Colter goes on another case, and as we get hints about his complicated family dynamics, we watch a passable episodic tale.
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Plot Recap
Someone’s Watching Me – Mary, Colter
It isn’t clear who, but someone is watching Mary, and it seems they also have broken into Ashton’s office. This leads to Colter wanting to put cameras up and other means of deterrence or security, but Mary won’t have any of that. She likes living without constant surveillance and has a gun in case anything gets too dicey.
This Week’s Case – Colter, Jackson
For this week’s case, Colter is tasked with finding and potentially rescuing Jackson. This isn’t like last week’s episode, however, as Jackson is a grown man, and what got him was a cult.
Now, why did Jackson join? Well, the same parents who hired Colter were helicopter parents, and Jackson wanted to escape them since it seemed they have been running his life, and he is tired of it.
Positive Light – Colter, Jackson, Rebecca, Seth
But, he ends up realizing he is in a cult after he learns the truth about Rebecca, the woman who recruited him, Seth, the leader of the cult “Positive Light,” and what happened to Seth’s last accountant – who was murdered in a hit and run. And as all this happens, Colter is forced to think about his father’s charm, how he once was just like Jackson, enamored by a charming man with a dark side, and yet how all his father taught him has allowed him to thrive in life.
Cast Guide
|
Character’s Name |
Actor’s Name |
|
Mary |
Wendy Crewson |
|
Colter |
Justin Hartley |
|
Jackson |
Donald Heng |
|
Rebecca |
Stefanie von Pfetten |
|
Seth |
Ryan Robbins |
New Character Description(s)
Jackson
Jackson is a young adult, an accountant, who has lived his life under his parents’ thumb and wanted to break out and gain some sense of self-confidence, purpose, and maybe even an idea of freedom.
Rebecca
Rebecca is Seth’s right hand and has a criminal past, including fraud and scamming.
Seth
The leader of “Positive Light,” like all cult leaders, Seth is charming, a paternal figure, and shows a level of commitment that can be disarming. But, in reality, he is a wolf who knows how to exploit vulnerable people, and between his charm and how he creates a safe space for his followers to confess, he is able to drain them of their finances and add to his numbers.
- The actor is also known for their role in Deadly Class: Season 1/ Episode 2, “Noise, Noise, Noise.”
Review
Highlights
The Fact That Colter Is Essentially On His Own
While Colter has a team behind him, this isn’t like the lead-in for “Tracker,” “The Equalizer,” where Colter has a hacker who always has eyes on him, a friend who can do most of what he can do and a huge network of allies who can pop in at a moments notice. As shown, Colter is a solo operation in person, and he isn’t a spy or super soldier. Colter, at best, is more charming and adept than the average person, but as shown by him getting caught doing his detective work, and how often he ends up in a situation he has to buy time to avoid getting shot, Colter often takes huge risks.
Now, with us being early into the show, this does present some level of excitement. However, like “The Equalizer,” I do feel that as Colter keeps getting out of situations that should leave him scarred, bruised, with a limp, or in the hospital, it is going to make the excitement fade for you know he’ll make it out alive. Never mind, the next episode will start like nothing happened.
On The Fence
Episodic Stories Are Still Meh
What I need from “Tracker” is to give something to be invested in. The show opened with a kidnapping and follows that up with a cult, and I can’t remember hardly a thing about the boy from the first episode, and Jackson will just be a random actor to me within a week.
I need characters who aren’t just fodder for the lead but are guest stars, even if their actor doesn’t have a notable name. That’s all I’m asking for because as interesting as Seth could be, is there any guarantee he is going to show up again? Especially considering Colter seems to travel throughout the continental United States, if not North America.
Background Information
|
Network |
CBS |
|
Release Date |
February 18, 2024 |
|
Director(s) |
Ken Olin |
|
Writer(s) |
Tegan Shohet, David Radcliff |
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Previous Episode |
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Series Page |
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Tracker: Season 1/ Episode 2 "Missoula" – Episode Review
Summary
While “Tracker” does deliver in intrigue due to Colter not having much of a safety net during his cases, because it requires the same level of suspension of disbelief as so many shows, and there is 0 need to fear for the lead’s life, it loses marks on that. Add in wasting guest actors with lukewarm storylines, and while “Tracker” seems to be doing well in ratings, it could easily become the type of show that, like the million-and-one CSI shows, may have longevity but will forever be at the whims of its dedicated fanbase and unable to take real risks.
Overall
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The Fact That Colter Is Essentially On His Own - 82%
82%
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Episodic Stories Are Still Meh - 73%
73%
Highlight(s)
- The Fact That Colter Is Essentially On His Own
Disputable
- Episodic Stories Are Still Meh