I would like to start this review off by saying that I am not a “crime junkie.” I do not constantly seek out true crime podcasts or shows or videos in my free time, apart from the occasional “Buzzfeed Unsolved” episode—even then, I rarely turn to the true crime episodes over the supernatural mysteries. However, when the first season of “Unsolved Mysteries” dropped on Netflix, I consumed it in one sitting. I repeat. One. Sitting. I had originally just wanted it on for background noise, but I ended up captivated and haunted by the atrocities explored. I couldn’t look away. When I heard that the second season was going to be released, I knew that I had to watch it at any cost. 

So, after curling up in bed, I pulled the show up and pressed play; I was not disappointed. The episodes of this season were just as strange and disturbing as the last, if not more so in some cases, and I was left with countless questions and theories as to what really happened. When I got to episode four, “Tsunami Spirits,” I was even more excited because they went so far as to include an episode dedicated to the mysteries of the supernatural, which is something that I have always really enjoyed. It was a truly unique and powerful addition to the show, and it gave the season a much more diverse feeling content-wise. 

That is not to say that the episodes are all so similar, however. In fact, they all displayed uniquely distinct cases. I definitely enjoyed some episodes more than others, with my favorite probably being the second episode, “A Death in Oslo.” This specific episode was incredible because the case that was explored is wholly unsolved, so much so that even the victim is unnamed. Nothing is known about the woman who was found dead, including her name and nationality. She is simply a ghost.

This, of course, made the case instantly alluring. To make matters worse, all of the evidence was disposed of when the case was initially ruled as a cold case, which only adds to the difficulty of solving it. Through all of this, even her cause of death was a mystery. Some claim it was suicide, other claim murder. Personally, I lean more towards the latter considering everything that unfolded with the case. I couldn’t look away as it all unfolded, and my mind whirled with all of the possibilities. Was she a spy from another country? It would explain how she was seemingly non-existent on government records. Was she raised in some kind of off-the-grid society bent on taking down organized government and sent on a mission that led to her death? Is that going too far? Who’s to say. 

Other episodes were more disturbing to me than interesting, such as the third episode “Death Row Fugitive.” As someone who is constantly looking over their shoulder in public, this case made me feel cold inside. It follows the case of an escaped murderer and sexual predator who still has not been found. He had initially been convicted after killing a young girl, but he charmed the prison guards and personnel until they allowed him on a field trip to a mall, where he simply vanished. 

What disturbed me so much about this case was the fact that he was able to basically talk his way out of a life sentence and remain missing. No one knows where he is or who else he has potentially hurt. He seems like the average, run-of-the-mill neighbor, and nothing freaked me out more than knowing that he could be anyone. I can readily say that this was a mystery that I could have gone without, but I am grateful that the information about the case is out there if only to bring in possible tips.

Collectively, this season was chilling. The point of the show is to introduce these cases to the masses for the possibility of getting the information needed to solve them, and I genuinely hope that this happens for the cases presented. The endings for each episode left me with my brows furrowed in anxiety and my tongue heavy with unanswerable questions directed at my screen. It is because of this that I would recommend watching this season of “Unsolved Mysteries.” You won’t regret it. Or maybe you will.