As the hero of the story, the audience will certainly expect Colter to come out on top, but the fun will be in watching how he gets there… Part of the nature of procedurals is that a new audience member should be able to start watching at any time and be able to jump right into the show. Tracker definitely works that way so far, even with the overarching story about the Shaw family and Colter’s father’s death that has been teased in the first two seasons. The trouble with most procedurals, however, is that the format starts to become boring for long-time fans. That means the show has to find a way to keep people interested.
For procedurals like Law & Order: SVU and Grey’s Anatomy, the answer has been rotating in new cast members every few seasons to help shake up the dynamics of the ensemble and reflect the real-world nature of jobs in law enforcement and the medical field. A series like Tracker, however, which already has a small ensemble and is not set in a traditional procedural setting, likely will not employ that tactic. Instead, Tracker’s approach to telling stories will have to change every so often.
That change might be in playing with the different genre elements of the story, like the show has done already. “The Mercy Seat” leaned into horror in season 2 while “Preternatural” leaned into the more supernatural. “Man’s Best Friend” saw Colter track down a missing dog with an unexpected twist instead of a person. Those ideas have been helping to keep the series fresh with audience members who have been watching since the first season.
Putting Colter Shaw on the run and forcing him to use all of the skills that have been teased in Tracker to protect himself instead of finding a missing person would be another great way to change its storytelling set-up. This would work even better if the series played out the story over multiple episodes, allowing the story to really go in depth instead of operating on a standalone episode approach. As the hero of the story, the audience will certainly expect Colter to come out on top, but the fun will be in watching how he gets there in Tracker season 3.
Let’s be real — Tracker started out hot. With Justin Hartley leading the way as the rugged, resourceful Colter Shaw, the show offered something fresh: a lone-wolf hero helping people while confronting his haunted past. But by the time Season 2 wrapped, something felt… off. The formula was wearing thin. The mystery was less mysterious. The stakes? Meh.
If Tracker wants to stay relevant (and binge-worthy), Season 3 has to do more than recycle its old tricks. It’s time for a bold shift in storytelling.
The Repetitive Structure Is Holding Tracker Back
The Case-of-the-Week Format Is Getting Old
Sure, the episodic setup makes Tracker easy to jump into. But it also keeps the narrative from evolving. Week after week, Colter takes on a new job, solves a mystery, and moves on. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s the same blueprint we’ve seen since Episode 1.
Lack of Real Consequences
When each episode hits the reset button, there’s no emotional payoff. Colter barely grows. Secondary characters vanish. The stories blur together. In short, nothing sticks — and that’s a problem.
Emotional Stakes Matter
Modern audiences crave continuity. Think about what made shows like Breaking Bad or The Last of Us so compelling — characters changed, relationships evolved, and actions had weight. Tracker needs that.
Let Colter Shaw Change
Colter is fascinating. He’s smart, driven, and emotionally complex — but we rarely get to see that depth. Season 3 should explore his trauma, his relationships, and his inner conflicts over time, not just in flashbacks or throwaway scenes.
Introduce Season-Long Mysteries
Keep Viewers Guessing
What if Tracker had a long-running mystery that unravels piece by piece over multiple episodes? Think a missing person linked to Colter’s past, or a client that turns into a threat. That kind of story keeps people talking between episodes.
Layer the Clues
Instead of handing viewers everything on a silver platter each week, Tracker should build suspense. Drop hints. Throw in red herrings. Make fans theorize. Give them a reason to hit “Next Episode” immediately.
Build a Supporting Cast That Matters
Use Recurring Characters Effectively
One of the biggest missed opportunities? The people around Colter. His allies show up occasionally but vanish without much explanation. That has to change.
Develop Team Dynamics
Let Colter build a reliable team — even if it’s unconventional. Give us friction, loyalty, betrayal, and camaraderie. A lone wolf is cool, but a pack makes for richer storytelling.
Explore Gray Morality
Not Every Client Should Be Innocent
Sometimes the people who hire Colter should have darker motives. And sometimes Colter should be forced to question if he’s helping or enabling. That moral complexity makes for juicy, compelling TV.
Let Colter Make Mistakes
Perfect heroes are boring. Let Colter fail. Let him misjudge someone or take a job he regrets. Show his humanity — not just his skillset.
Change Up the Locations and Tone
Variety Keeps Things Fresh
Sure, the show has taken us to different cities and towns. But what if Season 3 really pushed the boundaries? International cases. Dangerous terrain. Urban jungles. Isolated islands. Surprise us.
Play With Genre
Why not experiment? One episode could feel like a horror story. Another like a noir thriller. Mix suspense with humor. Add romance. Surprise viewers with tone and tempo shifts.
Dive Deeper Into Colter’s Past
The Family Drama Deserves More Screentime
The backstory involving Colter’s family, his upbringing, and his father’s philosophy is rich — but underused. Season 3 should bring those ghosts front and center.
Flashbacks Aren’t Enough
Instead of piecemeal flashbacks, make Colter confront his past in the present. Maybe a sibling resurfaces. Maybe someone from his father’s cult-like circle causes trouble. It’s time for the past to collide with the now.
Raise the Stakes
Colter Needs Real Danger
When was the last time you truly feared for Colter’s life? Season 3 should introduce threats that don’t disappear in 42 minutes. A long-term nemesis. A powerful enemy. Something that shakes him to his core.
Personal Losses Hurt More
What if someone Colter cared about was caught in the crossfire? Pain fuels great character arcs. Give him something — or someone — to fight for.
Focus on Real-World Relevance
Tackle Social Issues Head-On
Colter takes on missing person cases — what if the show used those to highlight real-world injustices? Missing Indigenous women. Human trafficking. Corrupt institutions. Fiction with a message hits differently.
Bring In A Bold New Villain
The Show Needs a Moriarty to Its Sherlock
Imagine a criminal mastermind who’s always two steps ahead. A nemesis who challenges Colter mentally and emotionally. Someone who can’t be taken down in a single episode.
Lean Into Character-Driven Episodes
Let Colter Slow Down
Sometimes, it’s okay to pause the action. Give us quiet moments. Internal struggles. Conversations that reveal who Colter is — not just what he can do.
Encourage Fan InteractionInteractive
Clues and Online Tie-Ins
Why not include puzzles or Easter eggs that viewers can decode? Create a digital experience that keeps fans invested even between episodes.
Take Risks — Even If It Means Dividing the Audience
Playing It Safe Is the Real Risk
Every great show evolves. The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, Succession — they all took creative risks that paid off. If Tracker stays in its comfort zone, it’ll fade. Fast.
Conclusion: Change Is the Only Way Forward
Let’s face it: Tracker has all the ingredients to be a long-running hit — a charismatic lead, a compelling premise, and loyal fans. But if it keeps repeating itself, even the biggest Justin Hartley stans will start to drift away.
Season 3 is a golden opportunity to reinvent the show. To raise the stakes. Deepen the story. Evolve the characters. All it needs is the courage to break the formula and take that next big leap.
