Tonight’s episode took a distinctive turn from its usual focus on missing persons, with the storyline focused instead on a missing horse. The change in focus introduced a new dynamic to the series, offering a new angle on the pursuits of Colter Shaw. Viewers were also given a deeper glimpse into Colter’s elusive past through the introduction of Billie Matalon, played by Justin Hartley’s off-screen wife, Sofia Pernas. Billie is a fellow tracker whose complicated history with Colter added layers of intrigue to the narrative of the episode.
The episode brought to light a very real issue that animal right’s activists have been battling for years- the mistreatment of horses in the pursuit of a cash reward. Sadly, Argo’s story was a very real one and the writer’s did a great job of bringing the arduous job of race horses and the realities of horse racing for profit, to the forefront.
While we got a glimpse into Colter’s history, it came with more questions than answers. Viewers learned that Billie betrayed him but they were left in the dark about the details. Key pieces of their story are missing: How did Billie and Colter’s paths first cross? What exactly did she do to lose his trust? A consistent issue with the series is its failure to dive deep into the backstory of its characters. This oversight leaves a gap in the narrative and viewers are left craving a richer understanding of the character’s motivations and histories, a desire that the series, thus far, dangles just out of reach.
Despite this shortfall, the episode played greatly on the show’s strengths- the narrative cleverly balanced the investigation with the unfolding drama of the characters, ensuring that the quest for Argo was as much about the chase as it was about the characters embroiled in it. Your turn, Tracker fans! What were your thoughts on the episode? Did you enjoy Sofia Pernas’ character? Would you like to see Billie again this season? Share your thoughts below and interact with me on X at @middleofCanada.