From season 3 has continuously intensified the mysteries of the town, but episode 5 marked a turning point in the narrative, specifically with Dale’s shocking and brutal death. The ending of this episode doesn’t just kill off a character; it destroys hope for the residents trapped in the town and sets up a series of more significant problems.
Dale’s death, caused by his attempt to escape through the faraway tree, is not only horrifying but also sends a clear message to those still trapped: the town is in control, and there’s no easy way out.
The ending of season 3, episode 5 shows how Dale’s decision to go through the faraway tree ended in one of the most brutal deaths ever seen in the show. His journey not only resulted in his death but also impacted the hopes of the residents for escaping.
As we saw in earlier episodes, Tabitha had seemingly escaped the town through the faraway tree and ended up in the real world in Maine. This gave the residents a sense of optimism that maybe they had found a way out of their nightmarish situation.
Dale, determined to follow her footsteps, made his own journey through the faraway tree. But instead of freedom, it ended with his body being gruesomely crushed inside the concrete wall of the motel’s pool.
Tabitha’s Return and the Meeting in Episode 5
Before Dale’s fatal attempt, From season 3, episode 3 had set the stage for what was to come. In that episode, Tabitha had returned to the town after her own bizarre experience with the faraway tree.
She recounted her story in a meeting in episode 5, where she explained how she had been transported to a lighthouse from the faraway tree, then pushed from the lighthouse, only to find herself in the real world in Maine.
This was groundbreaking for the residents because it was the first known instance of someone leaving the town and making it back to the real world. This event was the catalyst for Dale’s decision to follow the same path.
Despite warnings from others about the faraway tree’s unpredictability, Dale chose to focus on the fact that Tabitha had escaped. He stubbornly believed that if she could leave, so could he.
He ignored the warnings that the faraway tree might not take him to the same destination or that it might have different outcomes depending on who used it. All that mattered to him was getting out of the town and finding help for the others. Dale’s determination made him overlook the possible dangers and consequences of using the faraway tree.
Dale’s Fatal Journey Through the Faraway Tree
From the beginning of the episode, it was clear that Dale was set on going through the faraway tree, despite the objections of others. He boasted about his plan, confident that he could escape and return with help for the trapped residents.
His single-minded determination was not necessarily selfish; in his mind, this was the only way to help everyone. However, his decision was reckless, and ultimately, it led to one of the show’s most horrifying moments.
Still from From Season 3 (Credit: MGM)
As Dale stepped through the faraway tree, the audience could sense that something terrible was about to happen. From has always used the faraway trees as a mysterious and unpredictable force, transporting characters to different locations, but this time, the outcome was fatal.
Instead of being transported to a different location, like Tabitha’s lighthouse, Dale ended up embedded in the concrete wall of the motel’s pool. Only parts of his face and body were visible, with the rest of him crushed into the concrete. The town’s residents watched in horror as Dale was slowly and painfully suffocated to death, trapped in the wall with no way to save him.
This scene was more than just a brutal death. It was a pivotal moment that revealed the faraway tree could not be trusted and that using it as a method of escape was far more dangerous than anyone had realized. Dale’s death was also the first recorded instance of someone being killed immediately after going through the tree. This brutal event sent shockwaves through the town and shattered the residents’ newfound hope of escape.
The Faraway Tree’s Unpredictability: What Dale’s Death Means
Throughout From, the faraway tree has been used as a portal that sends characters to different locations, often tied to the town’s dark history. Boyd, for example, was transported to a well, Sara to a church, Julie to the root cellar, and Tabitha to the lighthouse.
These destinations had always seemed dangerous but served a purpose, either revealing more about the town’s mysteries or helping characters escape dangerous situations. In contrast, Dale’s journey was purely motivated by his desire to escape the town, not by the town’s own mysterious forces.
Dale’s death may signify that the faraway trees are not simply tools that the residents can use at their will. Instead, they appear to serve the town’s purposes, with the destination being chosen based on what the town’s dark forces want from the individual.
Boyd’s journey to the well and Tabitha’s trip to the lighthouse seemed purposeful, as if the town was guiding them toward specific revelations.
Dale, however, was not seeking any deeper knowledge or understanding; he only wanted to leave. The town, seemingly in control of the faraway trees, rejected Dale’s desire to go home and instead sent him to a gruesome death in the pool’s concrete wall.
This moment raises several questions about the true nature of the faraway trees and what they represent. Are they controlled by the same dark forces that seem to govern the town, or are they independent entities? Why do they send some characters to places that provide answers or clues while sending others to their death?
Dale’s fate suggests that the faraway trees are not a reliable way out of the town and that attempting to use them for escape is not only dangerous but also fatal.
The Town’s Control Over Hope and the Consequences of Dale’s Death
From has consistently shown that hope is a dangerous thing for the residents of the town. The dark forces that control the town seem to thrive on crushing the residents’ hope, making them feel isolated and powerless. Dale’s death is a perfect example of how the town manipulates hope to maintain control over the people trapped there.
Before Dale’s death, the residents had a glimmer of hope. Tabitha’s return from the real world through the lighthouse portal had given them reason to believe that escape was possible. This hope led Dale to believe that he could follow the same path and find freedom.
However, the brutal reality of his death quickly shattered that hope. The town’s forces, by killing Dale in such a public and horrifying manner, effectively reset the residents’ belief in escape. They are once again left with the feeling that there is no way out and that any attempt to leave the town will end in disaster.
This loss of hope is likely to have significant consequences for the group moving forward. Without the belief that escape is possible, the residents may become more desperate and divided. This division could lead to even more dangerous actions as they try to find alternative ways to escape the town’s control.
Dale’s death may also push the characters to show darker methods of finding freedom, potentially involving more interaction with the creatures that lurk in the town’s shadows.
Boyd’s Mission and the Future of the Group
In the aftermath of Dale’s death, it seems that the group will have to find new ways to cope with their situation. Boyd, who has been one of the central figures in the town’s struggle for survival, may be forced to take even more drastic actions.
Boyd has always been determined to find answers, and with the faraway trees proving unreliable, he may turn his focus back to the town’s mysterious monsters.
Still from From Season 3 (Credit: MGM)
Additionally, the group may have to rely on Victor’s knowledge of the town’s history. Victor has already revealed some details about Christopher’s tragic massacre and the town’s deeper mysteries.
As the residents search for new ways to escape, they may need to dig even deeper into the town’s dark past, hoping that the answers they find will provide a way out. However, this path is fraught with danger, as the town seems determined to keep its secrets hidden.
The Faraway Trees: Not a Path to Freedom
Dale’s death serves as a grim reminder that the faraway trees are not a reliable escape route. While Tabitha’s journey through the tree led her to the real world, Dale’s journey ended in tragedy.
The town’s forces appear to control the trees, determining who gets to survive and who meets a grisly end. The residents can no longer trust the trees as a way out, and they must now search for other methods of escape.
The group’s future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the town is not willing to let them go easily. Dale’s death has shown that any attempt to leave must be carefully considered, and the residents will need to be smarter and more cautious if they want to survive. With Boyd’s determination and Victor’s knowledge, they may still have a chance, but it will not be easy.
In this episode, Colter Shaw goes missing, and his team must come together to find him. A retired man named Scott Palmer disappears while chasing government conspiracies about aliens. Colter’s brother, Russell, returns to help solve the mystery.
In this episode, we meet a man named Scott Palmer (played by Steven Culp). He is running through the woods and filming a video. He says he is getting close to a secret site run by the Department of Defense (DOD).
Suddenly, his camera stops working, and a bright light flashes. Next, we see Colter Shaw (played by Justin Hartley) driving to a house in Pennsylvania. Scott’s daughter, Patty (played by Brooke Nevin), hires Colter to find her father.
Colter’s Investigation Begins
Colter learns that Scott is a retired man who loves hiking. Recently, he has become very interested in government conspiracies. Scott believes he is being followed because he knows too much about certain things.
He has also been bothering an astrophysics professor named Dr. Iris Blair (played by April Parker Jones). Her husband put a restraining order against him because of this.
Colter thinks Scott might have just run away to be alone in the woods, but he starts to question this idea. He discovers that Scott called Dr. Blair many times. Some of these calls lasted a long time. This makes Colter wonder if their relationship might not have been hostile at all.
In fact, when Colter talks to Dr. Blair, she does not seem scared or worried about Scott. Instead, she appears calm and collected, which raises more questions in Colter’s mind.
The Mystery of Scott and Dr. Blair
As Colter investigates further, he finds out that Scott and Dr. Blair were communicating about aliens and UFOs. However, they do not want to use those terms.
They prefer to call them UAPs, which stands for Unidentified Anonymous Phenomenon, and NHIs, or Non-Human Intelligence. While Colter remains skeptical about these ideas, his friend Bobby (played by Eric Graise), who is a hacker, fully believes in UAPs and government conspiracies.
Bobby mentions several real people who are known for discussing these theories, such as Dr. Jacques F. Vallee, Josef Allen Hynek, David Grusch, Luis “Lue” Elizondo, and the Kumburgaz video. Colter and Bobby work together to track down the last known location of Scott.
Still from Tracker (Credit: Paramount+)
However, during their phone call, the line suddenly cuts off, which is suspicious. Colter’s electronics start to malfunction, just like Scott’s camera did earlier, and then they see the same bright light that Scott described.
Colter’s Team Springs into Action
Hours after Colter checked in, his team began to scramble for answers. Reenie (played by Fiona Rene), who is part of Colter’s team, decides to call Russell Shaw (played by Jensen Ackles) for help. Meanwhile, Colter wakes up in a sterile room with his arms restrained. He realizes he was hit with a tranquilizer and taken to some kind of government base.
A clean-cut government agent (played by Matt Passmore) enters the room and starts asking Colter questions about Scott. Colter quickly sees that the interrogation is not really about finding Scott. The agents do not know where Scott is either. However, as soon as the agent leaves him alone, Colter easily frees himself from his restraints. This escape seems too easy, which makes him suspicious.
While he is thinking about how strange the situation is, his brother Russell shows up and helps him get out. Colter feels a bit disoriented because he was not expecting to see Russell. He also notices that Russell is talking to Reenie as if they are on friendly terms, which makes Colter a little jealous.
The Brothers Unite to Find Scott
Once the Shaw brothers are back on the road, Colter finally realizes that escaping from such a secure location with his cell phone should not have gone so easily. He remembers that the black site was also looking for Scott. This leads him to conclude that the government agents allowed them to escape in order to use Colter’s tracking skills. It becomes clear to Colter that they have more sinister motives.
Russell, realizing the situation, smashes Colter’s phone. He also discovers and removes a tracking device that was implanted in Colter’s neck. The irony is not lost on Colter; he is the tracker, but now he has been tracked. After that, they head back to Dr. Blair’s house.
When they arrive, they confirm that Scott had been helping Dr. Blair gather research about UAPs quietly. This was to protect her reputation, as her work could be jeopardized if people thought she was crazy.
They find out that Scott and Dr. Blair discovered a signal that could be extraterrestrial communication or something else entirely. Colter and Dr. Blair realize these signals are actually coordinates that could show where Scott went after losing phone communication. The brothers decide to find Scott once and for all.
A Second Location and Rising Tensions
However, after the brothers leave, the agents find Dr. Blair. The episode takes a turn as the tension rises. The agents are clearly on edge, and it is evident that they want to keep the truth hidden. Meanwhile, Colter and Russell follow the coordinates and arrive at another location.
They discover that this second black site is buzzing with activity. There is a countdown to “the surge” playing over an intercom. Colter feels uneasy as he realizes the implications of what is happening there.
The trailers they see are full of samples and equipment that suggest something significant is going on. To Russell’s delight, he believes that this is a UAP landing site, which makes Colter uncomfortable.
As the brothers investigate further, Colter finally finds Scott hiding in a lab. However, there is one big problem: Scott does not want to leave! He believes that a “vessel is coming,” and he wants to see it. Scott feels a strong connection to the idea that something extraordinary is about to happen.
He wants to confirm that it is real because his wife would have wanted him to find out and share the news with the world. Colter tries to reason with him, but Scott is lost in his grief and determination.
The Final Moments of Tension
As the episode reaches its climax, a British man drives up to the Shaw brothers and hands a phone to Colter. This man was hired by Reenie to find Colter and Russell after she noticed that Russell had stopped returning her calls and messages. The team was unaware that Colter was safe with Russell, or that Russell had destroyed Colter’s phone to prevent the agents from tracking them.
The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers wanting more. The group does not have a chance to debrief after this strange and unusual case, and the stakes are incredibly high. While Colter and Russell might think they are in the clear because the operation is over, the reality is much scarier.
Russell has picked up a piece of unidentified material from the black site. He plans to give it to his “alloy guy” for analysis. This raises concerns because it means that they have evidence that could potentially expose the government’s activities.
The situation becomes even more dangerous when we learn that the agents killed Dr. Blair off-screen because she knew too much. This is a shocking twist that adds to the tension of the episode.
Uncovering Family Secrets
As Russell points out a little too casually, the agents also know something about the deceased Shaw patriarch. They mention that Ashton Shaw asked too many questions in the past. This adds another layer to the story, hinting at a family mystery that the brothers need to show.
Colter feels a strong urge to tell Russell about a box of their father’s belongings that their sister has been keeping from them. This opens up a new thread for future episodes and keeps viewers engaged with the Shaw family’s past.
Still from Tracker (Credit: Paramount+)
The episode wraps up with many questions unanswered. While Colter successfully finds Scott and brings him home, the ramifications of their discoveries weigh heavily on the team. The government agents are still out there, and they will likely try to cover up what happened. The brothers are left to deal with the consequences of their actions and the secrets they have uncovered.
The Impact of This Episode
This episode of Tracker shows many themes, including grief, conspiracy, and the search for truth. Scott’s character illustrates how loss can lead people to believe in extraordinary things. His obsession with finding evidence of alien life comes from his need to connect with his deceased wife.
This humanizes him and makes the audience empathize with his struggles, even as he becomes entwined in a dangerous situation.
Colter’s journey in this episode shows his determination to uncover the truth, even when he is put in danger. He faces challenges not only from the government agents but also from his own team dynamics.
The tension between Colter and Russell is palpable, especially when jealousy and trust issues arise. Their relationship is tested as they show their family’s past and the new threats that emerge.
Additionally, the episode raises questions about the government’s involvement in alien conspiracies. It invites viewers to think critically about the information they receive and what is hidden from them. The use of real-life figures and theories surrounding UAPs adds an element of realism to the story, making it relatable to the audience.
Looking Ahead
As Tracker Season 2 continues, fans will likely want to see how the story unfolds. The unresolved plot points leave many possibilities for character development and future episodes. Viewers will be eager to find out if Colter and Russell can uncover more about their father’s past and what the government agents plan to do next.
The tension between the brothers, the mystery of Scott’s disappearance, and the overarching theme of seeking truth create a compelling narrative. Each character adds depth to the story, making it engaging and thought-provoking. The episode successfully combines suspense with emotional depth, leaving a lasting impact on its audience.
Conclusion
Season 2, Episode 2 of Tracker titled “Ontological Shock” is a thrilling ride filled with mystery, tension, and emotional scheme. Colter Shaw’s journey highlights the importance of family, trust, and the quest for truth in a world filled with conspiracies. The episode leaves viewers excited for what is to come, as the Shaw brothers continue to face challenges and uncover secrets.
