Netflix viewers were left divided over the conclusion to Missing You, the crime mystery adapted from the Harlan Coben novel of the same name.
The series saw Detective Inspector Kat Donovan, played by Rosalind Eleazar, 36, discover the truth behind her dead husband’s reappearance on a dating app and the circumstances behind the assassination of her father – played by Lenny Henry, 66.
The full series was made available to binge-watch on the streaming service on New Years Day. This article contains spoilers for the ending of Missing You.
Across the five-episode show, Donavan uncovered a plot to ensnare widows with the dating app Melody Cupid and who really bore responsibility for her father Clint’s death.
In a series of labyrinthine twists, Donavan also discovered that the man who had originally confessed to her father’s murder was not responsible and that Clint was in league with a crime boss (James Nesbitt).
Following the trail leads Donavan to her father’s former lover, a man named Parker, and the lengths to which Clint was prepared to keep their relationship hidden.
Rosalind Eleazar stars as Kat Donovan
Netflix
In the finale, Donavan learns that her dead boyfriend was the one who accidentally killed her father while he threatened her close friend in fear that she would expose his secret.
The shocking and elaborate conclusion left fans shocked and some extremely unimpressed with both the twists and the show’s overall quality.
One viewer slammed: EVERYONE knew from episode 1 who killed her dad! Absolutely WOEFUL series. Awful acting… even worse plot, and then THAT pathetic ending! We should all bill @netflix for 5 hours of time we will never get back!”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a worse series than #MissingYou. Classic Harlan Coben ie. poor writing, terrible acting, ridiculously unbelievable plot. However, this is the usual turd on steroids x10. It’s laughably horrific. The trash of trash. 0/10,” another wrote furiously.
Fans were divided about revelations in the show’s finale
Netflix
A third declared: “#missingyou is officially the worst show I’ve ever watched.”
“WTF have I just sat thru! #MissingYou is THE worst series I’ve EVER seen! RIDICULOUS stories. From ep 1 I KNEW the boyfriend did it! 5 hours of awful actin, EVERY B list actor going, HILARIOUS plot & a hash of EVERY cop series,” a fourth outraged viewer posted.
A fifth agreed: “What a load of rubbish #MissingYouNetflix was…bad acting, stupid storyline and the most ridiculous ending.”
Other viewers were surprised at the bad reception and sprang to praise the streaming giant’s drama.
“I really enjoyed that, and apparently I’m in the minority! It was exactly the same style as the other Harlan Cobens, deliciously twisty, and I loved every second,” one wrote.
They also came to the defence of Mary Malone, whose acting chops had faced criticism from some.
Viewers were critical of the show’s far-fetched plot twists
Netflix
“Maybe it helps that I’m not inherently scared of trans women, like many seem to be on this hashtag,” they added.
However, even some of those praising the show conceded the plot was outrageous.
“Last night I completely binged #MissingYou. The most ridiculous, unbelievable plot but thoroughly entertaining. Rosalind Eleazar was a brilliant lead,” a satisfied fan praised.
