Aurora – The episode opens three years in the past in Aurora, Vermont with search and rescue pulling a young girl’s body from a lake. A nearly frantic Gavin Russo (Robert Moloney) races up out of nowhere, asking if the body belongs to his daughter, who later is learned to be Lana Russo (Paolina Van Kleef). After a bit of hysteria at the police cordon, Detective Helen Brock (Dian Maria Riva) waves him through where he confirms the young girl as Lana’s friend, Jamie (Mia Garcia).

Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) enters the picture three years later when he shows up at Gavin’s home, interested in collecting on the generous $30,000 reward now being offered. Gavin wastes little time updating Colter on the case, which the locals suspect to be some sort of suicide pact due to a cryptic note (So much pain) discovered with the girl’s belongings shortly after they went missing. When Colter appears a bit unbelieving himself, Gavin claims to have proof that Lana is still alive and shows him a recent newspaper clipping from a blood drive at the county fair. Although the girl is in the background and the picture is grainy at best, the girl appears to share Lana’s profile.

Having already contacted the newspaper photographer and unsuccessfully running the picture through facial recognition, Colter appears to have covered most of the basis while updating Teddi (Robin Weigert) and Velma Bruin (Abby McEnany). Upon learning that Teddi and Velma have nothing further to add to the case, Colter finds himself in Brock’s office with the newspaper clipping. With the department’s restricted budget and Gavin’s exhausting their resources over the years, what Colter learns during his visit with Brock isn’t any more hopeful. Despite that, it is suggested that the case holds a special place in Brock’s heart and she hasn’t entirely written it off. She doesn’t even think twice when Colter requests to see Lana’s evidence. Using the journal, Colter learns that Lana and Jamie were obsessed with all things paranormal, in particular the Harkwood Witch and the local mental asylum. Lana and Jamie would often film their visits/investigations at the Harkwood Facility.

Colter’s later trip to the Harkwood Institute doesn’t uncover anything useful. Although Brock joins him for the outing, she is quickly called away to handle other police matters. Colter soon finds himself getting a call as well from the photographer of The Bugle. Colter finally gets a break in the case when the photographer provides him with additional photos of Lana from the fair. Thanks to the much better resolution and Brock’s tech guy, Colter confirms that the girl in the photo is Lana.

When Colter relays the news of his discovery to Gavin, he uncovers another lead in the form of Tobias ‘Toby’ Calhoun (Nicco Del Rio), a peer and member of the film club. Gavin doesn’t suspect that Toby and Lana were involved but isn’t entirely sure. Toby did drop out of school six months after Lana’s disappearance and is now working at a bakery, the next town over.

Initially, Toby doesn’t appear too enthused to share what he knows about Lana. He’s also quick to make sure Colter knows that he’s been alibied out as a suspect. As the conversation proceeds, it becomes clear that Toby is hesitant to share what he knows out of fear of not being taken seriously, possibly even laughed at. When he realizes Colter takes him seriously, Toby shares his theory about the Harkwood Witch. Despite his theory being somewhat unbelievable, it does lead Colter to learn that Toby has additional videos from the group’s paranormal investigations at Harkwood.

While later sharing the videos with Brock and her tech guru, Colter finds a thermal heat signature that uncovers a hidden room at Harkwood. It appears the signature was spying on the group during their filming. Armed with their discovery, Colter and Brock pay another visit to the facility, which leads them to Richard McBroom (Jimmy James Burke).

It takes Colter’s assistance, a soda, and a sandwich, but Brock finally gets Richard to open up. What he shares shakes her so badly that she has to excuse herself from the room. After following her out, Colter learns that Richard’s story about seeing Jamie in a yellow raincoat being led to the river by someone in a black raincoat shares a striking resemblance to the murder of a local teenage boy. The only problem is, the murderer of that boy, Errol Price (Jed Rees) confessed and has been locked away for nearly five years now.

Colter is later introduced to Errol via his confession/apology video to the family of the boy he murdered. Despite Errol claiming to be a newly reformed man, he’s refused to speak with cops or shine any light on the significance of the yellow raincoat. Colter looks to change that by getting his name added to Errol’s visitor’s list under the guise that he’s also seeking remorse for a crime. Although Errol does agree to the meeting, he sticks with his claim that he always worked alone. When Colter asks him about using the term ‘we’ during the police report, he claims he was talking about a demon named Astaroth. Errol also claims the box labeled ‘Mr. Vic Pereema’ belonged to a tenant.

Much later that night, Colter visits Maeve Price (Bronwen Smith) in hopes of uncovering Errol’s accomplice. It takes a bit of convincing but she does offer her assistance upon learning that Colter is looking for a missing girl. After claiming that Errol was always a loner, the kettle draws her attention to the kitchen. It is at this time that Colter notices the blood drive bag. When he asks to use the restroom, it becomes clear that Colter suspects she is harboring Errol’s associate. He soon realizes he is mistaken and Errol’s partner is Maeve. A chase ensues and leads him to a creepy basement where he finds a hidden room and is attacked from behind Maeve. He’s not only able to turn the tables on Maeve, but he finds Lana in the hidden room.

The episode ends with a happy reunion at Gavin’s home and Brock seeing Colter off to his next case. Before leaving, Colter learns that both Errol and Maeve were abused by their father and shared a kinship for Harkwood. It was there that Maeve learned about Lana Jamie and their interest in the paranormal. She would later use that spy on the girls in the following weeks until she was free to make her move. Lana would have likely never escaped had it not been for a home inspection by the city. Upon learning of the inspection, Maeve tied Lana up and took her to work on the day of the inspection. Although Lana did manage to escape the van, Maeve was able to stop her before she escaped or alerted anyone.

 

Tracker Review

Episode 9 was probably one of my favorites thus far. I don’t know if it was the paranormal angle or the onscreen charisma between Colter and Brock, but this episode seemed much more enjoyable than the others. It could have possibly also had something to do with Velma and Teddi’s limited screen time. Bobby didn’t make an appearance either, which is always a plus in my book. This case also hit a bit closer to home for Colter, which could have contributed. I also found it strange that he chose to take the yellow ribbon and missing poster at Gavin’s home.

I don’t think Colter has ever taken memorabilia before. I might be wrong, but in any case, I’d give this episode a 6 out of 10.

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