Tracker has enjoyed remarkable success in 2024, with fans particularly surprised by its top-rated episode. Created by Ben H. Winters and aired on CBS, this action drama series is inspired by Jeffery Deaver’s novel, The Never Game. The show centers around Colter Shaw, portrayed by Justin Hartley, who also takes on the role of executive producer. As a gifted survivalist, Colter leverages his tracking abilities to locate individuals, often working for a financial reward, while also confronting the shadows of his challenging past.
As anticipation builds, Tracker fans can look forward to the return of Season 2 with episode 9, set to air on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 8 PM ET on CBS. Meanwhile, all episodes are available for streaming on Paramount+.
Over the course of more than 20 episodes, Colter has tackled numerous mysteries, ranging from the disappearance of a prized racehorse to his relentless pursuit of the truth regarding his father’s death. However, the episode that garnered the highest viewership in 2024 featured Colter’s quest to find a missing teenage girl from a mining community.
Tracker’s Most-Watched Episode So Far: “Preternatural”
Nearly 12 Million Viewers for Season 2, Episode 5
According to a report from Variety, the standout episode of Tracker is titled “Preternatural”from Season 2. This gripping installment captured the attention of around 11,861,000 viewers during its broadcast on November 10, making it the 69th most-watched primetime telecast (Live+7 ratings) of 2024. This list ranks 100 shows and takes into account total viewership and adult demographics aged 18 to 49, even including major sporting events.
| Tracker Episode | Episode Title | Release Date | Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 2, Episode 5 | “Preternatural” | November 10, 2024 | 11,861,000 |
| Season 2, Episode 6 | “Trust Fall” | November 17, 2024 | 11,701,000 |
| Season 2, Episode 3 | “Bloodlines” | October 27, 2024 | 11,594,000 |
| Season 2, Episode 7 | “Man’s Best Friend” | November 24, 2024 | 11,580,000 |
| Season 2, Episode 1 | “Out of the Past” | October 13, 2024 | 11,507,000 |
| Season 2, Episode 4 | “Noble Rot” | November 3, 2024 | 11,330,000 |
| Season 1, Episode 9 | “Aurora” | April 21, 2024 | 11,322,000 |
| Season 1, Episode 10 | “Into the Wild” | April 28, 2024 | 11,274,000 |
| Season 1, Episode 5 | “St. Louis” | March 17, 2024 | 11,271,000 |
| Season 1, Episode 13 | “The Storm” | May 19, 2024 | 11,251,000 |
| Season 1, Episode 11 | “Beyond the Campus Walls” | May 5, 2024 | 11,148,000 |
| Season 1, Episode 8 | “Camden” | April 14, 2024 | 11,129,000 |
| Season 1, Episode 12 | “Off the Books” | May 12, 2024 | 11,109,000 |
| Season 1, Episode 4 | “Mt. Shasta” | March 3, 2024 | 11,036,000 |
| Season 2, Episode 8 | “The Night Movers” | December 1, 2024 | 10,811,000 |
The episodes that did not rank include 2, 3, 6, and 7 from both seasons, as well as season 2, episode 2. Notably, the pilot episode, despite attracting around 18 million viewers, was excluded due to its airing following Super Bowl LVIII, which itself drew an astounding 121 million viewers. Despite this, it’s evident that Tracker has surpassed NCIS as CBS’ most-watched scripted series. If we focus solely on scripted shows, “Preternatural”would lead the ranks of Variety’s list.
What Makes “Preternatural”Such a Compelling Episode?
“Preternatural”Features an Open Ending
Watch Episode Here
Watch Episode Here
Although not a special episode in the traditional sense, “Preternatural” stands out due to its unique storyline. In this installment, Colter is drawn into the mystery of a missing teenage girl named Emmaline, who has been abducted by drug traffickers. His search takes him to Prior, Kentucky, where Emmaline and her brother Jasper are marginalized locals, rumored to be a part of witchcraft because of Emmaline’s herbalist abilities.
This episode’s exploration of supernatural elements sets it apart from others in the series. Especially notable is how Colter finds Emmaline, who cleverly intimidates her captors by threatening them with a blood curse, which she later admits was a ruse. However, given her demonstrated ability to heal, it raises questions about the authenticity of her threat.
Season 2 of Tracker Embraces Creative Storytelling
Taking Bold Risks in Narrative Direction
“Preternatural”is not the first instance of supernatural themes in Tracker; the earlier episode in Season 2 touched on alien conspiracies. In these stories, Colter and his ally Russell investigate the disappearance of an individual who vanished while exploring extraterrestrial claims. This trend of creative narratives suggests a departure from the series’ conventionally realistic storytelling, indicating that more supernatural elements could feature in future episodes of Tracker.
Source: Variety
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