Tracker Season 3 Episode 1 Review: The Process
After a jaw-dropping cliffhanger to close Season 2, Tracker is back with some answers and even more questions. Tracker Season 3 Episode 1, “The Process,” is an excellent premiere that sets up an intriguing premise for the remainder of the season.
Heading into its third season, Tracker is expected to be significantly different, now that Abby McEnany (Velma) and Eric Graise (Bobby) have exited the show, but the season premiere fares well despite their noticeable absences.
The reasons for Velma and Bobby’s sudden disappearances work well within the narrative, but Reenie becoming Colter’s case handler and Bobby’s cousin Randy (portrayed by Chris Lee) becoming Colter’s new tech guy also help.
Randy’s outgoing personality is an exceptional addition to the show, and if “The Process” is an indication of what is to come, then Randy will be even more integrated into the main storyline rather than just appearing in one or two scenes every episode.
The season premiere of Tracker also brings back Colter’s brother Russell, a fan favorite. Russell’s comedic presence balances Colter’s no-nonsense personality, especially when the show addresses serious subject matters.
Russell is never taken for granted; he livens up the storyline, regardless of who Colter is looking for. In “The Process,” the brothers happen to be looking for a man’s ex-wife, Lisa, and their teenage daughter, Hailey.
This case is not particularly unique, but as Colter and Russell dive deeper into the mystery, Lisa and Hailey’s disappearance provides complicated and severe repercussions for Colter and Russell, which raise the stakes even more and establish a thrilling narrative that will last multiple episodes.
Although Lisa will recover and Hailey reunites with her father, it is not without the price of the murder of Raymond Ockman’s sister. Colter and Russell save Hailey, but the man who keeps her locked up, Raymond, cannot save his sister from the organization that kidnaps Hailey.
Anonymous Text: You have interrupted the process. And there will be consequences.
Colter gets emotionally attached to his cases far too quickly, and he cannot let this go. He feels responsible for Raymond’s sister’s death, and now, he is determined to figure out what this mysterious process is and why Raymond’s sister is killed because of it.
The storyline will likely last multiple episodes, and as Colter and Russell become more intertwined with this mysterious process, Tracker will surely provide many exciting twists and turns to keep up with the narrative.
Lisa and Hailey’s case is the perfect way to kick off Tracker Season 3, especially because Colter’s emotional attachment ties into his personal life as he deals with the fallout of what he recently learns: his mother is responsible for his father’s death.
The shocking discovery is only the tip of the iceberg, and Tracker still has many questions to answer regarding Colter’s father. Knowing how he dies and who kills him is not enough, especially since this new information only makes things more confusing.
Colter Shaw: Something happened that summer. Mom didn’t want to talk about it, she didn’t want to go back there, but something happened. And that’s why I left without saying goodbye; I’m sick of the lies, I’m sick of the… non-truths…
Thankfully, Colter cannot let it go because he needs to piece together his father’s erratic behavior and what happened leading up to his untimely death.
Tracker will eventually revisit Colter’s father’s death, and it might even coincide with the current mystery.
Another highlight on “The Process” includes Colter and Reenie’s electrifying dynamic. Tracker constantly teases the possibility of a romance, despite both characters’ insistence that nothing will happen beyond their one-night stand from years ago.
If the show continues to tease their relationship, the narrative should portray their dynamic in a positive light and let the actors’ chemistry do the talking.
Of course, Reenie still has a boyfriend, so if Tracker pursues Colter and Reenie’s romance, it will most likely be a slow burn. Nevertheless, Colter and Reenie’s dynamic still shines in “The Process.” As long as it continues to shine, the potential slow burn will be worth it.
Tracker delivers a strong season premiere with much to look forward to in the coming episodes, as Colter and Russell learn more about this enigmatic “process,” while their father’s death lingers at the back of Colter’s mind.
What did you think of this episode of Tracker? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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Tracker airs Sunday at 8/7c on CBS.
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Sarah Novack
Sarah has been a passionate writer and blogger about various forms of media for as long as she can remember, and her favorite method of expressing this passion is through writing and discussion. She loves way too many TV shows, books, and movies, specializing in book-to-screen adaptations, fantasy, sitcoms, and procedurals.