'Tracker' Delivers Chilling FirstEver Halloween Case — But One Thing Is Missing Lizzy BuczakNovember 2, 2025 at 9:33 PM 0 Tracker Season 3 Episode 3 got into the Halloween spirit, giving fans a bonechilling case that once again put Justin Hartley's Colter Shaw in direct danger. But it's nothing our favorite rewardist can't handle, once again proving that without him, local law enforcement agencies simply don't stand a chance.
- - 'Tracker' Delivers Chilling First-Ever Halloween Case — But One Thing Is Missing
Lizzy BuczakNovember 2, 2025 at 9:33 PM
0
Tracker Season 3 Episode 3 got into the Halloween spirit, giving fans a bone-chilling case that once again put Justin Hartley's Colter Shaw in direct danger.
But it's nothing our favorite rewardist can't handle, once again proving that without him, local law enforcement agencies simply don't stand a chance.
In addition to introducing a new character, Mel Day, who Reenie hired as an assistant at the firm, the episode, titled "First Fire," delivered its first-ever Halloween-themed episode, with the case kicking off at a psych ward called Wyndham Psychiatric Facility in Massachusetts.
During a storm on Oct. 31, the power went out, and a nurse was murdered after a dangerous patient and arsonist, Heston Koontz, managed to escape.
Colter isn't entirely convinced his help is needed, but Heston's parents reach out, offering a reward to find their missing son, revealing that Heston had pleaded insanity after setting a fire that killed the family of a young girl named Emily, whom he was obsessed with, leaving her as the sole survivor.
Related: Did Russell Shaw Die on 'Tracker'?
Heston's parents are worried about what Heston may do with his newfound freedom, admitting that the police failed them and the victims the first time around, ignoring their reports and not taking them seriously about their son's worsening mental state weeks before the deadly and tragic fire.
Upon a brief visit to the scene of the crime, Colter finds that things don't add up—this wasn't just a crime of opportunity, it was one planned to the very last detail with the help of an accomplice.
Along with assistance from local officer Dundee (Derek Richardson), the duo follow a set of unsettling clues, which leads them to a splinter sect called the Fideles, whose faith and godly mission is misguided, as they have taken it upon themselves to hunt down dark things and "eradicate it" by any means neseccary, including "witch hunts, among other horrors."
"First Fire" - Tracker.
But an episode that leaned into classic—and almost supernatural—horrors was missing one thing: Russell Shaw. It would've been a perfect and natural fit for Jensen Ackles, whose resume clocks countless hours hunting down monsters, ghosts, and demons on Supernatural, making it a truly missed opportunity on Tracker's part.
I know scheduling is likely the reason, but I wish they had him stick around after the first two episodes to navigate a Halloween night-case and give fans of The CW series the ultimate treat, all while honoring his monster-hunting legacy.
I'm not the only one who thinks Tracker is at its best when Hartley shares the spotlight with Ackles, as even EP Elwood Reid recently revealed his dream includes a Russell Shaw spinoff.
"I love writing for Jensen, and I think he and Justin are so good together. There's just a chemistry that those two have. It would be fun to continue to play with Jensen in our world or in a possible world of his own. I mean, one can always hope. That's me shamelessly planting little things for the studio network to pick up on. Normally in those cases, it just felt natural because why is this guy just available to go help out his brother?" he told TV Insider.
After Prime Video canceled Ackles' latest series, Countdown, maybe his schedule will free up enough that he'll pop back into the Tracker world and be convinced to stay for good?
As for the episode, Colter did just fine on his own, figuring out that this time, Koontz was a victim. He didn't escape; he was kidnapped by Sister Carlotta, along with members of her outreach program, for a ritual to cleanse him of his demonic possession, with Emily also taken as an "emotional tether" for the sacrifice.
Colter arrived at the scene of the first fire—Emily's abandoned home—just in time to thwart the ritual, as Koontz broke free from his chains, sacrificing himself for Emily in a move later called "poetic justice," as Colter saved the girl from this long-running nightmare once and for all.
Tracker airs Sundays on CBS.
🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬
This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the TV section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: November 03, 2025 at 10:45AM on Source: MONDAY MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle