Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Tracker season 2, episode 13
Tracker's second season continues its episodic trend this week, with one of the most enjoyable episodes so far this season. While I accurately predicted that "Neptune" wouldn't be making a lot of use of Colter's (Justin Harley) special skillset, as it is set in Manhattan, it did manage to present an engaging case that makes good use of the whole team, and not just Colter's good luck.
The premise for this episode is a fantastic one, as the episode starts with a seemingly average woman disappearing seemingly into thin air from within the dressing room of a clothing store. However, it quickly reveals that she is actually an agent with an off-the-books government agency involved in counter-terrorism, and Colter might well be in over his head.
While not quite as enjoyable as "Nightingale", "Neptune" is Tracker done right. The episode revels in the complexity of the case, everyone on Team Tracker has a vital role to play, and there are some subtle tie-ins to the Shaw Family Mystery. The one truly disappointing aspect, though, is that Colter doesn't contact his brother to make use of his wealth of Black Ops experience. From the moment secret government goodness starts, I kept expecting Russell (Jensen Ackles) to show up, and the fact that he didn't was a serious missed opportunity for the show.
Finally, Team Tracker Gets A Real Chance To Shine
But I Don't Think Bobby Is Coming Back
While the most recent episodes of Tracker have seen Reenie (Fiona Rene) get a decent amount of screentime, I've been increasingly concerned this might become the Reenie and Colter Show, but "Neptune" does a fantastic job of getting the whole team back in play. The episode returns to the formula of having Velma (Abby McEnany) find the case for Colter (and she gets more than a two-line appearance this time), and both Reenie and Randy (Chris Lee) get to put their own skills to use. The two even have a scene together (via phone), making Randy a bigger part of the larger team.
The show is, quite simply, better when Colter has other characters to play off, and Tracker should keep walking that line between Colter being a one-man show, and making him entirely reliant on his hackers and contacts. Not all episodes manage to find this balance, but "Neptune" absolutely does. The downside, of course, is that it's getting increasingly unlikely that Bobby (Eric Graise) is coming back. Randy is now proving his worth, hacking into government computers with ease, and the more he becomes a key part of the team, the lower the chances that Bobby reappears.
Secret Government Ops Obviously Ties In With The Biggest Mystery In The Show
"Neptune" Ends With A Hint That The Government Is Watching Colter
While "Neptune" functions primarily as a standalone episode, there are definitely elements that play into the big mystery. Tracker has made it clear that Colter's father was involved in some kind of government conspiracy, so seeing Colter investigating off-books government work is an interesting sign of how he may deal with this issue down the road.
Of course, this isn't the first time Colter has tangled with secret operations, and it's worth noting that of the three that focus on this kind of case ("Neptune", "Ontological Shock", and "Off The Books"), this is the first that doesn't see Russell Shaw make an appearance. This was the most frustrating missed opportunity of the episode, and it's not entirely clear why the choice was made to leave Russell out of it.
It's possible, of course, that Jensen Ackles simply wasn't available, as the Supernatural actor has a packed schedule working on The Boys and Vought Rising. Still, their team-up has led to some of the best episodes of Tracker so far, and his absence in this one was glaring, given the subject.
One of the most important moments in the episode in terms of Colter's future is right at the end, when Reenie calls him to say she got a letter from the head of this particular organization, "thanking Colter for his service". This could be taken at face value. He did, after all, help rescue an agent and take down a traitor who was selling government intelligence. However, both he and Reenie think that this is a veiled threat and a reminder that Colter is being watched. I doubt we've heard the last of Deputy Director Bartholomew.
Next Up: Tracker Delves Into Dark Magic In New Orleans
"Exodus" Promises To Be A Supernatural Treat
Next week, Tracker steers into the supernatural again, with a drive to New Orleans to find a case connected to dark magic. Read the description below:
When a teenage musician vanishes in New Orleans, Colter teams up with a local detective and uncovers a chilling mystery involving dark magic.
This has a lot of potential, as some of the most interesting episodes of Tracker have been the ones that lean into paranormal elements, like hauntings and healings. The show also doesn't require these to find a scientific explanation. While "Aurora" didn't find any actual ghosts, "Preternatural" definitely hinted at a real supernatural gift. This means that "Exodus" could play with (and create) some real magic.
New episodes of Tracker season 2 air on CBS each Sunday at 8pm ET.
