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If you don’t know about the Robert Stack Unsolved Mysteries series, then you should. But you may also be too young, so in the case that you are, the series uses re-enactments and interviews to retell mysteries unsolved. Unsolved Mysteries cover crimes, tales of lost love, UFOs, and the paranormal. The series encourages viewers to call in tips or provide information about the cases to help solve them.
The series ran from 1987 to 2010 (( the series was released on NBC, CBS, Lifetime, and Paramount Network )). Unsolved Mysteries was a revolutionary series that solved many, many cases across many, many decades and spanned 581 episodes total, 14 seasons, with 7 specials.
Guess What’s Back?
It’s a continuation of the series, so Netflix’s “Refreshed” series is more of a comeback. The newest season is by the original creators as well as Stranger Things‘ Shawn Levy. Each of the episodes, like the previous ones, will showcase an unsolved case (some from previous episodes as well).
The main difference between the two would be that Netflix’s “Refreshed” version will only feature one single case instead of multiple in one episode. The episodes, however, will still be an hour long. (( Just under an hour; 40 to 50 minutes )). Since it is a modern version of the show, it will focus on a more documentary style of the previous series — that means there will be no host or narrator in this series. The series will begin with six episodes on July 1st, 2020.
Nostalgia Is Still Apparent In Unsolved Mysteries
As Unsolved Mysteries begins, the immediate hit of nostalgia creeps into your bones. You begin to hear the theme song of the show we all watched in our childhood, at least many of us in our twenties currently did. (( If you know of the show America’s Most Wanted then you know about this one. Both were on at the same time and both are revolutionary. )) Nonetheless, the series’ theme song hits home and when it plays in this “Refreshed” version, it is incredible. It could very well be because we have not heard it for a decade, but there is something about it. You know like the Twin Peaks theme song? You just know it.
While the show is a continuation and not a reboot, it does appear to be darker in nature. The ambiance and quality of the original series are lost as this one appears to have a spookier tone. (( More in the vibe of The Haunting Of The Hill House or Stranger Things. )) Although slightly altered, the overall appeal is still identical. To reiterate, the series is a single case in a single episode — going into depth about who, what, when, where, and why. It follows much of what you see on Netflix already with the Netflix Original Documentaries (( See: Aaron Hernandez, Jeffrey Epstein, Tiger King )).
Is Unsolved Mysteries An Upgrade With The Same Aesthetics?
That being said, the series does add a modern touch as it is upgraded in many respects. The solid upgrade in television quality is quite outstanding — there is so much value in directing and cinematography; but, furthermore, the entire set production is spectacular, the interviews with the families are incredibly done and very powerful. Many of them made my heartache because they were so vulnerable in the way they spoke about these diverse (and haunting) cases. After ten years, it is extremely delightful to see the upgrade. It reminds a lot of the refreshed/revamped version of America’s Most Wanted by John Walsh The Hunt.
If you attempt to watch the original series, you will find that it does not age well in quality. While the show is still outstanding, the quality falters in both resolution and directing. Albeit, it was the 90s and not much was really good, but when you go back and rewatch them — they just look dated. It is nice to have a very modern look at some new and some old cases that we may have heard about. (( All of us True Crime lovers ))
Unsolved Mysteries Overall…
I must say, after all six episodes, they were all fairly interesting. There may have been one that did not interest me personally, but is still watchable. What makes the return so outstanding is that we have the original creators as well as Stranger Things‘ Levy (( who very well knows his spook, at the very least )).
If you like shows on ID and more factual crime shows, you will like Unsolved. It is honestly a show that I watch to gain insight into cases I may not know about and want more interest in. It also helps if you know anything about any of these cases as the show is built on tips and information from you.
6-Episode Synopsis’
Netflix was kind enough to give us an episode synopsis list so here are the six episodes to release today, right now… what are you waiting for? Go watch them!
“Mystery on the Rooftop,” (( dir. by Marcus A. Clarke ))
The body of newlywed Rey Rivera was found in an abandoned conference room at Baltimore’s historic Belvedere Hotel in May 2006, eight days after he mysteriously disappeared. While the Baltimore Police maintained that the 32-year-old committed suicide by jumping from the hotel’s roof, the medical examiner declared Rey’s death “unexplained.” Many, including his devastated wife, Allison, suspect foul play.
“13 Minutes,” (( dir by Jimmy Goldblum ))
Patrice Endres, 38, mysteriously vanished from her Cumming, Georgia, hair salon in broad daylight during a 13-minute timeframe, leaving behind her teenage son, Pistol. Patrice’s disappearance intensified the existing tensions between Pistol and his stepfather as they dealt with the loss and searched for answers.
“House of Terror,” (( dir by Clay Jeter ))
In April 2011, French police discovered the wife and four children of Count Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès buried under the back porch of their home in Nantes. Xavier, the family patriarch, was not among the dead and was nowhere to be found. Investigators gradually pieced together clues and a timeline that pointed to Xavier as a devious, premeditated killer. For instance, they now know that shortly before the crimes occurred, Xavier inherited a gun that was the same model as the murder weapon.
“No Ride Home,” (( dir by Marcus A. Clarke ))
Alonzo Brooks, 23, never returned home from a party he attended with friends in the predominantly white town of La Cygne, Kansas. A month later, a search party led by his family locates Alonzo’s body — in an area that law enforcement had already canvassed multiple times. The FBI recently reopened the case and on June 11, announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any responsible parties in Alonzo’s death.
“Berkshire’s UFO,” (( dir by Marcus A. Clarke ))
On September 1, 1969, many residents in Berkshire County, Massachusetts were traumatized by a sighting of a UFO. Many of these witnesses have never come forward to tell their accounts before now.
“Missing Witness,” (( dir by Clay Jeter ))
At age 17, a guilt-ridden Lena Chapin confessed to helping her mother dispose of her murdered stepfather’s body four years prior. In 2012, Lena was issued a subpoena to testify against her mother in court, but the authorities were never able to deliver the summons — because Lena had disappeared, leaving behind a young son.
