Tracker (2024 – present)

## **Tracker (2024) Review: The Triumphant Return of the Self-Contained Story - 9/10** In an era of serialised mysteries, universe-building, and spectacle-driven television, *Tracker* is a revelation. It is a refreshingly confident series that proves the most powerful special effect is a great story, well told. This show is a masterclass in classic, character-driven drama, earning a stellar 9/10 for its unwavering focus on human connection, integrity, and smart, grounded storytelling. The format is its superpower. Each episode is a satisfying, self-contained mystery, following the enigmatic and deeply capable Colter Shaw as he travels the country to solve missing persons cases and locate valuable items using his unique skills in forensic deduction and wilderness survival. There are **no twists within twists to keep track of** for the sake of complexity; the narrative clarity is a virtue, not a weakness. Yet, the show is far from simplistic. A compelling **background story arc—** delving into Colter's own mysterious, survivalist family history—threads through the seasons, providing a rich layer of ongoing character motivation and depth. The series’ heart lies in its people. **The character development is superb, creating characters you genuinely relate to.** Colter Shaw, portrayed with a perfect blend of stoic toughness and quiet vulnerability, is a standout protagonist. He is the archetypal capable loner, but the show wisely subverts the "invincible hero" trope. He is a **tough guy who is also vulnerable and gets his arse saved by others on occasion**, making him deeply human and his partnerships feel earned and necessary. The supporting cast, from law enforcement to the people he helps, are written and performed with similar nuance. The **mostly believable storylines** strike an ideal balance, offering enough tension and **not too much aggression, but enough to carry the story** with genuine stakes and emotional weight. The show’s unique release model—with **seasons running across calendar years in a fluid, non-traditional pattern**—allows for a steady, consistent flow of high-quality episodes, making it a reliable and deeply satisfying weekly watch. ### The Verdict **9/10 - A Modern Classic of Comfort and Craft** *Tracker* is a rare gem: a smart, soulful, and expertly crafted series that trusts its audience to appreciate good old-fashioned storytelling. It forgoes cheap tricks for lasting substance, building a world and a hero that feel authentic and worth rooting for. It’s the perfect blend of comforting familiarity and fresh, intelligent execution. A must-watch for anyone who believes that the best stories are about people, not just plots.

This is one of the few American network TV shows we're still watching. It can be hit-or-miss but overall it's pretty good. The lead is a pretty talented actor and does a good job between understated comedy and being an 'action' star type guy. Randy was a great addition to the cast last year, and I read that some of the questionable actors are no longer with the show, which was just fine by me. We're looking forward to Colter Shaw in Season 3.

Tracker see's a lone wolf style character, track people who have gone astray. Influences of series like Reacher are evident, with a quiet independent, lone wolf, tough guy, who finds and rescues the misguided, lost and the vulnerable. That said, this series lead character is somewhat less selfless than Reacher, as the tracker extracts a finders fee, upon success. What helps this series is the above average character development. The main character fits the dependable, tough guy stereotype but has enough personal charm and a past, with a measure of originality and complexity, to be genuinely interesting and intriguing. Each episode offers a new tale and a back story that slowly unwinds as the series progresses. In and of themselves, the episodic stories could be better. They are not dreadful but they can at times, feel predictable and formulaic. A little more inspiration here, would be nice. As you also might expect too, there's a dash of the usual woke twaddle but thankfully, its dialled down enough, to not be overly irritating. In summary, a worthwhile action thriller series that offers decent character development, an interesting back story and competent episodic adventures, that draw on the "trackers", rather unique set of skills.