A new clip from Tracker showcases Jensen Ackles' debut on the show. The new CBS drama stars Justin Hartley as survivalist Colter Shaw, who uses his tracking skills to help the surrounding community. Over the course of season 1, the show has teased a great deal of family drama between Colter and his older brother Russell, whom he suspects of being responsible for their father's death. In late April, it was announced that Russell would be making his first appearance as an adult on the show, played by Supernatural star Jensen Ackles.
TVLine has shared a new clip from season 1, episode 12, "Off the Books," showcasing Ackles' debut as part of the Tracker cast. The clip, which involves them trying to lift a print off a severed finger, takes place during Colter's latest investigation, which kicks off when Russell asks him to help locate a missing Army friend. Although Russell approached him in the first place and Colter seems to have agreed to help, their chemistry is prickly and they both fire barbs at one another, though Russell does seem somewhat impressed with Colter's operation. Check out the clip below:
Click here to watch the new clip from Tracker
Russell Shaw Is Important For Developing Colter's Character
Jensen Ackles' Appearance Is Perfectly Placed In Tracker Season 1
Custom image by Brennan Klein
As Tracker season 1 draws to a close, the popular CBS drama is taking its biggest swing yet. Bringing on Ackles at such a pivotal moment will likely be helpful for the ratings, as he brings fans with him from his stint on the long-running Supernatural as well as his more recent role as Soldier Boy in the Prime Video superhero show The Boys. However, as this clip reveals, the character Russell Shaw provides much more than just a cameo.
Russell is a fundamental figure in Colter's story in multiple ways. In addition to being at the center of the subplot about their father's death, his arrival toward the end of season 1 will make Colter take a step back and consider his adventures over the previous 11 episodes from a new angle. Being forced to view his life from Russell's perspective will remind him of their shared history and how it influences his current actions, in ways that he may not even realize.
Because this episode is placed so close to the season finale, Russell's arrival will probably create an emotional powder keg for Colter as he heads into the next episode and wraps up the season's overarching storylines. It remains to be seen if Ackles will reprise the role of Russell in Tracker season 2, which has already been officially renewed at CBS. However, even if he only ever appears in this single episode, he could be setting up a huge stretch of Colter's character arc for the foreseeable future.
