Tracker: Season 1/ Episode 3 “Springland” – Episode Recap & Review

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Plot Recap

I Was On My Way Until You Opened Your Mouth – Colter, Kira, Tom

With a bounty for finding a car being $20,000, originally, Colter was supposed to be in Springland, Idaho, for a hot minute, get some breakfast, and move on. However, then Tom started harassing Kira, who was just trying to keep her sister’s name out there, and so Colter decided to stay. Yes, Kira was only offering $5,000, and with her sister Mia gone for three months, things didn’t look good, but Tom not only slashed Colter’s tires but caused him to get stitches.

This Week’s Case – Colter, Kira, Tom, Matt

So, Mia is a 22-year-old woman who has been missing for three months. She has been known for going out on adventures but eventually coming back. However, her sister Kira hasn’t heard from her, which is worrisome.

Now, Colter does get a lead in Mia’s ex, Matt, but he is part of a notable local family that has a tight hold on the people and the cops, so there isn’t much of an incentive for him to talk. In fact, the more Colter pushes, the more he upsets the locals, even if Matt’s dad is trying to turn the small town into a resort town.

But, in time, as Colter collects mainly circumstantial evidence, Matt begins to become the weaker link in his family.

Coerced Confessions – Colter, Matt, Reenie, Charlotte, Eric

Naturally, while Colter can pick up on things and press the issue to get an isolated family like Matt’s to confess to any wrongdoing, he is going to need backup. Enter Reenie, who was called in by Colter’s handlers, who helps push things so that, by the time the episode ends, we learn Matt is innocent, his father Eric, but his mother Charlotte? Nope, she is the one that got Mia killed.

However, Charlotte isn’t the only one forced to make a confession. Colter learns Russell has been calling Reenie, trying to get a hold of his brother, and Colter reveals he hasn’t spoken to his brother in 20 years, under the assumption that he killed their dad.

Other Noteworthy Information

1. Who is Billie, who was mentioned at the beginning of the episode? A notable rival? Is it a woman who happens to be Colter’s ex?

Cast Guide

• Colter: Justin Hartley
• Kira: Anja Savcic
• Tom: Bradley Stryker
• Matt: Richard Harmon
• Reenie: Fiona Rene
• Charlotte: Nancy Kerr
• Eric: Eric Breker
• Bobby: Eric Graise
• Teddi: Robin Weigert
• Velma: Abby McEnany

New Character Description(s)

Kira

Kira is a lawyer who, with Mia, didn’t have the best childhood, and while this gave Kira the motivation to buckle down and take the path she is on, Mia became restless and always wanting to be on the go.

Tom

Tom works for Eric’s family, mainly in keeping people off the family land.

Matt

Matt is adventurous and a bit privileged, but at his core might be a nice guy. However, with his family able to clean up all his messes, how nice is he is always up for questioning.

• The actor is also known for their role in “I Still See You.”

Charlotte

Charlotte is the matriarch of her family and Matt’s mother.

Eric

Eric is the patriarch of his family, and because of his company, he has a stranglehold over Springland since he employs many.

Review

Highlights

Things Didn’t Get Flirty Between Kira and Colter

With Colter being generically hot, there was this worry that each place he stopped, he’d end up wooing some woman, solving the case, and being some sort of rural James Bond type. Thankfully, Colter doesn’t become that – completely.

Yes, ladies love Colter, and he doesn’t mind the attention, but whether it was Kira, the doctor, or even Reenie, Colter has shown himself to be far more interested in being a “rewardist” than a ladies’ man. Even though life on the road likely gets lonely.

Colter Getting Injured

Imperfections is what will give “Tracker” longevity, and making it so, while Colter has survival skills, this doesn’t mean he won’t get shot, cut, or injured, will be what keeps the show exciting. Granted, no one in their right mind will believe Colter is going to die or end up permanently transformed by an injury. But it seems the show could be willing to go far enough to allow injuries to slow Colter down. I can imagine him ending up in a sling after a case gets especially nasty.

On The Fence

Really Wanting To Know How Colter Met Bobby, Teddi, and Velma

When it comes to Russell and Colter’s family drama, I could do without it. Why? Because of the way Bobby, Teddi, and Velma come off like chosen family. Even in the middle of the night, they all look out for Colter, help him with his jobs, even while trying to have a life of their own.

I’d even say, if they just made Colter an orphan or maybe had his sister out there, but he had to raise himself, I would have been perfectly fine with that, and honestly, it would have made more sense. Because right now, it feels like Colter’s past with his brother and family is in competition with Teddi, Velma, and Bobby and the story of how they met and formed their relationships.

Background Information

• Network: CBS
• Release Date: February 25, 2024
• Director(s): Ken Olin
• Writers(s): Elwood Reid
• Previous Episode: Season 1/ Episode 2
• Series Page: Tracker
• Character Guide: Coming Soon