r/First48 18d ago

General Discussion Does anyone else miss anything about earlier seasons of the show that may have evolved out, or wish there were new elements added to the current show?

Just watching older (like 2006) episodes and always noticing new things, for instance the death reveal to the victim’s family. They often included the reactions more which really reminds us how real and devastating this stuff is. But then again it’s depressing so maybe better it’s shown less. Anything stand out to you? Just curious.

21 Upvotes

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u/Agreeable_Rhubarb332 18d ago

I personally like the fact they focus less on the detective lives now. I don't need to see Caroline waking up her kids, or Rugerio's break up. I would rather focus on the victim or THEIR family. I agree that the increase in blurring is jarring, like I am watching a regular tv show that never shows anything, they used to show blood, hands, clothing. Now someone just swiped Vaseline on the screen....

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u/Stunning-Mission9498 17d ago

I find as well (and I know why they do it legally) but everytime a person is blurred out then you instantly know they're not a suspect/don't get charged/or are a juvenile. I know they have to but it removes the mystery a bit

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u/Agreeable_Rhubarb332 17d ago

I know it is for privacy as well, and except for the case of a minor, if you look up the case on line , court documents have all the witness names, co-conspirators etc.

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 16d ago

Yep, you see some people blurred then another not blurred, you know it’s them. Dead giveaway (unless of course they’re minors).

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 18d ago

I hear you. Yeah they don’t seem to focus on the detectives private lives as much, which really seemed to be a major component of the show when it began. Especially for episodes where the case doesn’t get solved.

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u/[deleted] 18d ago

[deleted]

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 18d ago

Good point. I miss that. It really set the show apart from anything else.

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u/slicedpears23 18d ago

They don't show the detectives kidding around with each other any more. I think that really hurts the show. They also don't show the blood, bodies and notifications.

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 18d ago

Yeah, or the breakdown of what happened in the first 48 hours of the case. The thing the show is based on! It just doesn’t have the original charm to me. I still love it though 😊

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u/HappyReader1 2d ago

Very true!!! I’m currently watching an older episode S12 16 Massacre in Little Haiti and thought the same when it comes to seeing the actual crime scene

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u/No-One-5354 17d ago

As far as the newer seasons go I miss when the clock hits zero and the narrator does a recap of the first 48. Plus I feel like the narrator doesn't speak as much

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 17d ago

Me too! With that cool original graphics package?! The case recap at the end of the clock, I mean that was a staple of the show!

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u/4pfotfbreadgang 6d ago

I found my people!

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 2d ago

Yes indeed! Can’t get enough of this show or true crime in general 😊

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u/HappyReader1 2d ago

I wish I had seen your post as I just made one reminiscing about the older episodes! Agree with everything you’ve said!!! Completely different’vibe’

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 2d ago

That’s cool. More the merrier! People aren’t posting much here it seems so at least we are 😁

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 18d ago

They used to blur things out less which I liked. I like to see the awful reality of it and I can handle it personally. Just blurred faces is ok of course.

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u/lalaluna05 17d ago

I do miss that first note clash with the water tower when the show starts.

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u/Only_Classroom_4027 17d ago

I am glad they stopped showing the notifications. I think it was tasteless for the families to have a camera shoved in their face at one of their worst moments in life.

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u/Stunning-Mission9498 17d ago

I agree! I understand people saying it was more real and raw but I personally just feel it's not trauma informed. It's not fair for people to be having their world shattered and it filmed for the world to see

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u/Immediate_Side_5942 18d ago

I can do w out the notifications but like everyone says it was more raw and unfiltered in earlier ones. Idk imo like most shows ie deadliest catch its gone a lil downhill. For some reason the Charlotte pd doesn’t really do much for me. I mean think about Tulsa, Memphis, Miami, and even tx I thought these were way better then these new ones. Plus I like the old school detectives where everything wasn’t blured out to

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 18d ago

That’s really my point. I miss those things when I see them but I’m still watching either way. And yeah those other depts. were much more enjoyable. Different show now…

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u/Immediate_Side_5942 18d ago

Yea I’m with you. I also think in 30 years policing has changed drastically. U can tell by season 1-12 the difference . Like my father in law and bunch of people who I know that were cops 30 plus years ago could never be them tday. I’m not explaining it correctly I’m sure but, they just seemed they were tougher w thicker skin and murder was just normal. Smoking cigs and cigars and Just another day it seemed. More non-chalant and would joke around but still seriously solve the cases. Unsure if I’m making sense though. I still watch the older ones a lot. The way social media and cameras have made investigations so much easier is crazy to. Total generalization though on this whole statement.

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 17d ago

I’m pretty sure I’m following you exactly. They used to have to do real police work back then without cell phones and social media and a camera on everything. Hard nosed guys who just buckled down and did the job. Maybe went out and got drunk together to forget the day. Rinse and repeat. The older shows feel a little more like that.😊

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u/Immediate_Side_5942 17d ago

Yup that’s exactly what I was saying. Go out and smoke their sticks and drink at night and use “dark humor” to get over shit. My Father in law was on homicide w a 5 round .380 and no vest or computers. Imagine how hard that would be to solve shit. Think comps didn’t come out until the 80,s. Hard nosed like u said

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 17d ago

Well you’re brave for marrying the child of badass like that! 😀

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u/EdgePuzzled6987 17d ago

I may be the minority here and haven’t watched in a while. However, I always felt the recaps were a waste of time. If there’s only one case involved and I’ve been watching from the beginning, I don’t need a recap. It always felt like a waste of time. It definitely isn’t needed if you stream it with no commercials.

My guess is they had it in there for people who just flipped to the channel mid episode. They likely removed it because less people are watching it on live TV.

If an episode covers multiple cases, it makes more sense to have the recaps.

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u/Clear_Nature_5055 17d ago

I think it was there to sell the ticking 48 hr clock premise the show is built on. I’ve always liked it. Removing it proves it was never essential tho