Tracker Season 3 Episode 9: Colter Shaw’s Fate and Fall Finale Explained

The third season of the hit CBS series Tracker left viewers on a major cliffhanger. The midseason finale, which aired on December 14, 2025, ended with lead character Colter Shaw and his ally John Keaton in a life-threatening situation after their car crashed down a ravine. The episode, titled “Good Trouble”, concluded with a “To Be Continued…” message, leaving fans to wait until March 2026 for answers. Show producers have now given some insight into what happens next and the fate of the show’s main character.

What Happened in the Fall Finale Episode 9?

The episode centered on Colter Shaw traveling to Tacoma, Washington, to help his friend, retired detective John Keaton. Keaton’s former police partner, Nat Dobbs, had gone missing while investigating the murder of a local dairy farmer. What seemed like a simple case quickly grew into a larger conspiracy. Colter and Keaton discovered the farmer’s land was being used as a body dump for a local Armenian crime boss, Zhan Menassian.

Their investigation revealed that Dobbs had been kidnapped and forced by a contract killer named Emile Lang to kill Menassian. Lang, who was presumed dead for years, was targeting individuals connected to a woman named Cassie Linstrom. After finding Dobbs fatally wounded, Colter and Keaton tracked Lang to a house where Keaton was shot during a confrontation. While Colter was rushing the severely injured Keaton to the hospital, their car was shot at by an unseen assailant. The vehicle careened off the road and flipped down a steep ravine as the screen faded to black.

Is Colter Shaw Dead? Official Statements and Clues

While the situation looks dire, evidence strongly suggests Colter Shaw survives the crash. Justin Hartley, who plays Colter, is also an executive producer on the series, and there have been no announcements about the actor leaving the show.

The show’s executive producer, Elwood Reid, has spoken about the cliffhanger and Colter’s fate. He explained that the goal was to put the main character in an extreme situation to create suspense for the audience.

“As a cynical writer, I’m like, ‘Of course, he’s going to live.’ What the best cliffhangers do is put the lead characters or people you care about in really bad situations,” Reid said.

He added that the network has always been clear that Colter should not be a superhero, but a relatable human who can be hurt and make mistakes. This crash is an example of putting him in a vulnerable position. Reid confirmed that when the story resumes, Colter is in “really bad shape” but manages to crawl out of the wrecked car alone.

However, escaping the crash is only the start of his new problems. Reid revealed that Colter will become a wanted man because he has been present at multiple crime scenes connected to Lang’s killing spree. Authorities will begin to suspect he is working with the killer, forcing him to seek help from his team to clear his name.

What About John Keaton’s Fate?

The fate of John Keaton, played by Brent Sexton, is far less certain and is a primary source of tension for the upcoming return. Before the crash, Keaton had sustained a serious gunshot wound and was losing blood, making his survival even more precarious.

Producer Elwood Reid has been ambiguous about Keaton’s future, noting that the writers initially drafted the episode with the character dying.

“I can say that he was initially dead [in the episode’s first draft]. Now, whether that remains, I don’t know…” Reid stated.

This uncertainty has worried fans, especially since Keaton had just returned to the show after a long absence and his partnership with Colter has been a fan-favorite dynamic. Reid has hinted at potential future plans for Keaton, including the possibility of him working more closely with attorney Reenie Greene in Denver, suggesting the writers have ideas for the character if he survives.

When Will Tracker Return with Answers?

Fans will have to wait to see how Colter and Keaton escape the ravine. Tracker is now on its midseason hiatus and is scheduled to return to CBS on Sunday, March 1, 2026. New episodes will air at 9 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming the next day on Paramount+.

The continuation of this storyline will be the focus of Season 3, Episode 10. Beyond resolving the crash, the show will dive deeper into the conspiracy Colter uncovered. Reid has also teased that the back half of the season will push Colter to emotionally confront his past, leading him to have important conversations with his mother and learn more about the mysteries surrounding his father.

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