Without a Trace (TV Series) John Michaels (2005) User Reviews

Symbolism about as subtle as a crash cymbal.

[Son_of_Mansfield · 6/10 · 5 June 2007]

It took me about one minute to figure out that Anthony LaPaglia was playing the old man and this was one of those episodes heavy on symbolism where the main character found out something about themselves through a character in a similar situation. I was almost right, he dreams the whole thing, which is much worse. Since it is obvious from the start that it is him and, if you have been watching, nothing comes as a revelation. It's a waste and an annoying one at that. The only thing that makes this episode bearable is the performance by LaPaglia. He is the center of this show and his world weary FBI agent is something to watch. Now, if Jack had jumped at the end, ending LaPaglia run on the show, that would have shocking. But this is just a forgettable episode, gone as fast as the sound of cymbal.

Without a Trace

[janet-55 · 28 March 2006]

Many fans have written disparaging remarks about this episode. I think probably because they have refused to accept the premise that at this point in the story Jack Malone is a seriously stressed individual. His home life both that concerning his now ex-wife and his daughters, plus his relationship with his father is awful; there have been umpteen problems at work which has placed them all under extreme scrutiny (and as boss the buck stops at Jack); he's sleeping badly, we see him asking the police doctor for tablets to alleviate this situation, he still seems sensitive to Sam's comings and goings. The guy has to explode at some stage. If the writers had allowed Jack the luxury of a fall blown breakdown he would have been removed from the job - is this really what the writers would have wanted for their lead character? So instead they plumped for the bad dream scenario, which on the whole they carried of remarkably well I thought. As to the bad make-up, may I point out again, without wishing to being pedantic about it, but IT WAS A DREAM! Things are like that happen in dreams, at least in mine they do! Overall I thought Mr LaPaglia as always did a great job. Interestingly did any of you notice that in the same way that this episode started and finished with a man standing on the edge of a high building with his arms outstretched, so did the film "Commandments" in which Anthony LaPaglia starred with Aiden Quinn and Courteney Cox. In that film it is Mr Quinn who stands precipitately close to the edge at the start of the film and Anthony LaPaglia who takes up a similar pose at the end of it. Curious, huh?

Terrible episode in an otherwise great series.

[flwrestle · 1/10 · 20 October 2022]

Totally out of line with the other episodes in the show. The fact that LaPaglia plays the "missing" character with make-up that makes him look like a monster from a B grade horror flick does nothing to add to the credibility. Even given the ludicrous premise, this episode breaks all the rules of the show that have previously been established. Up until this episode, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, although I often find that I would wish for some kind of epilogue to bring the stories to a satisfying conclusion. But in this episode, although it does have an epilogue, the denouement is completely unsatisfying, even within the parameters of the episode itself.

Obvious

[rebecajayne · 3/10 · 26 November 2009]

I actually logged on here within seconds of seeing the missing 'John Michaels' just to check I wasn't going mad.

It was far too obvious that this man was just Malone in putty - kinda ruined the whole mystery of the plot.

The whole 'relevation' that this was supposed to bring to Jack was dragged out way too much that it ruined what could have been made into a very moving ending.

I think this episode was only saved by the way the roles were portrayed by LaPaglia and only enjoyable if you detach yourself from the underlying meaning so that you just see it as any other MP storyline.