Tracker Season 3 Episode 5 Review: The Old Ways

Tracker Season 3 Episode 5, “The Old Ways,” follows Colter into Santa Cruz, California, on a case that hits eerily close to home.

Colter’s search for a missing group of teenagers becomes much more complicated once an unexpected third party comes into play—the biological father of two of the teenagers, who reminds Colter of his own dad.

However, this episode doesn’t delve into these circumstances until toward the end of the episode. As a result, “The Old Ways” drags for the first half.

“The Old Ways” jumps right into the action of the missing teenagers, but it is quite deceiving. The narrative does not depict Colter gathering the facts of the case or conducting detective work before he enters the field.

While this decision sets up a fascinating premise, Tracker ultimately spends too much time with Colter hunting the Californian wilderness with no real stakes, apart from a brief encounter with an illegal drug organization.

Colter is in constant contact with Randy throughout his search, but it does not change the fact that his isolation from the rest of the world creates a lull in the narrative.

Colter partners with the park ranger, Parsons, but their dynamic is not compelling enough to create a thrilling episode.

Thankfully, “The Old Ways” finally picks up once the narrative introduces the teenagers’ biological father.

It is okay for Colter to pursue less interesting cases, but it only works if the subplots involving Reenie, Randy, and Melanie make up for it.

Unfortunately, Reenie does not appear on “The Old Ways” except for a quick meeting with a client and another quick phone call with Colter.

Colter and Reenie’s dynamic is one of Tracker‘s biggest strengths, but it’s been a while since the show has effectively used it.

Their playful banter and electrifying chemistry are greatly missed, and the show should create an opportunity for Colter and Reenie to spend time together in person.

Melanie is proving to be a fun and energetic character; she livens up any scene she is in. Tracker should continue to include her in as many storylines as possible.

Randy is also a great character, but it is refreshing to spend more time with him beyond Colter’s tech needs. Hopefully, Tracker remembers that going forward.

Once Colter learns more about Jaden and Sara’s biological father and closes in on them, the narrative finally becomes exciting.

Colter’s best cases often involve being able to relate them to his personal life, so Tracker should not wait until the latter half of an episode to connect Colter’s current case to his life. 

This connection is especially heartbreaking because Jaden and Sara’s father, Richard, reminds Colter of his dad. 

Richard is a flawed character who makes many mistakes, including the attempted kidnapping of his own children. However, he still loves them and wants the best for them.

It reminds Colter of his father’s erratic behavior before his untimely death. Colter realizes that despite his father’s flaws, he still deeply cared for his family.

Richard makes the right decision by letting his children go, and it certainly begs the question regarding Colter’s own family. How different would his life be if his father had not dropped everything and brought his family to live in the wilderness?

Colter definitely would not have the skills or resources he does today, which save countless lives. However, his father might still be alive if things had gone differently.

“The Old Ways” reintroduces the mystery surrounding Colter’s father’s death, and Tracker must monitor this storyline and intertwine it with Colter’s current cases.

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Tracker airs Sundays on CBS. Check your local listings for exact times.

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