Setting the Scene: A New Season, A New Tone
The third season of Tracker opens with its first episode titled “The Process”—and it hits the ground running. We pick up our protagonist, Colter Shaw (played by Justin Hartley), thrown off-balance, grappling with revelations about his past while a new case pulls him back into the field.
Right away, the tone shifts: we’re no longer just chasing missing people. We’re diving into family trauma, conspiracy, and a mysterious underground operation known only as The Process.
If you were expecting the familiar formula of the show, buckle up—this premiere reshapes the landscape.
Who’s Back — And Who’s Out
The Return of Russell
A major surprise: Colter’s estranged brother Russell Shaw (played by Jensen Ackles) re-enters the story in dramatic fashion. The brothers collide in a bar brawl that sets both an action tone and an emotional undercurrent for their reunion.
Their tension is loaded with decades of misunderstanding—and the premiere forces them to confront it.
Departures and Shifting Alliances
Long-time supporting characters see shifts. Two of Colter’s go-to team-members—Velma Bruin and Bobby Exley—are notably absent from the field this season. New faces, including technical whiz Randy, step in.
These changes clear the way for deeper exploration of Colter’s emotional core rather than the same team dynamics.
The Inciting Case: Missing Wife & Daughter
The episode introduces a new case that quickly becomes anything but routine. Attorney Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene) calls Colter in when her client’s wife and teenage daughter go missing.
From what begins as a custody-crossover dispute turns into something far darker: crypto-schemes, severed limbs, and kidnappings. The case sets up the concept of The Process and immediately raises the stakes.
Family Secrets Unravel: The Father’s Death
One of the biggest moments: Colter finally uncovers the truth about his father’s death—a truth that shatters everything he thought he knew.
The Cliff, Otto and the Confession
It’s revealed that a man named Otto Waldron helped Colter’s mother by confronting Colter’s father, Ashton Shaw, on a cliff. In the struggle, Ashton falls to his death—all at the behest of his wife. This revelation explodes the myth Colter’s carried for years.
Colter vs. Mom vs. Russell
Colter realizes he was lied to—he believed Russell was responsible because Mary’s story had twisted the narrative. Russell thought differently, carrying his own guilt and secrets. The two brothers finally speak openly about the past, but trust is shattered.
Enter “The Process”: A Dark New Threat
The missing persons case is only the tip of the iceberg. The deeper narrative revolves around a menacing operation dubbed The Process. By episode’s end, Colter and Russell realize the case is far more sinister than they anticipated.
Signs, Ransom and Secrets
Lisa (the missing wife), her daughter Hailey, and her boyfriend Kurt (a crypto conman) become enmeshed in this operation. A severed hand, burner phones, encrypted messages—these are the signs of an underground machine at work.
Consequences: “You have interrupted the process …”
The episode’s final moments drop a chilling message:
“You have interrupted the process and there will be consequences.”
Colter and Russell know their rescue mission wasn’t the end—it might just be the beginning.
Character Arcs in Motion
Colter Shaw: Wounded and Driven
Colter starts the episode isolated, drunken at a bar in Wyoming, avoiding his team and the past. He emerges because this case and his father’s death force him back into the field. His emotional journey underpins the whole episode.
Russell Shaw: Protector Turned Partner
Russell arrives tough, still a little removed, but also pushes Colter to reconnect. He offers the support Colter sorely needs—even as their relationship remains fragile.
Reenie Greene & Randy: New Dynamics
Reenie steps up hard—forcing Colter’s return. Randy’s technical role expands in Velma’s absence. Together they signal a more streamlined team this season.
Visuals & Atmosphere: Grit, Isolation and Tension
The premiere leans into rugged landscapes (Wyoming bar), the isolation of the Shaw family’s old crashes, and the small twisted rooms of the crypto-scam apartment. The visuals reinforce the notion that what’s happening is both large-scale and deeply personal.
Themes at Play: Betrayal, Control & Identity
Betrayal
Colter’s realization that his mother deceived him for decades underlies much of the emotional weight. He believed a lie. He trusted the wrong person. Now he must rebuild.
Control
From crypto scammers to kidnappers, the idea of being manipulated runs through the story. The Process exerts control over people’s lives, demanding obedience.
Identity
Colter must redefine who he is: a lone wolf tracker, or a brother, son, ally? Russell must ask the same. Their identities are shifting as a result of the truths uncovered.
Notable Moments That Hit Hard
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The bar fight that triggers Russell’s arrival and signals Colter’s detachment.
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The father’s death reveal, reframing Colter’s entire past.
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The severed hand used to open a biometric safe: twisted yet symbolically rich.
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The final text message to Colter & Russell: ominous, promising future threat.
Where the Season Might Go
Given how the premiere sets up both personal and procedural arcs, we expect:
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A deeper dive into The Process and its operatives.
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A confrontation between Colter and his mother, Mary.
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Russell and Colter working together, reconciling while on the job.
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More cases that tie into the family’s past and the conspiracies hinted at.
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The tech/crypto/cyber axis (via Randy) becoming more prominent in investigations.
Recap Summary: What Just Happened?
In “The Process”, Season 3 Episode 1 of Tracker:
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Colter is out of touch, emotionally worn down.
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Russell reappears, forcing a family reckoning around their father’s death.
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A missing-persons case (wife + daughter) reveals a crypto-scam boyfriend and a severed-hand murder.
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The term “The Process” surfaces, hinting at a broader conspiracy.
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The episode ends with an ominous message: the job isn’t over—there will be payback.
Why This Premiere Works (and Why You Should Care)
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It combines the procedural heartbeat of the show (missing persons, tracking, action) with a serialized emotional arc (family trauma, conspiracy).
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The stakes are elevated: not just save someone, but unravel a truth.
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It introduces change (cast shifts) thoughtfully without losing the core of the show.
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The opening sets up the entire season: personal history + external threat = engaging territory.
If you’re a fan of Tracker, or even if you’re just tuning in now, “The Process” offers a compelling entry point.
Final Thought Before the Season Rolls On
“The Process” feels like the kind of premiere that says: we’re changing, but we’re still unmistakably Tracker. The open wounds of Colter’s past, the tight bond (and tension) with Russell, the new threat lurking beneath the surface—they all make this episode more than just another start. It re-boots the emotional engine and primes the procedural machine.
If you ask me: this season will be less about isolated cases and more about one big truth that connects all the smaller ones. And that’s exciting.
Conclusion
Episode one of Season 3 of Tracker, titled “The Process”, redefines the show’s direction without losing its identity. It introduces a chilling new conspiracy, forces Colter to face the biggest betrayal of his life, and reunites him with his brother for a season-wide journey that promises both action and heart. This premiere isn’t just a starting point—it’s a re-launch. If you’ve watched it, you’ll be eagerly waiting for next week. If you haven’t yet—get ready, because the chase has begun.
Now keep your eyes peeled for what comes next… because The Process might just be getting started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What does “The Process” refer to in the episode?
A1: In the premiere, “The Process” appears to be a clandestine operation that manipulates people’s fates—evidenced by the kidnappings, burner phones, encrypted messages and the final warning text. It’s introduced as the danger behind the case.
Q2: Why is Russell Shaw back and what changes does his return bring?
A2: Russell returns in the premiere to help his brother Colter—something the show’s producers confirm was planned to deepen Colter’s character arc and explore the family history. His presence brings emotional weight and shifts from Colter working solo to working in tandem with someone who knows him deeply.
Q3: Are Velma and Bobby still part of the team this season?
A3: No—Velma and Bobby are written out of the main team in Season 3. Instead the show focuses on Randy taking a more active role and Reenie stepping up in new ways.
Q4: Which case do Colter and Russell tackle in Episode 1?
A4: They investigate the disappearance of Lisa (the wife) and Hailey (the daughter) of client Cal Rodgers. The case initially appears to be about a custody dispute but spirals into a kidnapping, severed limb, and crypto-conspiracies.
Q5: How does the revelation about Colter’s father change the show’s dynamic?
A5: That revelation shifts the show from being mostly episodic (find someone, solve case) to more serialized—Colter’s personal history now drives much of the tension. It changes his mission from just tracking to confronting his past and redefining his identity.
