Without a Trace (TV Series) Wannabe (2004) User Reviews

The Most Powerful Thing I Have Ever Seen On TV!

[my_phantoms_christine · 10/10 · 7 February 2007]

I watched this episode when it originally aired in 2004, and I was blown away by what I saw. I watched again a few minutes on a website I came across. The episode follows the team of "Without A Trace" into the world of teemage society, as they investigate the disappearance of a boy (Jake Thomas) from the school bathroom. The trail leads them to evidence of violence, emotional attacks, and bullying. The acting, music, and cinematography were amazing. I think that this episode should be shown to preteens when they enter junior high school. Every teenager experiences something that fits in with this episode (whether they are an outcast or not). Everone I know who has seen this episode all felt the power of it. Every teen and their parents should see this episode!

One of the most powerful 10 min I have ever seen!

[ChadHampy · 10/10 · 25 August 2006]

Jake Thomas does a great job (as always)! This sort of thing goes on in our schools every day and we need to help our kids understand that there is help out there and the path Jake's character took is not the only way! This episode is an example of how shows today do not have to conform to what the "Average" user wants to see. Adults often feel that a Child's life is easy (As they remember it) but dealing with Over power teachers, bullies and relationships is not as easy when you do not have years of knowledge to call on. The writing of Hank Steinberg and the directing of David Barrett have to be given credit also. Something this good has got to be a group effort. I highly recommend this episode! - CLH

made me cry

[purpleleaf7 · 10/10 · 13 January 2011]

I was hoping they would save the poor boy at the end. Its dangerous how many young people keep things to themselves, especially when it comes to personal issues and school. By the same token, it's also very hard to see if there is even a problem at school or something serious that is really bothering them. It's so sad that this happens to a lot of teenagers, and to some degree, adults that when going through a problem they feel is out of their control or that they cannot handle, it can drive them to desperate measures. I saw this episode as an eye opener. People should look more carefully into their child's life and have an open relationship with them. Care about their feelings and always give them encouragement. I was very moved by this episode. Very striking and emotional.

One of my favorite episodes

[wolfmiester007 · 2 May 2008]

This episode was truly moving. I was in tears at the end. Although I wasn't pushed as far as Jake's character, I was teased up until middle school. Those kids made me so mad. And things like that still happen today, the bullies don't care. They post it on youtube, and then others laugh at it and make horrible comments. Schools don't do anything either, and they should. Or at least try. What is with kids today? The future generations are so rough, it's terrible.If I ever found out my kid did that to someone, or was treating another student badly, I'd be furious. They'd lose their computer rights, TV rights, cell phone, and I'd send them to boarding or military school. I don't care if that sounds harsh or if it sounds like I'm, I will not have my future child mistreating others.

One of my favorite episodes

[mwcanadian · 9/10 · 12 September 2021]

Just an all around great episode. If you were a kid in middle school who dealt with what the boy went through, you felt this episode and loved it. In middle school I was bullied for 1) how I sounded which kids would say I sound like I belonged in an EC class and 2) for lack of knowledge in more adult things. As a middle school kid, I didn't know what the phrase "get high" meant and was made fun of for that, so watching a boy like Eric hurting was a reminder of myself. Thankfully I never was flushed in a toilet (was tripped on purpose) or never had a girl trick me into my underwear and tie me up, but I get feeling like a loser.

The show's story here gets 9 for me.

What is wrong with this show?!?

[anachain · 2/10 · 19 February 2008]

I finally got to see this episode in rerun today, and I am completely annoyed with the show. This episode is just another in so many that are horrible with the police conduct of the FBI team. In so many episodes, the team is quick to judge and even act on suspicion against an adult--preemptively detaining or "leaning on" the individual--without any evidence or material to support any wrong-doing, but, here, the team just lets these girls off with stern look during questioning...what a joke, what a insult. These girls admit to basically false imprisonment and assault--possibly sexual assault due to having the boy undress and taking the photo...considering a picture like that would be consider child pornography if found in the possession of an adult. What does the team do?? Nothing. The show leaves the impression that the worst that happens to these girls is a stern talking to by their parents--give me a break, these are the same parents that raised these girls... The actions of these girls pushed an already berated-feeling boy into suicide. Yea, I know it's just a show, but this is just wrong. In so many episodes, the team "strong arm" individuals so bad that it actually detracts from the story. The writers really need to do a be job--half the stuff the team gets away with would not hold up in reality. And people wonder why society generally accepts police-state-like actions in the real world. Yea, it's just a show, but it could be a better show. The girls should have been arrested. The school should have expelled the girls. The boy's parents should sue all the girls' parents. Or, at least there should have been the hint of it at the end of the episode.