Tracker season 2 came to a breathtaking conclusion with the episode “Echo Ridge”, which took Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) back to his childhood home and brought him one step closer to unraveling the mystery of his darkest family secret. However, showrunner Elwood Reid has clarified that while Colter now knows his mother was involved in his father’s death, it does not necessarily mean she ordered the hit on him. The answers he received in the Tracker season 2 finale merely open the door to several more questions. The
Shaw family has been strained since the show began, but the heat has certainly been turned up for Tracker season 3, which Reid confirmed would begin filming in mid-July. With the writers’ room opening in two weeks, the exact nature of Colter’s investigations into his family (and inevitable discussions with his siblings) have yet to take shape, but Reid and his team are already well aware of how they plan to dive further into both his psyche and the characters who surround him.
ScreenRant interviewed Reid about his approach to the central mystery in the Tracker season 2 finale, as well as how the world of the show will expand in season 3. The showrunner expressed his interest in bringing back Colter’s brother Russell (played by The Boys and Supernatural star Jensen Ackles), as well as his plans to flesh out Reenie’s (Fiona Rene) storyline — whether or not she and Colter ever get romantic.
Let’s be honest: Tracker Season 2 didn’t just end with a bang — it dropped an emotional bomb. Fans were left reeling, group chats lit up, and Reddit practically broke. But while the finale’s final moments had us all gasping, the real surprise? According to the showrunner, that plot twist wasn’t just a shocking reveal — it was strategic, layered, and deeply personal. So, what’s really going on under the surface? Let’s dig in.
Setting The Scene — What Actually Happened In The Finale?
For those who need a quick refresher (or just want to relive the chaos), here’s the core of the drama:
-
Colter Shaw, our rugged, emotionally complex hero, makes a huge choice.
-
A long-lost family secret resurfaces — and not in the way anyone expected.
-
The finale ends with a cliffhanger that flips the entire series on its head.
But what does it all mean?
The Showrunner Breaks Their Silence
In a recent exclusive interview, Tracker’s showrunner finally peeled back the curtain.
“We planted this twist from the beginning,” they revealed. “You just weren’t supposed to see it yet.”
Yep, you read that right. This wasn’t just a random turn of events. This was the long game.
Easter Eggs Hidden Since Episode 1
The internet has been buzzing with theories — and now, we know some were spot-on.
The showrunner pointed out that subtle nods to the twist were:
-
Buried in dialogue from Colter’s mom
-
Hidden in background props (did anyone else notice that photo frame in Episode 3?)
-
Echoed in Colter’s nightmares — which, by the way, weren’t just for drama
It’s like one giant, twisty puzzle… and fans have only just started piecing it together.
Why It Changes Everything About Colter Shaw
Here’s where it gets real.
This twist didn’t just change a plotline — it redefined Colter Shaw as a character.
We’re talking:
-
A new identity crisis
-
A possible shift in motivations
-
And a fractured relationship with key characters
The showrunner said:
“This was always Colter’s internal journey. The plot finally caught up with him.”
Is Colter Even Who We Think He Is?
Let’s go there.
Because if the twist means what we think it means, then…
-
Was Colter’s quest for justice just a smokescreen?
-
Is his family history a lie?
-
Could his moral compass be totally skewed?
According to the showrunner, these questions will be central in Season 3.
Thematic Layers You Probably Missed
This isn’t just a twist for twist’s sake. Nope — it’s laced with deep themes.
Family. Identity. Betrayal. Redemption.
And here’s where the storytelling gets genius: Every side character, every minor plot thread… they’re echoing the same themes.
It’s like a symphony — and the finale was the crashing crescendo.
The showrunner dropped this bombshell:
“Control — the illusion of it — was Colter’s biggest weakness.”
From the trackers he uses to the cases he solves, Colter’s obsession with order was always going to crack.
This twist? It shattered him in the most human way possible.
Fan Theories The Showrunner Loved (And Hinted Are True)
Let’s give a standing ovation to the internet sleuths.
The showrunner admitted that some fan theories hit close to home. Among them:
-
The dual-identity theory
-
The lost sibling plot
-
The “shadow mentor” idea
Not all are confirmed. But let’s just say… the smile on the showrunner’s face spoke volumes.
What This Means For Season 3
The finale doesn’t just end Season 2 — it launches Season 3 into a whole new gear.
Expect:
-
More serialized storytelling
-
High-stakes emotional arcs
-
Darker secrets unraveling
And yep, the twist? It’s just step one.
The Writers Knew All Along
You might think this was a last-minute change. It wasn’t.
“We wrote the ending before the pilot aired,” the showrunner confessed.
That level of planning? Rare. Risky. And incredibly rewarding.
Why The Finale Hit So Hard Emotionally
It’s not just what happened. It’s how it was delivered:
-
The pacing was tight.
-
The emotions were raw.
-
The final scene? Practically poetic.
That lingering look from Colter in the final seconds? The showrunner said it was “a silent scream.”
Chills.
The Role of Trauma in the Twist
Let’s talk psychology for a sec.
This twist didn’t come out of nowhere — it was birthed from trauma.
Colter’s repressed memories, erratic behavior, and fear of intimacy?
All breadcrumbs.
The twist reframes those not as flaws — but as scars.
How the Finale Mirrors Season 1
Eagle-eyed fans noticed something wild:
The Season 2 finale mirrors the Season 1 finale in structure.
Coincidence? Nope.
The showrunner said it’s deliberate: “It’s like looking at the same story through a cracked mirror.”
Brilliant.
Viewer Reactions That Surprised The Writers
Believe it or not, the writers were shocked by how divided the fanbase became.
Some fans felt betrayed. Others called it genius.
The showrunner said:
“That’s exactly what we wanted. Growth doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable.”
Critics Are Finally Paying Attention
Let’s be real — Tracker flew under the radar for a while.
But this finale? It has critics rewriting their reviews.
“The most underrated twist of the year,” said one TV analyst.
And yeah — they’re not wrong.
Conclusion: It’s Not Just a Plot Twist — It’s a Turning Point
So, what’s the bottom line?
The Tracker Season 2 finale didn’t just shock us. It challenged us.
It turned our expectations upside down, gave Colter Shaw new depth, and opened the door for a darker, richer narrative in Season 3.
The showrunner said it best:
“We didn’t twist the plot. We revealed the truth.”
And if this is the truth?
Season 3 is going to be absolutely wild.
