Tracker won’t have a spinoff (yet), here’s why that’s a good thing

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Tracker won't have a spinoff (yet), here's why that's a good thing

As a gamer with over two decades of TV viewing under my belt, I can confidently say that spinoffs are like potato chips – you can’t stop at just one! They’re addictive, they’re fun, and sometimes they even outshine the original show. However, when it comes to CBS’s Tracker, I think the network should resist the urge to create a spinoff, at least for now.

It’s common knowledge among fans that CBS has a soft spot for spinoffs. For instance, the popular series NCIS was initially spun off from JAG, eventually growing into a franchise with numerous installments. The FBI series and even the upcoming Fire Country spinoff are other examples. It’s clear that they enjoy capitalizing on successful shows, as it makes strategic sense for them to expand upon proven content.

This leads us to “Tracker”, a show that’s currently generating quite a buzz on the network. Debuting post-Super Bowl, the series chronicles the life of Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley), a versatile tracker who locates a variety of things from lost individuals to valuable items. As he journeys across the country, Colter lends a helping hand to those in distress while simultaneously dealing with his own complex history.

The drama primarily revolves around Colter, but the first season introduced two captivating characters who appeared as if they were auditioning for their own spin-off series. First, Colter reconnected with his former ally-turned-rival Billie Matalon (portrayed by Sofia Pernas, Hartley’s real-life wife). Their interactions suggested that Billie’s character was a lead in a separate series about chasing rewards and bounties.

Later on, Colter came across his long-lost sibling Russell, portrayed by Jensen Ackles from ‘Supernatural’. This Army veteran is now employed with a secretive entity known as the Horizon Group, suggesting his part in intriguing tales to unfold.

Could it be that the show might spawn a spinoff focusing on either character, given the direction Season 2 takes with Colter delving deeper into his father’s past and the reasons he led the family to live in seclusion and train Colter? In this case, could we anticipate a potential spin-off for Tracker in the future?

Why a Tracker spinoff isn’t in the works

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been keeping tabs on the latest news about my favorite series. Recently, I heard the showrunner, Elwood Reid, chat with TVLine. He hinted at the possibility of a spinoff, but as of now, there are no concrete plans in motion for additional episodes or installments.

It’s so funny because all my friends are like, ‘You’ve got to start thinking about spinning it off. Second seasons are very hard. I’ve seen this with shows, where they spin them off too early, then both shows suffer. The show is so singular with Justin [at its center] that it’s really important we keep expanding the world, expanding the cases and [expanding] what Tracker can do. Unlike a lot of shows — unlike a cop show in New York or Chicago, where they’re always dealing with a homicide — I can go into any world. I can go into stock car racing, I can go into Nashville, I can go into any world I want.

Executive producer Ken Olin agrees it’s better that Tracker maintains its own identity.

Elwood and I, we’re pretty satisfied, too, by doing this [one show]. It’s a weird show to spinoff. But also, like, things don’t break through easily anymore…. I mean, look, Dick Wolf has been very successful and all that, but those [shows] are also how old now?

Reid stated that if the idea of a spinoff seemed logical and apparent to us, they could potentially consider it. At this point, however, their primary focus is on season 2. This upcoming season will explore Colter’s past and a change as Robin Weigert’s character Teddi has left, leaving Abby McEnany’s Velma to navigate things alone. Additionally, there will be some advancements for Colter’s lawyer ally, Reenie.

Reid is dead right that the show doesn’t need a spinoff just yet. It only has one season under its belt. It’s way too soon to think of turning it into a franchise. Reid is also correct that the show already has Colter able to go to almost any location and mix up genres; we don’t need another show following the same formula. While Billie was a fun character (and Pernas deserves another series), she works better with Colter. Likewise, Russell would be better as a recurring face with the Horizon Group rather than given his own show already.

The likelihood of a spin-off in the future isn’t negligible, but it might be wiser to wait several seasons. For now, the priority is getting season 2 off the ground and continuing the success of season 1 without being sidetracked by spinoff plans. At this moment, “Tracker” is most effective centering around Colter. Although a spin-off could potentially happen in the future, fans are content with just one “Tracker” series at present.

Tracker season 2 premieres Sunday October 13 at 8/7c on CBS.

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2024-09-11 00:23