Tracker Season 3 Episode 16 Review: Struck

Colter searches for a pregnant wife’s missing husband on Tracker Season 3 Episode 17, “Struck.” However, there is much more to this storyline than meets the eye. 

Even though the premise does not seem promising, Tracker delivers an exciting episode because of various narrative tactics. 

For one, the first scene depicts Finn’s last known sighting, illustrating what Colter might encounter when he finds Finn Helms.

Each episode of Tracker usually starts with a preview of whom Colter is looking for, so this narrative tactic is not out of the ordinary. It is a thrilling choice that immediately hooks audiences.

However, the first scene is also an indicator of what Colter will get into on the episode, and in this case, Finn clutching his leg after a mysterious injury has nothing to do with his whereabouts.  

Furthermore, each lead Colter chases is entirely different from the previous one.

One minute, Colter believes Finn might have died during a dubious work stint, and the people who hired him are burying his body in the wilderness. The next minute, Colter discovers that Finn is still alive, and now an extramarital affair might be in play.  

While jumping from one crazy theory to the next risks losing the plot, Tracker ensures each revelation does not linger as Colter unravels every possibility when searching for Finn.

As a result, what seems like a mundane missing husband plot turns into an unhinged ex-girlfriend nearly murdering Finn’s pregnant wife on a bridge.

It illustrates how Tracker could turn any overused storyline into a gripping narrative that makes it impossible to look away. Colter might not be at the center of the action, but he is often the catalyst for the episode’s end.

Reenie: My mom, my sister—they’re feelers. They feel everything all the time, and it hinders them from getting things done. I’m like my dad, you know? I’m a doer.

“Struck” also follows Reenie as she struggles to put down her work and allow herself to enjoy what life has to offer.

The second half of Tracker Season 3 has gone above and beyond to include Reenie in each episode and create engaging storylines for her character.

It is a welcome change from earlier on the season, when Reenie would only appear for one or two scenes that always related to Colter’s cases.

Reenie illustrates that she is the strongest character when the show invests in her storyline. “Struck” even portrays Reenie’s vulnerability as she opens up to Mel about why she pushes herself to work so hard.

It is great that Reenie now has Mel to help balance her schedule and remind her that it is okay to let her guard down. Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.

Reenie’s final scene — when she agrees to meet Mark in his hotel room after admitting she wants more than just physical intimacy — is even sweeter knowing that Mel’s encouragement is why Reenie asks Mark for more in the first place.

Mark is not a well-known character, so it will be fascinating to see if Tracker continues to develop Reenie’s relationship with him.

“Struck” also returns to the show’s most prominent storyline — the mystery behind Ashton Shaw’s death.

Colter’s father’s untimely demise has haunted him from Tracker‘s very first episode. It is one of the most critical parts of Colter’s character and propels the show forward when Colter’s current case cannot.

Now, Colter learns that his father’s death might be connected to an unknown government project in Alaska.

It is not particularly significant, but Colter’s discovery occurring so late on Tracker Season 3 suggests the show will revisit this storyline for an epic season finale, which will considerably amplify the remainder of the season.

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Tracker airs Sundays at 9/8c on CBS.

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