In tonight’s episode of "Tracker," the action-packed series delivered a thrilling mix of aerial danger and on-the-ground sleuthing. The episode began with a dramatic opening as Colter found himself enlisted by Reenie to track down a missing plane in Idaho. The missing aircraft, piloted by Gus McMillion's son Hank and carrying his daughter Madison along with a mysterious client, Walter Bratton, set the stage for a suspenseful rescue mission.
The odds of having a loved one go missing in a person’s life are slim, yet somehow Reenie has already had two people disappear in her life. This is clearly the writer’s way of planting Reenie into the storyline with Colter, but hopefully a new tactic will be deployed as the believability of this is waning.
As Colter and Reenie delved into the disappearance, they met with Gus, who had already spotted a debris field near the Canadian border, hinting at a disastrous outcome. The plot thickened with the introduction of a suspicious character, Vaults, who was in search of the elusive client. Reenie's sharp instincts kicked in as she captured photos of Vaults, showcasing that she is not just a great lawyer, but a clever investigator as well.
"Into the Wild” – TRACKER, Pictured: Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw and Fiona Rene as Reenie Greene. Photo: Sergei Bachlakov/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The tension escalated when Colter had to skydive into the debris field, only to discover a body assumed to be Bratton’s, marked by violence that suggested foul play. This discovery unraveled a series of clues including damaged cell phones and a tracking device, indicating a deeper conspiracy at play. Meanwhile, Reenie's tenacity shone through as she broke into a car related to the case, uncovering potentially incriminating evidence against Walter Bratton. The drama peaked when Reenie, while coordinating with Colter, heard gunshots. Rushing to the source, she found Gus laying on the ground after having shot a gun-wielding Vaults, adding urgency to the unfolding chaos. Her pursuit led her to discover Bratton's desperate measures to secure a Canadian passport, hinting at his attempt to flee the country.
On a cliffside, Colter's heroics were on full display as he rescued an injured Madison, who revealed that Bratton had coerced Hank into altering the flight path for a smuggling operation. This revelation was compounded by Teddi and Velma's research, which pointed to a botched robbery involving dangerous criminals from Reno, further complicating the narrative.
"Into the Wild” – TRACKER, Pictured: Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw. Photo: Darko Sikman/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The climax was intense: Vaults confronted Madison and Colter, shots were fired, and Colter was injured. Despite his gunshot wound, Colter's determination to find Hank led to a dramatic shootout under a cabin floor, resulting in Vaults' death and a narrow escape for Colter and Hank.
"Tracker" consistently portrays Colter as nearly invincible, whether he’s repelling from planes or taking bullets without lasting harm, which borders on feeling quite hokey and ridiculous at times. The believability of his skills would be increased with more knowledge of his background. Amidst the adrenaline-fuelled action, Tracker occasionally falters in its character development. While Colter emerges as a formidable hero, the show's focus on his heroics leaves little room for exploring the lives and backstories of the victims. Despite tantalizing hints about Colter's own past, including the upcoming introduction of his brother and sister, played by Melissa Roxburgh and Jensen Ackles, the narrative feels somewhat unbalanced.
"Into the Wild” – TRACKER, Pictured: Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw. Photo: Darko Sikman/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
If viewers are able to ignore the show's obvious faults, they are sure to be treated with a fast-paced narrative and suspenseful scenarios that keep them on the edge of their seats. "Tracker" remains a gripping watch for those who enjoy high-octane action paired with complex investigations. Hopefully the character development will come within the final episodes of the season, paving the way for much more depth in season 2. Your turn, Tracker fans! What did you think of tonight’s episode? Are you enjoying Colter being paired with Reenie? What do you hope to see in the final few episodes? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share them below and engage with me on X at @middleofcanada.