Tracker has carved its place in the crowded TV landscape by offering viewers a grounded, character-driven procedural with a unique lead in Colter Shaw, played by Justin Hartley. However, Season 2 is treading into unfamiliar and puzzling territory. Episode 5, titled “Preternatural,” marks a turning point for the series—not for its action or mystery, but for its surprising shift in storytelling tone that leans heavily into the supernatural.
This latest chapter follows Shaw as he takes on a new case involving Emmaline, a missing teenage girl whose brother is desperate to find her. What begins as a seemingly routine investigation quickly evolves into something far stranger. Locals are hostile, dropping dead animals at Emmaline’s home in an apparent attempt to drive her and her brother away. Whispers of her obsession with witchcraft begin to emerge, setting a strange tone that only deepens as the episode unfolds.
As Colter digs deeper, he uncovers a dangerous operation run by the Drell Clan—a group running a drug factory who are also responsible for kidnapping Emmaline. In typical Tracker fashion, Colter throws himself into the rescue mission, risking everything. But in a departure from the show's usual grounded realism, Colter is gravely injured—only to survive due to what appears to be actual magic.
Yes, magic.
Emmaline, it turns out, isn’t just a fan of the occult. She has healing powers. Viewers witness her curing a woman with terminal cancer and reviving an elderly man suffering from chronic illness. But the real twist comes when Colter, on the brink of death from a stab wound, is inexplicably saved. Medics are shocked at his recovery—until it’s revealed that Emmaline used her supernatural ability to heal him.
This marks the second time this season Tracker has dabbled in the paranormal. Episode 2, “Ontological Shock,” centered around a man convinced he was abducted by UFOs. That case, at least, was ultimately debunked as a hoax. But the events of “Preternatural” go a step further by confirming the existence of actual supernatural phenomena, creating a major tonal shift for the series.
And not everyone is on board.
One of Tracker’s greatest strengths lies in its lead character’s realism. Colter Shaw is a modern-day nomad who solves cases not with magic or luck, but with sharp instincts, survival training, and a relentless will. That grit has been the backbone of the show. By introducing magical elements—especially ones that save his life—the show risks undermining what made Colter compelling in the first place.
When the story gives Colter an otherworldly safety net, it changes the stakes. The tension of each case—the possibility that Colter might not come out unscathed—is part of what has kept viewers invested. With magic now in the mix, it raises questions: Will future life-threatening situations be resolved through mystical interventions? Will the show explore even more supernatural storylines? And more importantly, will Colter still be the same hero we've come to admire?
Adding to the concern is what this supernatural pivot could mean for the show’s larger mysteries. Throughout the series, Colter has been unraveling the circumstances of his father’s death—a deeply personal and grounded storyline. But if Tracker leans too far into the fantastical, even that emotionally resonant plotline could be overshadowed or reinterpreted in ways that feel out of sync with the show’s original vision.
To be clear, innovation isn't inherently bad. Many series experiment with genre and tone to great effect. But in Tracker’s case, the abrupt shift into magic and mysticism feels jarring rather than thrilling. It's not just a creative risk—it’s a narrative gamble that might alienate fans who were drawn to the show’s realism and human drama.
There’s still time for Tracker to course-correct. If the supernatural aspects introduced in “Preternatural” are treated as isolated anomalies rather than the start of a new direction, the show can retain its unique voice. Colter Shaw is at his best when he’s solving mysteries with logic, grit, and ingenuity—not with magical assists.
For now, fans are left wondering: is Tracker turning into a different kind of show? Or is this just a temporary narrative detour? Whatever the answer, one thing is clear—Tracker Season 2 is heading into uncharted territory, and it’s a path that could either elevate the show or fundamentally change what it stands for.
