Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from Tracker season 2, episode 19, "Rules of the Game."
Tracker season 2 doesn't exactly live up to season 1's legacy, and Dory's return in episode 19 demonstrates the show's most significant problem that must be solved going forward. The CBS action drama was an absolute hit during its first season, resulting in its quick season 2 renewal. It was the most-watched broadcast network TV show of 2024, after all. So, many expected its great quality to continue past the season 1 finale, but, unfortunately, Tracker season 2 makes it difficult to care about the characters and their stories, thanks to one big issue.
Tracker's popularity and high ratings have survived, though, which is why the series is returning for a third season. Nevertheless, it's imperative that the upcoming episodes avoid one of season 2's most frustrating shortcomings (as mentioned above). Otherwise, it's only a matter of time before Tracker completely loses its initial charm and excitement.
Dory's Return Means Colter Finally Receives His Father's Box In Tracker Season 2, Episode 19
The Patriarch's Box Was First Teased In The Season 1 Finale
Tracker season 2, episode 19 begins with Dory paying a visit to her brother, Colter, in his beloved Airstream. It has been a long time since Justin Harley's character or the audience has seen Melissa Roxburgh's character, but she returns for a good reason. As some might recall, Colter learned about a mystery box that belonged to his father during the season 1 finale. Lizzy Hawking's mother, who had been having an affair with Ashton Shaw before his death, kept hold of the box, and Lizzy later sent it to Dory towards the end of season 1.
Dory gives Colter their father's suspicious box in Tracker season 2, episode 19, after rifling through it herself. She mentions that she had been waiting for her brother to call her and ask for the box, suggesting Colter just contacted Dory. It's unclear why Colter waited so long to call his sister. Whatever the case, the Tracker character has the box and opens it in season 2's penultimate hour. Inside, Colter finds a notebook containing a hidden piece of paper with a phone number written on it. Colter calls the number, but it's disconnected, finally establishing some intrigue in the show's central mystery.
Tracker Season 2 Significantly Sidelined The Shaw Family Mystery
The Episodes Barely Addressed Tracker's Most Important Storyline
While Dory's return in "Rules of the Game" is exciting, it also highlights Tracker season 2's most pressing problem — it has mostly ignored the Shaw family mystery. The viewers haven't learned much more about Colter's father's death in Tracker season 2, despite it being the show's most significant case. Instead, the CBS action drama has focused more on episodic cases. Of course, many of these mysteries have been quite thrilling, but after a while, the series has to address its overarching storyline (and not just in the premieres and finales).
It's unclear why Colter waited so long to get the box he learned about during Tracker season 1's ending. Perhaps he was afraid of what he would find, or was too busy with his job. Still, that's no excuse for the show to sideline its most important mystery — one that was established in the series premiere. Because Tracker season 2's story has mostly ignored Colter's investigation into his father's death, the show has suffered the consequences, resulting in a quality decline and a frustrated audience.
Tracker Season 3 Cannot Move The Shaw Family Mystery This Slowly
Viewers Will Start To Lose Interest
Colter Shaw holding out a hand in Tracker
Tracker doesn't need to solve the mystery surrounding Colter's father's death right away. In fact, it should continue stretching it out for as long as possible. However, that doesn't mean that the CBS action drama has to completely ignore the story and wait until its season finales to address it. If the show continues to do this, the audience could either lose interest in the case or forget about it altogether.
To resolve this issue, Tracker season 3 must develop the Shaw family mystery at a much faster pace than season 2 did. Throughout the season, Colter can discover small hints that will one day lead him to the truth. Ultimately, it would be quite easy for season 3 to bring Ashton Shaw's death back to the forefront of Tracker's story (without solving it) and right season 2's wrongs.
