The first episode of Harlan Coben's "Missing You" on Netflix, titled "Every Breath You Take," sets the stage for a gripping thriller that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the relentless pursuit of truth. The story unfolds in the shadow of a tragic past, with Detective Kat Donovan at its heart, a woman haunted by the disappearance of her fiancé, Josh, eleven years prior.
The episode opens with a tense scene in a restaurant, where Kat, played by Rosalind Eleazar, is on a date with Daryl. The tranquility of the evening is shattered by a violent altercation in the kitchen, where a staff member has been stabbed. Kat's police instincts kick in as she intervenes, disarming the assailant and taking control of the situation. This initial scene not only establishes Kat's bravery but also foreshadows the turmoil that lies ahead.
The following day, we find Kat at the police station, where she leads the Missing Persons Unit. Her colleague, Nia, briefs her on a new case involving a missing man, Rishi Magari. Meanwhile, her boss introduces a new digital media analyst, Charlie Pitts, who seems to have a personal interest in Kat's past, specifically her father's murder case.
As Kat and her team investigate Rishi's abandoned car, they find no immediate leads. However, Charlie's tech-savvy skills prove useful as they attempt to uncover Rishi's last known whereabouts. In parallel, Rishi is seen wandering in the wilderness, his mind haunted by memories of a mysterious woman named Vanessa.
The narrative takes a personal turn when Kat attends a yoga class taught by her friend Aqua and later discusses her dating life with another friend, Stacey, a private investigator. Stacey persuades Kat to join a dating app, Melody Cupid, which matches users based on their music preferences. It is here that Kat makes a shocking discovery: her long-lost fiancé, Josh, appears in her list of matches, claiming to be a widower.
The revelation sends Kat on an emotional rollercoaster, as she recalls the painful past when Josh disappeared without a trace. Stacey, aware of the deep hurt Josh caused Kat, advises her to stay away from him. However, Kat's curiosity and desire for closure lead her to match with Josh on the app, setting the stage for a potentially explosive confrontation.
In a dramatic twist, Kat learns that Monte Leburne, the man serving a life sentence for her father's murder, is terminally ill and may die before she can get answers. Her boss, Stagger, denies her request to visit Leburne, but Stacey offers to help, using her connections to arrange a prison visit.
The episode reaches a climax when Kat, with Stacey's help, manages to get into the prison under the guise of a honey trap operation. There, she confronts Leburne, who is barely coherent due to his illness. With the help of a prison nurse, Kat administers a drug cocktail to Leburne, forcing him to reveal that he did not kill her father but was paid to take the fall. Before he can name the true culprit, Leburne succumbs to the drugs and falls unconscious.
As the episode draws to a close, Kat receives a message from Josh on Melody Cupid, advising against any further communication, effectively muting their conversation on the app. This leaves Kat with more questions than answers, as she is left to ponder why Josh visited Leburne before his disappearance and why he is now avoiding her.
"Every Breath You Take" is a masterclass in suspense-building, with each scene meticulously crafted to pull the viewer deeper into the mystery. The episode expertly balances the personal and professional lives of its protagonist, creating a compelling narrative that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. As Kat Donovan, Rosalind Eleazar delivers a powerful performance, capturing the raw emotions of a woman torn between her duty as a detective and her longing for the truth about her lost love. With a plot that twists and turns at every corner, "Missing You" promises to be a thriller that will keep viewers guessing until the very end.