Tracker undoubtedly proved itself as a success since its inception, but a hit show in Justin Hartley’s past highlights how the crime drama may be wasting the actor. Following Colter Shaw on his missing persons cases makes Tracker have its fair share of action and surprising twists, especially when Colter’s family is involved. However, there’s one thing that Colter avoids. Despite having a close-knit group helping him find cases and with the investigations, often even getting him out of difficult situations, Colter always keeps his distance, refusing to make those relationships personal. This protects Colter, but it also doesn’t make the best use of Hartley’s acting abilities, as proven by one show in Hartley’s past boasting a 94% RT score. Tracker’s procedural nature makes it difficult to deviate from its structure, with the mystery of the disappearance at the heart of each episode having to take center stage. At the same time, Colter goes out of his way not to get close to those he encounters, whether his clients or those he has collaborated with for years.
Colter, Bobby and Reenie [had] the opportunity to work on [Sun Mai’s] case from the same place and yet, Colter refused to go to dinner with them after their success. This Colter quality inevitably makes his backstory more interesting, in the way Tracker made evident that the distance he keeps with his loved ones is a consequence of his history. However, that also means that Hartley is never given the chance to display more of his acting muscles, as Colter pulls himself out of situations before they can become emotional.
It couldn’t have been clearer than in Tracker season 1, episode 7. Sun Mai’s disappearance gave Colter, Bobby and Reenie the opportunity to work on her case from the same place, something that rarely happens in Tracker. They got to know one another better as a result, and yet, Colter refused to go to dinner with them after their success.
Colter exhibits a similar behavior with his family. While he eventually patched things up with his brother Russell, stopping to think that he had anything to do with their father Ashton’s death, he always refuses to talk at length about a problem. Both times his sister Dory appeared on Tracker showed Colter’s reticence to admit he often avoided his family.
While Colter’s feelings almost crept to the surface several times, he always finds a way to suppress them, whether a difficult case is involved or the matter of Ashton Shaw’s death is what is discussed. This doesn’t let Hartley have the chance to show different aspects of Colter’s character, despite having already proven his abilities in NBC’s This Is Us.
The Wasted Potential of a Prime-Time Powerhouse
Let’s be honest—Justin Hartley is not just another TV face. He’s charismatic, seasoned, and capable of anchoring an entire series. Yet, CBS’s Tracker seems to be fumbling the ball, missing golden opportunities to showcase his range. Fans of This Is Us know exactly what he brings to the screen—but Tracker? Not quite hitting the mark. Ironically, there’s a Rotten Tomatoes 94% hit that has already cracked the code on how to build compelling character arcs in mystery-driven drama. And yes, it might just be the blueprint Tracker needs to save itself in Season 3.
The Colter Shaw Dilemma — Great Character, Weak Execution
Who Is Colter Shaw Supposed to Be?
Colter Shaw was introduced as a “lone-wolf survivalist,” hunting down bounties across the U.S. Sounds exciting, right? But here’s the issue: the writing doesn’t give Shaw emotional stakes or depth, making him feel like a shadow instead of a hero.
Hartley’s Talent Is Being Bottled Up
Hartley is at his best when he’s given vulnerability, conflict, and inner demons to wrestle with. Tracker’s episodic structure boxes him into repetitive, one-dimensional cases. He deserves story arcs, not just weekly puzzles.
The Problem with Tracker’s Episodic Format
Formulaic Fatigue
Each episode of Tracker follows the same rinse-and-repeat template: find the person, dig up secrets, wrap it up. While that works for casual viewers, it alienates fans craving long-term character growth.
Where’s the Mythology?
A huge miss for Tracker is the lack of serialized storytelling. There’s no big mystery, no web of secrets to unravel over the season. Compare that to shows like The Mentalist or Breaking Bad, and you’ll see how much drama thrives on long-term stakes.
Enter the 94% Rotten Tomatoes Hit — A Masterclass in Character-Driven Drama
The Show That Tracker Needs to Learn From
The show we’re talking about? “The Night Agent”. With its razor-sharp pacing and multi-layered storytelling, it captures everything Tracker isn’t—but should be.
What Makes The Night Agent So Effective?
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Strong narrative arc: Every episode builds toward a larger conspiracy.
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Emotional resonance: Characters evolve. You care deeply about their outcomes.
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High stakes: There’s always something bigger lurking around the corner.
Can Tracker Learn from This? Absolutely.
Imagine Colter Shaw caught in a national web of lies, framed for a crime, or on the run from a shadowy organization. Boom—suddenly, you’ve got real stakes.
Giving Colter Shaw a Brain and a Heart
Make Him More Than a Tracker
He needs a backstory that matters—a tragic past, a haunted family secret, or a lost love. Make him vulnerable. Make him human.
Let Him Lose Sometimes
Right now, Shaw wins too often. There’s no tension if you know he’ll always solve the case. Failure breeds drama, and drama keeps audiences hooked.
Pacing & Tension — Tracker’s Weak Spot
Slow Burns Win Races
The Night Agent thrives on slow-burning intensity. Tracker rushes. It’s afraid to let moments breathe.
Dialogue That Actually Says Something
Too much exposition, not enough emotion. We need conversations that reveal character, not just plot points.
Action Is Not Enough — Where’s the Heart?
Relationships Matter
In The Night Agent, every character dynamic fuels the story. In Tracker, Colter might as well be talking to a cardboard cutout. Season 3 needs deeper relationships—friends, enemies, love interests, and betrayals.
Give Us a Sidekick or Foil
Every great loner needs a contrast. Think House and Wilson. Sherlock and Watson. Give Colter a recurring ally—or better yet, a rival.
How Season 3 Can Steer the Ship Back on Course
Introduce a Season-Wide Mystery
A missing person case that leads to corruption. A revenge arc. A government conspiracy. Anything that makes viewers binge, not just browse.
H3: Let Hartley Stretch His Dramatic Muscles
He’s proven he can do emotional breakdowns, heartfelt monologues, and gritty confrontations. So let him.
The Supporting Cast Is Crying for Relevance
Who Are These People?
Tracker tosses in side characters like breadcrumbs, but we never know them. Season 3 should develop a core cast that actually matters.
Think Ensemble, Not Solo Ride
If Tracker wants to stick around, it needs to build a team, not just a hero. Look at how shows like NCIS and Criminal Minds used ensemble chemistry to stay fresh for years.
What the Critics and Fans Are Saying
Rotten Tomatoes Doesn’t Lie
Tracker floats around a lukewarm rating. Meanwhile, The Night Agent dazzles with 94%. The difference? Emotion, tension, and tight writing.
Social Media Is Losing Interest
Fans are already tweeting things like “Tracker had potential” or “Hartley deserves better.” That’s your red flag, CBS.
Easy Fixes CBS Can Start With
Drop the Case-of-the-Week Obsession
Give us a thread to follow—not a new string every episode.
Make Colter Shaw’s Past Personal and Present
Is his father really dead? Was he involved in something darker? Leave us questioning everything.
Lessons From The Night Agent That Could Save Tracker
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Build long-form storytelling.
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Write emotionally complex characters.
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Embrace character loss and failure.
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Use flashbacks to deepen the present.
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Create a villain worth fearing.
Conclusion: Season 3 Is the Last Shot to Save Tracker
Tracker isn’t a bad show. It’s just playing it too safe—and in a golden age of TV storytelling, safe doesn’t cut it. Justin Hartley deserves material that matches his talent. If Tracker borrows the emotional depth and narrative bravery of a show like The Night Agent, it has a real chance of turning Colter Shaw into one of TV’s most iconic leads.
But if it doesn’t change course in Season 3? Then Tracker may go from “promising” to “forgotten” faster than you can say “Where’s the next episode?”
