Tracker Recap: What We Learned About Russell in Jensen Ackles’ Debut — Plus, a Supernatural Easter Egg!
Supernatural fans who tuned into Tracker exclusively for Jensen Ackles were rewarded with a nod to the long-running CW drama.
Ackles appeared in Sunday’s penultimate Season 1 episode as Russell Shaw, estranged brother of Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw. Colter and Russell hadn’t spoken in 20 years when Russell showed up at his Colter’s Airstream and provided new insight into their father’s death. But before we dive into Tracker mythology, let’s do all you Ackle-lytes a solid and disclose that Supernatural Easter egg, which came not 10 minutes into the hour….
When Russell walked over to the passenger’s side of Colter’s truck, a familiar-looking vehicle was parked next to it. At first glance, it appeared to be a 1967 Chevrolet Impala, as in what Dean Winchester drove on Supernatural. TVLine has since confirmed that it was a 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible, a similar model meant to evoke the CW drama’s iconic ride. Before Russell got in Colter’s car, he gave Baby—err, Not Baby, a pat on the roof.
It wasn’t clear whether the Chevy belonged to Russell until the end of the episode. But when Colter returned to the motel where his brother had already checked out, the Chevelle was gone, too. Coincidence? We think not!
As for what Tracker fans learned this week….
With Dory’s encouragement, Colter made contact with Russell and agreed to meet. Unfortunately, Russell didn’t show. A week later, he turned up at Colter’s Airstream and explained that an Army pal, Doug Thompson, had gone missing. They’d been in the same unit for 18 years, then went into civilian contracting. (Anyone else get the sense that we haven’t heard the last about this Horizon Group mumbo jumbo?) Colter helped Russell track down his Doug, then Russell bailed. But it was clear from how Colter and Russell left things that Tracker has every intention of bringing Russell — and therefore, Ackles — back. It’s what we want… it’s what Melissa Roxburgh wants… it’s what we deserve.
Now, for the past two decades, Colter has believed his brother pushed Dad to his death. “I don’t know if he fell, or if somebody else pushed him, but I do know that there was somebody else in those woods that night,” Russell told Colter. “Dad had enemies…. He was a crazy son of a bitch.”
“But why would Mom let me believe that you did it?” Colter asked.
“I don’t know,” Russell answered. “I’d like to think that she did the best she could, but Mom had her secrets, trust me.… The man I saw in the woods the night Dad died? I’d seen him once before. I saw him talking to our mom.” Russell has no idea if Mom had to do with Dad’s death, “but when Dad died, she said it would be best if I left, and to keep quiet about what happened. She said our lives depended on it… I was a kid, so I left. Then I got a little older, and I just stayed gone.
“There’s nothing we can say or do to bring Dad back, or make up for lost time,” Russell said. “What happened, happened.” But we all know that Colter is going to get to the bottom of this. Clearly, what Dory told Colter about not trusting Mom has left a lasting impression, or else he wouldn’t have reached out to Russell after all this time. Now that Russell has also expressed doubt in Mary, will Colter confront the mother he’s blindly trusted his entire life? Only time will tell.
What did you think of Tracker Season 1, Episode 12: “Off the Books”? Hoping to see Jensen Ackles return as Russell in Season 2? Sound off in Comments.
I am trying to learn more about a song in this episode that asks, Where does a young man go……..?
The song is by Jamestown Revival and is titled “Young Man” – you can find it on YouTube.
I hope that helps!
I’m still trying to figure out if I was watching an episode of Tracker or Supernatural. Since when do other guest stars insert their old roles so much into an episode? It basically turned into the Jensen show and it was really annoying. I want my regular Tracker back. They can kill of Russell for all I care.
well some1 is bitter & rude. the writers are responsible for the script not J. some1 pointed out that the show from get go has many things in common with spn. introducing a character takes time & seems tptb throwed in as the article says an easter egg hinting spn. others wanted to see him appear cause like him. if you don’t like J then change channel & don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Of course. Jenson will make even a great show greater. ❤️
Certainly upped the hot eye candy factor.
at least spell his name right if you’re a fan!
Sounds like a great reason to start watching Tracker. I’ve never watched it before but I’ll tune in for Jensen!
I feel the same about Jensen. I did watch 2 episodes and I just couldn’t get into it but if Jensen becomes a regular I can see myself watching it. Plus, they have good chemistry as brothers.
Maybe they just aren’t taking their renewal for granted and are trying to expand their viewing audience. Having an actor who starred on a show for a decade and a half, isn’t exactly a bad idea.
Tracker has had fantastic ratings for its first season, but there’s no guarantee that lasts, so adding some viewers who’ve already shown an incredible amount of loyalty over a ridiculous amount of time is a wise move.
Who pissed in your Corn Flakes? It was Justin Hartley who recommended Jensen for the role. Guest stars have NOTHING to do with scripts. They just get hired to say the words.
What do you mean you want your regular Tracker back? It was one episode…and every scene Jensen was in, Hartley was in also…
There was one Supernatural Easter egg with a car that looked similar to Baby from Supernatural. Did I miss a bunch of others?
I hope Jenson Ackles becomes a regular on Tracker. . It was great all the little things to bring Supernatural in Tracker.
IS this -Sunday,May 12,2024 – the Season finale ?
Finale airs next week: https://tvline.com/casting-news/tracker-season-1-cast-jennifer-morrison-colter-friend-finale-1235228064/
I was already getting early Supernatural parallels with Tracker, minus the supernatural element, and this episode just cements it. Shows about a guy with family issues traveling the country solving missing/disappeared persons cases with the help from people identifying cases (Teddi and Velma in Tracker and Bobby in Supernatural), and tech support (Exley/Ash)
Yes !! ❤️
Loved seeing them working together, hope to see Ackles a lot more. They make a great team.
Besides his great fit for the character, Jensen was and is a BIG name for such a role, even one that might recur, heavily, over the course of the series. By heavily, I mean 2-3 appearances, MAX, over the course of 20+ eps.
.
This feels like a way to plant a spinoff. He’s a big name and would be a great lead on a tracker spinoff. They could spend the next year outlining it and setting it up, with a backdoor pilot next May, to launch in the 25-26 season. Setting up a “Tracker Sunday” to take over when Equalizer ends (in 2-3 years).
Loved the show…both men are great actors and they work very well together..like they should be working together..thought it was tongue in cheek with the car…kinda brought a little chuckle..
Would love to see them together more..
Jensen Ackles is too good to not have back on the show again!!
Loved it all! The way Colter and Russell acted together, the way Russell flirted and Colter basically rolled his eyes, Bobby’s reaction and especially the nod to “Baby”. Hope we see more of Russell.
I enjoyed seeing Jensen in this role and thought he and Justin had some good chemistry. I spotted the car right away. I enjoy Tracker a lot and that the stories are so varied and interesting.
Don’t know what car you spotted because that’s not BABY the car in the episode is more like a 65 impala not a 67.
65 malibu
Either way, it looked enough like a ’67 to be one whether it was or not.
It wasn’t THE Baby but I know I’m not the only one who thought, ‘is that Baby??’ when Russell drove up to the Airstream. Then when Russell patted the Baby lookalike, that was just a fun nod to his former role. I loved it, I love Tracker and I miss Jensen Ackles.
Car was a 65 chevy malibu
Tracker is a hit show, but with Jensen being added has ruined the show, no one wants a Supernatural show again. Tracker has been awesome with the main star solving crimes etc. Tonight was not the same, whoever made this decision is dumb. Lost a viewer tonight, it was awful and I don’t need 2 guys solving crimes together, we had that with Supernatural for many seasons enough is enough.
speak for yourself. The only reason I started watching was because Jensen was added to the show, I had no interest in Hartley and his traveling show. And yes, there are many that want a Supernatural show again. The addition of Jensen to the show was something that Justin had a large part in so you can blame him and his long friendship with Jensen for the casting. As for the story, as is written in a letter further up, it was the writers that wrote the story.
Maybe calm down! Jensen is not joining the show as a co-lead. It was one episode! but if you want to quit watching the show, because of you didn’t like one episode and one guest star, then good riddance! Like you said Tracker is hit show, it will be fine without you. There’s lot of us that will keep watching with or without Jensen
Ohh, man, you must be new. You don’t tug on Superman’s cape, you don’t spit into the wind, and you NEVER kick the hornets’ nest that is the SPN fandom like that. “No one wants a Supernatural show again”…? Have fun storming the castle, buddy. 😬
Agreed with don’t mess with the SPN Fandom! They are a powerful group whether you like it or not! And I do believe SPN will be back. Sorry buddy!
Preach on, brother! We Supernatural fans are dedicated… and fiercely protective!
Don’t let the door hit you on your way out.
Jense only brings another line of the story, dont worry it is still Justin’s show #SPNFOREVER
Awww, poor baby. Jensen was a GUEST STAR. He may be back for a couple more episodes, but he was a GUEST STAR. You understand that’s not a regular, yes? And by the way, Justin Hartley recommended him for the role.
Russel has so much of Dean in him, but he is also his own character, who I also like. He and Colter had great dynamic together, hope we see him again soon. And their sister will join them
That was NOT a 1967 Impala that Russell drove in Tracker.
I noticed that too. It is a 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle.
Of course he adds something in everything he does. I had my back to the TV and didn’t notice him right away. My boyfriend says “I recognize this guy but I just cant place him. I turned and heard one sentence “yep thats him” I said. This was too cool I love him with this show. Love to see him as a regular.
I did the same! It was the voice that cemented it! Loved seeing Jensen and the ode to “Baby”!
I loved it! There were more Supernatural nods than just Baby. The lady lawyer said “balls’ when she got up from the picnic table. And Russell’s plan to open a brewery was probably put in because most Jenson fans know he owns a brewery.
And Russell said “son of a bitch.”
And Reny said “balls”!
There was another nod to SPN when Russ said “SOB” in just the same way that Dean said it.
YES YES YES!!!❤️
Hoping jason Ackles is back in season 2 tracker it was a good episode liked alot
Bring Jensen Ackles in as a regular. He’s awesome as an actor and has a following from his last series.
Loved seeing Jenson.He needs to be brought back,plus we need Supernatural back.Great show,tonite,as always.
The last two episodes of Tracker have been the best with Colter’s brother and sister appearing. The chemistry between them was great and brought a lot to a show that has stumbled a few times. I am looking forward to more appearances, or maybe a spin-off for Jensen Ackles with his work for Horizon.
I hope Ackles does return on Tracker. He’s a hell of an actor!
Loved it! There were several Easter Eggs with Jensen tonight. Can’t wait for his return!
We want more of Jensen aka Russell. The two brothers work well together and look wonderful
we would love to see Jensen back for season 2 as a series regular
These producers think they’re so so clever whacking in references to shows an actor has been in before, but they’re so busy congratulating themselves on being clever that they completely miss the point that they’ve smashed the fragile suspension of disbelief for the audience. Jensen Ackles is an actor. His job is portray the character for the current show, not remind everyone of the character he used to be in an old show. This isn’t the first show to pull something this crass and it won’t be the last, unless somebody who knows anything about storytelling and how it works figures out that the nudge nudge wink wink look at us, we’re so clever shtick damages the show they want to keep going. Pathetic. And btw? I loved Supernatural, for the most part. This isn’t about that show or JA.
Shut up Karen!
Jensen Ackles is too animated in his acting. He over-acts. Not happy that he’s in it now. I liked Colter traveling and helping people. Justin Hartley is a much better actor. He’s more believable.
Sorry.. Jensen needs another haunted house show where over-acting is encouraged.
He is so cool he doesn’t even have to act.
Brought alot to the sedate show.