While The Finder, a Bones spinoff series, was deemed less appealing to Bones fans at the time it came out, the series has aged well after a decade. Tracker fans who are looking for similar shows will be delighted to know that The Finder almost has the same premise. The series revolves around a U.S. Army major who has the uncanny ability to find things. Walter Sherman and a friend start a side hustle tracking things down.
The Finder, with a limited run, offers a whimsical ride that tackles friendship, crime and romance all at once. Though Tracker and The Finder share a similar premise, they have completely different tones. The latter has a stronger ensemble of characters, consisting of a lawyer, a U.S. Marshall and a troubled teenage girl, in addition to the titular finder. The series is perfect for fans of Tracker.
What Is The Finder About?
The Finder shares a similar premise to Tracker. They both center around a protagonist who has a special talent for finding things. Colter Shaw in Tracker refers to himself as a "rewardist," which is a fancier term for mercenary. With help from his friends, Velma and Teddi, he takes commissions to track down missing persons and things people lost. He only gets paid when he succeeds. The analytical aspect of Tracker appeals to fans of the crime genre, which is also a strength of The Finder. Unlike Colter, who specializes in tracking down missing persons, Walter specializes in finding things and figuring out why people need them, as well as how they became missing in the first place. In the process, Walter stumbles upon some very interesting cases. For example, Season 1, Episode 3 sees Walter tracking down a missing bullet from 20 years ago to save a man from capital punishment. It's very intriguing to follow the logic and delve into the mystery of a murder as the truth slowly comes to the surface.
Walter also has an arguably more convincing backstory than Colter. Being an ex-military officer who used to work for the CIA explains Walter's special training and knowledge of planes and illegal trade. Colter's backstory only provides insight into his close combat and outdoor survival skills, given that he and his father used to live off the grid. Walter has brain injuries from an accident, which led to his honorary discharge from the military. Even though the injury affects his interpersonal skills, it also blesses him with the unique ability to find things. Leaving his gift unexplained adds mystery to this character, while the injury gives him a "get out of jail free" card to voice blunt comments at times. Each episode sees a slight personal growth in Walter as he finds things for others, which can be very rewarding for viewers.
Walter's unique background also serves as a reasonable explanation for how he came to meet U.S. Marshall Isabel Zambada and lawyer Leo Knox. The entire team makes sense, while Tracker never explains how Colter meets Bob, Teddi or Velma. Colter's fling with Reenie also doesn't seem to be going anywhere. On the other hand, it's clear that Isabel is going to end up with Walter, but they may need some time to figure things out. Although the show ends after only one season, the spark between Isabel and Walter is much stronger than Colter and Reenie's.
The Finder Has a Tighter Team
Colter is, more or less, a loner. Tracker spends a lot of time tracking his footsteps, but at the same time, telling so little about him other than the fact that he sympathizes with other people's stories. Colter doesn't get too personal, which creates a distance between the audience and the character. The Finder is the exact opposite. Walter isn't a guy who likes to tell his story that much, but through everyone around him, fans get to know him on a personal level. The truth is, The Finder has a much stronger team and sees everyone working together instead of having one guy being the only link to his investigations.
Walter and Leo are a finder duo. They do everything together, much like the dynamic detective duo in Psych. Walter handles the findings, while Leo handles the business and people. Leo is a "people person" and helps Walter in a way that's needed. The two run a bar/restaurant together called Ends of the Earth, which becomes everyone's main hangout point. Isabel is around a lot while not working on a case. She helps Walter, and Walter returns the favor. The two also maintain a casual relationship that's more than friends but less than being seriously involved. Willa, the troubled teenager who comes from a family of crime, is under Leo's wing. She helps run the restaurant and utilizes her underground connections to provide aid for cases. The Finder has a family vibe. Fans are easily invested in all the characters instead of just the main character. Walter doesn't have the same visual appeal as Colter, but he has his own charm, being quirky and odd.
The Finder Mixes Comedy With Mystery
The Finder doesn't limit itself to the crime genre. It takes a laid-back and comedic approach to locating lost items, which results in some of the cases having an interesting non-crime-related twist. The series is very down-to-earth while embracing a warm family vibe. The cases are just for fun and fans can relate to the characters. The series has an early aughts charm, which might appeal to those who enjoy series like Psych and Scrubs. The Finder has a nostalgic flavor.
Walter takes on cases due to his own obsession with finding things. It stimulates him and keeps him busy in a good way. The financial aspect of what he does isn't the priority. He also doesn't emphasize the importance of his job of "helping people." Walter does what he does because he's capable of doing it and loves what he does, which is a simple but powerful explanation that ties everything in the show together. He helps people in the progress, which is a good side effect of his investigations. On the other hand, with him poking into others' business, he also causes unnecessary trouble. The Finder hits some of the same marks as Tracker. It has a genuine American country aesthetic, but at its core, The Finder isn't serious. It's lighthearted and fun, which is what separates it from Tracker.
The Finder Has Similar Story Structures to Tracker
Similar to Tracker, each episode of The Finder features an independent story while completing part of an ongoing story arc. The series offers plenty of intrigue from the start. Walter has stopped seeing his therapist, which causes his friends to be alarmed. While Isabel doesn't think it's a big deal, Leo is worried. Throughout the series, Walter makes the audience worry about him a few times, especially when the FBI sends a psychiatrist to investigate his ability to consult on federal cases. If he fails the test, he and Leo won't be able to assist federal investigations, and not to mention, lose their funding.
Walter's budding romance with Isabel is also something to look forward to. They are good friends, and things occasionally get spicy. Unlike the sassy Reenie and Colter's other one-off love interests in Tracker, Isabel is very sweet despite being a tough U.S. Marshall. Her relationship with Walter is left open from the beginning, with both equally interested in each other, while Colter doesn't seem to be interested in Reenie at all in Tracker. Willa's story arc is also very intriguing. The show follows her story as she tries to navigate life on probation, juggling her loyalty to her crime family with Leo and Walter. Willa doesn't think like the average person. She's a criminal at heart, being born and raised as one. The series also follows her coming-of-age journey as she becomes more independent and a team player.
Neither Walter nor Leo cares about money that much, which seems true for most shows around or shortly after the turn of the century. The duo has a tip jar for customers, instead of charging per drink or putting an emphasis on money. Tracker, on the other hand, emphasizes Colter being paid in nearly every episode. For those who feel nostalgic for the aughts, The Finder is a good series that immediately takes its viewers back in time. The show's fun-filled atmosphere and enjoying-the-ride attitude also offer viewers the perfect place to rewind and relax.
