I must admit that I was tardy in catching up with the latest season of Tracker, which resulted in me binge-watching the entire Tracker season 2 in just a few days. There are certain aspects of Tracker season 2 that left me feeling conflicted, particularly the incorporation of paranormal elements, though I did appreciate some of the changes made. Overall, this second season of the missing person and survivalist procedural was engaging for me, but there are several elements I would definitely like to see altered in Tracker season 3.

Season 2 of Tracker marked a significant departure from the tone and narrative focus established in season 1. It was considerably darker and more graphic, with a notable increase in gore compared to the previous season. The primary mystery surrounding the murder of Colter Shaw’s father was largely set aside to explore various other storylines. While some of these new directions were intriguing, others fell flat for me. I believe the show has the potential to incorporate the most effective elements from season 2 into season 3 while discarding the less successful aspects.

6

Maintain the Dynamic Duo of Randy & Bobby

They Form an Ideal Partnership

One of the standout additions to Tracker season 2 was the character of Randy, portrayed by Chris Lee. Randy, Bobby’s cousin, entered the storyline midway through season 2 as a temporary substitute while Bobby dealt with the emotional fallout from a friend’s death, offering assistance to Colter in several cases. In a twist of fate, Colter reciprocated this support in episode 17, when he helped Randy locate the best friend of his ex-girlfriend who had mysteriously gone missing after a night in Reno.

Rather than serving as a mere disposable character, Randy seamlessly integrated into the series, injecting a much-needed spark of energy. The rest of Colter’s team tends to be quite serious and straightlaced, making Randy’s quirky and slightly humorous personality a refreshing addition to the mix. The chemistry between Chris Lee, Justin Hartley, and Eric Graise was particularly engaging. The season finale hinted that Randy might become a permanent member of the team in season 3, which I genuinely hope will be the case. It would be entertaining to watch the lighthearted Randy interact with his more serious and deadpan cousin.

5

Reenie & Colter Should Remain Friends

Reenie Deserves More Than Colter’s Emotional Turmoil

In the first season of Tracker, there were subtle hints suggesting that Colter and Reenie might develop a romantic relationship. Their past romantic involvement was touched upon in Reenie’s debut episode, and the unresolved tension between them lingered throughout the season. The classic will-they/won’t they dynamic persisted, even though it was evident that Colter was not in a place to pursue a relationship. Nevertheless, the question of a potential romance between Reenie and Colter remained unanswered.

In season 2 of Tracker, this possibility was effectively put to rest with the introduction of Reenie’s boyfriend, Elliot. Personally, I fully support this decision. Reenie and Colter function much more effectively as friends. Their mutual care for one another is evident, but Reenie is a strong woman who knows precisely what she wants and, more importantly, what she deserves. Colter, on the other hand, is a tumultuous individual, particularly in terms of his personal life and emotional vulnerability. While he possesses admirable qualities as a good man and an exceptional tracker, these attributes would make him a poor choice for a romantic partner. At this juncture in the show, Reenie being with Colter would only mean settling for less than she merits, and she deserves far better.

4

Eliminate Excessive Murders & Serial Killings

Season 2 Didn’t Need to Embrace Such Darkness

While it’s understandable that Colter would occasionally encounter a serial killer or discover a dead body in his line of work, season 2 of Tracker went overboard with the murder and graphic violence, particularly in the latter half of the season after it returned from its midseason break. There was no necessity for such a drastic tonal shift, especially considering how well-received the first season was by viewers.

I typically don’t shy away from darker narratives, nor do I find them off-putting, but binge-watching Tracker season 2 made it abundantly clear just how much darker this season was in comparison to season 1. The first season managed to balance lighter moments with engaging episodes, such as the storyline involving a missing thoroughbred racehorse. In contrast, the latter half of season 2 was a much grimmer experience, particularly when consumed in one sitting. While Tracker season 3 doesn’t need to revert to the lighter tone of season 1, finding a happy medium between the two seasons would be ideal to avoid repetition, as some episodes in season 2 felt overly familiar.

3

Eliminate Ineffective Villain Plot Twists

The Villain Reveals Are Ineffective & Have Always Been

Having watched Tracker season 1, it became evident in season 2 that the series needs to abandon the notion that its villain reveals can serve as unexpected twists or shocking moments. It’s time to move on; the opportunity has passed. While it’s true that most network procedurals tend to lack originality when it comes to twists, Tracker season 2 was particularly poor in this regard. Given the limited runtime of each episode and the formulaic structure of the genre, anyone familiar with typical plot beats can usually predict the villain long before they’re officially revealed.

However, Tracker has taken this predictability to an egregious level. Perhaps it’s just due to my extensive viewing for work, but throughout season 2, I could pinpoint the villains almost immediately from their first scene in most episodes. This predictability diminishes the suspense that the show relies upon to keep audiences engaged. Therefore, the series must either significantly improve its plot twists or completely eliminate them in the upcoming season, as the current approach is simply not working.

2

Eliminate Superfluous Storylines That Lack Impact

The Purpose of the Gina Picket Storyline Remains Unclear

Another issue to address in season 3 is the inclusion of storylines that fail to contribute meaningfully to the overarching plot, such as the Gina Picket storyline introduced in season 2. Despite the actor’s efforts, there was a noticeable lack of chemistry between Floriana Lima’s Camille Picket and Colter, and the unresolved narrative surrounding her missing sister did not generate substantial interest or engagement.

The entire storyline felt forced and unnecessary, and even after it was resolved midway through season 2, it had not justified its presence in the season. Ultimately, I couldn’t discern what value it added, aside from possibly serving as a vehicle to prolong the Ashton Shaw mystery while creating additional content for season 3. Unfortunately, since it did not enhance either the overall narrative or Colter’s character development, there was no valid reason for its inclusion in Tracker season 2. I sincerely hope that season 3 avoids any similar pointless, insubstantial story arcs.

1

Elevate Colter’s Family Dynamics in the Story

Increase Presence of Dory & Russell

In connection with the unresolved mystery surrounding Ashton Shaw, the Tracker season 2 finale finally acknowledged that this mystery remains unsolved and began to build momentum toward resolution. The finale of Tracker season 2 unveiled the identity of Colter’s father’s murderer, although the motive remains unclear. As we look ahead to season 3, the show seems poised to finally address the deeper reasons behind Ashton’s death all those years ago. Throughout season 2, each of Colter’s family members made brief appearances, which will need to change if the series intends to thoroughly explore the Ashton Shaw mystery.

From a narrative perspective, it is essential for Colter’s mother to play a more prominent role in Tracker season 3. After all, she is the one who purportedly requested Otto Waldron to eliminate her husband, indicating a deeper involvement in the events surrounding Ashton’s death. Otto claimed that Mary asked for his assistance, suggesting that she prompted him to kill Ashton, yet this was not explicitly stated by Otto. Therefore, Mary is poised to be a critical character moving forward. In addition, Dory is an intriguing character that we have yet to see much of, and Russell needs to be featured more prominently in the storyline. The chemistry between Jensen Ackles and Justin Hartley is undeniable, and we should see more of their dynamic in future episodes.

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