2007 Fall TV Preview: Without A Trace On CBS

I've watched Without a Trace for most of its 5 years. Whereas I do enjoy police dramas as a rule, initially I was attracted to this one more by the cast (especially the wonderful Anthony LaPaglia). Minor point: I would disagree that this show "focuses" on the private lives of the team members (as you referenced in your review) any more than on other police dramas. The focus is always on the investigation and those investigations are different from the usual police procedurals in that one never really knows if the missing person is actually a "victim" or not. It's a very well done drama and will only be enhanced by the addition of the phenomenal James Marsters (for however many episodes we get). I'm delighted to see him in a non-genre role; his solid character acting seemed to be overshadowed by the flamboyance of the character of Spike on Buffy. I hope the opportunity he's being given to be a part of Without a Trace won't go unnoticed and that we'll be seeing a lot more of him in the future.

The FBI missing persons aspect of Without a Trace is well done. The missing person isn't always dead which is refreshing in a police procedural. The cast interacts well and while we have glimpses into the personal lives of the characters, the show does not succumb to becoming a soap opera. I'm a mystery fan for as long as I can remember, so this short of show definitely appeals to me. Probably not so much to others who are not so attached to the genre. James Marsters fans, however will endure anything for a glimpse of James talent at work. As a James Marsters fan myself, and a fan of the show, I am in fangirl heaven.