If Tracker season 1 teed up the Shaw family mystery, Tracker season 2 put it firmly on the back burner until the end of the season. The series’ writers seem determined to drag out the mystery behind Ashton Shaw’s death for as long as possible. The cases of the week are, rightfully, at the forefront of the episodes, but the overarching mystery is only really getting delved into in the season finales at this point. While the cases of the week are engaging, the Shaw family mystery should not be treated as an afterthought by the writers. It is almost as though the writers had so many good story ideas for their cases of the week that they kept pushing the Shaw family storyline back further and further until it just made it in to the end of Tracker season 2. Tracker season 3 needs to make a change there.
Another CBS series actually could provide a blueprint for other procedurals who want to tackle longer mystery arcs while still employing a case of the week format: Matlock. Matlock season 1 allowed each episode to give just a little bit more information about the overarching mystery alongside whatever legal case of the week was playing out. That resulted in a big payoff for the audience at the end of the season and new possibilities for the next season without sacrificing its procedural format or frustrating the audience. Tracker needs to address the Shaw family mystery head-on in season 3 to avoid continued frustration for its audience and to allow new mysteries to come into play. We will all be much happier if Tracker dives right back into it without skipping ahead with a time jump.
When Tracker first premiered, it wasn’t just Colter Shaw’s thrilling manhunts that pulled audiences in—it was the heart-wrenching mystery of his own family. The story of Colter’s father’s suspicious death and his brother’s disappearance had fans hooked from episode one. Fast-forward to Season 3, and suddenly that emotional core has taken a backseat. So here’s the burning question: Why is the show ignoring the very mystery that made us care in the first place?
The Shaw Family Mystery — The Foundation of the Series
The entire Tracker series was built on the emotional and psychological trauma tied to the Shaw family.
Let’s break it down:
The Death of Ashton Shaw
Colter’s father, Ashton Shaw, was a brilliant but paranoid survivalist who died under mysterious circumstances. Was it suicide, or was there more to the story?
The Disappearance of Russell Shaw
Colter’s brother vanished, leaving nothing but questions. Is he dead? In hiding? Involved in something darker?
Colter’s Emotional Wound
This isn’t just backstory—it’s the engine of Colter’s entire character. Ignoring it is like removing the fuel from a race car.
What Season 3 Gets Wrong
Too Much Focus on One-Off Cases
While the weekly mysteries are engaging, they’re eating up screen time that could be spent exploring Colter’s past.
Zero Emotional Payoff
Season 3 introduces high-stakes rescues and moral dilemmas, but without the emotional depth of the Shaw mystery, it all starts to feel… empty.
Lack of Continuity
Episodes seem disconnected from the original story arc. Fans are noticing, and they’re not thrilled.
Why This Mystery Still Matters
It Humanizes Colter
Without his family trauma, Colter risks becoming a stereotypical “lone wolf” tracker. The Shaw mystery reminds us that he’s more than a hero—he’s human.
It Adds Narrative Depth
Serialized storytelling gives shows like Breaking Bad and This Is Us their emotional resonance. Tracker has that potential—if it leans into the Shaw arc.
It Offers Long-Term Payoff
Resolving or even slowly unfolding the Shaw mystery would give fans a reason to stay invested across seasons.
What Fans Are Saying
Just take a quick scroll through Reddit or X (formerly Twitter), and you’ll see fans posting:
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“Did they forget about Russell Shaw completely?”
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“I need closure on the dad’s death!”
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“Great show, but enough with the filler episodes—bring back the Shaw story!”
This isn’t just a casual ask—it’s a demand from loyal viewers.
The Writers Are Missing a Golden Opportunity
Character-Driven Drama Sells
Think about why people loved shows like Lost or Yellowjackets—it wasn’t just survival, it was the tangled emotional relationships.
The Shaw Mystery Is a Built-In Cliffhanger
Most shows dream of having a mystery this compelling baked into the plot. Why waste it?
How to Fix Season 3’s Missteps
Let’s offer a solution instead of just criticism:
Reintroduce the Mystery Gradually
Even just a few breadcrumbs each episode would keep the momentum alive.
Flashbacks That Matter
Use flashbacks to fill in Ashton and Russell’s stories—make them relevant to the present-day plot.
Bring In New Characters From The Past
Maybe an old family friend or rival shows up with new info. The intrigue builds, and we’re all locked in again.
What Could Be at Stake in Season 4?
If the Shaw mystery continues to be sidelined, here’s what could happen:
Audience Fatigue
Viewers will eventually lose interest if emotional continuity is missing.
Ratings Could Drop
People tune in for characters, not just cases. Emotional investment drives viewership.
The Story Will Feel Incomplete
A mystery unresolved is one thing. A mystery forgotten is a writing failure.
A Path Forward for Tracker
To save Tracker from narrative drift, the writers must embrace the Shaw family story again. It doesn’t have to dominate every episode—but it needs to feel like it matters.
Let’s Talk About Narrative Balance
Think Like a Novel
Shows like Tracker thrive when the main character’s journey mirrors or intersects with weekly cases.
Trauma as a Tracker
Colter doesn’t just track people—he’s tracking his own past. That metaphor writes itself.
Visual Storytelling Opportunities
Why not use creative cinematography to bring back haunting images from Colter’s youth? Or dream sequences that reveal more about Russell?
Let the Mystery Grow With Colter
Colter Shaw isn’t static. His family story should evolve with him, influencing how he solves cases and interacts with others.
Conclusion — Bring the Heart Back
Tracker Season 3 has all the pieces of a hit show, but it’s missing the heart that once made it stand out—the Shaw family mystery. If the writers want long-term success, fan loyalty, and critical acclaim, they need to stop treating that story as an afterthought. Reignite the emotional fire. Give us Russell. Give us answers.
