CBS’ Tracker Is the Network’s Next Hit Crime Drama

You gotta hand it to CBS, they have a knack for making popular dramas. 

From Fire Country to the NCIS and FBI franchises, the network is the place to get an action or crime drama fix that is sure to resonate with mainstream audiences. But with several of CBS’ more notable procedural series coming to an end after long runs (Blue Bloods, SEAL Team, S.W.A.T) it’s time for someone new to get into the starting lineup. 

Enter This is Us alum Justin Hartley, whose new show debuts right after this year’s Super Bowl. Full of suspense, intrigue, and a ton of Hartley charisma, Tracker is sure to be CBS’ next big hit. 

In the series, Hartley stars as Colter Shaw, a professional reward seeker or as he calls himself: a rewardist. A loner who drives across the country in a truck and the coolest airstream I’ve ever seen, Colter is a tracker who earns big money rewards posted by police or private citizens. He doesn’t get paid unless he’s successful, but luckily for him, he usually is. If there’s a missing item or person and you don’t know what to do, he’s the guy to call. 

It’s pointed out several times by different characters during the three episodes I had access to that his job is an odd one. But as Colter likes to say, “Everyone’s looking for something.”

Early in the season, that “something” is often a person, and when on the job Colter is laser focused, yet always calm. Observant and clever, he also has a gift for statistical probability. Minutes into the pilot, he lets an injured hiker know she has a 15-20% chance of keeping her busted leg if she waits for search and rescue, but 90-95% if he helps her now. She chooses to let him help. A whiz with stats, math is often used by Colter to make important decisions. 

While intelligent and a talented tracker, Colter isn’t Sherlock Holmes or Hawkeye from Last of the Mohicans. He’s just well-trained, has a lot of experience, and is good at reading people. The absence of some kind of supernatural ability or hyper-intellectual trope make Colter believable and relatable. But what makes the character likable is entirely Justin Hartley. 

Most people know Hartley from his work on soap operas like The Young and the Restless or Passions, dramas like This is Us, or as the first live action Green Arrow in Smallville (my personal favorite character of his). While Hartley has always held his own in ensemble roles, Tracker proves he’s more than capable of leading man status. 

It’s hard to play complex characters who are flawed, astute, witty, and still endearing, but Hartley makes it look easy. Whether dryly cracking a joke, bantering with his team, taking down bad guys, or sharing a heartfelt story about his unusual childhood, Colter feels like a fully formed person. Hartley shines in the role and is impossible to dislike. 

Further drawing viewers in is Colter’s air of mystery. Flashbacks to his teenage years provide a glimpse into why a grown man would take on such an unusual career path. A driven, paranoid father and a baffling death told over the course of the season add to the show’s complexity. Throw in his obvious military background that’s hinted at but not explained and viewers are given a character we feel we know but not fully, which will make you want to come back for more. 

Colter is certainly the star of the show, but the supporting cast of Tracker perfectly compliments him. His Denver-based handlers Teddi (Robin Weigert) and Velma (Abby McEnany) act not only as business partners but surrogate moms. They find high paying rewards that keep Colter on the move. 

His friend Bobby Exley (Eric Graise) is a wise-cracking tech guru who can hack anything and Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene) is the hotshot, fast talking lawyer that keeps him out of legal turmoil. Their sexual tension and love/hate relationship is playful and adds humor at just the right moments. 

Tracker has a ton of potential, but it isn’t without flaws. Colter can handle himself in a fight or shootout, but the series is light on action sequences. While it can be refreshing to see a buff hero talk a gun-wielding bad guy into putting down his weapon, sometimes we just want to see the lead kick some ass. Tracker is essentially the network version of Reacher, so it’s much more family friendly, but I still want to see more fisticuffs. And not to be nitpicky but as a lover of all things Dad TV, which Tracker certainly qualifies as, the absence of a dog and some corny puns is disappointing. Maybe we’ll get those in Season 2. 

While the series has some minor issues, Tracker is addictively entertaining. A charismatic lead, plenty of adventure, hints at unrevealed secrets, and an appealing supporting cast make this yet another satisfying CBS crime drama. 

Tracker premieres Sunday, February 11th on CBS and Paramount Plus.

Terry Terrones is a Television Critics Association and Critics Choice Association member, licensed drone pilot, and aspiring hand model. When he’s not tracking down great deals for Denver Nuggets gear, you can find him hiking in the mountains of Colorado. You can follow him on Twitter @terryterrones.

For all the latest TV news, reviews, lists and features, follow @Paste_TV.