Found - Missing While Hated

Tonight’s episode of Found on NBC, pulled viewers into an emotionally charged, twist-heavy storyline that amplified the show’s themes of trauma, loyalty, and justice. The opening dream sequence effectively foreshadowed the tensions Gabi is wrestling with beneath the surface, including her ever-present anxiety about the looming threat of Sir’s public redemption and her own potential downfall.

As Gabi awoke from her nightmare, she was thrust back into the real-world challenges of her job at M and A, where she was immediately met with a complex new case involving Rash, a controversial journalist known for targeting powerful individuals. Rash’s friend’s distress and the eerie voodoo doll left on his doorstep, underlined the hostility Rash faced, both as a journalist and as a non-binary activist. This case forced Gabi and her team to walk a tightrope—balancing professional obligation with personal vulnerabilities, especially given Rash’s combative public persona.

Dahn’s hesitation about Rash’s case is particularly intriguing. His doubts are rooted in Rash’s confrontational style, which mirrors the trolls and journalists who’ve targeted Gabi. This reluctance offered a look into Dahn’s character and the ways he and Gabi are motivated by their own traumatic experiences. Dahn’s deep loyalty to Gabi shined through when he later threatened Trent, showing that, no matter the personal costs, he won’t stand idle if anything happens to Gabi.

Gabi’s emotional journey was a key part of this episode. Flashbacks to her strained relationship with her father and her pain on the anniversary of her mother’s death, added layers to her character. Her dad’s struggle with alcoholism and his failure to support her during a time when she needed him most explains Gabi’s strength, but also her many scars. She’s haunted by her past, yet driven to bring closure to others, even as she feels she’s losing control over her own life. These moments of vulnerability deepen her character and keep viewers empathetically invested in her choices and sacrifices.

The intrigue intensified with a spine-chilling reveal that Sir had somehow gained insider access to M and A’s case information. In a disturbing twist, Sir contacted Zeke using the alias “Eric Blair”—a clever nod to George Orwell, and a taunting hint at Sir’s calculated intelligence. The message read, “I can help, all you have to do is reply.” Zeke’s decision to ignore the message was both an act of defiance and a measure of self-preservation, but it left him deeply unsettled.

The suspicion deepened when we saw M and A’s case file on Rash, dropped directly onto Sir’s desk. Although the episode didn’t reveal the informant’s identity, this moment left viewers with an undeniable sense of dread: someone on the inside is secretly assisting Sir. This added a dangerous new dimension to Gabi’s war with her past. Now, not only is she haunted by her past abductor, but she’s also battling an invisible betrayal—a traitor feeding her tormentor sensitive information. Could it be Christian, Sir’s brother? Dahn made it clear to Christian that he would not hesitate to kill him if he hurt Gabi in any way. Or is the Christian angle too obvious?

“Missing While Hated” – FOUND. Pictured: Shanola Hampton as Gabi, Karan Oberoi as Dahn, Gabrielle Walsh as Lacey and Kelli Williams as Margaret. Photo: Matt Miller/NBC ©2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The investigation itself was filled with misdirection and suspense. When the team suspected Benny, Rash’s supposed friend, tensions escalated as they uncovered deceit, betrayal, and Rash’s contentious relationships. Benny’s shifting story kept the audience guessing, adding a crime thriller vibe to the episode. The tension broke with the revelation that Rash was actually taken by Wayne, a man linked to Bradley, the powerful individual Rash had been investigating for abuse. The case exposed systemic corruption, a classic element in Found’s storylines, and provided Rash with a much-needed platform to be taken seriously as a journalist.

Simultaneously, Gabi confronted her own fears and unresolved pain from Sir. His chilling public statement on social media defending her, while disguised as praise, was deeply manipulative and infuriated Gabi. The scream she let out afterward was a primal, gut-wrenching reaction to her frustration and fear—a visceral reminder of her trauma, reignited by Sir’s twisted influence over her narrative. The episode’s subplots enhanced the depth and stakes of the main storyline. Ethan’s visit to M and A signaled his frustration with his second-fiddle role in Dahn’s life. Their complicated relationship, rooted in Dahn’s perceived debt of gratitude and obligation to Gabi, added emotional weight as Ethan yearned for something beyond Dahn’s loyalty to Gabi.

The final scenes intensified the suspense as Zeke’s breach of the DCPD database led to the DCPD taking away all of his technology, leaving him feeling isolated as he lost his window to the outside world. Margaret, who has been struggling with being banned from the train station, broke down after she lost the live feed from the station that Zeke had set up for her. In a moment of raw vulnerability, she pleaded with Gabi, asking her why she can find so many people, but cannot find her son. This outpouring of grief and helplessness was a powerful reminder of the stakes that each character carries personally as they work to find others.

Overall, this episode of Found skillfully weaved a fast-paced, suspenseful investigation with poignant character development. Gabi’s vulnerabilities, Sir’s ominous influence, and the team’s dedication—even in the face of personal challenges—painted a complex picture of resilience despite the never-ending challenges that come their way. Each episode this season keeps getting better and better and this one was no exception. What did you think of tonight’s episode? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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