Vanished

"Vanished" is indeed compelling. And it is without question Fox's best fall offering (though, having seen all its shows, that praise is not as high as you might expect).

Nothing that happens next is particularly surprising, though the plot rolls forward with workmanlike efficiency.

Lacking "Prison Break's" tough milieu and its initial narrative drive, "Vanished" doesn't exactly scream "Watch me." Nevertheless, it's polished enough and very much a work in progress.

A dumb but powerful serialized mystery that has an equal shot at being the season's biggest cult hit and its most mind-boggling flop.

For those who make the effort to stay tuned, the reward at the end of the first episode is meager. One hopes for bigger payoffs in subsequent outings.

"Vanished" is already lacking in the kind of star performances that make "Prison Break" or "24" worthwhile even when they're foot-dragging.

The filming is urgent! The dialogue is obvious! The actors get choked up! It's as if a film school class put together a thriller following all the rules precisely.