In Sunday night’s episode, “Echo Ridge,” Colter returned home to investigate the disappearance of a missing restaurant owner. During the course of the investigation, Colter uncovered a child-trafficking ring. In one of the suspect’s trailers, he found a carved wooden statue made by his father, Ashton Shaw. The discovery led Colter to a man named Otto. Otto confessed to Colter that he killed Ashton. When Colter asked why, Otto revealed that Colter’s mother, Mary Shaw, had asked for his “help.” What exactly she asked and why is a mystery that must wait until season three.
So… is the hunter about to become the hunted? If you’ve been following Tracker closely, you know Colter Shaw isn’t exactly your average guy. He’s a survivalist, a loner, and a tracker with a dark past. But Season 3 might just flip the script and throw Colter on the run himself. Sounds wild, right? Let’s dive into this juicy possibility and explore what could turn Shaw into a fugitive — and why this twist could be the adrenaline shot the series needs.
When Justin Hartley appeared on CBS Mornings, he talked about how he’d like to see Colter use his skills to evade the law as a fugitive. In an interview with Variety, Hartley expanded on the idea, saying, “I love the idea — and we haven’t seen it yet — of Colter getting a typical job [gone wrong]. He gets a phone call from whatever, there’s a reward, and he goes in and finds out a little bit too late that this whole thing is a setup, and someone is trying to pin this murder on him.” Seeing Colter framed for murder could help Tracker fill in one of its plot holes. With the enemies that Colter makes with some of his cases, fans wonder why none of them has ever tried to retaliate. I like that idea, sort of like a fugitive theme.
I don’t know how long that could go on, but that could go on for several episodes. Then, while he’s on the run, he’s trying to evade the authorities, and he’s also trying to figure out who’s responsible for the murder. “I like that idea, sort of like a fugitive theme,” Hartley continued. “I don’t know how long that could go on, but that could go on for several episodes. Then, while he’s on the run, he’s trying to evade the authorities, and he’s also trying to figure out who’s responsible for the murder.” As a fugitive, audiences could see Colter cut off from his team, and provide the perfect opportunity to bring back the fan-favorite character, Russell Shaw, played by Jensen Ackles. When asked about Hartley’s fugitive idea, showrunner Elwood Reid told TV Guide, “It’s not a cop show. It’s not a legal show. It’s not a medical show. It’s not a private investigator show. We can take the show anywhere we need to. I think that’s what’s fun about the show — taking it in different directions every week in different worlds.”
Turning Colter Shaw into a fugitive in Tracker Season 3 might just be the bold plot twist fans didn’t know they needed. It’s dramatic. It’s emotional. It’s packed with potential. We’d see our hero pushed to his limit, hunted like the people he once chased, and forced to confront every ghost from his past. So, will Colter become the prey instead of the predator? Only time — and one wild season — will tell.
