CBS recently announced the creation of a new series based on Jeffrey Deaver's novel The Never Game. Originally titled The Never Game, the show underwent a name change to Tracker, which may cause some confusion with Amazon's Lee Child series, Reacher. However, Tracker seems to cater to CBS's desire to provide a broadcast schedule filled with thrilling episodic content, akin to the popular Reacher series.
Tracker introduces us to Colter Shaw, played by Justin Hartley, who is a rewardist - a person who collects rewards for tracking down missing individuals and solving basic mysteries. Colter, much like the iconic Jack Reacher, is a wandering samurai who possesses remarkable skills acquired from his survivalist upbringing with a paranoid father. He navigates the Northwest in his GMC truck, towing a shiny Airstream trailer and avoiding law enforcement's assistance.
Colter's team consists of dispatchers Teddi (Robin Weigert) and Velma (Abby McEnany), who remotely provide him with assignments and research support. Bobby (Eric Graise) serves as the resident hacker, aiding Colter in finding information but thankfully avoiding clichés about the dark web. While Colter's interactions with his team are solely through phone calls, he regularly encounters Reenie (Fiona Rene), an attorney who appears to tirelessly bail him out of jail and still holds a grudge for their brief romantic encounter.
However, Tracker leaves some questions unanswered. If Colter receives $5,000 bounties for locating missing individuals, it begs the inquiry of why he needs Teddi and Velma. These characters don't seem to contribute much beyond what Colter himself could accomplish by casually perusing the flyer board at a post office. The show lacks a clear justification for Colter's particular skill set and whether his pursuit aligns with the real-world feasibility of such a business model.
Additionally, Tracker struggles to establish a compelling narrative. Each episode presents a self-contained story, but it feels underdeveloped, lacking the depth needed to create memorable guest performances. While the action scenes are shaky at best, Justin Hartley delivers a solid performance, exuding the confidence and swagger required for the role. However, his character's backstory feels shallow and fails to complement the episodic storylines effectively.
Tracker seems to embrace its role as a quick and disposable procedural show, intentionally designed to discourage viewers from delving too deeply into its intricacies. This approach plays into the assumption that the target audience may prefer distraction over engagement, whether it's checking their phones or attending to household tasks. While the show may lack substance, this formula may serve it well for an extended broadcast run.
In conclusion, Tracker offers viewers a familiar yet forgettable experience. While it holds similarities to the Reacher series, it fails to capture the same level of intrigue and audience investment. Justin Hartley's performance as Colter Shaw provides some entertainment value, but the series falls short in establishing a compelling premise and memorable supporting characters. Tracker may appeal to those seeking a mindless escape, but it ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression.
