Unfortunately, Tracker season 2 has been a step down from season 1, but one highlight of the newer episodes reveals how season 3 can get the TV series back on course. The CBS action drama show, created by Ben H. Winters, is an adaptation of Jeffery Deaver’s Colter Shaw book series, following Colter’s adventures as a rewardist. Justin Hartley’s Tracker character is a survivalist who earns his wage by accepting jobs from private citizens or law enforcement agencies to (usually) find missing people. Although Colter has a team that helps him from the sidelines, he typically faces his cases alone. Over the course of Tracker’s two seasons, Colter has encountered a wide variety of cases across the country. From finding a kidnapped racehorse to trying to solve a mystery featuring aliens, Colter has seen it all. He has proven himself capable of handling almost any obstacle thrown his way. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean Colter has to or should be alone while trying to find answers in Tracker.
Tracker’s Got the Juice—But It’s Missing the Punch
Let’s be real — CBS struck gold when they cast Justin Hartley in Tracker. The guy oozes charm, grit, and leading-man energy. Season 1 got us hooked, Season 2 dialed things up… but if we’re being honest? Something still isn’t clicking. It’s good, but not great. And there’s one big, glaring issue that could break or make Season 3. So what’s the problem? Let’s dig in.
A Quick Recap — What’s Tracker All About Anyway?
Before we jump into the fix, let’s rewind for a sec.
Tracker follows Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley), a lone-wolf survivalist and tracker who helps people solve crimes, find missing folks, and untangle dangerous mysteries. It’s a little MacGyver, a dash of The Mentalist, and a sprinkle of Reacher — all wrapped in a CBS procedural format. Sounds like a hit, right? Well… it kind of is. But it’s also kind of not.
Season 2 Upped the Stakes — But Still Felt Hollow
The Action? 🔥 On Point.
Season 2 ramped up the danger, gave us tighter chases, and let Hartley flex his action-hero muscles. That was fun.
The Mystery? Intriguing, But Predictable.
Each episode had a mystery, sure. But most viewers started calling the twist before the halfway point. That’s not a flex — it’s a problem.
The Emotion? Hit-or-Miss.
Sometimes Colter’s backstory pulls at the heartstrings. Other times, it feels like filler. We want depth, not flashbacks for the sake of flashbacks.
Here’s the Big Problem — And It’s Hard to Ignore
Tracker Lacks a Strong Serialized Arc
Boom. That’s it. That’s the issue.
TV has changed, folks. Even network shows need an ongoing arc to keep audiences invested week after week. Colter jumping from case to case works for a while… but eventually, it starts to feel repetitive. Remember Person of Interest? Or even The Blacklist? They mixed the case-of-the-week format with deeper, evolving narratives. That’s the formula Tracker desperately needs.
Why Serialized Storytelling Is a Must in 2025
Audiences Want Binge-Worthy Hooks
Let’s be honest: if you’re not building toward something bigger, most people will tune out. They need a reason to hit “Next Episode.”
Streaming Changed the Game
Even though Tracker airs on CBS, viewers are streaming it later. They expect twists, cliffhangers, and long-term payoffs — not just procedural checklists.
Serialized Arcs Create Emotional Investment
We care more when we know the stakes matter. Let us follow Colter through an entire season-long mystery. Let us meet recurring villains. Give us a “big bad.” Give us layers.
Let’s Talk About Justin Hartley — The Show’s Secret Weapon
He’s Doing the Heavy Lifting
Justin Hartley isn’t just carrying the show — he is the show. His charisma keeps things watchable, even when the writing slips.
But He Needs Better Material
We’ve seen what he can do in This Is Us. Give the man a complex arc, internal conflict, a nemesis that actually challenges him. Don’t just let him wander from town to town with a gun and a growl.
The Supporting Cast Deserves More, Too
Time to Build Real Relationships
Colter meets new people each episode… and then they vanish. Season 3 should introduce more recurring characters with meaningful ties to him.
Think ‘Found Family’ Vibes
Let Colter build connections, face betrayals, form alliances. It’ll ground the show emotionally and keep viewers coming back.
What Season 3 Needs To Nail
1. A Season-Long Mystery with High Stakes
Make us care. Make us guess. Make us scream at the TV.
2. A Strong Antagonist
Every hero needs a villain. Give Colter a nemesis we love to hate.
3. Rich Character Development
Peel back more layers of Colter’s past — but make it count. Show how it affects his choices now.
4. Relationships That Evolve
Not everything has to be romantic. Give us friendships, mentorships, even rivalries.
5. A Clear Endgame
Where is Colter headed? What’s the point of all this? Let the audience feel like we’re moving toward something.
Will CBS Take the Leap?
The million-dollar question: will the network let Tracker evolve?
It’s risky, sure. Serialized arcs are harder to write. They need commitment and long-term vision. But they also build loyalty. And they’re exactly what Tracker needs to go from “decent” to “must-watch.”
Conclusion — Tracker Has Potential. Season 3 Can Unlock It.
Tracker isn’t broken. It’s just stuck. With a bit of courage, a clearer story arc, and deeper character development, Season 3 could elevate the series into something truly binge-worthy. Justin Hartley is ready. The fans are ready. CBS — the ball’s in your court.
