Out Of The Past – The episode begins in the late evening with Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) breaking into an average-looking home in the suburbs. Nothing appears out of the ordinary except for a small Ziploc bag full of dirt in the freezer. Frank Whales (Ryan Dorsey) eventually returns home and the ensuing confrontation reveals that these little drop-ins are something Colter has been doing for the past ten years, hoping that Frank will confess to the disappearance of Gina Picket.
After returning to his Airstream, Colter receives a checkup/job offer call from Velma Bruin (Abby McEnany) at Reenie Greene’s (Fiona Rene) new law office in progress but refuses to talk about the Picket anniversary. As for the job, he will be investigating the disappearance of all 4 members of the King Family outside of Pine Bluffs, Arkansas.
Colter meets Craig King (Erik Gow) at the King’s last known location where he learns that Ted King (Matthew MacDonald-Bain) was a bit of a local celebrity due to recently winning $50,000 on a scratch-off ticket. Despite the money, Ted was an avid gambler and was known to deal with some shady individuals. It doesn’t take Colter long to realize that US Marshall Jenny Martinez (Enuka Okuma) is too pleased with his appearance at her crime scene. Despite his knowledge and pointing out that the family was likely led off into the surrounding woods, she wants no part of him.
It’s only seconds later that Colter is walking the woods and debating theories with Bobby Exley (Eric Graise). After their brief conversation, Colter meets Martinez’s partner, Marshal Jeremy Boyd (Matt Long), who appears incompetent as they come and too forthcoming but is more than enthused to have an extra hand on the case.
By the time Colter shares his theory about the crime scene being staged with Boyd, Bobby returns his earlier call with the shocking news that Connie King (Lindy Booth) didn’t exist before 2015. Colter doesn’t get long to consider this because, at nearly the same time, he discovers Brett (Benjamin Holmes) and Amy King (Aliyah Brooks) hiding in a rusted-out car. Brett immediately tells him that Connie and Ted were with them but left to get rid of the tablet that he was ordered to leave behind but didn’t.
Seconds after learning about the laptop Martinez shows back up and although she isn’t happy, she begins to see Colter’s usefulness. She agrees to not interfere with his investigation but ominously reminds him that he doesn’t have all the facts. She apparently isn’t willing to share them but Colter calls Reenie with theories about the family being in Witness Protection. She agrees to look into it while thanks to Bobby; he tracks the tablet to a nearby gas station.
Colter finds the tablet in the trash at the station along with a beaten and bloodied Ted. He’ll also be surprised by an assailant but doesn’t have a problem gaining the upper hand. It’s only seconds after this that Boyd shows up with the cavalry. As promised, Reenie has looked into the case and discovered that Connie has been the target all along. She apparently was married to a member of the Garner Crime Family and turned state’s evidence on them. The Marshals had managed to keep her safe for 9 years until Ted’s lottery win brought attention to the family.
Connie returns to the woods looking for Brett and Amy but finds Colter instead. He’ll briefly explain who he is and she’ll tell him more about her situation and being married to Kirk. This is abruptly interrupted by Reenie with the news that Marshal Boyd has just been discovered dead. By the time Colter puts two and two together, Kirk has killed Craig and found Amy and Brett. Much to Kirk’s surprise, Brett recognizes him.
Kirk is right in the middle of escaping with Brett and Amy when Colter and Connie surprise him. It takes some convincing but Colter eventually convinces him to let Brett say goodbye to Connie. As soon as Brett is clear, a sharpshooter with Marshal Martinez shoots and kills Kirk.
A later conversation with Reenie reveals that the day’s events have brought more attention to the Garner Family and their illicit dealings. If successfully prosecuted, the Kings may no longer have to live looking on their shoulders. In addition to that, there was a bounty on the Garner Family that is now being awarded to Colter. It isn’t much longer after this that Colter rushes off the phone to visit Camille Picket (Floriana Lima). The episode ends with the two of them in bed together.
Tracker Review
I certainly can’t say that the series was ever that great to begin with but something felt off. It wasn’t the absence of Teddi but the entire thing felt rushed. There was no prelude to Colter’s connection with Gina or Camille. The entire thing felt like it appeared out of mist. Maybe more will be explained as the series progresses. Although I did enjoy the WITSEC case, it was completely unoriginal. It’s been done and done and done again. Unfortunately, things are not looking up for season 2. The episode deserves 5 out of 10.
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