Tracker Season 3: Colter & Russell May Break After Reunion With Reenie

The Shaw brothers’ highly anticipated reunion comes about in Tracker season 3, but their harmonious dynamic might not last for long, thanks to an old dispute. As many know, Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw previously had a falling out with his brother, Russell Shaw, played by Jensen Ackles. Colter believed Russell killed their father, causing an immense amount of tension between the siblings.

At the end of Tracker season 2, Colter discovered the identity of his father’s killer — Otto Waldron. He previously accepted that Russell wasn’t involved in Ashton’s death. It wasn’t until the season 2 finale, though, that Colter learned the truth (at least, part of the truth) of what happened the night his dad died. Now, Russell is back to help Colter once more.

Tracker Season 3, Episode 1 Reunites Colter, Russell, & Reenie

The Trio Is Back Together Again

CBS via MovieStillsDB

Heading into season 3, Hartley’s Tracker character knows who pushed Ashton off that cliff. However, he doesn’t know why it happened. Colter also has to figure out how his mother was involved with his father’s murder, which is what Otto implied. Perhaps he’ll turn to his brother for help. In the first episode, though, Colter needs Russell’s assistance on another case.

The synopsis of the Tracker season 3 premiere, “The Process,” reads:

As Colter grapples with the shocking truth surrounding his father’s death, Russell joins forces with his brother to help track down the missing wife and daughter of one of Reenie’s clients. Their reunion finds them mixed up in a chain of events involving a sinister underground operation known as “The Process.”

It sounds like Colter, Russell, and Reenie will be spending a lot of time together in season 3, episode 1. Colter and Reenie are the two remaining original series regulars. So, it makes sense that they would get more screen time together, now that everyone else is gone. Meanwhile, Ackles’ recurring character is a fan favorite — why wouldn’t he be in the premiere?

Unfortunately, the inclusion of Russell suggests that a forgotten conflict between him and Colter might arise in the upcoming Tracker episode. Yes, Russell is seemingly only there to help Colter and Reenie. But the three of them together mean that the CBS action drama cannot ignore the trio’s past.

How Colter & Russell’s Relationship Can Get Complicated Again Because Of Reenie

A Love Triangle Looms Over Them

Photo by Sergei Bachlakov for CBS, Courtesy Everett Collection

Russell has only appeared in a handful of episodes, so the show hasn’t fully addressed the looming love triangle between him, Colter, and Reenie. However, it exists, even if the series has only hinted at it in the past. Now, with the three of them occupying the same space again in the Tracker season 3 premiere, maybe the underlying tension will return.

Colter and Reenie have a complicated romantic history. But the CBS procedural drama has always left the door open for a possible reunion between the two. Meanwhile, Russell took a liking to Reenie in Tracker season 1, episode 12. He openly flirted with her, but nothing concrete arose from their time together.

Colter was annoyed with Russell for his flirtatious behavior with Reenie. However, many things have changed between the two brothers since then. They’re in a far better place. Colter and Russell’s relationship could regress, though, if Ackles’ character decides to pursue Reenie when Colter still has feelings for her. Then, a proper love triangle could happen in Tracker season 3.

Tracker season 3 premieres on Sunday, October 19, at 8 pm ET on CBS.