CBS’s Tracker continues to boost the bar with “Monster”, an episode that blends psychological horror, intense motion, and powerful character moments. What begins as a regular missing-person case rapidly morphs into one thing a lot darker, as Colter Shaw finds himself monitoring a killer with a deeply unsettling backstory. The present continues to refine its components, utilizing sensible plot units, layered character improvement, and a creeping sense of dread to maintain viewers hooked.
A Traditional Thriller Setup, Elevated by Robust Writing
The episode’s opening scene is straight out of a horror film—a quiet, unsuspecting mom placing her little one to mattress, a sudden noise in the course of the night time, after which… she’s gone. It’s an immediately gripping chilly open that units the tone for your entire episode.
What makes “Monster” stand out from different Tracker episodes is how successfully it leans into psychological thriller territory. The pacing is tight, with one discovery seamlessly resulting in the following, each revealing deeper layers of the case. The stakes really feel actual, and the thriller unfolds in a method that retains us guessing with out feeling pressured.
One of many episode’s strongest plot units is the six levels of separation between the characters. Alice isn’t just a few random lacking lady—she has direct ties to Paul Hamilton, the killer. And Paul isn’t just a few nameless menace—he’s somebody Alice tried to assist. These connections make the stakes really feel private and add an emotional weight to the story.
Paul Hamilton: A Villain With Depth
Paul Hamilton is one in all Tracker’s most chilling antagonists to this point, and what makes him so efficient is that he’s not only a senseless killer—he’s a damaged man with a warped sense of actuality. The episode doesn’t excuse his actions, nevertheless it does make him fascinating to look at.
 |
| “Monster” – TRACKER, Pictured: Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw. Picture: Sergei Bachlakov/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
His obsession with Alice isn’t romantic—it’s one thing deeper and way more unsettling. He sees her as the one one that ever really noticed him, the one one who would possibly have the ability to “repair” him. His backstory, notably the reveal that he killed his stepfather after years of feeling ignored and undesirable, makes him a terrifyingly actual type of monster—the sort created by trauma, neglect, and rage. The present well makes use of the amusement park setting to mirror Paul’s mindset. It was a spot the place he felt deserted but in addition secure—a twisted paradox that makes it the proper remaining battleground. And the home of mirrors? A basic however extremely efficient alternative, symbolizing each his fractured psyche and the distorted method he sees the world.
Alice: Extra Than a Damsel in Misery
Whereas Alice spends many of the episode in captivity, she is much from a passive sufferer. She makes use of each little bit of her coaching to maintain Paul calm, discuss him down, and manipulate the state of affairs in her favor. Her dialog with him about selecting to vary—not simply surviving, however actively working towards a greater self—parallels Colter’s personal struggles together with his previous. Alice’s previous as an addict additionally serves as an necessary reminder that Tracker doesn’t simply cope with surface-level mysteries. This episode subtly explores the stigma round habit and the way in which folks’s previous errors can be utilized in opposition to them, even after they’ve labored arduous to maneuver ahead.
Colter: The Lone Wolf With a Heavy Previous
Whereas Tracker typically focuses on Colter’s ability as a tracker, this episode takes a welcome dive into his private life. The case itself is compelling, nevertheless it’s the ultimate diner scene between Colter and Reenie that provides a much-needed layer of emotional depth. Colter has all the time been a guarded character, however his story about his mom and the way she used pancakes as a option to “restart the day” is likely one of the most susceptible moments we’ve seen from him. It explains a lot about why he retains shifting, why he by no means settles, and why he’s so reluctant to let folks in.
After which there’s Reenie. She’s the one particular person Colter persistently lets into his world, and their chemistry continues to simmer. Her light push for him to think about remedy isn’t nearly skilled assist—it’s about letting somebody in. The way in which she tells him, “I like that you just discuss to me,” is a small however highly effective second. She sees by him, similar to Alice as soon as noticed by Paul. The distinction? Colter nonetheless has a option to let folks in.
 |
| “Monster” – TRACKER, Pictured: Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw. Picture: Sergei Bachlakov/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
Remaining Ideas
“Monster” is one in all Tracker’s strongest episodes but, balancing a compelling case with deep character moments. Using psychological horror components elevates the stress, and the villain is likely one of the most complicated and disturbing but. In the meantime, Colter’s rising bond with Reenie provides an emotional thread that makes the present really feel richer with every episode.
Between Alice’s resilience, Paul’s chilling psychology, and Colter’s uncommon vulnerability, this episode is a standout. Tracker is proving that it’s greater than only a case-of-the-week present—it’s a sequence about damaged folks looking for their method ahead.