Last Seen Review: Apple TV's New Crime Series Is An Emotional Journey, Despite One Major Setback

Last Seen begins with an oppressively cryptic scene. A man is calling for his three dogs in the forest after a massive storm floods the area. Debris and assorted objects are scattered in mud, as the man stumbles in an attempt to get his dogs back. Reaching for one of them, he pulls something out of their mouth that makes his face tense: the jawbone of a child. So begins Apple TV's newest crime series, the man's discovery acting as the first domino for an ever-growing storm of chaos that follows.

Based on Ryan David Jahn's 2011 novel The Dispatcher, Last Seen follows Ian Ridley (Patrick Brammall), an emergency dispatcher fighting against alcoholism after the disappearance of his daughter, Mags, 11 years earlier. However, just as he reaches an important milestone in his sobriety, he's informed about the body's discovery. All signs point to it being his daughter. Yet, just a few nights later, while working a late shift, he's contacted by a panic-stricken girl named Sarah (Chloe Jean Lourdes) who believes she might be his lost daughter.

Following this revelation, the six-episode Apple TV miniseries begins to unravel. Not only does the story grow more complicated with each new installment, but so does the stress level for its characters. And yet, while I was intrigued by where the story would lead, not every element stuck the landing. Instead, Last Seen feels like a series teetering on the cusp of potential, delivering some powerful moments that are dampened by some glaring issues with the show's presentation.

Last Seen Captures The Panic & Grief Of A Missing Child

Last Seen's biggest strength is its protagonist. Patrick Brammall puts on a stellar performance as Ian, who, at first, seems like he's trying his best to quell the storm of grief that's been raging inside for a decade. But that tempest goes untamed once the child's body is discovered. With no other news in his area about a child disappearing, he begins seeking answers in a blind rage. This only grows after the phone call he receives, confronting a number of involved parties with increasingly hostile tactics.

But while Ian is central to the narrative, it doesn't shy away from how his lack of processing grief impacts those around him. He has a strained relationship with his ex-wife, who's built a life for herself after everything her family lost. He's also barely in his son's life, too, only reconnecting because of his intense investigation into Mags' whereabouts. The TV series' focus on grief clarifies how Ian isn't necessarily good or evil for his actions. He's a distressed father doing everything he can to find evidence confirming his daughter is still alive.

His grief-fueled story is contrasted by that of the Reid family, an isolationist, religious trio who are raising their daughter on farmland. Paranoid patriarch Henry (Brendan Cowell) has his own story about protecting his family, though his paranoia about the outside world is apparent when he's first introduced. His wife, Jenna (Maxine Peake), is more receptive to the wider world, but is emotionally conflicted due to a heartbreaking past. Without spoiling anything, what the family carries plays a central role in the way Ian's investigation develops.

Despite A Compelling Premise, Last Seen Plays Its Hand Too Early

Characters may be a driving force behind the narrative, but Last Seen's larger mystery is where part of its draw lies. The first episode focuses on the mystery of whether Mags could still be alive, given the evidence presented for and against the body being hers. It's intriguing to watch the characters grieve despite the lack of information, as Ian seeks justice by discovering the truth. There are inklings to the Reid family's involvement here as well, giving audiences a glimpse at how the two stories will weave together.

However, the show plays its hand a bit too early with its mystery. By the end of episode 1, I'd already figured out what happened, even if there were a few specifics still obscured in shadow. This was purposeful, however, with the show utilizing audiences knowing the mystery's big reveals early to capitalize on the character drama. Its central focus is the effects the events have on its characters, which works well in their development. The early reveal can make the show feel like it's running in circles at times, though, especially as events from its core storylines begin intersecting.

Though perhaps the biggest flaw of Last Seen is a single decision it makes about halfway through the story. It results in a storyline that, while helping to further weave Ian and the Reid family closer together, feels out of place so early. The show is forced to add various nonsensical scenarios as a result, making the execution of its bigger ideas feel messy. They're good on paper and result in some intense and emotional moments, especially near the end. But the road getting there makes Last Seen feel noticeably choppy in the middle.

Despite Its Flaws, Last Seen Is A Compelling, Complicated Character Study

Though this moment does have a domino effect on the rest of the series, Last Seen shines brightest where it matters. The meat of the conflict comes from its characters, whose clashing personalities and varied forms of desperation lead to a multitude of chaotic outcomes. Ian in particular is a root cause, as his investigation causes him to slowly unravel over the course of the series. While he's a man desperately looking for his daughter, he's also someone who can't stop opening his own wounds.

Similarly, the Reid family has their own demons to wrestle with, something that becomes very apparent early in the show. Henry's goal is survival and protection, going to great lengths to keep his family out of harm's way. As such, his decisions only draw more attention to what he's going through, giving his family even more to worry about. Both men central to the story are stuck in their cycles, leading to some explosively wild results as the search for Mags reaches its apex.

Last Seen is an interesting case study into what flawed people will do for those they love, even if it means treading down a path they'd never take otherwise. It's about the nature of every party involved, with each character having a core flaw that defines how they approach the broader mystery. This leads to many emotional moments that define the show, making it all the stronger as a somewhat staggering yet overall compelling new crime thriller among Apple TV's diverse lineup.

The first two episodes of Last Seen arrive on Wednesday, September 9, on Apple TV, followed by weekly episode releases until October 7.