The Missing - BBC1 9pm Tuesdays

[Brietta]

I wonder if that is why it was set in 2006 and in France? The French version of the Amber alert had just been created in February 2006, but Belgium was still thinking about it a year later.

http://pro.guidesocial.be/actualites/bientot-une-alerte-enlevement-en-belgique.html

Never thought of that, because you just assume it is the logical thing to do ... but I think it is highly probable ... and it is only very recently that campaigns have been successful in its introduction Europe wide.

Maybe this will be a good drama which is going to cover all the bases and raise a bit of awareness in the process ... the descent into alcoholism by the father was portrayed in a believable and sensitive way ... good writing and great acting when you consider this was only an introductory episode.

Just to illustrate the fallibility of eye witness recognition (mine anyway) … when the mother ran after the child she mistakenly thought was Ollie and the father introduced himself as an officer who had been assigned to the case … is that the man she was portrayed as living with several years later?

[pathfinder73]

The man on his own who walked past and looked at them when they were playing in the pool??  Everyone else was watching the World Cup game.

I thought the portrayal of the child's mother trying to get on with her life ... and not quite managing it ... powerful.

The co-incidence of the second hand shop ??? well ... it is a drama ... but who is to say such things are impossible?

The grey haired watcher could've got the scarf when they were in the pool (it is last seen on the seat in the restaurant). The scarf would be missing that's why the father is looking for it. The watcher is first prime suspect. It's no coincidence that the boy was snatched when a goal had scored. The perfect time just like Smithman did in the chaos of the alarm.

[Carana]

I'd make a lousy eye witness. I certainly didn't notice some of the details you've picked up.

[Alfred R Jones]

Big holes. I just re watched it, there is no way that scarf was around the childs neck and the father found his rucksack and toy on the path.....which could have contained it.?

Also one minute they are getting out of the pool and its light and then they are in pitch black, does it come down that fast in the med?

Actually the abduction was set in Northern France according to the subtitle at the beginning o f the programme.

[Eleanor]

Watched it again last night, and there was something to do with something beginning with Cham.... that the journalist, the police detective and the mother aren't going to talk about.
Sorry, I can't watch it again, but perhaps someone else can spot it.

It sounds to me like a set up, possibly to protect the life of the child, from someone who knows too much.  If you see what I mean.

[Carana]

Watched it again last night, and there was something to do with something beginning with Cham.... that the journalist, the police detective and the mother aren't going to talk about.
Sorry, I can't watch it again, but perhaps someone else can spot it.

It sounds to me like a set up, possibly to protect the life of the child, from someone who knows too much.  If you see what I mean.

I don't think so. It jusmps from one time zone to another so fast that it's a bit confusing at times.

I think it's a hint of something dodgy in the main local cop's past (Ziane).

The mother rings the hack because she wants him to go back to "Châlons" to find out what Tony's discovered. She clearly doesn't want to contact him herself. (2014)

The hack had clearly been following the story since the beginning and seems to have blackmailed the main local cop (Ziane) into getting a scoop in return for keeping quiet about this Charmartaines business. (2006)

In the bar scene when Tony is talking to Julien about the scarf, he says that Laurence (the lady cop) wasn't in the slightest interested, and then, "Maybe Ziane, if he wasn't rotting in jail". (2014)

[Carana]

@ Brietta. I hadn't twigged as first, but, yes, it does seem that the guy the mother is engaged to is the British FLO (he was wearing a cap when they met with his son in the street). It's interesting how simple details like that can make make people seem different or similar. The other clue is that the FLO's son is called James, as is her fiancé's teenage son.

[Brietta]

I don't think so. It jusmps from one time zone to another so fast that it's a bit confusing at times.

I think it's a hint of something dodgy in the main local cop's past (Ziane).

The mother rings the hack because she wants him to go back to "Châlons" to find out what Tony's discovered. She clearly doesn't want to contact him herself. (2014)

The hack had clearly been following the story since the beginning and seems to have blackmailed the main local cop (Ziane) into getting a scoop in return for keeping quiet about this Charmartaines business. (2006)

In the bar scene when Tony is talking to Julien about the scarf, he says that Laurence (the lady cop) wasn't in the slightest interested, and then, "Maybe Ziane, if he wasn't rotting in jail". (2014)

I missed that entirely, Carana, thanks for pointing it out ... can hardly wait to find out what Zaine was getting up to that got him jailed.

It has turned the plot a bit on its head for me ... I wasn't too keen on Zaine because of his early treatment of Laurence ... but if he's OK by Tony ... he's OK by me.

I wanted to know exactly how Julien came about the injury to his leg ... ... with eight episodes to cover, they're not going to reveal all in the first.  I didn't like the hack at all either in his 2006 persona or his 2014 one.

[Eleanor]

I don't think so. It jusmps from one time zone to another so fast that it's a bit confusing at times.

I think it's a hint of something dodgy in the main local cop's past (Ziane).

The mother rings the hack because she wants him to go back to "Châlons" to find out what Tony's discovered. She clearly doesn't want to contact him herself. (2014)

The hack had clearly been following the story since the beginning and seems to have blackmailed the main local cop (Ziane) into getting a scoop in return for keeping quiet about this Charmartaines business. (2006)

In the bar scene when Tony is talking to Julien about the scarf, he says that Laurence (the lady cop) wasn't in the slightest interested, and then, "Maybe Ziane, if he wasn't rotting in jail". (2014)

Thanks.  I missed some of that.  But why bring in the Charmartaines business if it isn't relevant?

And why doesn't the mother want to contact the father?  She does seem to cry a lot.

[TitoMuzzy]

This programme should be called 'The McMissing'.
A 'leaking' source 'close' to the enquiry, a crusading 'churnalist', a suspect 'paedo' and a previously unknown (to the couple) 'benefactor' who it appears is seriously shady !!

You couldn't make it up could you ??

Oooops, looks like someone has already !!

[Alice Purjorick]

This programme should be called 'The McMissing'.
A 'leaking' source 'close' to the enquiry, a crusading 'churnalist', a suspect 'paedo' and a previously unknown (to the couple) 'benefactor' who it appears is seriously shady !!

You couldn't make it up could you ??

Oooops, looks like someone has already !!

I can't believe this discussion is taking place!
To paraphrase Terry Wogan from his 'stenders controversial comment"Missing is only acting it is not real".

[Alfred R Jones]

it's fascinating to note that the only negative comments I've read anywhere about this critically acclaimed drama have been from McCann "sceptics".

[TitoMuzzy]

it's fascinating to note that the only negative comments I've read anywhere about this critically acclaimed drama have been from McCann "sceptics".

By who and where ?

Again if it wasn't so serious it would be seriously funny !!!

[Alfred R Jones]

By who and where ?

Again if it wasn't so serious it would be seriously funny !!!

Well it got 5 stars in the Times for a start.

[Mr Gray]

By who and where ?

Again if it wasn't so serious it would be seriously funny !!!

Compared to the drivel on Tv ...I'ts quite a good drama