Tracker's Most-Watched Episode Contradicts The Show's Core Ethos

Tracker has experienced much success in 2024, but its most-watched episode in its two seasons may surprise fans. The CBS action drama TV series, created by Ben H. Winters, is based on Jeffery Deaver's 2019 novel The Never Game, following Colter Shaw (played by Justin Hartley, who also serves as an executive producer, in the show). Colter is an expert survivalist who uses his tracking skills to (usually) find people in exchange for money as a rewardist. However, Colter's complicated past also often comes back to haunt him in Tracker.

Throughout the 20-plus episodes of Tracker, Colter has solved many mysteries and faced several dangers. From finding a missing prized racehorse to continuously trying and failing to learn the truth behind his father's death, Hartley's character has experienced a lot in the CBS action drama series. However, more people tuned in to watch Colter search for a missing teenage girl from a mining town than any other Tracker episode in 2024.

Tracker's Most-Watched Episode Thus Far Is "Preternatural"

Almost 12 Million People Watched Tracker Season 2, Episode 5

According to Variety, the most-watched episode of Tracker is "Preternatural" in season 2. Perhaps even more impressively, the episode of the CBS action drama was the 69th most-watched primetime telecast (in Live+7 ratings) of 2024, garnering around 11,861,000 viewers during or shortly after its airing on November 10. The list (which consists of 100 slots) is based on broadcast and cable measurements and focuses on both total viewers and adults 18–49. Variety also factored in airings of professional sports (including the NFL and NBA) and other live events, but Tracker still earned 15 spots on the list.

The only Tracker episodes that didn't make the cut are episodes 2, 3, 6, and 7 from season 1 and season 2, episode 2. The pilot was also cut from the list despite it amassing around 18 million viewers. However, it aired after Super Bowl LVIII (the most-watched telecast of 2024 with 121,009,000 viewers), which is why so many tuned in and likely why Variety didn't consider it. Still, it's easy to see how Tracker dethroned NCIS as CBS' most-watched show. When considering only scripted series, Tracker season 2, episode 5 would sit at number one on Variety's list.

Why "Preternatural" Was Such An Appealing Tracker Episode

"Preternatural" Had An Open Ending

"Preternatural" wasn't exactly a special episode of Tracker, but it does stand out, which is why so many were drawn to watch it. During season 2, episode 5, Colter is tasked with finding a missing teenage girl, Emmaline. He travels to Prior, Kentucky, where she was kidnapped by drug dealers. Colter learns that Emmaline and her brother, Jasper, recently moved to Prior, where they are pariahs, seemingly because some believe that Emmaline is a witch. She is a herbalist and healer, using means outside of science to help others.

Colter ultimately finds Emmaline, and she later scares away the drug dealers (who wanted her to heal their sick father) by threatening to put a blood curse on their family. Emmaline tells Colter she was lying. However, based on her proven abilities to magically heal others, it wouldn't be surprising if the blood curse was real.

Given Tracker season 2, episode 5 dabbled into the supernatural world of witchcraft, it's quite unlike any other episode in the series. Its plot is out of the box and strays far from the grounded storytelling that Tracker is known for. Plus, "Preternatural" is a bit open-ended as it doesn't definitively explain Emmaline's abilities, and she and Jasper also mysteriously leave town.

Tracker Season 2 Is Being More Creative With Its Stories

The CBS Series Is Stepping Outside Its Box (For Better Or For Worse)

"Preternatural" isn't the first episode of the CBS TV series with supernatural themes — Tracker season 2, episode 2 features aliens and conspiracy theories. Colter and Russell work together when a man goes missing while searching for aliens. Without getting into too much detail, the hour also strays from Tracker's typical grounded storytelling. The writers are taking many creative liberties in season 2, whether viewers like it or not, meaning more supernatural stories might be in Tracker's future.

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Tracker

TV-14

Drama

Crime

6/10

303

9.1/10

Release Date

February 11, 2024

Network

CBS

Showrunner

Elwood Reid

Writers

Ben H. Winters, Hilary Weisman Graham

Cast

See All

• 
  Justin Hartley

  Colter Shaw
• 
  Abby McEnany

  Velma Bruin

Tracker follows lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw as he navigates the country as a reward seeker. Utilizing his expert tracking skills, he aids private citizens and law enforcement in solving various mysteries while grappling with issues from his fractured family.

Creator(s)

Ben H. Winters

Seasons

3

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Source: Variety