Trackerhas been one of the most successful shows on the air in recent years, butthe show squandered away a key element to its success last season and isn’t likely to pick it back upmoving forward. Throughout the last few years,Trackerhas become CBS' number one series, but its sophomore effort wasn’t as strong as its debut.
ThoughTrackerseason 2was interesting, there were some noticeable shifts in the way the series worked, especially outside of Colter Shaw’s (Justin Hartley) near-constant motion. While the premise of the series makes it clear thatColter never stays in the same place for long, his inability to hold down a home base made it tough to root for him in new ways last season.
Rather than Colter continuing to hold down a team of experts who can help him in a pinch,Trackerseason 2 focused more on Colter himself. Whether it was his obsession in solving Gina Pickett’s decades-old disappearance or his on-and-offrelationship with Billie Matalon (Sofia Pernas),Trackerrevolved around Colter more often than not. This frequently put a damper on the season.
WhileTrackerhas always revolved around Colter to an extent,keeping experts in his back pocket to help him in any situation was one of the initial draws of the series. Rather than keeping Colter isolated in the way he prefers, extending his character outside his direct surroundings allowed the show to branch out. After season 2, however,Trackerwon’t return to form.
Colter’s Relationships Weren’t A Priority During Tracker Season 2
The Show Chose To Focus On Colter & Rotating Guest Stars
WhileTrackerhas always been a showabout Colter roving from place to placein order to find people who have gone missing, the way he’s able to move through his transient lifestyle iswith the help of people based in one location. Though Colter’s survivalist upbringing has given him unique abilities to suss things out, his team is his lifeblood.
Colter wouldn’t be able to do anything without his lawyer Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene), his handlers Teddi (Robin Weigert) and Velma Bruin (Abby McEnany), or his technological mastermind Bobby Exley (Eric Graise). WhileTeddi’s absence fromTrackerseason 2after Weigert exited the series was felt, many felt things could run smoothly with Reenie, Velma, and Bobby. Unfortunately,Trackerseason 2 got worse.
ThroughoutTrackerseason 2,Reenie was the only consistent team member that had contact with Colternearly every episode. He rarely spoke to Velma, which may be contributing to McEnany’s choice to exit the series ahead of next season, andBobby took a confusing leave of absencethat left his cousin, Randy (Chris Lee), at the controls of Colter’s tech needs.
As the season continued, it was clear thatthe show wanted to focus more on Colterand the different people he meets through his travels than his home base. The team that helped Colter through nearly every situation duringTrackerseason 1 became less and less meaningfulasTrackerseason 2 continued. Disassembling the team felt unnecessary and, at times, cruel.
Tracker Season 3 Will Struggle To Focus On Colter’s Relationships
Key Components Of Colters Team Will Be Leaving The Show
WhileTrackerseason 2 was a letdown in terms of Colter’s relationships generally,it appears that both Hartley and showrunner Elwood Reid are hoping to keep the show more grounded in Colter’s journeythan anyone else’s. While Hartley seemed to have solid rapport with his co-stars in the past, their mysterious and quiet exits fromTrackerhighlight a different story.
Despite the fact thatColter’s entire business model requires him to have help on the ground, it seems likely thatTrackerseason 3 will continue to distancethe main character from any of his professional relationships that could help him. While Hartley’s wife, Pernas, will likely continue to guest star on the show and Rene is returning as Reenie, other cast members' futures are unclear.
WithTrackerseason 3 seemingly not reassembling a team for Colter to reach out to when he needs help,it may become more difficult to tell stories in the way the show has become accustomed to. Throughout Tracker’s first seasons, having a way to reach out and resolve key mysteries leading up to a bigger reveal was crucial. Moving forward,Colter may be on his own.
Will Colter Ever Have A Proper Support Team Again?
It’s Likely That Colter Will Be More In The Spotlight Than Ever
Colter’s recovery and rescue missions have always been exciting, but the way that the show seems to beshoring upTrackerseason 3leads me to believe the show is going to make some major changes. With just two potential returning team members coming back toTrackerseason 3,the show will revolve more about Colter than ever. This may hurt more than it helps.
Rather thanTrackerallowing Colter to have a network of assistance, it’s likely that Hartley’s character will rely on himself and strangers he meets in the field for support. Thispokes a massive hole inTracker’scentral premise, which often allows Colter to fly under the radar when it comes to local law enforcement. Colter’s presence may become more of an issue.
WhileTrackerseason 3 promisesto bring more to light about Colter’s father and appears to be bringing back fan-favorite guest stars like Jensen Ackles, who plays Colter’s older brother Russell Shaw, it may not be enough to fix the central issues on screen.Colter’s plots revolving around himself alone may be the one issuethatTrackercan’t remedy without a team.
