Desaparecidos

I discovered "Disappeared" in 2013 on Netflix. I didn't know what "binge-watching" meant at the time but learned fast. As another reviewer has said, this series is haunting and riveting. No other true crime show--maybe even including beloved Unsolved Mysteries-- comes close.

There are several reasons for its effectiveness. Early seasons had minimal musical background. Intrusive music in true crime shows often overwhelms, rivals, or trivializes stories of heartache and ongoing loss. What little music there is conveys the melancholy and ominousness of the "disappeared's" loved ones' lives. The narration likewise is not melodramatic; the single-camera interviews have often brought me to tears, because parents, siblings, police officers look straight into the camera as if they're appealing to you--and they are.

So many of these stories remain sincere mysteries. Tragically, a few have been solved with the discovery of remains. Fewer have been solved with the surprise reappearance of a person who consciously chose to disappear (and these stories are often as troubling, in their own way, as those of the poor souls whose fates we have to imagine). No matter what the outcome, "Disappeared" somehow has an unmatched sensitivity in approaching an awful subject. It plumbs the psychological background of any given missing person without being prurient or sensational. It is compassionate to those missing people--generally very young--whom the show freely admits never knew a level playing field in life.

I would not recommend that children younger than thirteen watch this show--especially in re-runs or on streaming online "channels." Two stories in particular concern missing children and are among the most disturbing I've ever seen. On the other hand, if I had teenage children, I would make "Disappeared" required viewing. So many of the stories deal with young people trying to rebuild lives ruined by substance abuse, or plain abuse--but who choose to befriend or become lovers of partners whose danger is almost written on their faces.

The word "modest" comes to mind when I think of "Disappeared." I know nothing about the producers or history of the series. All I know is that it has remained my "go-to" streaming crime series; I don't feel like a voyeur watching it. I often watch it and say prayers for the parents, the kid sister, the older brother, the bereaved wife or husband, still waiting for peace in the most awful of circumstances.

Blessings on every one of these folks still waiting, and on those whose worst fears have been realized. "Disappeared" honors victims; it doesn't glorify crime. Do not miss this superb program.

Please bring out more seasons as this is the best crime documentary so far ! Also sheds light on cases which has helped towards solving a case i.e Michelle witaker !

There's something about the mystery of people going missing that has always intrigued me (for whatever reason). The unsolved cases are more exciting to me than the ones that end up with usually a young woman dying at the hands of a monster (I don't like those but unfortunately it happens more frequently than I had thought).

What's great about this show is that the violence (re-enacted or described) is kept to a minimum and even nonexistent in some episodes as the outcomes of most of these cases are unknown.

What moves me the most are the tireless efforts of the families and friends in trying to find their missing loved ones. I love it when they are found alive at the end. Some of the unsolved cases are heartbreaking and so I'll take to Twitter to share them because somebody out there knows something. This series has also prompted me to purchase pepper spray for and ingrain in my young nieces the need to know how to defend themselves.

Also, can we stop with the plea deals already ? Some of these animals need to be exterminated.

Excellent show !

Disappeared is one of, if not THE, best true crime shows out there. Too many people go missing leaving little to no trace behind them. It's hard to not leave a trace of yourself in our world today with the amount of technology we are exposed to and use on a daily basis. Dead or alive, the remains of these individuals are somewhere.

The heartbreak the families suffer from their loss is unthinkable. When someone passes, it's heartbreaking but you know what happened or how they passed and their remains are with you. All the questions and the not knowing must be torturous for those who never receive those answers.

There's no excuse to ever see this show canceled considering the number of people who go missing today. Every case is deserving of coverage and recognition. This show is a public service for the people left behind and should be offered to everyone. If it was your loved one, you'd want this coverage. NEVER CANCEL THIS SHOW!

This was a good show. There was a time when I binged crime shows, and Disappeared was one of the first that I binged the hell out of because I found them interesting yet sad.

The show is about investigating people and families who disappeared. Some were found 47'd, others were found having a new life and others well have not been found.

The whole quality of the show was awesome and engaging. You felt for the families and victims. Thoughout you get to make guesses of what may have happened and sometimes I was right.

Also, sad that a good, informative show that may help families had to come to an end while shows like the Bachelor remain on the television.

Last Words: Interesting and a sad show at the same time.