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Search Party is a dark-comedy series that premiered on TBS in 2016 and ran for four seasons until 2022. The show follows a young, self-centered and aimless woman named Dory Sief (played by Alia Shawkat) who becomes obsessed with solving the mystery of a missing girl whom she barely knew in college. Along with her group of friends, Elliott (played by John Early), Portia (played by Meredith Hagner), and her boyfriend Drew (played by John Reynolds), Dory embarks on a dangerous and twisted journey to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of Chantal Witherbottom.

The first season of the show starts with Dory feeling lost and miserable, trapped in a monotonous job with a seemingly perfect boyfriend who's not interested in her. Naturally, she jumps at the chance of helping to search for Chantal when she spots a poster on a street corner. Even though Chantal isn't exactly her friend, Dory feels a sense of purpose in finding her. Along with her eccentric friends, Dory navigates through the twists and turns of New York City as they try to understand what happened to Chantal. Each episode uncovers more bizarre and shocking details, ultimately leading to a shocking conclusion.

Throughout the show, the characters' quirks, flaws, and ridiculousness become more prominent, making them more complex and intriguing to the viewers. They lie to each other, cheat on each other, and manipulate each other in many different ways, highlighting the dark side of their personalities. Their loyalty to each other, however, remains a constant throughout the series, adding an interesting dynamic as they delve more deeply into their quest to find Chantal.

One of the show's strong points is its ability to juggle different tones with ease. The show is a thriller, a mystery, and a satire all at once, and each episode is imbued with elements of each genre. The show never takes itself too seriously, which allows the audience to relax and enjoy the ride while still maintaining the suspense and intrigue.

The show's cast gives outstanding performances, particularly Alia Shawkat, who shines as the show's lead. Her portrayal of Dory as a flawed, self-centered, and misguided woman is authentic and relatable. John Reynolds, who plays Drew, Dory's boyfriend, is also noteworthy, as his character's transformation throughout the series is intriguing to watch.

As the series progresses, the themes become more complex, touching on issues such as identity, family, morality, and the consequences of one's actions. The show's ability to balance these themes with humor and suspense is impressive, creating a series that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

In terms of the show's cinematography, the colors and lighting are bright and bold, adding to the show's satirical tone. The camera angles and close-ups also work well in emphasizing the characters' emotions and motivations.

Overall, Search Party is a unique and engaging show full of twists, turns, and surprises. The series' clever writing, compelling performances, and quirky characters make it a must-watch for anyone looking for a fresh take on the traditional mystery-thriller genre.

Search Party is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (50 episodes). The series first aired on November 21, 2016.