CBS Solves Tracker's Justin Hartley Problem As Colter Shaw

Published Oct 26, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT

Antonella Gugliersi (she/them) has been a feature writer for Screen Rant since 2021. While studying for her bachelor’s in Economics & Management, they started writing about movies and TV shows for Turin-based The Unconventional Mag. After a brief internship at TPI, she decided she wanted to pursue journalism and graduated with a degree in International Journalism from Brunel University.

Warning! SPOILERS ahead about Tracker season 4, episode 4.There is no Tracker without Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw, and season 4, episode 4 finally showed how much better it could be with minor storytelling changes that enrich the crime drama. Tracker’s procedural nature and the inevitable one-man show that originates from Colter being the only character investigating his case-of-the-week on the ground force the CBS crime drama to depend on Colter for the episodic stories. While Tracker characters like Randy or Reenie greatly contribute to each case’s solution, it’s always Colter who is seen in action, making him the heart of Tracker.

What’s known about Colter’s personal life always came from overarching narratives like the Shaw family mystery in Tracker. In some instances, Colter meeting characters from his past also granted viewers a window into what shaped him, but visits from characters like Billie Matalon are rare, while those from Lizzy Hawking or Camille Picket were easily concluded in one episode or a small handful of them. Whether dealing with a family mystery or helping out an old friend, a case is always at the heart of the story, making it difficult to go beyond Colter’s skills.

In the three seasons leading up to Tracker season 4, the CBS crime drama made a point to highlight Colter’s willingness to help, his politeness, and his refusal to judge the circumstances in which his clients or those he looked for found themselves. However, very little else about his personality could be gleaned. This changed completely in Tracker season 4, episode 4.

Tracker Season 4, Episode 4 Shows Colter As More Than The Hero

CBS

The case of Nicole Dunning’s disappearance made Colter’s inner life more evident. While previous cases showed Colter being creative when dealing with obstacles that separated him from a clue or who he needed to save, Tracker season 4, episode 4 indirectly showed what Colter thought and how he felt in relation to what he investigated.

Colter’s questioning of Stephen Jones was particularly illustrative of that. While Colter began trying not to be judgmental at first, he was clearly put off by Stephen’s involvement with Nicole when he discovered his family. His veiled threat to ask Stephen’s wife about the cupcakes sent to Nicole got Colter what he wanted, namely for Stephen to tell him about his and Nicole’s meeting the evening before, but his displeasure was evident through Colter’s eye rolls and unceremonious greeting when he didn’t need Stephen anymore.

Insights into Colter’s character could also be garnered by his reaction to his new romantic interest Jenna’s joke in Tracker season 4, episode 4’s ending. Jenna’s interpretation of Colter’s answer as smug got him flustered and ready to overexplain that what he really meant weren’t romantic partners but the people he worked with on a specific case. Jenna’s admission that it was a joke made him sheepish, showing a side to Colter that was never highlighted, even if some of his past interactions with Billie in the past hinted at that.

How Tracker Season 4 Showing A Different Side Of Colter's Solves The CBS Show's Biggest Problem

CBS

Ever since its debut, Tracker emphasized Colter’s different skills and sometimes, history. However, that doesn’t necessarily translate into a better knowledge of the character. While seeing Colter interact in Tracker with Russell, Dory, or Mary Dove can provide context for why he is how he is, it doesn’t necessarily reveal what ticks him off or what moves him.

By showing Colter react to Jenna and Stephen, Tracker season 4, episode 4 tells something more about its protagonist, which goes beyond his competence and heroism. If, until now, Tracker only revealed Colter’s penchant for keeping his distance from his loved ones and his appreciation for his job as a rewardist, Tracker season 4, episode 4 goes further than that, showing little bits of what makes Colter unique beyond his skills.

This effectively elevates Tracker, making it about more than just the case of the week. By showing what Colter likes and what his values are through his weekly investigations, Tracker season 4 characterizes Colter more thoroughly, going beyond what makes him recognizable, as his usual “be good to each other” greeting does after every case. This makes Colter more compelling as a character, more believable, and one that is even easier to root for in Tracker.