Tracker Season 2 Episode 12, titled “Monster,” delivers an intense and gripping story. Although the show is only in its second season, this episode feels like a classic example of the best CBS procedural dramas. Every character, even those with just a single scene, plays an important role.
The stakes are incredibly high, and the suspense builds throughout the episode. Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) takes on a terrifying case involving a missing woman who has been kidnapped by a truly dangerous criminal.
Also Read: ‘Tracker’ Season 2 Episode 11 Recap: Tracker’s Colter Shaw Faces a Deadly Betrayal in a Cupcake Shop
A Mother’s Disappearance Starts a Frantic Search
The episode begins in a quiet suburban neighbourhood in Ohio. Alice (Mariana Klaveno), a single mother, puts her young son Miles (William Kosovic) to bed. He tells her he is afraid of monsters. She reassures him and turns off the light, but his fears become real when he wakes up in the middle of the night to find his mother missing. The front door is wide open, and there is no sign of Alice.
Miles’ grandmother, Judith (Beverley Elliott), lives in a guesthouse on the property. She quickly realizes that Alice is gone and hires Colter Shaw to find her daughter. Judith shares crucial details with Colter. Alice recently became single and is in the middle of a custody battle.
Judith fears that involving the police might backfire, as Alice’s ex-husband could use it against her in court. Colter also discovers that Alice has struggled with opioid addiction in the past. He finds a bottle of Vicodin hidden in a drawer, raising even more questions about what could have happened.
Velma (Abby McEnany) investigates Alice’s ex-husband and confirms he has an alibi. This means someone else is responsible for Alice’s disappearance. Colter follows the first major clue—Alice’s phone, which last pinged in a different location. When he tracks it down, he finds her car, purse, and signs of a struggle near a beautiful lake. The evidence suggests that Alice willingly left her home but was abducted at the meeting spot.
Randy (Chris Lee) uncovers new information about Alice’s recent personal life. She had been involved with a married psychiatrist named Sal Markowitz. However, things ended between them just before she vanished. Randy jokes about another case of adultery, but this situation is far more serious.
Colter goes to Sal’s home to question him but instead finds his decapitated body in the bathroom. This shocking discovery takes the case in an even darker direction.
A Twisted Mind and a Dangerous Patient
Before the police arrive, Colter searches Sal’s house and finds notes about a dangerous patient named PJ. One of the notes describes “cognitive distortions,” which immediately raises red flags for Colter. The detective assigned to the case tells Colter to back off, but he refuses. While the police investigate the murder, Colter is determined to find Alice.
Reenie (Fiona Rene) provides an important lead. She tells Colter that Alice studied therapy in graduate school and worked with court-mandated patients. Sal had been her supervisor, meaning she may have referred PJ to him for treatment. This new information changes everything.
It now seems less likely that Alice and Sal were romantically involved. Instead, their connection may have been professional, and PJ could be involved in the crime.
Colter examines Sal’s notes about PJ and finds a disturbing detail. PJ had an obsessive fantasy about a convenience store clerk he watched from a park. Using the clues in the notes, Colter tracks down the store and watches the security footage.
The video shows a disturbing moment when PJ approaches the clerk but turns away as a police car drives past. Colter takes a closer look and captures an image of PJ’s face and a distinctive neck tattoo.
Beth (Brenna Llewellyn), the store clerk, is horrified as she watches the footage. She realizes that she was seconds away from being attacked. Colter, without much sensitivity, asks her to replay the video so they can analyze it further. His people skills still need work.
Randy runs a facial recognition scan and identifies PJ as Paul James Hamilton (Jonathan Whitesell). Paul had a traumatic childhood and was abused by his stepfather. When Paul was still a minor, he killed the man and later served time in juvenile detention. Since his release, he has been living with his mother.
Colter goes to the Hamilton family home and makes another gruesome discovery. Paul has killed his mother and staged a disturbing scene. He placed his mother’s body and Sal Markowitz’s severed head in front of a television, as if they were watching a show together. Paul also set a deadly booby trap—a gun rigged to fire if anyone opened the door. Colter barely escapes injury.
Alice Faces a Life-Threatening Situation
While Colter searches for Alice, she is trapped with Paul in an undisclosed location. Paul forces Alice into a twisted therapy session. He tells her that she is the only one he trusts. As he talks, he reveals his disturbing thoughts. He believes his mother had “wicked needs” and deserved to die. He staged her body to create the image of a perfect family—something he never had.
Alice, despite being terrified, keeps him talking. She tries to connect with him and uses her training to stay calm. She opens up about her own struggles and explains why she left therapy. She could not handle the emotional toll of internalizing her patients’ pain. Her honesty buys her time, but her safety remains uncertain.
Reenie helps Colter piece together Paul’s location. They figure out that Paul once worked at an amusement park. Colter heads there immediately and finds Paul trying to move Alice. A thrilling chase begins through the park’s rides and attractions. In a dramatic sequence, Colter follows Paul through a spinning teacup ride and into a hall of mirrors. Paul turns on Alice, but before he can harm her, Colter shoots him in the back.
While killing is never ideal, Paul was too dangerous to be left alive. His violent tendencies and unwillingness to change made him a serious threat. The case ends, but it leaves lingering questions.
Will there ever be an episode where Reenie helps Colter deal with the legal consequences of his actions? He has surely racked up multiple counts of manslaughter by now.
Reenie’s Dangerous Encounter at a Storage Unit
While Colter hunts for Alice, Reenie is in Indianapolis working on a separate case. She investigates Paul’s storage unit and finds evidence about his connection to the carnival. However, things take a dark turn when the storage facility’s attendant, Ron (Claude Duhamel), tries to take advantage of the situation. He offers to help her in exchange for a favor.
Reenie does not tolerate this behavior. She warns Ron that he could be charged with obstruction of justice if he withholds evidence. Instead of cooperating, Ron locks her inside the storage unit. Reenie stays calm and uses a hand truck to break out. As she leaves, Ron issues a vague threat.
He hints that she might run into someone dangerous. Reenie responds fearlessly, telling him that danger does not scare her. She also warns him that he better not have any outstanding warrants.
The situation remains unresolved, but thankfully, Ron does not follow through on his threat. Later, Reenie meets Colter at a diner. Instead of their usual fireside beer, they enjoy breakfast for dinner. Reenie is surprised to learn that Colter prefers pancakes. He shares a rare personal memory about his mother.
When his father had an “episode,” his mother would make pancakes for him and his siblings. She believed that pancakes were a way to start the day over.
Reenie suggests that Colter should talk to a therapist about his past. Colter insists that he would rather talk to her. She admits she likes that, but she still believes he should seek professional help. Their conversation is lighthearted, but it also shows the depth of their friendship.
Tracker Season 2 Episode 12 delivers an intense, suspenseful, and action-packed story. Each twist keeps viewers engaged, and the characters shine in their roles. The episode proves why this series continues to be a must-watch.
Tracker Season 2 Episode 12 delivers a thrilling and suspenseful experience with intense action, emotional depth, and shocking twists. Colter Shaw’s relentless pursuit of the truth keeps viewers engaged as he races to find Alice before it’s too late. The episode effectively balances psychological tension with fast-paced investigative work, making every scene gripping.
Paul James Hamilton proves to be one of the most terrifying criminals the show has introduced, with his disturbing mindset and violent tendencies. Alice’s resilience adds depth to the story, showing that victims can also be strong and resourceful. Meanwhile, Reenie’s side investigation adds an extra layer of intrigue, proving once again that she is fearless and sharp.
The episode ends on a lighter note with Colter and Reenie’s diner conversation, reminding us of their strong bond. With every episode, Tracker continues to deliver compelling storytelling, making it one of the most exciting procedural dramas on television today.
New episodes of Tracker Season 2 air on Sundays on CBS.
Also Read: ‘Tracker’ Season 2 Episode 10 Recap: Colter Shaw Hunts a Survivalist and Faces Deadly Bikers
