Justin Hartley has created a character (Colter Shaw) who tracks missing people for a fee. He’s not bound by certain restrictive parameters, but when it’s optimal for his search and/or avoiding potential legal interference, he includes sharing information with law enforcement, hoping they’ll reciprocate. Most of his cases would be considered “cold cases” if the police were directly involved.
Those who help him in various ways and will sometimes find him a new client are a sharp attorney (“Reenie”) and “Randy” who also assists Reenie. Randy is a computer genius who can find information of every kind fast. Their characters have been expanded in year three and Season Four is expected to maximize them further.
Hartley plays Colter as the understated but sympathetic, tough and not to be fooled with investigator who’s earned his exceptional reputation. Unafraid to take on difficult or dangerous searches but quick to discern his clientele’s expectations, he’ll do whatever’s necessary to attain the information he needs to find someone.
There’s a hidden tension in Colter’s family history, the death of his father, a silent conflict with his mother, some estrangement with his sister, a past feud with his brother. Most of this is resolved in this year’s season finale.
Hartley has clearly and completely carried Tracker making it entertaining, intriguing, and causing the interactions between the other characters to be meaningful and memorable. Filling it with good actors and unique stories is a sure way to make a series continue.
Into the Fire 
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