Tracker premiered on CBS on February 11, 2024, as part of the network's collection of procedural shows. Justin Hartley’s show stands out among the rest because it doesn’t rely on overarching storylines, which plays to its strengths. Instead of working with an agency, Colter is a lone wolf who finds missing people and earns reward money.
Over the course of three seasons, Colter Shaw showcases his survivalist skills as he travels the U.S. in his RV to find missing people. When he does work alongside people, he pulls the best of the best in his corner. His close friend, Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene), serves as his go-to lawyer who bails him out of jail while managing her own legal office. As of season 3, Mel (Cassady McClincy Zhang) serves as Reenie’s assistant, and Maxine (Kathleen Robertson) brings cases to them as a fellow lawyer friend. Along with Mel and Reenie, Randy (Chris Lee) works in her office as the go-to tech-savvy man for Reenie and Colter.
Tracker fans have experienced the ups and downs of the Shaw family, Reenie’s growing storylines, the introduction of new characters, and so much more. Finally, the premiere of season 4 is here, and I have the rundown of what you need to remember. I’ve loved this show since the beginning, but even longtime fans need a refresher.
Colter solves the Shaw Family Mystery
The biggest storyline focuses on Colter’s mysterious family history surrounding his father’s death. When he was a teenager, Ashton Shaw moved his family off the grid to focus on his supposed government conspiracy, but then he died during a thunderstorm. For a long time, Colter was left with accusing his brother, Russell (Jensen Ackles), of killing his father on that cliff. The struggle is that their mother, Mary (Wendy Crewson), wants them to be apart, while their sister, Dory (Melissa Roxburgh), encourages Colter to work things out.
Finally, when the brothers talk again, Russell reveals he didn’t kill their father and that there were more things happening that neither of them fully understood. Along with Dory encouraging Colter to talk to Russell, she had a secret of her own. Their childhood friend, Lizzie Hawking (Jennifer Morrison), gave Ashton’s file box to Dory to give to Colter. This allowed the siblings to talk, but it also made Colter suspicious of the family secrets and who knows what.
Although the box was full of normal work files, Colter’s continued digging paid off when he found a phone number hidden inside the notebook. Although it was disconnected, his case in the season 2 finale led to solving the mystery of that fateful night. He returned to his hometown in Echo Ridge (California) to help find a missing diner owner with the help of his childhood friend, Joe Marsh. He discovered the diner owner had been murdered after discovering a child trafficking ring led by Carl Murphy (registered sex offender), and Colter saved the victims.
Carl’s trailer reveals a carving of a wolf with the name “Aston” scratched in the bottom. Without thinking, Colter holds Carl at gunpoint. He reveals he got the figurine from his uncle, Otto, who worked as a lineman for the county and helped the Shaws install their wind turbines. This leads him to Otto’s home, and Otto admits that he pushed Aston off the cliff—at the behest of Colter’s mother, Mary.
Russell could possibly return in season 4
Although his father’s murder is solved, he’s still unraveling his father’s complicated past in the season 3 finale. Russell returned in episodes 21 and 22 as part of a two-part story where the brothers track down their dad’s former colleague, Dr. Serena Jukic (Jeri Ryan), but they receive troubling intel. “The top-secret Chrono Stasis program that Jukic and their dad were working on is still active, and kids like Danny Kellerman (Reid Miller) and Lola (Laurel Marsden) are being held captive as government test subjects.”
The brothers reunite Danny with Dr. Jukic and her partner Paul, who were hiding at his brother’s dry cleaning office. While they make amends, the brothers promise to save Lola. With Danny’s vague images (power plant, cell tower, bridge, and blue water tower), Randy works his magic and sends Colter to Dorix Logistics. Russell runs into danger when he meets with his source, Felton, for intel. Unfortunately, Felton played him. Armed men ambush them, killing Felton and wounding Russell in the chest.
Colter saves Lola, but through her gifted abilities, she lets Colter know two things: Vickers isn’t dead, and Russell is in danger. Still alone, Russell calls Reenie and asks her to secretly track incoming calls to the phone he stole from one of McIntyre’s men. He makes sure to tell her not to tell Colter. Finally, Colter arrives with Lola in tow to patch Russell up. McIntyre traced their location and sent Vicker to finish them off. With Russell having a gun to his head, Colter takes out Vicker first, saving his brother.
Colter calls in a favor to Barbie (Freda Foh Shen) to get new identities for Danny, Lola, Dr. Jukic, and Paul. Russell went to find McIntyre and made a deal with the devil to keep Colter safe. McIntyre opened up more questions about Ashton’s experiments and whether he did them on them during their childhood, when McIntyre gave Russell a file on Ashton.
Going into season 4, fans and Colter had no idea what was in the file. Russell’s deal opens up a new and lone-wolf-style storyline as he heads off on his own assignment for McIntyre. This is also a double-edged sword; he begged Reenie to cover for him with Colton about his whereabouts. After she agrees, he leaves without saying goodbye to his brother.
Colter wraps up the series in his dad’s old truck. His old pal, Keaton (Brent Sexton) agreed to help him fix it up at Colter’s home base. Hopefully, this will lead to more clues about his father’s past.
Reenie’s story arc
Reenie was kidnapped in season 2, episode 19, and it left lasting impacts. Thanks to the technology on her person, he was able to track her down and save her. Her impactful storylines aren’t over yet. In season 3, episodes 1 and 2, she’s put in the middle of a horrific digital blackmail ring called “The Process.” Between her, Colter, and Russell, they have to save the people being blackmailed to kidnap, kill, or otherwise perform other illegal activity as a means of getting their kidnapped loved ones back or having the blackmail erased. “The Process” most likely connects to Reenie’s latest threats while working with Prader & Rockwell (the company she’s taking current legal action against); the case Maxine brings her. Things with Prader & Rockwell escalate when Reenie and Maxine’s key witness, Curtis, is missing.
When they stop in to check on him in season 3, episode 19, he’s gone, and a knife is missing from the kitchen. He’s due to testify tomorrow, so they call Colter for help. While Colter and Randy locate Curtis’ truck, Reenie and Maxine meet with the judge and defense attorney to tell them they think Prater and Rockwell kidnapped Curtis. Now, the judge grants them 24 hours to find Curtis.
After Randy and Colter discover that Curtis killed someone in self-defense, totaled his car, and stole a new one, they locate him. Colter walks into a cabin to see Curtis holding a man at gunpoint. In a turn of events, he gets free, and Colter shoots him before he shoots Curtis. Then, they learn that Curtis' stepdaughter is missing and he's out for blood.
Curtis was in danger because of his past and his name change, “Lowell Parker of the Dixie Mafia kidnapped Jackie. Curtis used to be one of his muscle men a long time ago before quitting, changing his name, and going into hiding in another town. The lawsuit brought attention to him, which is how he got back on Parker’s radar.”
Lowell Park’s call confirmed he kidnapped Jackie and for her to follow the instructions to save her. Reene pulls up to the meeting spot and remains inside the car with her hands on the steering wheel. Thankfully, her backup is nearby, taking out the armed men. Curtis is forced to his knees as he begs for Jackie’s freedom, even offering his life. Parker isn’t satisfied and kicks him in the ribs. Colter shoots Curtis’ oxygen tank, causing an explosion that distracts Parker from harming Jackie. Reenie takes this moment to ram her car into Parker’s men. Colter ends the fight by shooting Parker and killing him. Curtis comes out injured, but his stepdaughter is reunited with him and safe.
Reenie and Maxine look for the mole who leaked Curtis’ name in the lawsuit. Randy uncovers the identity of the courier who dropped off photos threatening Reenie. With no connections to Prater & Rockwell or Dixie Mafia, things are unclear, but something makes Mel call Maxine. Mel’s discovery leads Reenie and Maxine to confront Devon (Prater & Rockwell attorney) about the courier (who dropped off the photos) working for the Lowell Parker firm. From there, they are a powerhouse force that they warn Devon not to mess with, as Devon agrees to give their clients a favorable settlement. Plus, he agrees he won’t inform the bar association of Devon’s unethical activities.
After this case, Colter takes Reenie out for target practice. Although she’s been closed off since being kidnapped and held at gunpoint, she opens up to Colter. She was an army kid who got into trouble. Being in the courtroom at a young age helped her realize she wanted to be the one defending good instead of being saved. That attack last year stripped her confidence in herself, her work, and others. Colter reminds her that she’s not alone anymore like she was growing up.
Mel and Maxine return in season 4 to support Reenie
Maxine’s involvement in Reenie’s cases has been anything but boring. She’s straightforward and brings Reenie the legal support that she needs. My favorite moment was when Maxine and Reenie pulled up to Maxine’s house to find her husband cheating. She threw her husband’s things out the door and left. What a powerhouse move!
Mel Day was introduced in season 3 as Reenie’s assistant. Throughout the season, Mel becomes a big help to not only Reenie but also Randy and Colter. She’s quick on her feet and supports Maxine and Reenie with a lot of loyalty. With her being promoted to a main cast member ahead of season 4, her backstory has a chance to shine. Her tie to pursuing a legal career comes from her mother, an Army logistics officer, being killed when she was 16. Aside from her personal ties, Mel seems to have an interest in Colter’s case as she leans into helping Randy more throughout the season. Also, she works really well with Randy, and I’m excited to see more of that.
Tracker season 4 airs Sundays and streams on Paramount+ the next day.
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