Colter Shaw is undergoing changes in Tracker season 2, and while on the surface, this new side of Colter could be great for his development, it could also hurt his character. The CBS action drama TV show’s season 2 follows Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, an expert survivalist and tracker (hence the series’ name). Colter is a lone wolf who travels the country, earning money by helping private citizens and law enforcement agencies. Heading into Tracker season 2, viewers should expect to learn more about Hartley’s character and his past.
Tracker season 1 was quite popular on CBS as it was not only the network’s highest-rated scripted series of the 2023–2024 season, but it was also the most-watched scripted show on network TV. So, season 2 has a lot to live up to. Based on Hartley’s teases concerning Tracker season 2, the writers are wisely adapting the story and building off what worked in season 1. However, one change regarding Colter’s character could make or break the series.
Tracker Season 2 Is Humanizing Colter Shaw With An Unresolved Case
The CBS Series Takes The Audience Back In Time (Again)
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Justin Hartley, who also serves as an executive producer on the CBS action drama, discusses what’s to come for Colter after Tracker season 1’s ending. Hartley teases that one episode will take Colter back to a case he couldn’t solve. In doing so, the series will try to humanize the protagonist. Hartley explains:
“We’re going to introduce that [Colter is] human and not a superhero. He’s hung up on the fact that he couldn’t figure it out, and it’s haunted him for years and years.”
Like many other TV shows featuring detectives and/or people who solve cases, Colter has one mystery he couldn’t solve that haunts him to this day. In Tracker season 2, this case will return, and hopefully, this time, Colter will be able to solve it. Whatever the case, the Tracker season 2 episode will knock Colter off his pedestal, bringing him back down to Earth and making him seem more like a human who makes mistakes.
Colter Shaw’s Humanization Can Have Two Different Impacts On Tracker
Colter’s Change Could Ruin His Character Or Make Him Better
While humanizing characters in TV shows is always a good thing, the Tracker writers must be careful when doing so with Colter. If done right, Colter’s change will make him a more dynamic, fleshed-out character. However, adding this extra layer to Colter could feel too forced and overdone. Consequently, the new development might take away from the protagonist’s skills as a rewardist, which is what the series is all about. Humanizing him can be detrimental to Tracker‘s escapist nature as a TV show, since it banks on Colter being very good at his job.
Tracker season 2 contains 22 episodes and premieres on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS
Viewers want to see Colter as an expert in his field, not as someone whose mistakes outweigh his skills. Yes, Colter should be humanized, but not to the point where he’s wholly discredited for his work. Unlike other hero-focused series on TV, Tracker has actually done a great job explaining why Hartley’s character is so effective in his job. It is tied to the way he was brought up, particularly by his dad. That, in itself, connects him to the bigger mystery of the show, which is the truth about the death of the Shaw patriarch.
Since the CBS procedural is fairly new, with only 13 episodes, Tracker could continue a while longer to present Colter as an almost-invincible protagonist. Eventually, they would have to change things up by revealing new life details about him, but for now, the novelty of seeing him help people reunite with their missing loved ones hasn’t worn out yet. The overall mystery about the Shaw family is also enough to keep Tracker grounded.
How Colter’s Upcoming Revelation Changes His Story In Tracker Season 2
Tracker Season 2 Is Exploring A Time In Colter’s Past That Hasn’t Been Explored
All episodes of Tracker season 1 focused on establishing Colter’s efficiency as a rewardist. Granted that he had an equally capable team to back him up, much of the work relied on his skills on the ground. It would be interesting to see how this currently unsolved case came out to be. Since the mystery has been lingering for a decade now, Tracker season 2 can go back in time and utilize flashbacks to reveal more information about this matter.
It’s worth noting that scenes from the past in Tracker have been mostly focused around the time of Colter’s dad’s death thus far. This means that this new plot can feature moments from his life that haven’t been shown. They could shed light on how Colter has lived ever since he became a rewardist, including an origins story about how his team came out to be. Doing so can be helpful in better understanding not just Hartley’s lead, but also members of his squad particularly Bobby, Velma, and Reenie.
…it can help viewers understand Colter’s journey and his relationship with his Tracker team, which may be his most trusted allies, considering all the lies that are shrouding the death of his dad.
Exploring this point in the timeline may not be that significant to solving the Shaw family mystery. Jensen Ackles’ Russell wasn’t in communication with his brother around this time, meaning it also won’t have any connections to their reconciliation. However, it can help viewers understand Colter’s journey and his relationship with his Tracker team, which may be his most trusted allies, considering all the lies that are shrouding the death of his dad.
The Best Way To Handle Colter Shaw’s Change In Tracker Season 2
Colter’s Unsolved Case May Be Tracker’s New Season-Long Mystery
Ultimately, how this unsolved case impacts Colter and the future of Tracker depends on the way the writers execute the intriguing but tricky narrative. Currently, the popular show has done a good job of building the suspense around the truth about his dad’s death. However, this is primarily because the family drama is seamlessly integrated into the show’s procedural nature. Any kind of progress was tied to the weekly case that Colter solved in season 1. The writers can revisit this storytelling approach when dealing with the 10-year-old case that will continue to plague him in Tracker season 2.
Aside from their case connection, Colter and Camille are, apparently, in an on-and-off again relationship, which is an interesting notion, considering the existence of Reenie and Billie.
So instead of solving the said case in a single outing, perhaps this can be a season-long storyline. Tracker season 2 can revisit the matter every few episodes, as he also works on his day job as a rewardist. This also fits with the report that the sophomore outing of the show will introduce Floriana Lima’s Camille, who is the sister of the missing girl that Colter has failed to bring home. Aside from their case connection, Colter and Camille are, apparently, in an on-and-off again relationship, which is an interesting notion, considering the existence of Reenie and Billie.
.
