Without a Trace backdrop
Crime•Mystery•Action & Adventure

The Best Episodes of Without a Trace Season 5

Every episode of Without a Trace Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Without a Trace Season 5!

Binge this in 17h 19m•Peaking at 9.3/10

The series follows the ventures of a Missing Persons Unit of the FBI in New York City.

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons7

All1234567

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 1 - Stolen
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #1 - Stolen

    S5:E1

    Bryan Parker is questioned by the FBI after being found alone on the road by a police officer, his hand bandaged. He tells them about a young boy his father had abducted, and soon the team is searching for Todd. The search initially goes nowhere, and Sam continues to question Bryan, but they get a lead when Bryan identifies a snapshot of the boy that reveals his identity to be that of missing boy Daniel Ellison. It isn't long before the squad realises that Daniel isn't the first boy that Parker grabbed, and follow his past to find him and the missing boy.

    Director:Randall Zisk
    Writer:David Amann

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 2 - Candy
    4.0/10(3 votes)

    #2 - Candy

    S5:E2

    Cindy Peterson, a mother who had become a stripper to support her family, goes missing after work one night, and Jack sends Elena in undercover at the strip club to learn what she can. Danny moves in to keep an eye on her after someone catches on to her spying, while Vivian discovers that Jim Peterson hasn't been completely honest with them. Jack faces censure from Olczyk over his relationship with Ann, and is angry with Ann after she admits to him that she thinks he let their relationship cloud his judgment in the Davis investigation.

    Director:Jonathan Kaplan
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 3 - 911
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - 911

    S5:E3

    The team searches for Jessica, a 911 operator who disappeared after a man called and asked for her by name.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 4 - All for One
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #4 - All for One

    S5:E4

    The team investigates when Malia Norton, a teenager at a detention center, disappears after being threatened by one of the other residents. Malia had been involved in a drinking and driving accident that had seriously injured her sister's boyfriend and killed another young man. The investigation at the detention center uncovers a lot of secrets that some of the residents would prefer to keep well hidden.

    Director:Kate Woods
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 5 - The Damage Done
    9.3/10(3 votes)

    #5 - The Damage Done

    S5:E5

    Jack and the team investigate when Sadik Marku's son goes missing along with the boy's mother, and Samantha worries that Jack is more interested in settling an old score with Marku than with finding the missing woman and boy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 6 - The Calm Before
    4.5/10(2 votes)

    #6 - The Calm Before

    S5:E6

    The team investigates when Aaron Gibbs ends up missing one night and soon learn that he had been lying to his wife about quitting his job, and had been working nights in a fight club. During the course of the investigation, Jack and the others learn that Aaron's disappearance was connected to events that took place during Hurricane Katrina, when Aaron was fighting to save his sons, and follow the trail of evidence, believing that the events of that night in New Orleans hold the key to finding the truth about the missing man.

    Director:Peter Markle
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Without a Trace

    READ
  7. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 7 - All the Sinners, Saints
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - All the Sinners, Saints

    S5:E7

    Martin brings the team in on the hunt for a young woman that went missing after a priest attempted to exorcise a demon from her. He begins to feel guilty when he finds out he used to work with her, but doesn't remember her.

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 8 - Win Today
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - Win Today

    S5:E8

    Jack and the team investigate the disappearance of Alex Stark after his girlfriend reports him missing, and soon learn that Alex didn't own a cleaning business like he said he did but was actually involved in an illegal gambling operation. Jack goes undercover at a club that Alex would gamble at to find out what happened to him, and ends up being taken hostage by an associate of Alex's who becomes convinced that Jack is actually there to kill her. Unfortunately for Jack, his team believes that he has changed his cover story and has no idea that he's actually been kidnapped.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 9 - Watch Over Me
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #9 - Watch Over Me

    S5:E9

    The team investigates the disappearance of social worker Eric Hayes, who had given thirty days notice to his job not long before. When their investigation leads them to a young pregnant woman who had already lost one child to the system, the agents begin to believe the disillusioned social worker may have been having an affair but soon discover that he may have been trying to right the wrong that drove him from his job. Danny has trouble with the investigation, as it reminds him of his own experience in foster care. Jack confides in Samantha about his relationship with Ann, but it may be too late.

    Director:Bobby Roth
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 10 - The Thing with Feathers
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #10 - The Thing with Feathers

    S5:E10

    Vivian thinks about her recent surgical problems while searching for a missing woman with a terminal condition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 11 - Fade-Away
    8.3/10(3 votes)

    #11 - Fade-Away

    S5:E11

    When 17-year-old Ted Soros goes missing after a basketball game, the team begins an investigation, soon learning that Ted was an emancipated minor who was living on his own to attend a school with an exemplary basketball program. Learning he had recently contacted his mother with a request for legal advice from an uncle, the team begins to suspect that Ted may have done something that he could face criminal charges for, and realise that Ted's secret is connected to a university recruiting party. While the team works Ted's disappearance, Jack learns from Ann that she lost the baby, and waits for her at the clinic while she seeks medical attention.

    Director:Jonathan Kaplan
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 12 - Tail Spin
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #12 - Tail Spin

    S5:E12

    The team tries to determine whether or not the recent disappearance of an air traffic controller has connections to the Middle East. The team soon learns that his wife died in an automobile accident and he was having an affair with her sister.

    Director:Peter Markle
    Writer:Diego Gutierrez

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 13 - Eating Away
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #13 - Eating Away

    S5:E13

    Barry Rosen goes missing shortly after being poisoned with bleach in a chili eating contest. While investigating Barry's disappearance, the team soon learns that he had been approached to throw the eating contest, and also that he had been spending a lot of time with a local prostitute in an effort to learn how to act around women. Danny is caught in the middle when Carlos asks him for a letter of reference in an upcoming custody review, and Elena informs him that Carlos is actually suing her for sole custody of Sofie. Danny warns Carlos that he is not going to be caught in the middle.

    Director:Martha Mitchell
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 14 - Primed
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Primed

    S5:E14

    When a young artist disappears, the team is concerned that one of her subjects may have been unhappy with her work.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 15 - Desert Springs
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Desert Springs

    S5:E15

    The team searches for missing water plant supervisor Jason Turner, and learn that he had become the target of a lot of anger after recent layoffs at the plant. Carlos comes to the office looking for Elena.

    Director:Eriq La Salle
    Writer:David Amann

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 16 - Without You
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Without You

    S5:E16

    Elena is frantic when her daughter Sofie goes missing, and the team has a full schedule as they must also search for a missing female tourist named Jenny.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 17 - Deep Water
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #17 - Deep Water

    S5:E17

    A newly elected senator goes missing and Jack immediately turns his attention towards her husband.

    Director:Paul McCrane
    Writer:Anthony LaPaglia

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 18 - Connections
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Connections

    S5:E18

    The team searches for a fifteen-year-old girl who lived with her grandfather and was last seen at an Internet café. Sam gets an unexpected visit from her estranged sister.

    Director:Rosemary Rodriguez
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 19 - At Rest
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - At Rest

    S5:E19

    Sam's darkest secrets are revealed when her sister goes missing she decides to search for her without the team's help.

    Director:Jonathan Kaplan
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 20 - Skin Deep
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #20 - Skin Deep

    S5:E20

    When a young, interracial boy goes missing, race and money appear to play the starring roles in the investigation.

    Director:Eric Close
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 21 - Crash and Burn
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #21 - Crash and Burn

    S5:E21

    A former soldier, now stuntman, goes missing and the team learns that he changed his will only short time before he went missing which makes them wonder who needed the money.

    Director:John Polson
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 22 - One and Only
    4.0/10(3 votes)

    #22 - One and Only

    S5:E22

    The team searches for Chris Manning, a family court judge with a soft side who went missing after meeting with a young boy caught between his mother and his abusive father. Suspicion initially turns anyone Manning may have riled up due to his court rulings, but after his clerk is shot in what appears to be an attempt on Manning's life, the team learns that the secret behind Manning's disappearance is tied up with something that happened over twenty years earlier.

    Director:Kate Woods
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 23 - Two of Us
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #23 - Two of Us

    S5:E23

    A high school student goes missing after leaving her prom early to get some rest in her hotel room, leaving behind a bloody dress and a lot of questions about what may have happened to her.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Without a Trace Season 5 Episode 24 - The Beginning
    9.0/10(2 votes)

    #24 - The Beginning

    S5:E24

    A teenage girl disappears after joining a cult. In the office, Elena encounters problems with Carlos in their custody battle for Sofie.

    Director:Jeannot Szwarc
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Stolen" is the best rated episode of "Without a Trace" season 5. It scored 7.5/10 based on 2 votes. Directed by Randall Zisk and written by David Amann, it aired on 9/24/2006. This episode is rated 3.5 points higher than the second-best, "Candy".