Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) has been working alone for two seasons on Tracker… but has he? And does he really need to? Week after week, especially in Tracker Season 2, the intrepid “rewardist” has accepted plenty of help from others while solving missing persons cases and getting out of tight situations. His people skills are improving against his will, which proves that the show needs to let its protagonist take the next step. When Tracker returns for Season 3, Colter should consider getting a permanent partner. Finding Colter a partner is first and foremost a safety concern. The stakes keep getting higher on this show. Someone needs to be around to track the Tracker if he goes missing! It’s already happened a few times, and the next time it happens, he might not be so lucky. His team can only do so much when they’re across the country and communicating by phone. If and when Colter goes off the grid to find someone, he should not be by himself.
The world of television has its share of unforgettable characters, and one of the most intriguing figures to emerge in recent years is Colter Shaw from the series Tracker. Played by the talented actor, Colter Shaw is a character that commands attention—his calm demeanor, sharp intellect, and resourcefulness make him a fan favorite. But as the show heads into its third season, there’s a question on everyone’s mind: How can the writers make Colter Shaw even more compelling? What crucial changes should Tracker Season 3 make to ensure the character stays fresh, relevant, and continues to capture the audience’s attention?
Colter Shaw Has Proven He Can Work With a Partner On ‘Tracker’. Firstly, Colter only thinks he’s bad at companionship and teamwork. He is a loner and somewhat of a nomad, but he’s not anti-social, and he’s perfectly capable of delegating work or (occasionally) taking orders from others. The problem is, none of the people Colter has teamed up with so far tend to stick around for very long on Tracker. They’re guest stars he can rely on, maybe open to about his past, and then not see again for several episodes, if ever at all. But every time Colter does have someone to bicker with and bounce ideas off of, the episode is stronger.
Let’s keep that going! Do you have a favorite temporary partner on Tracker? Some stand-outs in Season 2 include Cousin Randy (Chris Lee), who teamed up with Colter in the field after a few weeks of filling in for Bobby, Keaton (Brent Sexton), the retired cop and father figure who helped Colter with a cold case, and Detective Veach (Marci T. House), who he helped uncover a dangerous case in New Orleans.
There are also recurring characters, like Billie Matalan (Sofia Pernas), the “rival rewardist” and very casual love interest first introduced in Season 1, Detective Brock (Diana Maria Riva), who met Colter in Season 1 and deputized him in Season 2, and of course, Colter’s brother Russell (Jensen Ackles) who despite his military past can sometimes be even more of a loose cannon. Finally, who could forget Lizzy Hawking (Jennifer Morrison), a childhood friend whose daughter went missing in Season 1? Any of these folks could take the partner gig in Season 3 — provided they’re up to living on the road with or adjacent to Colter and his #vanlife customs.
Reenie Would Be an Ideal Partner for Colter on ‘Tracker’. The lone wolf who refuses help, even from the people who care about him most, is a popular trope in fiction only because it’s almost never a permanent state. Characters change and grow, and eventually come together no matter how rogue they may be at the beginning. As fun as it is to watch new characters temporarily fill that role in the revolving door that is Colter’s profession, he should learn how to work with someone who isn’t going to vanish after one episode — or, like Reenie (Fiona Rene) and Bobby’s sassy cousin Randy, go back to their respective offices where they only communicate with Colter over the phone.
If we’re being honest, Reenie should be Colter’s partner on Tracker. He trusts her more than most people, they work really well together, and they respect each other. But that would mean someone else needs to take on lawyer duties for Team Colter, and she’s clearly the best at it. Not only is Reenie pulling up records and calling in favors all over the country for him, but she must be the one keeping legal charges off of him for all the people he injures or kills in self-defense.
In conclusion, Tracker Season 3 has an exciting opportunity to take Colter Shaw’s character to new heights. By exploring a darker backstory, challenging Shaw’s moral compass, making him more vulnerable, and introducing new relationships, the show could maintain its gripping tension while offering fans a fresh, more complex version of the character. The evolution of Colter Shaw is not just important—it’s essential to keeping the series engaging, emotionally rich, and ready for even more thrilling adventures.
