There are big events in store in the upcoming season of Tracker for Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) and his skeleton team of "rewardists" after the season finale concluded the show's freshman season. The first season delivered a 13-episode set that introduced Colter and how he operates in his unconventional workplace. The first season also introduced the other Tracker characters, who provide intel for him to help reunite missing persons with their families and friends for reward money. While skilled at hunting things down and finding answers, Colter's own world lacks clarity heading into Tracker's season 2 story.
The first season did a solid job of establishing Colter's backstory: he was raised in the Sierra National Forrest in California where his dad raised him and his two siblings to survive in the wild. He is an expert at tracking people and animals, hence the show's title. The series is based on a four-book series by Jeffery Deavers, leaving plenty of scope for a future story. Whatever direction the narrative takes, however, there are some outstanding issues that need to be addressed.
10Reveal What Is In The Box Of Files From The Season 1 Finale
What's In The Box Could Solve Tracker's Biggest Mystery
In the season 1 finale, it was revealed that Colter's childhood friend Lizzy knew about an affair that was happening between her mom and Colter's dad. She has a memory from right before Ashton died of him showing up at their house, arguing with her mother, and ultimately leaving her with a box of old research papers and journals. Whatever is in that box could lead Colter to answers to important questions, such as why Ashton Shaw left Berkeley, and what project he was working on for the United States Government.
It's likely that whatever is in the box of files, Colter's dad didn't want his family to see it, hence leaving it with a close family friend. But something in the box could now lead to the truth about what happened to Ashton Shaw on the night he died, and could finally resolve the Shaw family mystery and clear Russell's name. Lizzy's memory of seeing Ashton around the time of his death will cause Colter to scrutinize the details of the night his father died in the upcoming season, with Colter definitely trying to get that box of files.
9Give Reasoning For Why Dory Didn't Tell Colter About The Files
Dory Is Hiding Something
When Lizzy found the box of files and figured out that they belonged to Colter's dad, she sent them to Colter's sister, Dr. Dorian "Dory" Shaw. This discovery implicates Dory in his family's history of hiding things. During Colter's reunion with his sister in episode 11, "Beyond the Campus Walls," Dory doesn't tell her brother about the files – continuing the deceptive trend.
Instead of coming clean, Dory simply echoes their mother in telling him to move on. What is clear from Dory's reaction is that her relationship with Colter is strained. The siblings need to get on the same page in Tracker season 2.
8A Return From Jennifer Morrison's Lizzy Hawking
Lizzy Likely Has More Stories To Tell
Colter actor Justin Hartley said that Lizzy's character is definitely coming back in Tracker season 2. Proximity to Lizzy will bring new information to the surface regarding Colter's father's death. One conversation with her revealed more in five minutes than Colter had been able to figure out from his family.
It's clear that although she knew things that Colter did not, Lizzy had nothing to hide from Colter. Beyond this, she was actually his most valuable source of information. More appearances from Morrison slated for season 2 indicate that Lizzy will provide more clues leading to the truth about Ashton Shaw.
7Dive Deeper Into Colter's Mother: Mary Dove Shaw
Mary Knows Much More Than She's Letting On
Tracker season 2 needs to dive deeper into Colter's mother, Mary Dove Shaw (Wendy Crewson). It's clear in season 1 that Mary is hiding something from her son. This is laid plain following a break in at the family home, when she calls Colter to come investigate.
When he gets there, his mother tries to downplay the experience and write it off as just a petty break in. However, it's clear that Colter doesn't fully trust his mother (although he hasn't called her out on anything, yet). The upcoming season could explain Mary's involvement at pivotal moments in Ashton Shaw's downfall.
6Confirmation That Colter Can Finally Trust Russell
Russell Could Be Colter's Most Important Ally
In Tracker season 2, there needs to be confirmation that Colter finally trusts his brother. Colter's brother, Russell Shaw, is portrayed by Supernatural star Jensen Ackles, and he's been perfect for the role so far. When the season started out, Colter was certain that Russell was behind his father's death because he saw him at the top of the cliff the night it happened. In the beginning, Colter is ignoring Russell's calls and tells Reenie to block his number and ignore him as well. Despite Colter's best efforts, Russell comes to find him in episode 12, "Off the Books."
Russell makes a case for his innocence and asks for Colter's help tracking down a missing friend. Colter agrees to help his brother, but never gives his confirmation that their conflict has been resolved. It's clear, however, that Russell is good-hearted, and it's very possible that Colter has been lied to about him. Colter revealed to Lizzy in the Tracker season 1 finale that he realized his mother's deception, saying: "She had me believe that my brother was behind my father's death, kept us apart." In season 2, the brothers can make up for lost time.
5A Russell And Colter Reunion After Time In Argentina
Colter And Russell Definitely Need More Adventures Together
Now that things seem to be good between Russell and Colter, a reunion between the brothers could confirm it. In the season finale, Reenie reveals that Russell has reached out to her from a bar on the beach in Argentina. He asks her to meet him for dinner in Buenos Aires – setting the stage for a future season 2 story.
It's clear that, like Colter, Russell is a wanderer. The brothers have distinct differences, but they are both mysterious and love to be on the road. Despite that sense of free spirit, it's clear that they also share a fierce commitment to their loved ones.
4A Return From Hartley's Wife Sofia Pernas As Billie Matalon
Billie Challenges Colter To Be Better
Tracker season 2 will also see the return of Billie Matalon. Billie is a fellow tracker who claims rewards, and she was introduced as Colter's adversary in episode 6, "Lexington". However, the pair ultimately end up working the case together (and almost sharing a kiss).
Billie is portrayed by Colter Shaw actor Justin Hartley's wife, Sofia Pernas, adding a layer of significance to the Mr. & Mrs. Smith style relationship the two have. Hartley has said that Pernas is one of the Tracker season 1 characters who will definitely be coming back for season 2.
3Explain Why Reenie Quit Her Job And What's Next For Her
Reenie's Fate Remains A Mystery
One of the biggest explanations that's certainly in store for Tracker season 2 is why Reenie quit her job and what's next for the talented lawyer. Throughout the first season, Reenie helped Colter in various capacities. She's introduced when she bails Colter out of jail, but then she assists in cases in so many other ways throughout the season.
As the story progresses, Reenie provides everything from interrogation to crime scene investigation. It's clear that while she's amazing at what she does, she wants to get in on more of the action. In quitting her job, she has potentially cleared her schedule for more active involvement in the upcoming season.
2Colter And Reenie Need To Get On The Same Page Romantically
Reenie And Colter's Chemistry Needs More Screen Time
Reenie and Colter also need to get on the same page romantically in Tracker season 2. It's implied that Colter and Reenie were briefly romantically involved when her character is first introduced. She calls him out in front of the guard who's holding him when she bails him out of jail for the first time. There are a few times when it looks like Reenie is willing to give Colter another chance in season 1, but he's so busy with jobs that he doesn't take a moment to slow down and be with Reenie.
That is until the season finale, when he invites Reenie to join him for a few days, but she politely refuses. It could just be that Reenie needs time to process that she has just "told her jerk boss off" and quit her job, or it could be that now that Colter is open to spending more time with Reenie, she isn't sure if that's what she wants. Although the will-they-won't-they arc will probably continue throughout the second season, it might be best for their professional relationship if they get on the same page romantically.
1The Mystery Surrounding Ashton's Death Needs To Be Resolved
Season 2 Is Bound To Reveal More About Ashton Shaw
The paramount thing that needs to be resolved in Tracker's season 2 is the mystery surrounding Ashton Shaw's death. Colter has uncovered some answers in season 1, but he's mostly just uncovered new questions to explore. One of the biggest reveals from the first season is that Ashton's death is even more complicated than it originally seemed. It's clear Colter needs to be careful about who he trusts, and he needs to revisit his mom and sister to get more straightforward answers. Justin Hartley said he's excited to unpack season 1's ending in Tracker season 2.
Other mysteries surrounding Colter's father's death include why Ashton left the University of California Berkeley, where he was a professor of environmental studies, and how that coincided with leaving his government job that same year. Surely his involvement with the United States Government has a hand in why Colter's father was so paranoid. In episode 2, "Missoula," Colter secures a document saying that Ashton was the lead of a government project, but whatever the project was has been redacted. It's the biggest mystery going into the second season of Tracker.
