The absence of beloved characters can leave a void, and 'Tracker' fans felt it deeply during the Season 3 premiere. But hold on, where did Bobby and Velma go? After Eric Graise and Abby McEnany's departure, the show offered explanations, but were they enough to satisfy viewers? Let's dive into the details and see what happened.
Spoiler Alert! If you haven't watched the Season 3 premiere of CBS's 'Tracker,' be warned: details about the episode are ahead.
As Deadline reported earlier, Eric Graise (Bobby) and Abby McEnany (Velma) are no longer series regulars. The Season 3 premiere addressed their absence, providing some context for their characters' exits from Colter Shaw's world. The episode kicks off with a raw and intense scene: Colter (Justin Hartley) embroiled in a bar fight, triggered by revelations about his father's death in the Season 2 finale. His brother, Russ (Jensen Ackles), steps in to help clean up the mess. Russ then contacts Reenie (Fiona Rene) to assure her of Colter's well-being, and she promptly assigns them a new case. This sets the stage for understanding what happened to Bobby and Velma.
The focus then shifts to Reenie, who's greeted at her office by Randy (Chris De'Sean Lee), Bobby's cousin, first introduced in Season 2. Randy reveals that he's assisting Reenie in finding a new tech specialist to fill Bobby's shoes. Apparently, Bobby has landed a fantastic new job. "He’s killing it," Randy proudly proclaims, sharing a text message update from Bobby. “He quit his job officially at the repair shop and now he’s some encryption specialist at a new startup. Between stock options and the salary, he’s bringing home the bacon.” So, Bobby's absence is attributed to a lucrative career opportunity – a new chapter focusing on encryption and financial security. A clean and satisfying explanation. Or is it? Could there be more to the story than just a better job offer?
And what about Velma? Her storyline is linked to her wife, Teddi, played by Robin Weigert, who exited the series last season when Teddi left town to care for her mother. Reenie indicates that Velma's absence is due to her needing to focus on her family and, more specifically, her marriage. "I don’t know where any of that stuff is. Velma does," she tells Randy, referring to some equipment. When Randy inquires about Velma's potential return, Reenie admits, "Honestly, I have no idea. She went to go see Teddy. She’s trying to save her marriage."
In the first season, Velma and Teddi were integral to Colter’s operations, managing his cases, finances, and occasionally bailing him out of trouble. As Season 2 progressed, Reenie took on more of these responsibilities, coinciding with Teddi's gradual departure from the show. But here's where it gets controversial... Some viewers felt that Teddi's exit was abrupt and didn't fully explore the character's potential. Others speculated that the shift in focus to Reenie was a deliberate choice to streamline the narrative. What do you think? Was Velma's explanation satisfying, or did it feel like a convenient way to write her off the show?
The Season 3 premiere continues with Reenie assigning Colter and Russ a new case involving a client whose ex-wife and daughter have disappeared. Initially, the brothers believe they're investigating a cryptocurrency scheme gone wrong, but they soon find themselves entangled in a far more complex and dangerous situation than they anticipated. This sets the stage for the season's overarching storyline, promising plenty of twists and turns.
'Tracker' airs new episodes every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. While the departure of Bobby and Velma has undoubtedly left a void, the show continues with new cases and intriguing storylines. However, the question remains: Do you believe the explanations provided for their absence? Did the show do justice to these characters, or did their exits feel rushed and incomplete? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
