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.
If you’ve been following Tracker, you probably know it’s more than just weekly cases and missing persons. At its core lies a deeply personal, gripping subplot—Colter Shaw’s fractured family and the lingering mystery around his father’s death. But Season 3? It’s dropping the ball.
While the episodic format keeps viewers entertained, the slow-burning mystery of the Shaw family is getting buried under layers of standalone plots. And for a show that started with such a compelling emotional hook, that’s a problem. Let’s talk about why this arc needs more love—and fast.
The Emotional Core Is Missing Without the Shaw Family
What Made Viewers Invest in the First Place
When Tracker debuted, it wasn’t just Colter’s tracking skills that pulled us in. It was the shadows of his past—the tragedy, the trauma, the twisted legacy of his father’s research and disappearance. That emotional weight made the series stand out.
But Season 3? It’s like the show has selective memory.
H3: Without the Family Storyline, Colter Feels Detached
Let’s face it—Colter Shaw is a lone wolf, but he’s not heartless. His past shapes every step he takes. Ignoring that history disconnects him from viewers emotionally. We don’t just want a tracker; we want his story.
A Wasted Opportunity for Long-Term Storytelling
Serialized Subplots Add Depth
Great shows balance episodic plots with long arcs. Think The Mentalist, Bones, or Person of Interest. The best episodes gave us both a compelling weekly mystery and a few breadcrumbs from the overarching story.
The Shaw Family Arc Could Have Been a Slow-Burn Masterpiece
Imagine if each episode dropped hints—an old photo, a cryptic letter, a run-in with a family member. Instead, it’s crickets for multiple episodes. That’s not mystery; that’s negligence.
Fans Notice—and They’re Frustrated
Social Media Isn’t Quiet About It
Scroll through Reddit or Twitter (or X, if you’re fancy), and you’ll see the same complaints: “Where’s the Shaw family story?” “Are they ever going to resolve Colter’s past?”
The engagement is there. The passion is there. The show just needs to lean into it.
Die-Hard Viewers Want Payoff, Not Placeholders
Dragging out a mystery can be good—if you give fans little wins. But dragging it out without development? That’s just annoying. Fans aren’t asking for all the answers now. They’re asking for progress.
It Hurts Character Development Across the Board
Characters Without Context Feel Hollow
Colter’s decisions, his loneliness, his moral compass—they all stem from his upbringing. Without revisiting the Shaw family drama, those traits lose context. We’re watching actions without motivations.
Supporting Characters Could Shine More
Characters like Colter’s siblings or even family-related flashbacks could provide rich storytelling opportunities. We’re missing out on layers of complexity.
The Show Risks Becoming Formulaic
Predictable Plots = Viewer Fatigue
Here’s the danger: if every episode follows the same format—new person, new case, minor emotional beat—viewers will check out. What kept Tracker fresh was its undercurrent of mystery.
Breaking the Mold Keeps Things Engaging
A mid-season family episode. A surprise appearance from Colter’s brother. A shocking voicemail from the past. These shake up the formula in the best way.
Competing Shows Are Doing It Better
Look at “The Blacklist,” “Reacher,” Even “Yellowstone”
These shows thrive because they balance personal stakes with broader plots. If Tracker wants to compete on that level, it has to remember what made it unique: Colter Shaw’s past, not just his present.
Viewers Deserve Closure—or At Least Clarity
Open-Ended Mysteries Should Still Move Forward
There’s a difference between teasing a mystery and ignoring it. Right now, it feels like the show is doing the latter. And it’s doing fans a disservice.
Delayed Payoffs Work—But Only With Setup
Think Lost or Breaking Bad. The suspense worked because the show earned it. That means consistent breadcrumbs and meaningful developments.
The Writers Have Gold—They’re Just Not Mining It
The Shaw Family Backstory Is Rich and Untapped
A genius father obsessed with fear conditioning? A mother who fled with her kids? A brother who might be dangerous—or misunderstood? That’s Emmy-level material right there.
There’s Still Time to Course-Correct
Season 3 isn’t over. If the writers shift focus even slightly, they can reignite interest and loyalty.
Fans Want More Than Just Closure
They Want Catharsis
We don’t just want to know what happened. We want to feel it. We want to cry with Colter. We want that sucker-punch moment that makes everything click. That only happens when the writers lean into the emotional side.
Flashbacks Could Be Game-Changers
Use the Past to Build the Present
A few well-placed flashbacks could breathe new life into the story. Show us young Colter. Show us his parents. Make us care all over again.
The Show’s Identity Is at Stake
Is Tracker Just a Procedural? Or Something Deeper?
If Tracker wants to be remembered as more than just a case-of-the-week series, it has to embrace the deeper narrative threads. The Shaw family mystery isn’t a side plot. It’s the spine of the show.
Reconnecting the Dots Could Reignite Ratings
Emotional Arcs Keep People Watching
Case-solving is entertaining. But emotional resonance? That’s what makes people stay. That’s what gets people tweeting and talking and binging.
Let Colter Face His Demons
Growth Requires Confrontation
For Colter to grow, he has to face what haunts him. The longer the show avoids it, the more it stunts his development.
Conclusion — It’s Time to Prioritize the Real Story
Tracker has the pieces to be phenomenal: a talented lead, an intriguing premise, and a powerful emotional core. But if Season 3 keeps treating the Shaw family mystery like an afterthought, the show risks losing its soul. It’s not too late. A few bold narrative choices could elevate Tracker from good to unforgettable. The question is—will the writers take that leap?
