Justin Hartley stars in Jeffrey Deaver adaptation
Justin Hartley is best known for his role as Kevin Pearson on NBC’s critically acclaimed “This Is Us.” But his new CBS series, “Tracker,” is presenting him in a new light. Based on Jeffery Deaver’s best-selling novel “The Never Game,” “Tracker,” which is executive produced by Hartley and his company ChangeUp Production, centers on his lone-wolf survivor character Colter Shaw. Stoic and aloof, Colter travels the country with his Airstream trailer attached to his pickup truck, tracking people and objects for a fee. A typical procedural drama, “Tracker” investigates a new mystery each episode, with Colter, a self-described “bounty hunter” (although he is essentially a bounty hunter), using his specialized training to uncover clues that others have missed. While some episodes are more intriguing than others, the series’ truly compelling enigma, Colter’s troubled upbringing, doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves.
The pilot, titled “Klamath Falls” — and given a much-desired post-Super Bowl launch pad on CBS — follows Colter on a $20,000 mission to determine the whereabouts of a 14-year-old boy who goes missing after being contacted by his distant biological father. This opening episode painstakingly illustrates Colter’s preoccupation with small details, mastery of countless weapons, and comprehensive knowledge of survival percentages. Unfortunately, when the series isn’t actively focusing on the cases’ various clues, the stilted dialogue between characters makes it challenging for viewers to connect to the narrative.
Many long-running procedural dramas, such as “9-1-1” and the “Law & Order” franchise, feature robust casts with complex settings and stories. However, “Tracker” has a modest cast whose relationships are complicated by the fact that Colter is constantly on the road. His administrators consist of wife and team, Velma (Abby McEnany) and Teddi (Robin Weigert) Bruin, who work outside the home, digging up cases for Colter, making sure he gets the rewards, and encouraging him to stay on task. Bobby Exley (Eric Graise), a double amputee who Colter may have rescued in the past, is another essential member of the team. A skilled hacker, Bobby effortlessly digs up information on victims and suspects while delivering a witty line or two. Finally, there’s Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene), a lawyer who doesn’t let the simmering sexual tension between her and Colter influence her ability to get him out of legal trouble. Because all of these characters are scattered across different corners of the country, the series doesn’t always feel cohesive.
As a procedure, “Tracker” works well. While the series opener isn’t exactly riveting, episode 2, “Springland,” follows Colter tracking down a missing woman in a resort town. The hostility he encounters from everyone, including the sheriff and a wealthy family, is palpable. When the truth behind the woman’s disappearance is revealed, a genuinely surprising twist occurs. Episodes like this show how easily viewers can be drawn into these types of dramas, while also highlighting how challenging it can be to consistently deliver engaging chapters.
Still, the most fascinating aspect of “Tracker” isn’t the rewarder’s numerous investigations. Instead, as shown in the pilot, Colter’s traumatic childhood, living off the grid and being raised by a father dealing with mental illness and paranoia, deserves a closer look. An incident involving Colter and his brothers during one of their father’s outbursts changed the Shaw family forever. But of course, being the recluse that he is, Colter is in no rush to confront his past or unravel any of the trauma that surrounds him.
Overall, “Tracker” works well for a network drama, but it doesn’t stand out. If it weren’t for Hartley’s star power, it would be forgettable, especially since Colter Shaw doesn’t have Kevin Pearson’s charisma. Even amid knife fights, gunfights and dangerous encounters, the show offers nothing that hasn’t already been seen on an increasingly crowded television landscape. While the series is easy to dive into without a consistent central case, it’s also just as simple to turn away from it and turn to long-running series with cult followings or other procedural newcomers that have mastered the twist and highlighted a core group of charming leads.
“Tracker” will premiere Feb. 11 on CBS after the Super Bowl, with new episodes airing weekly on Sundays.
