Top 8 Plot Holes and Confusing Moments in Missing You

Warning: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Netflix’s Missing You!

Critics and audiences alike have voiced their disappointment with Netflix’s Missing You, primarily due to its numerous plot inconsistencies and perplexing narrative choices that detract from the overall experience. Adapted from Harlan Coben’s 2014 bestseller, the series traces police detective Kat Donovan as she delves back into the mystery of her father’s murder upon the unexpected reappearance of her ex-fiancé through a dating app. Given its robust cast and captivating premise, many viewers tuned in anticipating a compelling mystery, only to be met with frustration.

Social media quickly filled with critiques of the show’s narrative shortcomings. While it’s common for mystery shows to require some suspension of disbelief, Missing You seemingly demands more than is reasonable. The storyline is obstructed by contradictory details and illogical character behavior that is hard to overlook, causing a disconnect for many viewers.

Interestingly, critics have been somewhat kinder, awarding the show a 52% score on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the audience’s mere 27%, showcasing a significant divide in perception. For a show that promises intrigue, the reality feels like a missed opportunity.

8. The Catfish Moves Without Knowing Kat

Contradictory Communication Between Kat and the Catfish

In the initial episode, Kat Donovan experiences an abrupt disconnection from her ex-fiancé’s dating profile right after sending him a playful message along with the song “Missing You”by John Waite. However, in a later episode, it is revealed that an individual linked to the Catfish account claims to have blocked her due to her “asking too many questions.”Furthermore, the supposed message exchange displayed contradicts the earlier interaction.

This inconsistency highlights a significant narrative flaw: the Catfish seemingly decided to block Kat without any substantial knowledge about her. Her message lacked explicit references to their prior relationship, and she posed no incriminating questions. Because of this, there lacks a logical rationale as to why Kat was cut off, making it feel like a forced narrative device rather than a cohesive element of storytelling.

7. An Overlooked String of Disappearances

Police Appear Unaware of Disappearances Linked to the Dating App

A man dies on Titus' farm in Netflix's Missing You

A considerable number of plot elements in Missing You would have felt more believable if set in a past era, particularly regarding technology and societal reactions. A glaring inconsistency is the apparent ignorance of law enforcement regarding a series of disappearances linked to the dating app and other nefarious activities tied to a location run by the character Titus. The series hints at kidnappings and crimes that have spanned over a decade, yet the police remain oblivious to these patterns.

It raises questions as to why the police failed to connect the dots sooner, especially since the victims appeared to come from affluent backgrounds, families likely to report individuals as missing. Moreover, given the improvements in communication and inter-agency collaboration among police departments today, it seems improbable that they would not have recognized the trend sooner. The narrative demands an unnatural degree of ignorance from law enforcement, thus yielding a tension that ultimately hampers audience engagement.

6. Clint’s Troubling Character Dynamics

Clint’s Motivation for Murder Feels Contrived

The treatment of LGBTQ+ themes in Missing You is a mixed bag, particularly concerning the character Clint. The plot suggests that a cisgender man, with an affirming family and living in a liberal urban environment, would resort to murder to maintain his secrecy is difficult to accept.

Had Clint been from a different cultural background or time period, his motivations might ring more true. The source material, published in 2014, anchors this narrative in a past context that doesn’t quite transfer effectively to a contemporary 2023 setting. If Clint were portrayed as living in a more conservative time, this would lend credibility to his desperate actions, but updating Aqua while neglecting to revise Clint’s backstory leaves a disjointed narrative that fails to resonate fully with the audience.

5. The Absence of Key DNA Evidence

Missing DNA Found at Crime Scene

Kat looks at DCI Ellis Stagger in Netfix's Missing You

The show’s timeline raises questions, particularly regarding the investigation of Clint’s murder and the lack of awareness among police regarding DNA evidence. By the end, it is revealed that DCI Ellis Stagger assisted in a cover-up. However, inconsistencies arise when considering that other officers collected fingerprints from the murder weapon. Thus, it stands to reason they would have also identified DNA from Aqua and Josh, complicating the narrative further and suggesting a broader conspiracy within law enforcement that is not satisfactorily explained.

4. Parker’s Neglected Role

No One Contacted Parker for 11 Years

An aggravating element of the narrative is that Kat is the first person to seek out Parker, Clint’s long-time partner, a staggering eleven years after the murder. While Kat’s mother may have had her reasons for avoiding communication with Parker, the police’s failure to reach out is baffling. Given that the investigation into Clint’s murder involved multiple parties, the complete absence of any contact with Parker raises serious plot credibility issues. The show suggests that everyone knew about the affair, making the decision to ignore Parker even more puzzling.

3. Titus’s Flawed Arson Strategy

Setting His Farm on Fire Draws Attention

Titus looking down and frowning in Netflix's Missing You

In the series finale, Titus ignites his farm in a misguided attempt to erase evidence of his criminal activities. However, this decision backfires, as it is certain to invite scrutiny rather than obscure his involvement. Fire investigators specialize in detecting arson, and the characteristics of the blaze would likely reveal its intentional nature, especially considering the physical evidence left behind. Furthermore, the disposal of bodies complicates matters, as remnants would remain, potentially leading law enforcement to uncover the remains of his victims.

2. Technology Gaps in the Narrative

Basic Technology Doesn’t Connect

Charlie and another police investigator look at a computer in Netflix's Missing You

The technological barriers throughout Missing You illustrate a disconnection from modern-day policing elements. The investigation into conversations with a dating site fails to utilize basic internet tools, such as tracing IP addresses, leaving the audience scratching their heads. An apparent gap in digital forensic knowledge has a significant impact on the story’s credibility, making it seem more like a nostalgic journey to the 1990s rather than a contemporary narrative.

1. Kat’s Oversight of Josh

A Private Investigator and Detective Should Have Found Josh

The most glaring oversight comes from Kat and her best friend, Stacey, who, despite their skills and resources, have somehow failed to locate Josh over the past decade. Stacey, proud of her prowess in investigations, and Kat, a lead detective, would logically be equipped to track down a person who is nearby, without any significant obstacles.

Their inability to connect the dots renders the main plot point frustratingly unrealistic. With public records accessible for name changes and marriage information, the narrative should have concluded before it even began, offering Kat the closure she desperately seeks. Yet, the show provides no adequate explanation for why both characters remained oblivious to Josh’s whereabouts or his subsequent familial developments.

Source & Images