Warning! This article contains spoilers for Tracker season 2, episode 2, "Ontological Shock."Tracker season 2 proves that Jensen Ackles’ Russell Shaw should lead a black ops spinoff of Justin Hartley’s hit TV show. The series launched on CBS in early 2024, introducing Hartley as Colter Shaw. The protagonist is a self-proclaimed “rewardist” who lives life on the open road and solves missing person cases with the help of his team in Tracker. Still, the best Tracker case is unsolved. Ackles’ character was introduced to tackle the storyline in Tracker season 1, but the elder Shaw brother has since evolved to comprise more than just the story of his father’s haunting death.
Ackles’ appearance in Tracker season 2, episode 2, “Ontological Shock,” marks the Supernatural star’s second time on the series. Ackles first appears in Tracker season 1, episode 12, “Off the Books.” Russell plays a massive role in Colter’s family mystery, and his appearance in Tracker season 1 grapples with that. In Tracker season 2, now that Russell has attempted to clear his name, the character can develop outside the mystery of who killed Colter’s father in Tracker and finally begin to show what he’s all about. And as the character develops, he needs more space to grow.
Jensen Ackles' Tracker Season 2 Return Makes Russell Shaw's Personal Story More Intriguing
Jensen Ackles Returned In Tracker Season 2, Episode 2, "Ontological Shock"
Russell is introduced in Tracker season 1 as the primary suspect in his father’s murder. However, his role evolves into Colter’s ally after he appears in episode 12 to clear his name and ask for help. In Tracker season 2, episode 2, Russell surfaces after Colter goes missing searching for a person on a Department of Defense (DOD) site. Reenie (Fiona Rene) calls Russell to find Colter, and Russell tracks Colter down almost immediately. In “Off the Books” and “Ontological Shock,” Russell has a black ops connection that adds to what he knows and is capable of.
Tracker season 1, episode 12, "Off the Books," establishes Russell’s military background and post-military career with the Horizon Group. “Off the Books” explains that Russell assumed civilian contract work after years of military service. “Ontological Shock” confirms Russell’s high-level connections when Colter goes missing, and Russell can quickly infiltrate the DOD site. In both instances, Ackles steals the show as the elder Shaw brother, who has the chops to make a convincing covert black ops solider, so much so that he could carry his own spinoff of Hartley’s show focusing on his covert operations background.
Why Jensen Ackles' Black Ops Show Is The Best Tracker Spinoff Possibility
Russell Shaw Can Build On The Shaw Family Mystery With An Action Premise
Custom image by Yeider Chacon
A Tracker spinoff with Jensen Ackles at its center could expand on Russell’s work with the Horizon Group while building up the Shaw family mystery. So far, Russell has been vague about what his work for the Horizon Group looks like. A series focused on Russell could expand the details of his career in a procedural format that has a blend of serialized elements, like Hartley’s show. The Ackles spinoff could follow Russell on his missions worldwide, putting him in various social and cultural environments. It's what Tracker showrunners say is an asset for Colter but also applies to Russell.
Of course, if Tracker showrunners decide to expand the franchise with an Ackles-led black ops spinoff focused on the Shaw family mystery, Hartley would have to guest star similarly to how Ackles makes appearances on Tracker in seasons 1 and 2. Introducing more of Russell’s government connections and covert missions would be different from Colter’s work, without straying from the mystery of Ashton Shaw that drives the series. In fact, Russell proves he can add to it. The most significant risk of a Tracker spinoff with Ackles at the helm is that it could overshadow Tracker’s story while it unfolds.
Ackles' Other Commitments Make It Difficult To Do His Tracker Spinoff
Jensen Ackles Has Upcoming The Boys And Amazon Prime Video Projects
Jensen Ackles' four upcoming movies and shows would complicate the actor's appearance in a Tracker spinoff. The Supernatural star has three other projects besidesTracker season 2 appearances that would compete with his timeline. Ackles will rejoin The Boys for season 5, resuming his role as Soldier Boy. Ackles will also return to the Solider Boy character for The Boys spinoff, Vought Rising. If that wasn't enough to keep the actor busy, Ackles is also slated to appear in a new Amazon Prime Video series called Countdown, his first lead role since Supernatural ended.
Still, while Ackles' commitments suggest a packed schedule, they also prove that Ackles would be perfect to lead a Tracker spinoff. Ackles hasn't assumed a starring role since Supernatural aired on The CW. Elevating Ackles to a more prominent role on network TV, not just a streaming service, seems timely for the Tracker franchise's expansion and for Ackles' career. The Dean Winchester actor proved he can hold his own, sometimes stealing the show next to Hartley. Still, when Tracker showrunners addressed spinoff possibilities, they mostly ruled out a Tracker spinoff for now.
