The CBS hit Tracker returns with its most chilling episode yet. Titled “First Fire,” the third episode of Tracker Season 3 plunges Colter Shaw (played by Justin Hartley) into a terrifying Halloween mystery that blurs the line between crime and cult horror. What begins as a search for an escaped psychiatric patient quickly spirals into one of Colter’s most disturbing investigations to date.
A Haunting Beginning in a Psychiatric Hospital
The episode opens on Halloween night in Wyndam, Massachusetts, where a patient named Heston Koontz (Samuel Hoeksema) murders a nurse and vanishes during a power outage at a psychiatric hospital. Known for previously setting a family home ablaze, Heston’s escape sets the tone for a tense, horror-tinged mystery.
Colter is brought in to investigate and meets Heston’s parents, Lawrence (Taylor Nichols) and Molly (Molly Hagan), who admit their son’s mental decline led to an obsession with a woman named Emily Collins (Lisa Kimberley). They fear she’s his next target. Partnering with local detective Dundee (Derek Richardson), Colter suspects Heston didn’t act alone — someone helped him escape.
An early clue — an employee’s stolen keycard — leads Colter to a Bible study leader named Bill Prugalidad, but when he arrives, Bill is already dead. What unfolds next is one of the series’ eeriest storylines yet, blending gothic imagery and small-town paranoia with network TV’s procedural pace.
A Cult Connection and a Sinister Discovery
As Colter digs deeper, he finds unsettling religious symbols at both crime scenes — a sign belonging to the Sisters of the Sacred Fire, a nearby convent. It’s the same symbol found in Heston’s Bible, linking the case to a hidden religious order.
When Colter and Dundee visit the convent, they meet Sister Barbara (Karin Konoval) and uncover that another nun, Sister Carlotta, has a disturbing history with Heston. Her journal reveals she once “ministered” to him, but her methods were anything but holy. Soon, Colter learns that the convent harbors a violent splinter cult called Fideles, devoted to “purifying souls” through brutal rituals.
Realizing that Heston and Emily were abducted — not escaped — Colter races against time. The cult, led by Sister Carlotta and her accomplice Jared (John Gillich), plans to burn the pair alive at the site of Heston’s original arson.
The Climax: Fire, Fanaticism, and Redemption
In true Tracker fashion, the third act delivers a fiery showdown. Dundee is stabbed during the rescue attempt, but Colter fights his way through flames to save Emily. Heston, breaking free of his restraints, sacrifices himself by killing Sister Carlotta before succumbing to his injuries.
The aftermath is emotionally charged. Colter refuses to collect his reward from Heston’s parents, insisting Emily deserves the money to rebuild her life. It’s a small but powerful moment that reminds viewers why Colter remains one of network TV’s most complex heroes — a man guided more by conscience than cash.
New Faces Join the Tracker Team
Parallel to Colter’s case, we meet a new character in Reenie Greene’s (Fiona Rene) subplot — her new assistant, Melany “Mel” Day (Cassady McClincy Zhang). Mel replaces Velma (Abby McEnany) as Reenie’s right-hand woman and immediately stirs curiosity with her enthusiasm and mysterious background.
Randy (Chris Lee) also returns, unexpectedly joining Reenie and Mel’s storyline, teasing a new dynamic — and possibly a budding workplace romance. With the main cast evolving, this addition could signal a more interconnected team for the rest of the season.
A Mix of Horror and Heart
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“First Fire” stands out as one of Tracker’s darkest yet most emotionally grounded episodes. By merging a cult thriller with Halloween horror, the show pushes its tone to new territory while still staying rooted in its procedural heart.
Even when the plot flirts with the bizarre, the emotional payoff — especially Colter’s act of compassion toward Emily — grounds the story. While some fans may find the episode’s midsection a little predictable, its haunting visuals, religious themes, and chilling finale make it a memorable entry in the series.
FAQs
1. When did Tracker Season 3 Episode 3 air?
Episode 3, titled “First Fire,” aired on Sunday, November 2, 2025, on CBS.
2. Where can I stream Tracker Season 3?
Episodes are available the next day on Paramount+, where fans can stream all past seasons as well.
3. Who stars in Tracker Season 3?
The main cast includes Justin Hartley (Colter Shaw), Fiona Rene (Reenie Greene), Chris Lee (Randy), and Cassady McClincy Zhang (Mel Day), along with guest stars Derek Richardson, Molly Hagan, and Taylor Nichols.
4. What genre does Tracker fall under?
Tracker is a drama-thriller procedural with elements of mystery, action, and emotional storytelling.
5. Will Detective Dundee return in future episodes?
While not confirmed, the episode’s ending hints that Dundee may reappear later in the season.
Conclusion
Tracker Season 3 Episode 3 – “First Fire” is a bold experiment that delivers both chills and emotional depth. By fusing psychological horror, religious fanaticism, and Colter Shaw’s moral code, the episode reinforces why the series remains one of CBS’s most engaging dramas.
Catch Tracker every Sunday on CBS, with new episodes streaming next day on Paramount+. For more updates and TV insights, stay tuned to TrendingNewsBuzz.com.
