Klamath Falls – In Nevada’s Black Rock Desert at the bottom of a canyon, Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) uses his natural charm to reassure, Jessica Bowers (Ashley Nicole Roxburgh) that everything will be fine. While splinting her leg and calmly explaining her predicament, a bit of Colter’s background is explained. Although he lays out their survival options, it’s clear that he intends to cleverly convince her to take her survival into her own hands.
Mere seconds later, Jesse is being loaded in an ambulance at what appears to be a checkpoint. Derek (Colm Hill) approaches Colter and although he expresses his gratitude, things quickly get awkward when the reward money becomes the topic of conversation. Derek is quick to point out that he recommended offering the reward, but it was Jesse’s parents who offered to pay. The scene ends with Colter suggesting they contact her parents together.
Later that day, Colter returns to his Airstream where he immediately opens his laptop to a FaceTime-type conversation with Velma Bruin (Abby McEnany) and Teddi Bruin (Robin Weigert). During the conversation, Colter confirms collecting the reward. Teddi, however, isn’t happy that he accepted a credit card payment. She doesn’t get long to complain thanks to Velma’s interest in adopting a new dog, which Teddi is against. Colter attempts to learn more about his next job but abruptly ends their conversation when he learns that someone from Devil’s Notch has been trying to reach him.
Teddi provides Colter with the essentials on Gilbert Brown’s (Mattia Castrillo) disappearance while he makes his way to Oregon. He learns that the paternal father, Edward Brown (Stephen Hooper) is the prime suspect. Colter’s next stop is the home of Mark (Link Baker) and Sarah Riley (Alison Araya) where he learns about Eddie’s questionable background. Before leaving for school, Gil’s stepbrother Craig Riley (Oscar Chark) claims Gilbert told him about the meeting with his real father. Once Craig and Mark leave for the morning, Colter accuses Sarah of lying.
Sarah realizes she’s caught up in the lie and reveals the truth after Colter points out the inconsistencies in her story. In Gilbert’s room, Colter takes an old photo of one of Eddie and Gilbert’s camping trips. When Sarah goes in search of a more recent photo, the camping trip photo sparks the memory of a training session with his father, Ashton Shaw (Lee Tergesen).
On his way out of the house, Colter phones Bob Exley (Eric Graise) and after a bit of back-and-forth chiding from both sides, requests a deep dive on Eddie’s cellphone. Bob ultimately agrees but doubles his usual fee.
Returning to his Airstream, Colter deliberately ignores a call from the mysterious Devil’s Notch caller. This causes him to remember what appears to be an argument between his father and brother, Russell Shaw (Matthew Nelson-Mahood) that turns physical.
The memory ends when Colter receives word from Bob, telling him to check his e-mail. Doing so, he discovers a text message that suggests Eddie and Eddie might have met at a local burger joint called, “Burger Bin.” He notices a camera overlooking the parking lot on his way inside to question the counter worker (Zia Newton). Colter also notices two officers (Thomas Strumpski/Paniz Zade) on his way in. Even after explaining the situation, Colter receives little help from the counter worker and even less from the manager, Patty (Arianna McGregor). This inspires him to take on acquiring the footage himself. Although the cops are alerted, he manages to learn that the man Gilbert met is not Eddie before he is arrested.
Colter uses his call to inform Velma and Teddi of his arrest. Velma ultimately decides to call Reenie Green (Fiona Rene), although she knows Colter won’t agree with the decision. While being booked, Colter attempts to explain his discovery to Officer Amini, who basically accuses him of being a mercenary. When Reenie shows up at lockup to inform Colter of his release, it immediately becomes clear why Velma and Teddi were hesitant to call her. Despite her hostility, she drops a hint about being stuck in town for the next few days.
While leaving the station, Colter runs into Officer Amini and learns that she actually followed through with some of his earlier pleas. He surprises her when he expresses concern for the family. Colter’s next call is to Bob, where he is stunned to learn that Edward Brown has been officially dead for six months. Colter later learns from two of Eddie’s halfway house roommates Milton, (Sean Owen Roberts) and Fred (Garfield Wilson), that the death was drug-induced. The roommates are not only able to identify the man from the restaurant security footage as, Jack Horvath (Jeremy Jones), but they shine a light on why he would assume Eddie’s identity and kidnap Gilbert. Apparently, Eddie had thousands of dollars from a drug deal buried in a special spot in Sun Pass State Forest.
Colter later returns to the Riley household and shares his discovery with State Investigator (Dalias Blake), who is heading the task force searching for Gilbert. Although the investigator wants to go in with a show of force, Colter disagrees and offers to go in alone. After learning that the family agrees with Colter’s strategy, the investigator promises him 2 hours.
More is revealed about Colter’s unique childhood when Officer Amini escorts him to the State Park. According to Colter, his parents were professors at Berkley until an unspecified incident forced his father, Ashton, to take the family and flee to a compound by the Sierra National Forest. It was here that Ashton taught the family how to track, hunt, and free climb. As the conversation continues, Colter reveals that his father was worried about someone coming after them someday. Apparently, this is what happened the night of Ashton and Russell’s argument. More from that memory is revealed but ends with Colter finding Ashton’s body at the bottom of a ravine.
Colter enters the State Park armed with a pistol but alone while Amini remains by the cruiser at the entrance. It doesn’t take him long to find Gilbert handcuffed in the bed of an old brown pickup with Jack nowhere in sight. Jack gets the jump on Jack while he’s tending to Gilbert. Colter complies with Jack and even talks him into giving over the handcuff key so he can free Gil. Things quickly spiral out of control and Colter ends up winged in the left shoulder when a helicopter flies by.
As soon as she spots the helicopter, Amini jumps into the cruiser and drives into the forest. Jack flees with Gil still in the bed of the truck but no longer handcuffed. Despite the injury, Colter manages to catch the truck. Amini catches up as well and Jack ends up backed into a corner at an overlook. Feeling out of options, Jack shoots himself in the head, which knocks the truck into reverse. When it comes to rest, Colter and Gil find themselves dangling from a tarp. Although they appear to have a stable hold, Colter convinces Gil to drop into the river below, which ultimately saves their lives.
Much later that day at the Klamath Hospital and now in a sling, Colter encounters the state investigator. He apologizes and tries to explain his sending in the helicopter early as him getting antsy. Colter asks him if he’s sorry that he almost got Gilbert killed before walking off and leaving him standing there. His visit appears to lift Gil’s spirits but is interrupted by a call from Reenie. She lets him know he’s free to leave town but abruptly cuts off his attempts at an apology.
Now at the Airstream, Colter receives a text from the Devil’s Notch number, with the sender claiming that he’s going away, but Colter needs to hear what he has to say. He ignores the call, gets two beers, and rejoins Officer Amini outside.
Velma mopes around the office, thinking that she missed her opportunity to adopt the dog she mentioned earlier. Teddi not only reveals that she’s already adopted the dog, but she’s claims to have found their next job. Her call interrupts Colter and Amini in bed.
The episode ends with Colter visiting his mother, Mary Dove Shaw (Wendy Crewson) at the Sierra National Forest cabin. While there he visits Ashton’s gravesite and the memory from the night he found his body is revealed. The memory alludes to Russell pushing Ashton into the ravine. Russell is also revealed as the mysterious caller.
Tracker Review
As with most premieres, it can be hard to keep up with everything going on. Despite all the new characters and emerging storylines, everything felt very fluid and straightforward. Although I can’t say that the premise is groundbreaking or even something entirely new, the episode felt mildly fresh and exciting.
I wasn’t expecting much from Hartley, being that I am somewhat familiar with his time on several CW shows, but his performance surprised me. That mixed with the nostalgic feel, and I’d have to give the episode an overall 5.6 out of 10. I also feel that the writers did an incredibly good job of laying out the story plots without completely destroying the intrigue. There are still a lot of unknowns.
Get more Tracker recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss movies, TV shows, scams, sports, and more.
