Ep 4. Through the Pouring Rain

Through the Pouring Rain is the fourth episode of the 18th season of the popular news program Dateline. The episode delves into the story of Pam Shelly, a mother of three who went missing during a torrential downpour in August 2017. With no leads and no suspects, the case went cold until a break came in the form of a surprise phone call.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Pam Shelly, a lively 49-year-old woman who lived in the small town of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. We learn that she was last seen on the evening of August 14th, when she drove her son to a nearby convenience store during a particularly heavy rainstorm. After dropping him off, she disappeared without a trace.

As Dateline correspondent Andrea Canning walks us through the investigation into Pam's disappearance, we see interviews with family members, friends, and law enforcement officials who worked on the case. It quickly becomes clear that there were no immediate leads to follow—Pam's car had not been found, she had not contacted anyone, and there was no evidence of foul play.

Despite the lack of progress in finding Pam, her family refused to give up hope. They organized search parties, held candlelight vigils, and plastered posters throughout the town. However, months turned into years without any new information.

Then, in April 2020, a stunning development occurred. Dateline reveals that a man had contacted the family out of the blue, claiming to have information about Pam's disappearance. The man, whose identity is not revealed in the episode, told Pam's daughter that he had seen someone in the area acting suspiciously on the night of her mother's disappearance. He also claimed to have pulled over to help the person, but was told that they didn't need assistance.

The episode then turns its focus back to the investigation and the newfound lead. We see interviews with law enforcement officials who say they followed up on the tip, but that it had not yielded much new information. Pam's family, however, remain hopeful that it will lead to a breakthrough.

Through the Pouring Rain is a tense and emotional episode that highlights the impact that a missing loved one can have on a family. The interviews with Pam's family members are especially moving, as they recount the anguish and uncertainty they have felt since her disappearance. Viewers are left with a sense of empathy for those who are still searching for answers about loved ones who have gone missing.

In typical Dateline fashion, the show also leaves viewers with some unanswered questions. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with no resolution to the case of Pam Shelly. While this may frustrate some viewers, it does serve as a reminder of the often long and winding road that investigations into missing persons cases can take. Overall, Through the Pouring Rain is a gripping and poignant episode that is sure to resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of a missing loved one.