Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from the Tracker season 2 finale, "Echo Ridge."
Well, Tracker season 2 certainly swung for the fences in its finale with the surprising reveal of the identity of Ashton Shaw's killer. However, that mystery is far from over in the CBS action drama series. In fact, based on the events of the Tracker season 2 finale, more questions are swirling around Colter's father's death than before, meaning fans have much to look forward to in season 3.
In Tracker season 2, episode 20, Colter returns home to Echo Ridge, California, to help a family friend when her brother, Bill, goes missing. Bill had become obsessed with finding a scared young boy he had previously seen with a suspicious man. Colter and his team investigate, and unfortunately, they uncover a child trafficking ring. Justin Hartley's character tracks down the man, Carl Murphy, behind the horrific crimes, and during his search, he makes a shocking discovery concerning his father's case. By the time the finale ends, Colter knows exactly who murdered his dad.
Tracker Season 2's Colter's Father's Killer Explained
Otto Waldron Pushed Ashton Off The Cliff
Colter spends most of Tracker season 2, episode 20 investigating a child trafficking ring. While the mystery is tragic, complex, and everything a case in the CBS action drama should be, the episode's highlight happens during its final minutes. Colter finds a unique wood carving at Carl Murphy's house, and he immediately knows that it's one of his father's works. When he finds Carl, Colter doesn't hold back in trying to learn more about why he has something that belonged to his dad (he even threatens to cut his fingers off). Carl folds, telling the protagonist that the carving was his uncle's.
Colter later pays a visit to Carl's uncle (whose name we know is Otto Waldron from the episode's credits) to cap off the finale. Otto explains that he knew Colter's father back in the day. He was a lineman whom the county instructed to run power lines out to the Shaw family's property. Ashton rebuffed Otto's attempts, of course, and Otto agreed to help him. Otto kept the county off Ashton's back and assisted Colter's dad when he installed the family's generator. However, they weren't exactly friends, as Colter learns.
Tracker season 2 finally reveals who killed Colter's dad when Otto confesses. Justin Hartley's character confronts the older man, asking him if he was the person whom Russell saw the night their father died. Otto confirms that he was. Colter pulls his gun on Otto and insists that he admit to killing Ashton, which he does. Up until this point, viewers and Colter had been led to believe that the government played a part in Ashton's death. But Otho claims he wasn't working for the government. Instead, he reveals that he pushed Ashton off the cliff because Colter's mother asked for his help.
How Colter's Mother Is Connected To Ashton's Death
Colter Learns That His Mom Was Somehow Involved In Her Husband's Murder
Although she has only appeared in a handful of Tracker episodes, Mary Dove Shaw has always been a bit suspicious. She didn't want Colter to reconnect with his brother. She's also quite shady whenever someone brings up her husband's death in the CBS action drama. So, perhaps it doesn't come as a huge surprise that Mary is connected to Ashton's death, but she is.
Otto tells Colter that his mother asked for his help, which is why he pushed his father off a cliff. Consequently, it's unclear exactly how, but Mary was undoubtedly involved in her husband's murder. Unfortunately, fans must wait until season 3 to learn more. Until then, we can only speculate about why Colter's mother might've wanted his dad dead. Ashton was having an affair, which could explain Mary's actions. However, knowing Tracker, there is certainly much more to be uncovered regarding the Shaw family mystery, and the show has only scratched the surface of completely solving the case.
The Mysterious Phone Number From Ashton's Box Belonged To A Scientist
Randy Traces The Number
Aside from the shocking revelation that Colter's mother is connected to his dad's murder, the Tracker season 2 finale also reveals more information about the contents of Ashton's mysterious box. As many will recall, Lizzy Hawking found the box in her mom's belongings and gave it to Dory. Melissa Roxburgh's Tracker character finally handed the box off to her brother in season 2's penultimate episode. Inside, Colter found a disconnected phone number.
Tracker Season 2 Cast | Character |
|---|---|
Justin Hartley | Colter Shaw |
Abby McEnany | Velma Bruin |
Eric Graise | Bobby Exley |
Fiona Rene | Reenie Greene |
Jensen Ackles | Russell Shaw |
Floriana Lima | Camille Picket |
Sofia Pernas | Billie Matalon |
Brent Sexton | Keaton |
Chris Lee | Randy |
Pej Vahdat | Leo Sharf |
In episode 20, Randy tracks the number and finds its owner — David Pearson (perhaps a little nod to This Is Us). Pearson was a scientist who died the same year as Ashton. He moved from Virginia to California before his death, and Randy suspects that Pearson was involved in covert government research (especially because there is no public record of his work). The Tracker season 2 characters don't learn much else about Pearson or how he was connected to Colter's father, but his name is sure to come up again in season 3.
How The Tracker Season 2 Finale Sets Up Season 3
Season 2 Ends On A Game-Changing Cliffhanger
Given that season 2 ended on a cliffhanger, the show has already laid the groundwork for Tracker season 3's story. The upcoming episodes should pick up where the season 2 finale left off, with Colter demanding more information about what Otto knows concerning his dad's death, including how his mother was involved. As suggested above, the mystery surrounding Ashton Shaw's death is only getting started in the CBS action drama, and season 3 will undoubtedly be filled with more surprises.
Elsewhere in the Tracker season 2 finale, Velma informs Reenie that her shady client, Leo Sharf, was trying to contact her. However, Reenie is dodging his calls. Despite the episode not focusing too much on characters other than Colter, this tidbit of information about Reenie and Leo implies that their story is far from over.
What To Expect From Tracker Season 3
Tracker Returns In The Fall Of 2025
As fans say goodbye to Tracker season 2 and look ahead to season 3, they should expect to learn more about the show's overarching story. Just because we now know who killed Colter's father in Tracker, that doesn't mean the mystery is solved. So, Colter will continue investigating the case in season 3. As a result, Colter's other family members — Russell (played by Jensen Ackles) and Dory (played by Melissa Roxburgh) — will likely return, if the actors' schedules don't conflict with the CBS show's shooting. Mary, who is now a prime suspect, should also appear in the upcoming episodes.
Meanwhile, Reenie's arc regarding Leo will also probably continue in Tracker season 3. Season 2 didn't give their story full closure, and Leo might prove to be a menace once again. Colter's many love interests (Billie Matalon, in particular, after their night together) could also make appearances. Whatever the case, fans should expect shocking reveals in the Shaw family mystery, intriguing cases, and more developments in Colter's love life when Tracker season 3 premieres.
Source: Variety
