Trackerhas experienced much success in 2024, butits most-watched episode in its two seasons may surprise fans.The CBS action drama TV series, created by Ben H. Winters, is based on Jeffery Deaver’s 2019 novelThe Never Game,following Colter Shaw(played by Justin Hartley, who also serves as an executive producer, in the show). Colter is an expert survivalist who uses his tracking skills to (usually) find people in exchange for money as a rewardist. However, Colter’s complicated past also often comes back to haunt him inTracker.
Trackerseason 2 returns with episode 9 on Sunday, July 21, 2025, at 8 pm ET on CBS. While waiting, fans can catch up on all the show’s aired episodes on Paramount+.
Throughoutthe 20-plus episodes ofTracker, Colter has solved many mysteries and faced several dangers. From finding a missing prized racehorse to continuously trying and failing to learn the truth behind his father’s death, Hartley’s character has experienced a lot in the CBS action drama series. However,more people tuned in to watch Colter search for a missing teenage girl from a mining townthan any otherTrackerepisode in 2024.
Tracker’s Most-Watched Episode Thus Far Is “Preternatural”
Almost 12 Million People Watched Tracker Season 2, Episode 5
According toVariety, the most-watched episode ofTrackeris “Preternatural” in season 2. Perhaps even more impressively,the episode of the CBS action drama was the 69th most-watched primetime telecast (in Live+7 ratings) of 2024,garnering around 11,861,000 viewers during or shortly after its airing on November 10. The list (which consists of 100 slots) is based on broadcast and cable measurements and focuses on both total viewers and adults 18–49.Varietyalso factored in airings of professional sports (including the NFL and NBA) and other live events, butTrackerstill earned 15 spots on the list.
Trackerseason 2, episode 5
11,861,000
Trackerseason 2, episode 6
11,701,000
Trackerseason 2, episode 3
11,594,000
Trackerseason 2, episode 7
11,580,000
Trackerseason 2, episode 1
“Out of the Past”
11,507,000
Trackerseason 2, episode 4
11,330,000
Trackerseason 1, episode 9
11,322,000
Trackerseason 1, episode 10
“Into the Wild”
11,274,000
Trackerseason 1, episode 5
11,271,000
Trackerseason 1, episode 13
11,251,000
Trackerseason 1, episode 11
“Beyond the Campus Walls”
11,148,000
Trackerseason 1, episode 8
11,129,000
Trackerseason 1, episode 12
“Off the Books”
11,109,000
Trackerseason 1, episode 4
11,036,000
Trackerseason 2, episode 8
July 07, 2025
10,811,000
The onlyTrackerepisodes that didn’t make the cut are episodes 2, 3, 6, and 7 from season 1 and season 2, episode 2. The pilot was also cut from the list despite it amassing around 18 million viewers. However, it aired after Super Bowl LVIII (the most-watched telecast of 2024 with 121,009,000 viewers), which is why so many tuned in and likely whyVarietydidn’t consider it. Still, it’s easy to see howTrackerdethronedNCISas CBS' most-watched show. Whenconsidering only scripted series,Trackerseason 2, episode 5 would sit at number one onVariety’s list.
Why “Preternatural” Was Such An Appealing Tracker Episode
“Preternatural” wasn’t exactly a specialepisode ofTracker, but it does stand out, which is why so many were drawn to watch it. During season 2, episode 5, Colter is tasked with finding a missing teenage girl, Emmaline. He travels to Prior, Kentucky, where she was kidnapped by drug dealers. Colter learns that Emmaline and her brother, Jasper, recently moved to Prior, where they are pariahs, seemingly becausesome believe that Emmaline is a witch.She is a herbalist and healer, using means outside of science to help others.
GivenTrackerseason 2, episode 5 dabbled into the supernatural world of witchcraft, it’s quite unlike any other episode in the series.
Colter ultimately finds Emmaline,and she later scares away the drug dealers (who wanted her to heal their sick father) by threatening to put a blood curse on their family. Emmaline tells Colter she was lying. However, based on her proven abilities to magically heal others, it wouldn’t be surprising if the blood curse was real.
Dear Tracker, Please Stop Wasting Your Best Character (& It Isn’t Colter)
After four episodes in season 2 of CBS' hit series, it’s time to officially ask Tracker to stop wasting its best character for its own sake.
GivenTrackerseason 2, episode 5 dabbled into the supernatural worldof witchcraft, it’s quite unlike any other episode in the series. Its plot is out of the box andstrays far from the grounded storytelling thatTrackeris known for.Plus, “Preternatural” is a bit open-ended as it doesn’t definitively explain Emmaline’s abilities, and she and Jasper also mysteriously leave town.
Tracker Season 2 Is Being More Creative With Its Stories
The CBS Series Is Stepping Outside Its Box (For Better Or For Worse)
“Preternatural” isn’t the first episode of the CBS TV series with supernatural themes—Trackerseason 2, episode 2features aliens and conspiracy theories. Colter and Russell work together when a man goes missing while searching for aliens. Without getting into too much detail, the hour also strays fromTracker’s typical grounded storytelling. The writers are taking many creative liberties in season 2, whether viewers like it or not, meaning more supernatural stories might be inTracker’s future.
Tracker
Cast
Tracker follows lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw as he navigates the country as a reward seeker. Utilizing his expert tracking skills, he aids private citizens and law enforcement in solving various mysteries while grappling with issues from his fractured family.
