Unsolved Mysteries for a new generation! Netflix Unsolved Mysteries

“Join me. Perhaps you may be able to help solve a mystery.” This phrase stirs up memories of Friday nights at home, alone, with the lights off, sitting way to close to the tv, and trying not to get chills as the theme song eerily played in my darkened living room. Unsolved Mysteries is a show that has seen me through my childhood, teen, young adult, and now my adult life. To whoever invented the rerun, and the DVR, thank you, you have helped fueled my Unsolved Mysteries love for all these years.

The original series

For those of you who don’t know, Unsolved Mysteries is a mystery documentary show that covered the unexplained, cold cases, lost loves, and the paranormal. Starting as just a mini-series of specials, it quickly became a beloved show with Robert Stack uttering that infamous phrase. Recently, I discovered Netflix was going to reboot the show. I was skeptical. The reboot to this show with Dennis Farina back in 2009, failed to capture the magic that made the show great, i.e. Robert Stack. Since Robert Stack sadly passed away in 2003, I couldn’t even begin to fathom how they were going to pull this off. Nevertheless, I was still intrigued. Netflix just made themselves David in this match against Stack’s Goliath. I just had to see if they could measure up. I wasn’t going to make any judgments until I saw the show, even though my opinion was already quickly forming in my head. Surrounded by my favorite snacks, I quickly whispered, “Carpe Deim” and hit play. I wasn’t prepared at all for what was on the other side of that button.

Netflix bringing the magic

Netflix decided instead of trying to recapture the magic of stack’s era, they were going to just create their own. They found a way to recapture the magic of classic UM without ripping off its predecessor. They gave the theme song a beautiful and timely makeover. Keeping that timeless melody, to honor the bygone era, and giving it a more polished sound for the new generation. Instead of trying to find a Robert stack replacement, they quietly did away with the role. No one could replace Stack, so Netflix didn’t even try. They instead pay him tribute, with his silhouette floating across the screen as the theme ends.

So, what’s the difference??

Netflix has released its first 6 episodes in the series. How Netflix is going in a different direction is each episode is dedicated to just one story. Which is refreshing. It’s a chance to fully engage in one whole story, instead of 5 stories crammed into one 60 minute session. From that very first episode, I saw my beloved show with a fresh face and I was hooked. The same draw was still there. I got the same hair raising on the back of your neck as each episode’s mystery went deeper and deeper. I was impressed Netflix decided to take the show internationally and give mysteries not just from the US. The show isn’t just in our backyard anymore, and it’s exciting Netflix is opening it up to a global audience. However, what I love the most about the new Unsolved Mysteries is the amount of discussion that each episode generates. I can see many heated discussions happening around the dining room very soon.

Final thoughts

Never judge a book by its cover. Netflix showed me you can take a beloved classic, give it a new fresh look without ruining what made the show great in the first place. If you have plans this weekend, I might suggest you break them, order take out and help solve a mystery.