Though Tracker offers a unique approach to the procedural format, Tracker season 3 should make one big change to the way Colter Shaw’s team operates to make the series even better. Tracker is inspired by The Never Game by Jeffrey Deaver, which kicks off a series of novels about the character. The TV show follows Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) as he travels around the United States, finding people who are missing in exchange for the rewards offered. Tracker has proven to be a big success for CBS with its compelling case-of-the-week mysteries alongside an overarching narrative about Colter’s own past that was teased further in the Tracker season 2 finale. Much of the series, however, relies on Colter being out in the field alone despite having a support network that helps him with his missing persons cases. The series could improve its character dynamics by bringing his support team into the field with him more often.

If you’ve been hooked on Tracker, then you already know Colter Shaw is a one-man show—literally. But as Season 3 approaches, there’s a glaring issue the writers can’t ignore anymore: Colter needs a real team. Let’s break down why Season 3 has to change the game and give Colter Shaw the crew he—and the show—desperately needs.

Why The Lone Wolf Vibe Is Getting Old

What Makes Colter Shaw Unique

Colter Shaw, played by Justin Hartley, is brilliant, resourceful, and rugged. He solves crimes using a combination of street smarts and high-level deduction. But here’s the problem: he does it all alone.

The Lone Wolf Trope Is Overplayed

The lone-wolf archetype worked in Season 1. Maybe even Season 2. But by now, it’s stale. Audiences crave emotional connections and dynamic interactions. Watching Colter talk to himself or to a new one-episode character each week isn’t cutting it anymore.

The Missing Puzzle Piece: A Real Team

Relationships Drive Storytelling

The best crime shows (think Criminal Minds, NCIS, or The Blacklist) thrive because of strong, ongoing relationships. Tracker? Not so much. Colter bounces from gig to gig with barely anyone sticking around. There’s no grounding force. No camaraderie. No consistent tension or growth.

A Team Adds Depth and Complexity

Imagine this: Colter has a hacker, a field partner, and maybe even a psychologist in the mix. Suddenly, there’s room for subplots, disagreements, emotional stakes, and layered storytelling. Sounds more binge-worthy, right?

How Season 3 Can Fix It

Bring Back Recurring Characters

Remember Reenie? Or that quirky tech guy from episode four? Tracker teased us with great secondary characters but never committed. Season 3 needs to lock in a small cast that sticks around.

Assign Clear Roles

Think of it like a squad in a video game. You’ve got:

• The tracker (Colter)

• The brains (hacker/analyst)

• The muscle (ex-military type)

• The heart (someone who keeps them all sane)

Each role offers story potential and keeps things fresh.

Why This Change Will Boost the Show’s Popularity

Viewer Retention Will Skyrocket

People return for characters, not just plots. By giving Colter a consistent team, fans will emotionally invest—not just in solving cases, but in watching the relationships evolve.

Social Media Buzz Will Explode

You can’t create viral GIFs or trending ship names without a cast to root for. A solid team = better memes, more discussions, and higher fan engagement. Period.

Emotional Payoffs Hit Harder With a Team

Losses Matter More

When you’re attached to characters, every betrayal, death, or triumph feels bigger. Imagine if Colter lost someone he actually cared about, someone we cared about. That’s next-level drama.

Psychological Layers Add Grit

Colter has trauma. He’s complicated. But with no one to push him emotionally, those layers stay buried. A good team could challenge him, comfort him, and call him out.

Expand The World Beyond Colter

Open Up New Storylines

A team means different backgrounds, specialties, and personal demons. That’s a playground for writers. Instead of always focusing on Colter, we could explore:

• The hacker’s shady past

• The medic’s PTSD

• Interpersonal tension within the team

More Screen Time Doesn’t Mean Less Colter

He’s still the star. But diversifying the story beats keeps things from becoming repetitive.

Balance Action With Dialogue

Action Scenes Feel Earned

When a team fights together, stakes are higher. You care more. Every explosion, car chase, or gunfight feels personal. Not just another day in the life of Colter Shaw.

Witty Banter Builds Chemistry

Who doesn’t love snappy dialogue between characters with chemistry? A sarcastic partner or a nerdy sidekick can elevate every scene.

Mental Health Matters, Too

 Colter Needs Therapy… or At Least a Friend

Let’s be honest. Colter’s been through hell. Without a consistent sounding board, his mental health angle feels brushed aside. Having a teammate he can open up to? That’s story gold.

What Fans Are Actually Saying

Fan Theories Are Already Floating

Reddit threads and TikTok edits are flooded with fans wishing Colter had a team. People are emotionally starved for connection on this show. They don’t just want Colter to succeed—they want him to connect.

Other Shows Did It First (and Better)

What Tracker Can Learn from TV Giants

• The Mentalist had a fantastic ensemble.

• Castle nailed the buddy-cop vibe.

• Bones mixed science and heart with team dynamics.

Colter Shaw deserves the same level of support. So do the fans.

The Time to Change Is Now

Don’t Wait for Season 4

Season 3 is the make-or-break point. Ratings will only stay up if the narrative evolves. Adding a team doesn’t mean rewriting the show—it means leveling it up.

Final Thoughts

Tracker is one of those shows with raw potential. Colter Shaw is compelling, mysterious, and easy to root for. But one man can’t carry an entire series forever—not even a man as cool as Colter.

It’s time to break the pattern. Bring in a team. Build relationships. Create a real sense of home base and continuity. Give fans a reason to stay—and new viewers a reason to care.

Season 3 could be the best yet, but only if it stops letting Colter Shaw go it alone.