Found Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Pilot

*Please note this review contains spoilers from Found Season 1 Episode 1.

A compelling premise and profoundly complex characters are only part of what makes Found the best new network drama series I’ve seen in a long time. That’s a major statement, considering how many network dramas have come and gone over the years.

Found Season 1 Episode 1 introduces us to Gabi Mosley and the members of her team, all of whom work together to find missing persons who have ultimately fallen through the cracks.

The episode starts with a flashback to 2003, with a young Gabi making dinner when a girl younger than her is shoved into the room, in tears. It’s clear she’s just been brought here against her will, and that Gabi has lived here for quite some time. But she makes a promise to the girl, Bella, that she’ll get her back home to her mother. 

Cut to the present day, and we see the same determined look in the eyes of adult Gabi, who is on a mission to find a missing child — even if she has to break a few rules to do it.  

Shanola Hampton grabs the audience right away with her performance as Gabi, a woman who isn’t afraid to break a few rules if it means saving someone. She’s brave, smart, and focused, and it doesn’t take long to realize she’s also extremely loyal. 

Gabi’s team says as much about her as her own actions do. Each of them is just as willing to do whatever it takes as Gabi is, even if they have to work on cases that are personally triggering.

They all have their own baggage, and some even have their own experiences with kidnapping, whether they were taken themselves or, in the case of Kelli Williams’ character, Margaret, lost someone close to them. 

The chemistry between all of the actors is solid, and every single member of the team brings something special to the table. Add the found family aspect that, and you have something really special. 

Of course, the premise itself is also a timely issue. Statistically, police resources and media attention are lesser for people of color. And the main kidnapping case on this pilot episode demonstrates that fact.

Found holds nothing back when it comes to calling it out this issue and roles racial bias play. It’s as powerful as it is unsettling, and it makes the procedural drama one that carries with it some heightened emotion.

The role the police play is important too. There’s tension between the police force and Gabi’s team, but one officer walks the line between both sides — for the better.

Detective Trent, played by Brett Dalton, makes those dynamics especially interesting. I suppose there had to be some romantic history there — it’s too bad, because it feels cliche, but it does add another layer.

While the premise and the main characters are plenty enough to make this a must-watch procedural — I dare even use the word “fresh” — it’s that much more complex when we look at Gabi’s backstory.

The flashbacks continue throughout the episode, revealing Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s character as “Sir,” Gabi’s kidnapper from when she was younger. He plays a twisted game with scripted dinners where they all dress up, and his demeanor is possibly even more terrifying when he’s calm than when he loses his temper.

It’s unsettling, to say the least, and Gosselaar’s performance is another standout here. He makes for one heck of a villain, that’s for sure.

Bella is part of this scene too, learning from Gabi how to conduct herself in order to stay safe. But ultimately, Gabi has had enough now that there’s a new, younger girl that she feels the need to care for. Thankfully, she manages to take “Sir” down and get herself and Bella to safety — in a scene so full of suspense it might make you stop breathing for a moment.

Now, even if you saw the trailer that gave away part of this show’s big twist (which is really unfortunate), it’s still surprising how this all plays out.

Spoiler alert:

Gabi’s team at her company aren’t the only people helping her. She has a secret weapon — her former kidnapper is now being held by her, and he uses his insights into her cases to help her locate these missing persons. 

It’s extremely satisfying to see the tables turned on this man, and even more so that it’s been done for good. 

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Found airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

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