Tracker just added a “temporary replacement” character that’s actually going to be sticking around for a while!
One thing that sets Tracker apart from other CBS procedurals is its very small cast. Justin Hartley is the draw as freelance “tracker” Colter Shaw but there’s not much of an ensemble. The only other regulars in season 3 are Colter’s lawyer friend Reenie (Fiona Renee) and now Randy (Chris Lee), Colter’s hacker ally.
The show used to have a bigger cast as season 1 showed married couple Teddy (Robin Weigert) and Velma (Abby McEnany), who would get Colter work alongside hacker Bobby (Erica Graise). Weigert departed after the first season with the explanation of Teddy being out of town. Season 3 saw both Bobby and Velma gone as well.
There's a new cast member joining Tracker
That latter departure affects the dynamic of Velma having become Reenie’s assistant. The show finally addressed the departure in Tracker season 3 with Velma explained as going to find Teddy and hopefully salvage their relationship.
Interestingly, the show had it painted as Velma just taking a leave of absence rather than how McEnany was no longer part of the cast. It's as if the producers are somehow hoping the actress returns despite how they're the ones who let her go in the first place.
It does require a new assistant for Reenie which seems to add another face to the cast!
Who is Reenie’s new assistant on Tracker?
After a rough interview with one applicant, Reenie met a second applicant, Melanie Day, played by Cassady McClincy Zhang, best known for her role as Lydia on The Walking Dead. Mel had a good background, having worked for a tough but highly respected district attorney.
As for why she wanted the job, Mel explained that she respected Reenie leaving her high-priced law firm to help those in need. She was driven by her mother being murdered in a parking lot when she was a teenager, a case yet unsolved. That push for justice convinced Reenie to hire Mel on.
While Zhang is still listed only as a guest star (along with Lee), she seems set to stick around for a while. It’s likely we’ll get a dynamic of Reenie mentoring this younger woman with Zhang’s energy and eagerness to please perhaps affecting cases.
Could Mel become a bigger part of the story?
There is another factor to consider in that during her interview, Mel mentioned she was intrigued by Reenie’s work with Colter and seemed very interested in possibly working with him. It’s not hard to imagine that Mel is only using this job as a way to get closer to Colter. The question is why.
The most likely possibility is Mel is hoping Colter can help her solve her mother’s murder and finally see justice done. She may be worried just coming right out and asking for help is a bit much so hoping to work her way into gaining Reenie’s trust first.
A more troubling possibility is that Mel is working for some shady group that wants to get at Colter. Her entire persona could be some sort of act to appear innocent so she can spy on Colter and Reenie and work her own means against them.
Either way, Tracker has a new character around and hopefully sticking around more as season 3 starts to hit its stride.
Tracker season 3 airs Sundays at 8/7c on CBS.
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