CBS’ action drama Tracker is seeing a major cast shake-up for its upcoming third season, with two prominent cast members departing the show: Eric Graise as Bobby and Abby McEnany as Velma. That’s a massive change considering the series is led by only five main characters (along with plenty of recurring and guest stars, of course), another of whom left at the end of Season 1 as well. A great TV show is nothing without its cast of characters, and while there will always be some shifts, in the case of Tracker, this change feels like a big one. This is especially true for the way Colter Shaw operates, including how he sources missing persons cases, who he calls for assistance when needed, and arguably the entire dynamic of the series. But with every significant change, there’s always an opportunity for more growth.
How the Story Might Shift In Light of The Change. Tracker follows Shaw’s work as a nomad who travels the U.S. seeking out missing persons cases for reward money. While he’s a lone wolf, he does get help from a team. Velma and Teddi, the latter played by Robin Weigert through the first season, are his handlers. They source cases and field inquiries, and then contact Colter when they have potential cases for him to work on.
While working the cases, Colter often needs technical help, like looking into someone’s last known location, pinpointing a person’s identity, or hacking into phone records or building schematics. This is where Bobby, a talented hacker, comes in. Through the latter part of Season 2, Bobby was mysteriously missing from several episodes. His absence was vaguely explained by his cousin Randy as something to do with family issues he had to deal with. It’s now confirmed that Chris Lee, who plays Randy, will be a main cast member in Season 3, likely taking over Bobby’s job, and perhaps working more closely with Colter in other ways, too.
There’s also Reenie, a talented attorney and friend (and once fling) who helps Colter with any legal problems he might have. Whether it’s pulling favors to get her hands on important documentation, getting him out of jail, or even leveraging resources from her wealthy clients, Reenie is invaluable to Colter. With the team now including just Reenie and Randy as Bobby and Velma depart Tracker, the entire process will have to change.
It appears this is intentional; however, to avoid the series from becoming a repetitive “case-of-the-week” like procedural that follows the same format in every episode. Showrunner Elwood Reid told US Weekly that he thinks that gets old, and even Justin Hartley, who plays Colter, has challenged him on avoiding that sort of format. Hartley has asked Reid, he says, “‘ Do we need to do this? Do I need to call Bobby all the time?’ I don’t want the show be a ‘phone a friend’ every week,” adds Reid.
Thus, this means the show will have to focus much more heavily on Colter’s skills and not his connections. Could Colter handle these cases without the information that Bobby provides to him along the way? He probably could, though it would be more challenging. But the question remains, why would he try? If he has someone like Bobby on his team, why not use them? This is likely where Randy comes in, who has the same hacking skills as Bobby, reportedly the older cousin who taught him everything he knows.
However, to justify Reid’s comments, Randy would have to bring more to the table than just sitting behind a computer and sourcing details for Colter. That means he might take over Velma’s work as well, in being the one to point Colter in the direction of open cases. For Tracker to work, then, there will have to be a shift in dynamics for these characters and the way they work together. There also needs to be greater attention on Colter and his own skills, with others in the background having their own separate stories.
Indeed, Reid also told Screenrant that the third season will focus on building out Reenie, too. “What does her work look like, and how do we build out that world a little bit more and include Randy or whoever else is in that world?” With Reenie stepping out on her own to run her own firm in Season 2, and likely looking for a new office renter now that Velma has left the shared office space, her and Randy may be working more closely together in side storylines.
So here we are—season 3 just dropped a low blow by killing off two major characters, and now Tracker is absolutely cornered. What’s next? Will they rise to the occasion, or crumble under pressure? Let’s break it all down, and don’t worry—I’ve got your back with the full scoop, laid-back human style.
The Aftermath of Season 3’s Character Exits
Who’s Gone and Why It Actually Matters
Losing two major characters isn’t just a headline—it’s a total storyline shake-up. These characters weren’t side players—they were pillars. Without them, Tracker’s world just got a whole lot shakier. Think of it like tearing out foundational beams in a house: the whole structure is wobbling.
Emotional Fallout – How Fans Are Reacting
Let’s be real—fans are grieving. Social media’s ablaze with shock, denial, and, in many cases, frustration at the writers. The void those characters leave behind isn’t just plot-wise—it’s emotional. And that vacuum sets the stage for dramatic transformation.
Storyline Vacuum – What’s Tracker’s Dilemma?
With those pillars gone, Tracker’s got to carry the load. But can one character realistically fill that gap? The writing room has to make some tough calls now—something drastic or bold is coming.
Why Tracker’s Only Option is a Major Transformation
Doubling Down on Growth
Tracker doesn’t have the luxury of treading water. It’s sink or swim time. The only real move now is deep personal evolution. We’re talking self-discovery, darker depths, or a hero’s rebirth. Whatever it is—it has to be huge.
Embracing the Lone Hero Archetype
Classic storytelling says one person rises in the vacuum. Think Luke in Star Wars without Obi-Wan and Yoda. Tracker can now become that lone protagonist forging forward—and that’s magnetic content.
Three Bold Paths Tracker Might Take Next
Path One – Embrace the Dark Side
Think anti-hero territory. Maybe Tracker spirals—grapples with loss, gets consumed by survival instincts, becomes ruthless. The internal fight makes for gripping TV.
Path Two – Become the Lone Protector
Tracker steps up, grabs the mantle, shoulders responsibility, and rallies others. Redemption arc, anyone? It’s the hero’s journey turned up to eleven.
Path Three – Reveal a Hidden Side
We might discover there’s more to Tracker’s past—or secret powers, hidden alliances. Drops a bombshell, then rebuilds the narrative around them. Surprise, hold the phone!
What Fans Are Saying (Yep, We’re Listening)
Social Media Buzz
Across Twitter and Reddit, threads are blowing up. Fans are theorizing, grieving, and demanding answers. This kind of emotional engagement? It’s gold.
The “Tracker 2.0” Memes Are Cookin’
Expect memes riffing on “Tracker Now,” “Who Even Is Tracker,” or “Tracker vs the World.” If the fandom is creating, that’s the winning sign of investment.
Why One Choice Makes the Story Sharper, Not Weaker
Concentrated Narrative = Greater Stakes
Too many options dilute tension. By narrowing to one powerful narrative arc, the show sharpens the drama, makes every second count, every decision weighty.
H4: Emotional Focus Breeds Fan Loyalty
If Tracker’s journey gets laser-focused, so do viewers. We dive deeper. We invest harder. We ride the emotional roller-coaster with them.
Anticipating Season 4’s Opening
Episode 1 — The Calm Before the Storm
Picture Tracker standing alone, scene silent but full of tension. Haven’t slept. Haunted. You can almost hear the heartbeat.
Episode 2 – First Test
Thrown a curveball—a new ally, a betrayal, maybe resurfacing foes. Tracker reacts, setting the tone: evolving, hardened, focused.
How This Shift Impacts the Series’ Future
Paving the Way for Spin-Offs
Tracker’s ascent could launch side journeys—ghost characters, flashbacks, prequels. Potential for an expanded universe? Absolutely.
Merchandise and Marketing Opportunities
From “Tracker 2.0” t-shirts to posters of a gritty, battle-scarred hero. That “only choice” narrative becomes the brand.
Why This Feels So Very Human
We’ve all lost people. We’ve all been pushed to a point where we must stand on our own. Tracker’s now echoing our own journeys—the struggle, the grit, the forging ahead when everything fell apart.
Fans—Here’s Where You Can Help Shape the Story
Fan Art, Fan Fiction, Theories
This is your playground. Share your “Tracker Only Option” theories. Art that imagines Tracker’s rebirth. Stories where they rise—or fall.
Social Engagement Moves the Needle
Tag the show. Use the buzz. Harness hashtags. It only takes fan energy to steer writers—it’s happened before!
SEO-Savvy Keywords to Watch and Use
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These help your content pop in searches—let’s make Tracker the most talked-about topic online.
Conclusion
Losing two major characters in season 3 smashed the foundation, but guess what? Tracker doesn’t crumble—they adapt. The story now funnels through a single, compelling arc, setting the stage for a gritty, emotionally raw rebirth. Tracker’s only choice isn’t a limitation—it’s the ultimate opportunity. And we’re all here for the ride.
