In its second season, Tracker has returned with more intense cases, familiar faces, and new partnerships. But beneath all the thrilling investigations and character reunions lies a glaring omission—the show’s most emotionally compelling storyline is being brushed aside, and it's beginning to hurt the series' overall momentum.
Season 2 kicked off with a promising new long-term case involving a missing girl named Gina Pickett. This case introduces Camille, Gina’s sister, who quickly becomes a potential love interest for Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley). Their connection builds on the anniversary of Gina’s disappearance, setting the stage for a deeper, more personal arc for Colter. Things heat up further in episode 2 with the return of Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw, Colter’s estranged brother. The duo’s investigation leads them dangerously close to a Department of Defense site and a deeper connection to their enigmatic father, Ashton Shaw.
These plotlines add excitement and continuity to the season, and the return of other key characters like Billie Matalon (Sofia Pernas) and Reenie Green (Fiona Rene) adds welcome familiarity. Episode 3 explores the moral contrast between Billie and Colter’s reward-seeking ethics, while episode 4 partners Colter with Reenie in a high-stakes case involving a missing CEO at a luxury wellness retreat. Despite all this action, Tracker seems to have lost sight of the emotional foundation it laid in season 1—particularly, the story of Teddi and Velma.
Teddi Bruin (Robin Weigert) and Velma Bruin (Abby McEnany) were integral to Colter’s operations in season 1. As married partners who helped manage Colter’s cases, their unique dynamic added heart to the show. But ahead of season 2, it was announced that Weigert would not be returning, effectively removing Teddi from the narrative. This created a prime opportunity to deepen Velma’s character and explore the fallout from their separation. Unfortunately, the show has barely scratched the surface.
In the season 2 premiere, Velma briefly mentions the separation, framing it as a temporary situation. However, given that Weigert is not returning, viewers know the split is final. This disconnect between what the show presents and what the audience knows is undermining the emotional truth of the storyline. Velma appears sporadically on screen in subsequent episodes, but her role feels peripheral—reduced to background appearances that dodge the deeper issues her character could be facing.
By sidestepping this emotional narrative, Tracker is not only failing to honor a significant relationship from season 1, but it's also repeating a familiar misstep. In its first season, the series gradually diminished Teddi and Velma’s screen time, eventually reducing their presence to brief check-ins and phone calls. Season 2 had the chance to correct this by giving Velma a stronger, more independent arc—one that explored her identity beyond her relationship and role as Colter’s handler. But that opportunity is slipping away.
The problem isn't just narrative neglect; it’s a missed opportunity to bring more emotional depth and representation to the series. Teddi and Velma were among the few queer characters in Tracker, and their relationship provided a refreshing contrast to the show’s more action-driven plots. Ignoring the aftermath of their breakup, especially when the door is closed on Teddi’s return, feels like a disservice to both the characters and the audience.
Instead of confronting the change head-on, the series is stuck in a holding pattern—suggesting a resolution might come eventually, even though it won’t. This creates a frustrating experience for viewers invested in the characters' personal growth. The more the show delays addressing Teddi’s absence and Velma’s evolving role, the more it weakens its own emotional foundation.
Tracker excels when it balances high-stakes adventure with grounded character stories. The current season delivers on the action front, but without addressing the emotional core left behind by Teddi and Velma’s story, it risks becoming just another procedural. A more meaningful approach would be to let Velma confront her new reality, grow from it, and emerge as a more central figure in the narrative—something both her character and the audience deserve.
In the world of network dramas, emotional authenticity is just as important as thrilling plots. If Tracker wants to elevate its storytelling and keep viewers invested, it needs to stop avoiding its most powerful storyline and start leaning into the heart it already built.
