released from duty for an episode. During that time he spent time with his children, a son and a daughter named Chloe, and also tried to work things out with his wife Janice. Eventually he returned to his position; at the end of the series, he and Janice are expecting their third child.

Syndication

In Canada, the series currently airs on W Network. It also appears on Bravo! TV, a division of Shaw. It currently airs in Quebec in French on Séries+, titled Porté disparu.

DVD release

The only DVD release to date has been the show's second season (titled as Missing: Season 2) as a four disc set from Lions Gate Home Entertainment on January 24, 2006.

As Of 19 May 2015 LionsGate states that they Currently have no Plans to Release Season 1 and 3 on DVD.

Season One was the only season available to watch on Netflix.^[3]

References

External links

• Missing at Mylifetime.com
• Missing at the Internet Movie Database
• Missing at TV.com
• Missing at epguides.com
• Missing scripts by Lee Goldberg & William Rabkin