Many agree that Tracker season 2 couldn’t live up to the high expectations set by season 1, and accordingly, Colter Shaw couldn’t live up to his “skilled survivalist and tracker” name in the latter episodes. The CBS action drama centers around Justin Hartley’s Colter, who, as I alluded to before, is considered an expert in his profession. Tracker season 1 certainly proved that Colter has many skills. However, over the course of season 2 (which had a bigger episode count), one couldn’t help but notice that the protagonist fell short of expectations.
The good news is that CBS has already renewed Tracker for a third season. Colter now has the chance to prove that our impression of him from season 1 is correct (as opposed to his disappointing performance in season 2). He should be the very best in his field, after all. The main characters of most TV shows have to be the greatest at what they do. Otherwise, the story will inevitably grow dull, and Tracker can’t risk making that error with Colter when heading into season 3.
Okay, let’s be real—when Tracker first dropped, Colter Shaw looked like the ultimate survivalist-meets-investigator superhero. He was sharp, resourceful, mysterious, and somehow always one step ahead. But now, midway through Season 2, things feel… off. The “expert tracker” image is starting to crack, and fans (including yours truly) are asking: Is Colter Shaw actually any good at his job—or has he just been getting lucky all this time?
Let’s dive into what’s going wrong, why we’re losing faith in this once-promising character, and whether there’s still hope for Colter Shaw’s credibility.
Colter Shaw—The Myth vs. The Man
What Made Him Seem Brilliant in Season 1
Back in Season 1, Shaw was the total package: rugged charm, unmatched intellect, and a skill set that screamed “professional.” He could read people like open books, find missing persons using nothing but a stray footprint, and was always three steps ahead of law enforcement.
It was thrilling. It was impressive. It was… almost too good to be true.
Season 2 Changes Everything
Season 2 is showing us a different side. A clumsier, more mistake-prone Colter. He’s second-guessing his instincts, walking into traps, and making decisions that make fans yell, “Dude, what are you doing?!”
And no, it’s not character growth. It’s character regression. Or worse, sloppy writing.
Let’s Talk About His Track Record in Season 2
Failed Missions Are Piling Up
Remember the missing girl in Episode 3? Yeah, she found him. Or what about the biker gang setup in Episode 5? Shaw walked straight into an ambush. Rookie mistake, Colter.
If this were real life, people would stop hiring him.
Relying Too Much on “Instinct”
Colter’s so-called instincts now feel like vague guesswork. He no longer cross-references facts or uses logical deduction like in Season 1. It’s all gut feeling—and it’s failing him.
The Problem With “Plot Armor”
He’s Protected by the Script, Not His Skills
Let’s be honest: Shaw survives not because of genius moves, but because the script won’t let him die. That’s not skill—that’s plot armor.
Viewers Are Noticing the Cracks
Hardcore fans are flooding Reddit and Twitter with threads like “Colter Shaw is just TV’s luckiest tracker” and “Why is he making such bad calls this season?”
Inconsistency Is Killing His Credibility
Emotional Decisions Are Clouding Judgment
He’s supposed to be a calculated risk-taker. Now he’s acting based on personal feelings, ignoring red flags, and getting emotionally entangled with victims. That’s not a pro—it’s a liability.
Where Are His Research Skills?
Shaw used to gather background info, map patterns, and build profiles. This season, he’s winging it like he’s on a college scavenger hunt, not a real job with lives at stake.
The Decline of the “Lone Wolf” Archetype
Lone Wolf Without a Plan Is Just a Lost Dog
The whole “man against the world” trope works when the man knows what he’s doing. Colter’s lone-wolf style feels more like isolation by incompetence.
Maybe He Needs a Team?
Look, even Batman has Alfred and Oracle. Maybe it’s time Shaw stops acting like he’s above teamwork.
Is He Just Lucky—or Worse, a Fraud?
The Numbers Don’t Add Up
His success rate seems oddly inflated considering how many times he’s botched things lately. How did this guy become a legend in the first place?
Flashbacks vs. Reality
Flashbacks paint Shaw as a brilliant survivor. The present shows a guy who’s winging it. Did he peak early? Or was the legend built on one or two lucky wins?
Behind-The-Scenes Writing Choices
Did the Writers Drop the Ball?
Some fans blame the writers. They argue that Season 2 was rushed or written without the same attention to Shaw’s character logic. That could explain the shift from strategist to stumble-prone hero.
Or Are They Humanizing Him?
A less generous read: maybe the writers are “humanizing” him, but overdid it. Instead of nuance, they gave us a bumbling detective with a hero complex.
Fan Disillusionment Is Real
Online Communities Are Turning Sour
From Reddit to Facebook groups, the disappointment is loud and clear. People feel baited and switched. They signed up for a show about an elite tracker—not a drama about a guy figuring things out as he goes.
The Suspension of Disbelief Is Wearing Thin
Viewers can forgive a lot, but not repeated carelessness. Especially when lives are at stake in each episode.
How Colter Shaw Can Win Us Back
Bring Back the Smart Shaw
Fans don’t want a perfect hero. We want a competent one. Bring back the meticulous, calculating, data-driven Shaw.
Give Him Consequences
Let bad choices have real fallout. Let him fail and grow—not fail and get lucky. That’s how real characters evolve.
Develop His Support Network
It’s time to introduce a consistent support system—tech experts, local allies, etc. Shaw doesn’t have to be a lone genius. He just has to stop being a clueless one.
The Psychology of a Hero We Want to Believe In
What Makes a Hero Truly Smart?
Not just instincts—but planning, humility, adaptation. Colter had all that in Season 1. Strip those away, and you’re left with just another action guy making mistakes.
Emotional Depth, Not Emotional Blunders
Give us internal conflict, sure. But don’t let emotions override basic competence. That’s not relatable—it’s frustrating.
Could Season 3 Redeem Him?
Only If They Acknowledge the Decline
Season 3 could be a redemption arc—but only if the show stops pretending everything’s fine. We need acknowledgment that Shaw’s slipping, and that he knows it.
A Reset Button, Maybe?
A personal crisis, a new antagonist who challenges him mentally—not just physically—could force him back into sharp form.
Conclusion: Time To Hold Colter Accountable
Here’s the deal—Colter Shaw started out as a force to be reckoned with. But now, after Tracker Season 2, it’s hard not to wonder if the guy ever really had the skills we thought he did. Maybe he’s just another overhyped TV hero kept afloat by plot armor and flashy editing.
Still, there’s a glimmer of hope. With stronger writing, deeper challenges, and a return to what made him compelling, Shaw could still track his way back into our good graces. But for now? Let’s just say the tracker needs to find himself.
