In Tracker Season 2, Episode 6, titled “Trust Fall,” Colter Shaw (played by Justin Hartley) is called to investigate a case involving a group of college friends who went camping in Washington State’s Snoqualmie National Forest.
What seems like a simple missing-persons investigation turns into a complicated and dangerous mystery that involves dark secrets, betrayal, and murder. The episode, directed by Jennifer Morrison, weaves together past events, current tensions, and unexpected alliances as Colter solves a case full of twists.
A Night Gone Wrong
The episode opens with a seemingly innocent camping trip. Monica (Holly Curran) and Jason (Jean-Luc Bilodeau) tease their friend Sam (Dejon Loyola) about being a “lightweight” because he can’t hold his liquor. The group is having a good time, dancing to The Cranberries’ “Time Is Ticking Out,” enjoying each other’s company, and reminiscing about old times.
The setting seems idyllic, but the carefree mood hides the tension simmering underneath. Even when Monica suggests that they take a moonlit hike to a nearby waterfall to sober up, it doesn’t appear to be anything more than a friendly idea. Cooper (Andres Velez), one of the group members, seems reluctant, but not for any alarming reason—he simply might have grown out of the party scene.
However, the next morning, things take a dark turn. The campsite is abandoned, and there’s blood, but no sign of the friends. Lauren (Ashley Wong), who missed the first night of the camping trip due to a business dinner, is the one who finds the scene.
She arrives to find the tents left behind and the evidence of a violent encounter, with bloodstains and a chilling emptiness. Lauren’s confusion and concern grow as she realizes that everyone, except for Sam, left their phones behind. The situation is immediately alarming.
Colter Shaw is hired by Lauren to find out what happened to her friends. When he arrives at the campsite, he notes the disarray and the lack of communication from the group. Colter, ever the cautious investigator, remarks that “drunk hiking is not the greatest life choice” —a rare moment of judgment from a man who usually stays calm in the face of danger.
Sam is found injured not far from the campsite, and his story is confusing. He claims that he fell down a hill, passed out, and missed the hike. He also mentions hearing gunshots, which Colter determines came from a shotgun. Despite Sam’s injuries, Colter believes his story.
It’s a bold move, considering Sam has a criminal history for drunk and disorderly behavior. While Colter had just been questioning whether Sam could be a threat, he now shows confidence in the young man’s innocence, even suggesting that Lauren take Sam to the hospital. This decision seems risky, as Colter leaves Lauren alone with Sam, but thankfully, Sam doesn’t appear to be dangerous in this situation.
The investigation begins to unfold with a series of clues that don’t quite add up. Bobby (Eric Graise), a member of Colter’s team, looks into Sam’s criminal background and uncovers his history of trouble with the law. With this in mind, Lauren calls the police, and they begin to investigate the situation more seriously.
The mystery only deepens when Colter discovers that Sam had been drugged with Monica’s anxiety medication. Sam wasn’t supposed to be on the hike, which raises even more questions about what really happened that night.
An Unexpected Mentor: Keaton, the Retired Cop
As Colter continues his investigation, he meets an unexpected ally in the woods—a retired Tacoma police officer named Keaton (Brent Sexton). The two men size each other up as they work together to uncover the truth. Colter immediately dismisses the possibility that Keaton is the gunman he’s looking for, which impresses Keaton.
Keaton reveals that he is another type of tracker—not a criminal investigator, but one who tracks the moon cycles. He explains that the rare Super Blue Moon that occurred the night before is what brought him to the area. The event reminds him of an unsolved case from his past, when he couldn’t catch a serial killer who had committed crimes during the rare lunar event.
Still from Tracker (Credit: Paramount+)
Keaton’s experience in law enforcement and his knowledge of tracking lead him to team up with Colter to find out who has been firing a shotgun in the woods. The two bond over their shared experiences with unsolved cases and cold leads. Colter mentions the disappearance of Gina Pickett, a case that haunts him deeply.
Gina’s case was featured in the season’s premiere, when Colter had met with Gina’s sister to mark the anniversary of her disappearance. Keaton, intrigued by the case, offers to put fresh eyes on the mystery of Gina Pickett’s disappearance, indicating that he may be a valuable asset to Colter in future episodes.
Before long, Colter and Keaton track down the man with the shotgun. It turns out to be a red herring. The man, Marcus Wilson (Haig Sutherland), is a mentally ill genius living off the grid with a delusion that the woods belong to him.
Marcus confesses that he fired the shotgun simply because he felt like it, not realizing the campers had been in danger. He reveals that Monica and Jason had held Cooper at knifepoint before running off together. The situation seems even more complicated as Colter begins to understand the depth of the group’s turmoil.
The Secrets Unfold: Cooper’s Dark Past
As the investigation continues, new revelations come to light. While Colter and Keaton are tracking down the gunman, Bobby continues to investigate the group of friends. He uncovers a secret about Cooper that shakes things up: Cooper has been making regular, anonymous payments to a woman named Natalie in Seattle.
Colter asks Reenie (Fiona Rene), who happens to be in the area for a business meeting, to speak to Natalie and find out more.
Reenie uncovers some unsettling details about Natalie’s past—her husband was killed in a suspected hit-and-run eight years ago, and his body was never found. Some tip line calls suggest that a group of drunk college students might have been responsible for the accident.
This new information connects the dots and begins to explain why Cooper has been acting the way he has. It turns out that Cooper, who has been carrying the weight of this dark secret for years, was the one who wanted to confess.
He wanted the guilt to stop haunting him, and he wanted to help Natalie and her son find closure. However, his friends, Monica and Jason, weren’t as willing to come clean. They had planned the camping trip with the intention of intimidating and possibly killing Cooper, preventing him from ever revealing the truth about their involvement in the death of Natalie’s husband.
As the episode unfolds, Monica and Jason force Cooper to drive away from the campsite, intending to confront him about his “insurance plan” for their dark secret. They break into his laptop and discover a written confession and the location where they had buried Natalie’s husband’s body years ago.
A fight breaks out between them, and in the chaos, Cooper accidentally stabs Jason, fatally wounding him. Monica, in a desperate attempt to cover up the crime, knocks Cooper unconscious with a kettlebell and takes his body with her. However, she doesn’t take the time to clean up the laptop or fully hide her tracks.
The Final Confrontation
Monica’s plan is far from foolproof, and things quickly spiral out of control. Colter and Keaton intervene just in time, stopping Monica from killing Cooper. Colter talks her down, urging her to reconsider her actions. He reminds her that there’s still time to turn things around, to not ruin her life by committing murder.
Despite Colter’s reassurance, Monica is clearly in deep trouble, and her actions will have consequences. It’s a tense moment, but it’s clear that Cooper, though he has accidentally killed Jason, is ultimately trying to do the right thing.
Lauren, who has been helping Colter throughout the investigation, arrives at the scene with Sam and hands over the twenty-five thousand-dollar reward that was promised for finding the missing friends. The episode ends with a bittersweet resolution. Colter has helped stop another tragedy, but the scars from the past still linger.
A Quiet Celebration
At the end of the episode, Reenie brings a bottle of champagne to Colter’s van to celebrate the resolution of the case. This is the second time she’s shared a quiet drink with Colter, and while nothing overtly romantic happens, there’s a subtle energy between them.
Still from Tracker (Credit: Paramount+)
Their relationship has been evolving throughout the season, and this scene hints at the possibility of something more in the future. Colter, for the first time in a while, allows himself to relax in the company of someone he trusts.
As the season progresses, it seems that Colter and Reenie’s bond may grow stronger. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with Colter keeping a photo of Reenie on his phone, suggesting that their evolving relationship might lead to something deeper.
Tracker Season 2 airs on CBS on Sundays at 8:30 PM ET and is available for streaming next day on Paramount+.
The Voice returns with another intense round of Knockouts, this time coinciding with Michael Bublé’s birthday. While Bublé’s birthday celebrations are a fun diversion, the coaches are focused on one thing: making the difficult choices that could shape their teams for the rest of the season.
With two steals and a save still in play, the pressure mounts as the contestants give it their all, striving to prove they deserve a spot in the next stage of the competition. Let’s explore the performances, the strategic moves, and the emotional moments that made night three of the Knockouts truly unforgettable.
Reba McEntire Finally Uses Strategy on ‘The Voice’
Even though it’s Michael Bublé’s special day, the Knockouts begin with a performance from Team Reba. Reba’s round features three incredibly talented artists: Danny Joseph, Lauren-Michael Seller, and Tate Renner. They call themselves DLT, and all three bring something different to the table.
Reba knows this will be a tough decision, as she’s fond of all three artists. With her goal of winning back-to-back seasons of The Voice, she needs to make the right choice for her team. But who will she pick?
Danny Joseph is a Texas transplant from England, and his performance of “It Hurt So Bad” by Susan Tedeschi is full of raw emotion. With his guitar in hand, Danny’s ability to blend rock and blues makes this performance unforgettable.
He channels his struggles with Crohn’s disease into his music, showcasing his strength and resilience. His unique style and showmanship set him apart from many of the other contestants this season. He’s not just performing; he’s telling his story through every note.
Next up is Lauren-Michael Seller, who has made it through the competition with her powerful voice and deep connection to her faith. For her Knockout performance, she sings “Hold On to Me” by Lauren Daigle.
Seller’s voice is stunning, and she once again brings a strong message to her performance. However, while she connects emotionally in the room, the big question is whether she can make that same connection with the viewers at home. Does she have the star power needed to win it all?
Then we have Tate Renner, a consistent country singer who brings a solid performance of “In Color” by Jamey Johnson. While Tate’s performance is heartfelt, it doesn’t have the depth or uniqueness to set him apart from the pack.
His voice is reliable, but his rendition lacks the creativity to make it a standout moment in the competition. It’s the kind of performance that we’ve seen many times before, and while Tate’s dedication to country music is admirable, it doesn’t offer anything new.
When it comes time for Reba to make her decision, it’s clear that Danny Joseph has the strongest vocal performance based on pure technical ability. However, Reba chooses Lauren-Michael Seller as the winner of the Knockout, making this a decision of the heart.
Before Carson Daly can announce that Danny Joseph is available for a steal or save, Reba presses the save button, ensuring that her rock star stays on her team. Unfortunately, for Tate Renner, his journey ends here.
Gwen Stefani Keeps Her Team Together in Episode 14
Gwen Stefani’s Knockout round brings a one-on-one battle between Jan Dan and Sydney Sterlace, two very different artists. Jan Dan, the proud new father, faces off against Sydney, a talented 15-year-old pop star with a promising future.
Gwen tells her team’s Mega Mentor, Sting, that Mor Ilderton was sent home, leaving some fans disappointed. But the focus shifts to Jan Dan, who sings “Angels Like You” by Miley Cyrus. Jan Dan is eager to add his personal touch to the song, and he does just that.
Still from The Voice Season 26 (Credit: NBC)
Despite being exhausted after the birth of his daughter just 20 minutes before the performance, Jan Dan delivers a deeply emotional rendition of the track. He connects with the song and shows why he’s on The Voice.
On the other hand, Sydney Sterlace takes on the emotional ballad “Bruises” by Lewis Capaldi. Sydney is aware that she hasn’t experienced heartbreak in the same way Capaldi has, but she’s determined to show her emotional range. Her performance is powerful, but there’s something missing in her delivery.
While she may have the potential to make it as an artist, she hasn’t yet unlocked the emotional depth needed to compete at this level. Gwen Stefani, however, sees something in Sydney that she believes will take her far.
Despite Jan Dan’s strong performance, Gwen chooses Sydney as the winner of this Knockout. Still, she uses her save to keep Jan Dan in the competition, giving him another chance to prove himself.
Snoop Dogg Makes an Emotional Decision for His Team
Snoop Dogg’s Knockout round is one of the most emotional of the night. He’s been a fun and supportive coach all season, showing a genuine interest in helping his contestants shine. For his first Knockout, Snoop pits Georgia Starnes, Mary McAvoy, and Aliyah Khaylyn against each other. Snoop had previously stolen Aliyah from Team Bublé, and now she faces two talented female vocalists.
Georgia Starnes, who is known for her soulful performances, takes a bold move by switching genres to country for her rendition of a Chris Stapleton song. The decision is a strategic one, as Georgia knows she can tap into this genre and make it her own. Her performance is impressive, and though her fashion choices may not be to everyone’s liking, her voice is undeniable.
Mary McAvoy, however, delivers a safe and somewhat uninspired performance of “High and Dry” by Radiohead. While Mary has the potential to bring more to the stage, this performance feels lacking. It’s monotonous and fails to showcase the depth of her voice.
Finally, Aliyah Khaylyn takes on Halle’s “Angels” and delivers her best performance of the competition so far. With her unique R&B style, Aliyah stands out from the other artists on the show, and this performance solidifies her place in the competition. Snoop Dogg ultimately chooses Aliyah as the winner of this Knockout, eliminating Georgia Starnes and Mary McAvoy from the show.
But Snoop’s decisions don’t end there. His second Knockout battle pits ChrisDeo, Mikaela Ayira, and Torre Blake against each other. ChrisDeo impresses with her performance of “Beneath Your Beautiful” by Labrinth, showcasing a new side of her voice. While there’s still room for improvement, Snoop sees potential in her.
Mikaela Ayira, who sings “Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara, aims to inspire young girls with her performance. However, the performance lacks the emotional depth needed to make an impact. It feels more like a statement than a song performance, and it doesn’t have the lasting impact that Snoop is looking for.
Torre Blake surprises everyone with her performance of “Slow Burn” by Kacey Musgraves. While Torre’s decision to tackle country music is admirable, her performance doesn’t fully showcase her vocal abilities. Snoop Dogg, though impressed with her growth, ultimately decides that Mikaela Ayira is the winner of the Knockout. It’s a tough decision for ChrisDeo, who is visibly upset, but Snoop’s choice is final.
Michael Bublé Keeps His ‘Voice’ Frontrunner
The final Knockout of the night features three vastly different artists: Kiara Vega, Jeremy Beloate, and Sofronio Vasquez. Each of these contestants brings their unique strengths to the table, but Bublé has to choose just one to move forward.
Jeremy Beloate, with a background in theater, takes a big risk by performing “Golden Hour” by JVKE. The performance is bold and theatrical, showing off Jeremy’s unique vocal ability. However, it’s a move that doesn’t quite fit with his usual style on the show, leaving some unsure about how it will resonate with the audience.
Kiara Vega, who can sing in Spanish, tackles “Call Out My Name” by The Weeknd. While Kiara’s performance is strong, it doesn’t have the same spark as her previous performances. She has a star quality, but it’s not fully shining through this time.
Finally, Sofronio Vasquez delivers a stunning performance of “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield. Sofronio’s ability to reinvent this classic track leaves the coaches in awe.
His voice is powerful, emotional, and full of vulnerability. It’s one of the most memorable performances of the season, and Michael Bublé wisely chooses Sofronio as the winner of the Knockout.
Still from The Voice Season 26 (Credit: NBC)
Snoop Dogg still has a steal available, and he quickly uses it to save Jeremy Beloate, ensuring that the talented singer still has a chance to compete in the upcoming rounds.
The Brutal Road Ahead
As the Knockouts come to an end, the Playoffs are just around the corner. In the next phase of the competition, the five remaining singers on each team will be cut down to just two. The competition is about to get even more intense, and as tonight’s decisions have shown, the coaches need to be strategic and listen to their hearts.
If there’s one thing this season of The Voice has taught us, it’s that the road to victory is not easy. Significant decisions and a lot of heart can get an artist far in the competition. And don’t be surprised if a rookie takes home the title this season, as the competition is wide open.
The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC in the U.S. All episodes are available to stream on Peacock.
