Found – Missing While Targeted

I’ve been a fan of Found since the series first started,—it’s been one of my favorites to keep up with week-to-week, getting me back into network procedurals—but this episode marks my first review of the show!

Found continues to deliver intricate, emotional storytelling and “Missing While Targeted” takes things to an even higher level. The episode strikes a great balance between the main case and the development of the characters. While the mystery itself is captivating, it’s the growing tensions between the characters and their personal challenges that truly drive this episode. “Missing While Targeted” highlights the show’s ability to blend intense drama with thrilling moments, keeping both the plot and its characters on edge.

The below contains spoilers for Found, “Missing While Targeted”. Save this review for later if you didn’t watch it live!

The episode begins with tension right away. Gabi is running through the school when she hears Sir’s voice on the intercom. He had been expecting Trent, not Gabi, and uses this moment to trap her into confronting him. By jamming the communication system, Sir forces Gabi to engage. His ability to control people, especially Gabi, is unsettling. His manipulative tactics create a chilling atmosphere, showing just how dangerous he really is.

Meanwhile, the team gathers for karaoke, which turns into a therapy session. It’s nice to see the characters drop their professional roles and talk about their fears and doubts. Lacey, in particular, is unsure about returning to school after everything that’s happened recently. She’s also feeling the pressure of leading the team. Zeke is still bothered by his stolen gear, and Dhan and Ethan are facing a tough spot in their relationship, with Ethan moving to a new place.

The shift from personal drama to the case at hand is seamless. Lacey, taking charge in Gabi’s absence, steps up when a woman walks into their office. She’s desperate to find her husband, Ian, who has gone missing. Ian, a former addict, appears to have vanished. Despite not having Gabi there, Lacey assures her that she will do everything she can to find her husband. This moment serves as a quiet, pivotal reflection of Lacey’s growth—despite her own uncertainties, she steps into the role with a sense of responsibility.

As the investigation into Ian’s disappearance unfolds, things take a darker turn. The team uncovers that Ian had been hiding pills in his home, and they soon discover his involvement in stealing luggage at the airport. Lacey, with Zeke’s guidance, also shows impressive resourcefulness when she learns to hack into a computer system to dig deeper into Ian’s life. Watching Lacey grow more confident in her skills while handling the case is a rewarding development, especially given her earlier uncertainty.

Parallel to the investigation, the tension between Gabi and Sir is palpable, and the two finally face off in an intense confrontation. Sir, always one step ahead, reveals that he knew Trent was intercepting messages, but Gabi arrived instead to his surprise. He taunts Gabi, alluding to the fact that Trent is not as infallible as Gabi believes. As Gabi tries to maintain her composure, Sir’s words seem to have a lasting impact on her, especially since she is already grappling with the complexity of her relationships with those closest to her. Their exchange is a perfect encapsulation of Sir’s manipulative nature, and it builds to an emotionally charged sequence where Gabi is knocked unconscious by one of his associates.

After Trent finds Gabi and takes her to the hospital, they discuss Sir, and Gabi tells Trent about his disturbing presence at Zeke’s house. Trent, as always, shows concern for Gabi, though his growing frustration with her ties to Sir starts to surface. Their dynamic continues to evolve throughout the episode—there’s clear affection between them, but there’s also that continuing tension over lies. Trent’s concern for Gabi’s safety borders on obsession, and when he accuses her of consulting with Sir or taking risks that jeopardize the team, to the point where he threatens to arrest her and takes her in, it becomes clear that their relationship is reaching a breaking point.

Meanwhile, the investigation continues to gain momentum as the team uncovers a threatening text message from someone named Jimmy, who may have been involved in Ian’s disappearance. However, the case takes another twist when Jimmy is confirmed to have an unbreakable alibi. The team is left scrambling, trying to piece together a motive and suspect, but the constant feeling of being watched and manipulated by Sir looms over every move they make. As the team races to uncover the truth, Gabi’s determination to solve the case grows stronger. She insists that Ian’s case must be resolved quickly because time is running out for him—another heartbreaking reminder that Gabi knows how fleeting life can be for those caught in addiction and danger.

There’s an emotionally charged moment when Lacey breaks down in front of Gabi, admitting that she isn’t ready for Gabi to leave the team. It’s a vulnerable moment for Lacey, revealing the deep bond between the two characters. Lacey’s fear of being left behind adds emotional complexity to the already high-stakes atmosphere of the investigation. In a flashback, we see a younger Lacey waking up to find Sir standing ominously over her, a haunting memory she shares with Gabi. This flashback adds to the mounting sense of fear that Lacey feels about Sir’s ongoing presence in their lives.

The real shock comes when Gabi discovers that Ian had been in police custody the entire time, seeking protection due to his involvement in a high-profile court case. The fact that Trent had been keeping Ian under wraps to ensure his safety is a significant revelation, and it challenges the assumptions Gabi had about Trent’s actions. The tension between Gabi and Trent reaches a boiling point when Gabi angrily confronts him about his lies, revealing the gulf of mistrust that has developed between them.

The team attends the court case the next day, but there’s a shooting, and Dhan is hit! Ethan asks Gabi to leave, and she does. While at the office, Gabi calls Trent and says she thinks Sir is constantly moving in an RV and that’s why they can never find him.

Sir turns out to be in Trent’s home. He reveals things about Trent’s father, demanding that Trent drop the case against Gabi or risk having his father exposed. The culmination of all the tension, manipulation, and lies leads to a shocking moment when a gunshot rings out, and the screen cuts to black just as Gabi arrives at his door.

“Missing While Targeted” is an episode that expertly balances emotional resonance with thrilling suspense. The way it deepens character development while unraveling a complex case is a testament to the show’s strength. With high-stakes drama, personal turmoil, and the ever-looming threat of Sir, this episode leaves viewers hanging on every word and every moment. Found has proven time and again that it’s more than just a procedural—it’s a deep, character-driven thriller that continues to captivate and surprise. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

FOUND — “Missing While Targeted” Episode 209 — Pictured: Shanola Hampton as Gabi Mosely — (Photo by: Matt Miller/NBC)

Be sure to catch Found live on NBC at 10PM on Thursdays—or catch up on Peacock the next day!