NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — CES, the annual trade show of all things tech, is upon us.
The multi-day event, organized by the Consumer Technology Association, kicks off this week in Las Vegas — where swaths of the latest gadgets and advances across industries like personal tech, transportation, health care, sustainability and more are set to be on display. And, like last year, artificial intelligence is everywhere you look.
CES 2024 saw more than 138,000 attendees, according to the CTA, and organizers expect to see at least that amount again for this year’s show. Over 4,500 exhibitors, including 1,400 startups, are also anticipated across 2.5 million net square feet of floor space this week.
“These are the people getting together, focusing on solving some of the world’s biggest problems — and magic occurs.” Gary Shapiro, CEO and vice chair of the CTA, told The Associated Press ahead of this week’s show.
Formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, CES brings attendees and exhibitors from around the globe, with Shapiro noting that organizers expect some 50,000 attendees to come from outside the U.S. Beyond an array of startups, big-name companies set to make appearances this year include Nvidia, Delta Air Lines, Honda, Volvo, Panasonic and L’Oréal.
There may be some increased security this year. CES 2025 arrives less than one week after a highly decorated Army soldier fatally shot himself in a Tesla Cybertruck packed with explosives before it burst into flames outside of President-elect Donald Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas — not far from much of the trade show’s planned event space. Shapiro said that organizers regularly work with officials for event safety and that “modest” changes were made in response to recent events, but couldn’t go into further detail.
The AP spoke with Shapiro about what to expect for CES 2025. The conversation has been edited for clarity and length.
CES 2025 will be an exceptional leap forward in terms of innovation and technology, with a focus on a variety of themes important to the future of humanity. Over 4,000 companies will be here, on literally miles and miles of exhibit space. And they’ll be showing solutions to fundamental human problems — like access to food, clean air, clean water and mobility, as well as health care technology.
We also have newer categories. We’re seeing more technology for the disability community, for example. Products that can serve people with disabilities had a large presence last year, and we expect that to be even bigger this year. Overall, the show is serving humanity and using technology and innovation to fill in gaps where we need a lot more work.
Generative AI is affecting virtually every area. Just about every major exhibitor will be talking about AI in one form or another at CES this week. For businesses, the focus is more on enterprise and productivity. But for individuals, it’s about personalization.
We’ll see exhibitors, such as PC companies, focusing on personalization in new products for the PC and laptop marketplace. And then there’s AI being used in mobility — and not just in features for cars and self-driving. It’s for all sorts of vehicles, including agricultural products from companies like Caterpillar in Deere.
The industry representing the companies involved welcomes government regulation. The government’s job is to say this is what is unsafe. And so the companies know what is legal and what is not. At the same time, a big challenge is if government stops innovation — so the question is for every country is finding that balance.
We expect the Trump administration to take a much more pro-business approach that favors innovation, including a focus on all sorts of energy sources, which is very important important. But tariffs are taxes. And we know that they are inflationary and paid for by consumers.
If we go forward with the proposals that the President-elect has indicated he may put in place, there would be severe impacts on the prosperity of the U.S. It depends on how exactly these tariffs are adopted but under some of the proposals, we estimate a range of a 30 to 50% price increases for basic products like PCs, cell phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches and all sorts of different products that consumers get a great value on today. That means that fewer people will be able to access these products. And, of course, other countries may then retaliate against U.S. exports. We don’t want to go in that direction.
CES has always focused on safety. There’s a lot of things we can’t talk about, but suffice it to say, we work with federal, state, local and facility officials for lots of planning. We’ve made some modest changes given the recent events, but we’re always trying to do it better.
I think companies are excited to come here. And any requests we’ve gotten have been extremely isolated.
Having top executives here, especially after COVID, is very special. People are focused on coming to Las Vegas and having this opportunity to meet face-to-face and finding the serendipity and discovery that happens when you’re making these business connections in person. That’s why trade shows like CES and others are such important events for the world.
Interim coach Cindy Tye is expecting a stiff challenge Friday when the sixth-ranked Canadians take on No. 13 Iceland in an international women’s soccer friendly in Spain.
Iceland posted a 4-1-1 record in qualifying for the 2025 UEFA Women’s Championship, finishing runner-up to fourth-ranked Germany in a group that also featured No. 17 Austria and No. 32 Poland. That included a 3-0 win over the visiting Germans which marked the first time Germany has been beaten by three goals in a competitive game since Brazil in the 2008 Olympic semifinals.
“They’re a physical team, a fast team,” Tye said Thursday from Spain. “At times (they) can be very direct so we’re going to have to be able to match that physicality. And when we get a chance to get on the ball, settle the game and — in opportunities when we can be in transition — take advantage.
“It’s going to be a tough match, let’s say. They’re a team that’s hard to play so, for us, we’re going to have to show our quality when we’re on the ball.”
After Iceland, the Canadians face No. 19 South Korea on Tuesday, also at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia.
Tye, who coaches the Canadian under-20 women, is in charge for the November friendlies while Canada Soccer searches for a permanent head coach.
The governing body has said head coach Bev Priestman will not be returning in the wake of the recent independent report into the Olympic drone-spying scandal. Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi are currently serving one-year suspensions from FIFA, with Lombardi having already resigned his Canada Soccer position.
Tye has said she is not interested in the Canadian coaching job on a permanent basis, given her U20 role and full-time job as associate athletic director and women’s head coach at Dalhousie University in Halifax.
Canada is missing a handful of veterans in Spain.
Kadeisha Buchanan, Sydney Collins, Cloe Lacasse, Evelyne Viens and Quinn are out injured. Canada Soccer said Seattle Reign forward Jordyn Huitema was unavailable due to personal reasons.
But there is young talent in North Carolina State University defender Janet Okeke and SMU forward Nyah Rose, who received their first senior call-ups.
Okeke, an 18-year-old from Laval, Que., and Rose, a 19-year-old from Markham, Ont., both represented Canada at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in September in Colombia. Jade Rose, Nyah’s older sister, has already won 26 senior caps but the 21-year-old Harvard University defender misses the Spain trip through injury.
There is also a second call-up for 18-year-old midfielder Jeneva Hernandez Gray from the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls elite team.
“The philosophy for us is to give (them) some opportunity for sure so we’ll see a couple of different looks from the group over the two games in terms of the young players,” said Tye. “We’ll see how the games go and hopefully they do get an opportunity.”
Canada has played Iceland twice before, both at the Algarve Cup, with the teams playing to a scoreless draw in February 2019 and Canada winning 1-0 in March 2016.
The Canadian women are 7-1-1 all-time against South Korea, unbeaten in their last five meetings. The teams drew 0-0 last time they met, in June 2022 in Toronto.
The FIFA window marks Canada’s final camp of the year, with North American-based players entering their off-season and European-based players returning to club competition.
The Canadian women go into the game with an 8-0-6 record this year, with three of those draws turning into penalty shootout losses to Germany (in the Paris Olympics quarterfinal) and the top-ranked United States (in the SheBelieves Cup final and the CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinal).
Another draw produced a shootout win over Brazil (in the SheBelieves Cup semifinal).
Tye’s staff in Spain includes incumbents Neil Wood (assistant coach) and Jen Herst (goalkeeper and set play coach) as well as Katie Collar (interim assistant coach) and Maryse Bard-Martel (interim performance analyst).
Canada Soccer said assistant coach Andy Spence, who ran the team during the Olympics and last month’s 1-1 draw with third-ranked Spain, was “unavailable for this camp and is scheduled to return for the next FIFA window.”
Collar, head coach of Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite, was also part of the staff for the game against Spain.
—
Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 28, 2024.
It’s one of the most under-publicized policies of some of the biggest U.S. retailers: sometimes they give customers full refunds and let them keep unwanted items too.
Returnless refunds are a tool that more retailers are using to keep online shoppers happy and to reduce shipping fees, processing time and other ballooning costs from returned products.
Companies such as Amazon, Walmart and Target have decided some items are not worth the cost or hassle of getting back. Think a $20 T-shirt that might cost $30 in shipping and handling to recover. There are also single-use items, such as a package of plastic straws, that might be difficult to resell or medicines that could be unsafe to market again.
Analysts say the companies offering returnless refunds do it somewhat sporadically, typically reserving the option for low-cost objects or ones with limited resale value. But some online shoppers said they’ve also been allowed to keep more pricey products.
Dalya Harel, 48, received a return-free refund recently after ordering a desk from Amazon that cost roughly $300. When the desk arrived, she noticed it was missing some key pieces and would be impossible to put together, Harel said. She couldn’t request a replacement and have it within a reasonable time for the office of her New York lice detection removal service because the item was out of stock.
Harel, who routinely buys towels and other products from Amazon for her business, said her team reached out to the company’s customer service line. She was pleasantly surprised to hear she would get a refund without having to send back the desk.
“That’s one less headache to deal with,” Harel said. “It was really nice for us to not have to make an extra trip up to the post office.”
She used the desk pieces to create makeshift shelves in her office in Brooklyn.
While the retail practice of letting customers keep merchandise and get their money back is not exactly a trade secret, the way it works is shrouded in mystery. Companies are not keen to publicize the circumstances in which they issue returnless refunds due to concerns over the potential for return fraud.
Even if brands don’t provide details about such policies on their websites, returnless refunds are expanding in at least some retail corners.
Amazon, which industry experts say has engaged in the practice for years, announced in August that it would extend the option to the third-party sellers who drive most of the sales on the e-commerce giant’s platform. Under the program, sellers who use the company’s fulfillment services in the U.S. could choose to offer customers a traditional refund for purchases under $75 along with no obligation to return what they ordered.
Amazon did not immediately respond to questions about how the program works. But publicly, it has pitched returnless refunds more directly to international sellers and those who offer cheaper goods. Items sold in an upcoming section of Amazon’s website, which will allow U.S. shoppers to buy low-cost goods shipped directly from China, will also be eligible for returnless refunds, according to documents seen by The Associated Press.
In January, Walmart gave a similar option to merchants who sell products on its growing online marketplace, leaving it up to sellers to set price limits and determine if or how they want to participate.
China-founded e-commerce companies Shein and Temu say they also offer returnless refunds on a small number of orders, as does Target, the online shopping site Overstock and pet products e-tailer Chewy, which some customer said had encouraged them to donate unwanted items to local animal shelters.
Wayfair, another online retailer cited by some customers as offering returnless refunds, did not reply to a request for comment on its policies.
Overall, retailers and brands tend to be careful about how often they let customers keep items for free. Many of them are deploying algorithms to determine who should be given the option and who should not.
To make the decision, the algorithms assess multiple factors, including the extent to which a shopper should be trusted based on prior purchasing – and returning – patterns, shipping costs and the demand for the product in the customer’s hands, according to Sender Shamiss, CEO of goTRG, a reverse logistics company that works with retailers like Walmart.
Optoro, a company that helps streamline returns for Best Buy, Staples and Gap Inc., has observed retailers assessing the lifetime value of a customer and extending returnless refunds as a type of unofficial, discreet loyalty benefit, according to CEO Amena Ali.
The king of online retail appeared to verify the process works that way.
In a statement, Amazon said it offers returnless refunds on a “very small number” of items as a “convenience to customers.”
The company also said it’s hearing positive feedback from sellers about its new program that authorized them to tell customers they could keep some products and still be reimbursed. Amazon said it was monitoring for signs of fraud and setting eligibility criteria for sellers and customers. It didn’t provide additional details on what that encompassed.
Some retailers also are stiffening the liberal return policies they long employed to encourage online orders. Shoppers who enjoyed making purchases on their computers or cellphones became accustomed to loading up their digital shopping baskets with the intent of returning items they ended up not liking.
Shopping online also grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when homebound consumers reduced their trips to stores and relied on sites like Amazon for everyday items. Retail companies have talked in recent years about returns becoming more expensive to process due to the growing volume, rising inflation and labor costs.
Last year, U.S. consumers returned $743 billion worth of merchandise, or 14.5% of the products they purchased – up from 10.6% in 2020, according to the National Retail Federation. In 2019, returned merchandise was valued at $309 billion, according to loss prevention company Appriss Retail.
Last year, roughly 14% of returns were fraudulent, costing retailers $101 billion in losses, according to a joint report from the National Retail federation and Appriss Retail. The problem spans from low-level forms of fraud – such as shoppers returning already worn clothing – to more complicated schemes by fraudsters who return shoplifted merchandise or items purchased on stolen credit cards.
To deter excessive returns, some retailers, including H&M, Zara and J. Crew, started charging customers return fees in the past year. Others have shortened their return windows. Some shopping sites, such as the Canadian retailer Ssense, have threatened to kick frequent returners off their platforms if they suspect abuse of their policies.
However, retailers don’t all view frequent returners in the same way. Such customers could be seen as “good returners” if they purchase – and keep – many more items than they send back, Ali said.
“Oftentimes, your most profitable customers tend to be high returners,” she said.
A football injury expert has indicated that Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori could be out of action for up to 10 weeks, depending on its severity, after being substituted in the 72nd minute of their Champions League outing against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Mikel Arteta and his men managed to secure a 1-0 victory, thanks to a 29th-minute own goal, over the Ukrainian top flight outfit in Europe’s top table, making it seven points from nine in their opening trio of fixtures.
But fresh concerns over the extent of Calafiori’s injury somewhat cast a dark cloud over their all-important triumph on home turf, one that sees them reside in fourth spot – behind the likes of Aston Villa, Monaco and Sporting CP – in the new-look group stage table. Watch the injury below:
Expert Injury Analysis on Calafiori Emerges
Italian replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in the second half
Giving Calafiori his credit, he did attempt to carry on but was unable to see out the rest of the occasion under the Emirates Stadium lights, thus being replaced by youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly with 18 minutes of regulation time left to play.
Physio Scout, who correctly predicted Rodri’s injury in September, revealed all on X (formerly Twitter) in the wake of the Gunners’ victory. They suggested that Calafiori’s injury is more indicative of an MCL – rather than a more serious ACL – problem as it was not caused by a sharp change of direction.
“Non-contact injury here which forces knee into valgus, but more a slide injury rather than a change of direction + pivot action.”
Arsenal’s on-pitch physio was also, according to the injury expert, seen performing a valgus test, which is set to determine the structure of the MCL: “Physio was seen performing a valgus stress test too – which tests the structure of the MCL. Scans are necessary, but let’s hope it’s only a minor/moderate MCL sprain.”
Related
Arsenal 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Player Ratings and Match Highlights
Arsenal weren’t at their very best but they still managed to pick up all three points at the Emirates Stadium.
In terms of recovery time, it is entirely dependent on the severity of the injury, which will be unearthed by impending scans on his knee. It could range from 1-2 weeks if it’s a Grade 1 injury or up to 10 weeks if it’s a Grade 3.
“Potential Recovery Times:
Given that he at least attempted to finish the Champions League encounter, that was a welcome sight for fans of the north London-based outfit, especially with a nailbiting clash with Liverpool on the horizon.
In 2024, CBS launched a new show called Tracker, which became a hit among viewers. It stars Justin Hartley, who many know from shows like This Is Us and Smallville. He plays Colter Shaw, a man who helps people find things or loved ones who have gone missing, but he charges for his services.
Hartley not only plays the lead role but also works as an executive producer on the show. Tracker isn’t your typical crime show, and it doesn’t follow the usual storyline of a lone hero solving crimes in one city. Instead, each episode takes Colter to different places, where he faces new problems and helps solve them.
As the first season unfolds, we begin to learn more about Colter Shaw’s past, especially the dark secrets surrounding his family. The first season may not have rushed into big revelations, but it carefully laid the groundwork for future episodes. This slow but steady storytelling approach is one of the reasons why Tracker stands out.
The series uses a mixture of standalone plots and ongoing mystery. While each episode has its own case to solve, there are hints throughout that point to a larger story, especially about Colter’s family. As fans eagerly await the arrival of Season 2, it’s a good time to reflect on the key moments of Season 1 and recall where Colter’s story left off.
Colter Shaw’s Search for Truth in Tracker Season 1
From the very beginning of the show, we learn that Colter Shaw is a man with a mission. Actually, he has many missions, because he’s always helping people find things or loved ones that have gone missing. He often says, “We’re all looking for something,” which shows just how dedicated he is to getting the job done.
Colter makes it clear that he won’t stop until his clients get the answers they need. While most of Colter’s cases are standalone, meaning each episode has its own story, there is a larger mystery running in the background of the show, which involves his own family.
Colter’s reasons for helping others aren’t just about money—there’s something deeper going on. Over time, we discover that Colter is driven by events from his past.
When Colter was a teenager, his father, Ashton Shaw, moved their family off the grid. Ashton believed that the government was conspiring against them and took extreme measures to protect his family. They lived in isolation, away from the rest of society.
One day, during a thunderstorm, Ashton died unexpectedly, leaving his family in shock. Looking back on it, Colter thought his father might have lost his grip on reality.
He also believed that his older brother, Russell, might have been responsible for their father’s death. This tragedy left a deep impact on Colter and his siblings, and it’s a key part of why Colter is so focused on solving other people’s problems.
Early in the series, we see that Russell, who hasn’t spoken to Colter in years, tries to reach out. He calls Colter several times, but Colter doesn’t answer. Colter’s mother, Mary Dove Shaw, tells him to ignore his brother and stay away from him.
She had told him to leave Russell behind about 20 years ago, and Colter seemed fine with following that advice—at least for a while. But things begin to change when Colter’s sister, Dory, encourages him to let Russell back into his life. Dory believes that it’s time for the family to reconnect and that Russell has something important to share.
When Colter finally decides to meet with Russell, he learns that Russell didn’t kill their father after all. Russell reveals that many things were going on during their childhood that neither of them fully understood at the time. Dory also seems to have her own theories about what happened.
In one episode, “Beyond the Campus Walls,” Dory suggests that their father’s obsession with the government may not have been as far-fetched as it seemed. She hints that there was more to the story and that their father’s death might not have been as simple as they thought. These conversations leave Colter wondering who is telling the truth and who might be hiding something.
In the season finale, “The Storm,” Colter learns a shocking truth from a family friend, Lizzie Hawking. She tells him that his mother had been having an affair with her father. This revelation changes everything for Colter and offers a possible explanation for Ashton Shaw’s sudden death.
Still from Tracker (Credit: Paramount+)
However, the story doesn’t end there. Russell’s involvement with some questionable military figures raises even more questions. Could Ashton’s death have been linked to something much bigger than just a family affair?
As the season wraps up, we are left with more questions than answers. But one thing is clear: Colter’s family history is far more complicated than he ever realized. With Russell and Dory set to return in Season 2, it seems likely that we will see more family reunions and perhaps more secrets coming to light.
Colter’s Struggles With Keeping His Life Separate
One of the things that makes Colter Shaw such an interesting character is how he manages to keep his personal and professional lives separate. Even though he works closely with a group of co-workers, including Teddi Bruin, Velma Bruin, Bobby Exley, and Reenie Greene, Colter doesn’t share much about his family or his past with them.
He has built walls around himself and prefers to keep others at a distance. This can make him seem mysterious, but it also shows how deeply affected he is by his past.
Reenie Greene, Colter’s lawyer, is one of the few people who seems to be able to get close to him. Throughout the first season, Reenie starts to find small cracks in Colter’s emotional armor. She tries to learn more about him, and as she does, she becomes more involved in his life.
Reenie’s growing involvement with Colter may play a significant role in the next season, especially as Colter continues to deal with his complicated family dynamics.
Colter Shaw and Reenie Greene’s Relationship: Will It Turn Romantic?
From the early episodes of Tracker, there is a noticeable connection between Colter Shaw and Reenie Greene. While the show hasn’t officially made them a romantic couple yet, there are plenty of moments that suggest they have feelings for each other.
They share longing looks, exchange witty remarks, and Colter often puts himself in danger to protect Reenie. He’s willing to go the extra mile for her, and not just because it’s part of his job.
Reenie’s role in the show has grown significantly throughout the first season. As the series’ main female lead, Reenie is involved in many of the key episodes.
Fiona Rene, who plays Reenie, has great on-screen chemistry with Justin Hartley, and the show’s creators seem to be holding off on fully developing their relationship until the right moment. Fans are hopeful that we’ll see more of their dynamic in Season 2, perhaps with their relationship taking a more serious turn.
But there is an in-universe reason why Colter and Reenie haven’t started a romance yet: Colter has a hard time with commitment. He doesn’t like being tied down and prefers to live a life of independence. His job requires him to constantly be on the move, and his lifestyle reflects his need for freedom.
He lives in a camper, and this mobile lifestyle symbolizes his internal need for isolation. He doesn’t let people in easily, not even his own family.
One scene in particular highlights Colter’s reluctance to stay in one place. After helping Bobby Exley’s friend in the episode “Chicago,” Bobby offers to buy Colter and Reenie lunch. Rather than sticking around for a simple meal, Colter quickly leaves for Sioux Falls.
This pattern of leaving without saying goodbye happens several times throughout the season. Colter has a habit of making sudden exits, which shows how uncomfortable he is with forming deep connections. Even with his handlers, Teddi and Velma Bruin, Colter keeps some emotional distance.
Reenie has her work cut out for her if she wants to break down Colter’s walls. But she’s not the only potential love interest in Colter’s life.
Billie Matalon: Another Love Interest for Colter Shaw?
While Tracker has a relatively small main cast, one guest character made a big impression on fans: Billie Matalon, played by Sofia Pernas. Billie is another reward-seeker, much like Colter. She first appears in the episode “Lexington,” but it’s clear that she and Colter have a history.
They worked together on a job in Miami, but things didn’t end well. Billie betrays Colter during that job, which has created some tension between them.
Despite the betrayal, Billie and Colter have undeniable chemistry. Their interactions are filled with sparks, and Billie could serve as a romantic foil to Reenie. This is made even more interesting by the fact that Sofia Pernas, who plays Billie, is Justin Hartley’s real-life wife.
The two actors met while working together on The Young and the Restless and eventually got married. Their real-life connection adds an extra layer of intrigue to their on-screen relationship.
It will be interesting to see how the show balances Colter’s potential relationships with Reenie and Billie in Season 2. Will Colter finally open up to Reenie, or will Billie’s reappearance cause more complications in his personal life? Either way, fans are eager to see how these dynamics play out in future episodes.
What to Expect in Tracker Season 2
As Season 2 of Tracker approaches, fans are excited to see what’s next for Colter Shaw. The first season ended with many unanswered questions, especially about Colter’s family. But Tracker is known for its episodic nature, where each installment features a standalone plot.
Still from Tracker (Credit: Paramount+)
This structure allows the show to focus on different cases each week, which keeps the storytelling fresh and exciting. However, it can also push the larger story arcs, like Colter’s family mystery, to the background.
Some standout episodes from Season 1 include “Missoula,” which centers on a dangerous cult, “Aurora,” a horror-themed missing person case, and “Into the Wild,” which features the talented Peter Stormare. These episodes are examples of Tracker’s ability to balance intriguing standalone cases with the overarching mystery surrounding Colter’s past.
As for Season 2, we know that there will be some changes to the team. Robin Weigert, who played Teddi Bruin, won’t be returning for the new season. Her character’s departure means that Reenie Greene will likely take on a more prominent role within Colter’s team.
Reenie, who was previously Colter’s go-to lawyer, will now be working closely with Velma Bruin on a new business venture. This new job will not only help Colter financially but will also allow him to continue helping people who need skills that go beyond the law.
In the upcoming season, Colter’s first case will involve searching for a missing mother who has ties to organized crime in Arkansas. This storyline is expected to feature both Russell Shaw and Billie Matalon, who will return in the first few episodes.
As Colter continues to tackle new challenges, fans are eager to see how the remaining family secrets will be revealed and what new twists await him in Season 2.
In 2024, CBS launched a new show called Tracker, which became a hit among viewers. It stars Justin Hartley, who many know from shows like This Is Us and Smallville. He plays Colter Shaw, a man who helps people find things or loved ones who have gone missing, but he charges for his services.
Hartley not only plays the lead role but also works as an executive producer on the show. Tracker isn’t your typical crime show, and it doesn’t follow the usual storyline of a lone hero solving crimes in one city. Instead, each episode takes Colter to different places, where he faces new problems and helps solve them.
As the first season unfolds, we begin to learn more about Colter Shaw’s past, especially the dark secrets surrounding his family. The first season may not have rushed into big revelations, but it carefully laid the groundwork for future episodes. This slow but steady storytelling approach is one of the reasons why Tracker stands out.
The series uses a mixture of standalone plots and ongoing mystery. While each episode has its own case to solve, there are hints throughout that point to a larger story, especially about Colter’s family. As fans eagerly await the arrival of Season 2, it’s a good time to reflect on the key moments of Season 1 and recall where Colter’s story left off.
Colter Shaw’s Search for Truth in Tracker Season 1
From the very beginning of the show, we learn that Colter Shaw is a man with a mission. Actually, he has many missions, because he’s always helping people find things or loved ones that have gone missing. He often says, “We’re all looking for something,” which shows just how dedicated he is to getting the job done.
Colter makes it clear that he won’t stop until his clients get the answers they need. While most of Colter’s cases are standalone, meaning each episode has its own story, there is a larger mystery running in the background of the show, which involves his own family.
Colter’s reasons for helping others aren’t just about money—there’s something deeper going on. Over time, we discover that Colter is driven by events from his past.
When Colter was a teenager, his father, Ashton Shaw, moved their family off the grid. Ashton believed that the government was conspiring against them and took extreme measures to protect his family. They lived in isolation, away from the rest of society.
One day, during a thunderstorm, Ashton died unexpectedly, leaving his family in shock. Looking back on it, Colter thought his father might have lost his grip on reality.
He also believed that his older brother, Russell, might have been responsible for their father’s death. This tragedy left a deep impact on Colter and his siblings, and it’s a key part of why Colter is so focused on solving other people’s problems.
Early in the series, we see that Russell, who hasn’t spoken to Colter in years, tries to reach out. He calls Colter several times, but Colter doesn’t answer. Colter’s mother, Mary Dove Shaw, tells him to ignore his brother and stay away from him.
She had told him to leave Russell behind about 20 years ago, and Colter seemed fine with following that advice—at least for a while. But things begin to change when Colter’s sister, Dory, encourages him to let Russell back into his life. Dory believes that it’s time for the family to reconnect and that Russell has something important to share.
When Colter finally decides to meet with Russell, he learns that Russell didn’t kill their father after all. Russell reveals that many things were going on during their childhood that neither of them fully understood at the time. Dory also seems to have her own theories about what happened.
In one episode, “Beyond the Campus Walls,” Dory suggests that their father’s obsession with the government may not have been as far-fetched as it seemed. She hints that there was more to the story and that their father’s death might not have been as simple as they thought. These conversations leave Colter wondering who is telling the truth and who might be hiding something.
In the season finale, “The Storm,” Colter learns a shocking truth from a family friend, Lizzie Hawking. She tells him that his mother had been having an affair with her father. This revelation changes everything for Colter and offers a possible explanation for Ashton Shaw’s sudden death.
Still from Tracker (Credit: Paramount+)
However, the story doesn’t end there. Russell’s involvement with some questionable military figures raises even more questions. Could Ashton’s death have been linked to something much bigger than just a family affair?
As the season wraps up, we are left with more questions than answers. But one thing is clear: Colter’s family history is far more complicated than he ever realized. With Russell and Dory set to return in Season 2, it seems likely that we will see more family reunions and perhaps more secrets coming to light.
Colter’s Struggles With Keeping His Life Separate
One of the things that makes Colter Shaw such an interesting character is how he manages to keep his personal and professional lives separate. Even though he works closely with a group of co-workers, including Teddi Bruin, Velma Bruin, Bobby Exley, and Reenie Greene, Colter doesn’t share much about his family or his past with them.
He has built walls around himself and prefers to keep others at a distance. This can make him seem mysterious, but it also shows how deeply affected he is by his past.
Reenie Greene, Colter’s lawyer, is one of the few people who seems to be able to get close to him. Throughout the first season, Reenie starts to find small cracks in Colter’s emotional armor. She tries to learn more about him, and as she does, she becomes more involved in his life.
Reenie’s growing involvement with Colter may play a significant role in the next season, especially as Colter continues to deal with his complicated family dynamics.
Colter Shaw and Reenie Greene’s Relationship: Will It Turn Romantic?
From the early episodes of Tracker, there is a noticeable connection between Colter Shaw and Reenie Greene. While the show hasn’t officially made them a romantic couple yet, there are plenty of moments that suggest they have feelings for each other.
They share longing looks, exchange witty remarks, and Colter often puts himself in danger to protect Reenie. He’s willing to go the extra mile for her, and not just because it’s part of his job.
Reenie’s role in the show has grown significantly throughout the first season. As the series’ main female lead, Reenie is involved in many of the key episodes.
Fiona Rene, who plays Reenie, has great on-screen chemistry with Justin Hartley, and the show’s creators seem to be holding off on fully developing their relationship until the right moment. Fans are hopeful that we’ll see more of their dynamic in Season 2, perhaps with their relationship taking a more serious turn.
But there is an in-universe reason why Colter and Reenie haven’t started a romance yet: Colter has a hard time with commitment. He doesn’t like being tied down and prefers to live a life of independence. His job requires him to constantly be on the move, and his lifestyle reflects his need for freedom.
He lives in a camper, and this mobile lifestyle symbolizes his internal need for isolation. He doesn’t let people in easily, not even his own family.
One scene in particular highlights Colter’s reluctance to stay in one place. After helping Bobby Exley’s friend in the episode “Chicago,” Bobby offers to buy Colter and Reenie lunch. Rather than sticking around for a simple meal, Colter quickly leaves for Sioux Falls.
This pattern of leaving without saying goodbye happens several times throughout the season. Colter has a habit of making sudden exits, which shows how uncomfortable he is with forming deep connections. Even with his handlers, Teddi and Velma Bruin, Colter keeps some emotional distance.
Reenie has her work cut out for her if she wants to break down Colter’s walls. But she’s not the only potential love interest in Colter’s life.
Billie Matalon: Another Love Interest for Colter Shaw?
While Tracker has a relatively small main cast, one guest character made a big impression on fans: Billie Matalon, played by Sofia Pernas. Billie is another reward-seeker, much like Colter. She first appears in the episode “Lexington,” but it’s clear that she and Colter have a history.
They worked together on a job in Miami, but things didn’t end well. Billie betrays Colter during that job, which has created some tension between them.
Despite the betrayal, Billie and Colter have undeniable chemistry. Their interactions are filled with sparks, and Billie could serve as a romantic foil to Reenie. This is made even more interesting by the fact that Sofia Pernas, who plays Billie, is Justin Hartley’s real-life wife.
The two actors met while working together on The Young and the Restless and eventually got married. Their real-life connection adds an extra layer of intrigue to their on-screen relationship.
It will be interesting to see how the show balances Colter’s potential relationships with Reenie and Billie in Season 2. Will Colter finally open up to Reenie, or will Billie’s reappearance cause more complications in his personal life? Either way, fans are eager to see how these dynamics play out in future episodes.
What to Expect in Tracker Season 2
As Season 2 of Tracker approaches, fans are excited to see what’s next for Colter Shaw. The first season ended with many unanswered questions, especially about Colter’s family. But Tracker is known for its episodic nature, where each installment features a standalone plot.
Still from Tracker (Credit: Paramount+)
This structure allows the show to focus on different cases each week, which keeps the storytelling fresh and exciting. However, it can also push the larger story arcs, like Colter’s family mystery, to the background.
Some standout episodes from Season 1 include “Missoula,” which centers on a dangerous cult, “Aurora,” a horror-themed missing person case, and “Into the Wild,” which features the talented Peter Stormare. These episodes are examples of Tracker’s ability to balance intriguing standalone cases with the overarching mystery surrounding Colter’s past.
As for Season 2, we know that there will be some changes to the team. Robin Weigert, who played Teddi Bruin, won’t be returning for the new season. Her character’s departure means that Reenie Greene will likely take on a more prominent role within Colter’s team.
Reenie, who was previously Colter’s go-to lawyer, will now be working closely with Velma Bruin on a new business venture. This new job will not only help Colter financially but will also allow him to continue helping people who need skills that go beyond the law.
In the upcoming season, Colter’s first case will involve searching for a missing mother who has ties to organized crime in Arkansas. This storyline is expected to feature both Russell Shaw and Billie Matalon, who will return in the first few episodes.
As Colter continues to tackle new challenges, fans are eager to see how the remaining family secrets will be revealed and what new twists await him in Season 2.
If points were handed out for irritability Tottenham would not be wallowing in midtable. Not with Ange Postecoglou setting the tone.
Getting narkier by the game, in a hurry to take umbrage, seemingly aghast there have not been more gushing reviews about his team’s performances.
On Saturday after beating Brentford, he was annoyed to find himself fielding questions about his goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario handling outside the penalty area and getting away with it.
‘Okay, look I guess we were lucky to get the result,’ he sighed with the sort of heavy sarcasm Pep Guardiola likes to deploy when press conferences are not to his liking.
Spurs had scored three and won deservedly so Postecoglou would rather have been discussing how well they had played, basking in acclaim for his thrilling style of football after a week with arrows fired in his direction in the wake of defeat in the North London derby.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is cutting an increasingly irritated figure in recent weeks
Tottenham players such as James Maddison have admitted form has fluctuated this season
This weekend’s north London derby showed the differnce between having an attacking philosophy and a more pragmatic approach to see games out
Losing at home to Arsenal always tends to heighten the senses in N17. Postecoglou snapped tetchily afterwards about how he ‘always wins trophies in his second season’ and woke next day to headlines declaring the Ange Ball honeymoon to be over and the sound of Tottenham supporters growing uneasy about his unyielding commitment to such an attacking brand of football.
Inside the camp though, they were feeling hard done by. They had not played poorly and lost only narrowly to a very good team.
Cristian Romero thought it necessary to alert the world via a repost on social media to the fact Spurs had not seen fit to lay on a private jet to get him home sooner from international duty in South America.
Whether this was Romero’s excuse for being nudged aside and beaten in the air by Gabriel Maghalaes for the goal, his contribution to the debate on player welfare or simply him marking out his long run for an attempted move to Real Madrid remains to be seen.
None of the Spurs players had been at all keen to talk after losing to Arsenal but after scoring his first goal of the season against Brentford,
James Maddison told Australian broadcasters Optus Sport: ‘We lost to Arsenal and we dominated the game. They were resilient, they played long ball, they played for second balls. The football basics as I say.’
Maddison also said he had been pleased with his form all season albeit with no recognition because he has not been scoring and the team had not been winning. He wasn’t complaining, he was making the point, and the point was fair.
Ultimately everything comes to be viewed through results. Increasingly, there’s a race to judgment after every single game as part of a relentless cycle of analysis across many different platforms.
It must make it a more confusing time than ever to be ensconced in the manager’s office at Tottenham where attacking style is supposed to count for everything based on something that happened all those decades ago. And yet only to a point.
But is Tottenham’s all-out attacking style of football feasable in the long run? Does Postecoglou have a plan B?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shown the club how to be resilient and win tough
Only if you’re winning and winning and winning. And that sort of form is very difficult in the Premier League, especially if you are committed to playing an open brand of football without paying the salaries to command the very best players in the competition, which means the very best players in the world.
Once you’re not winning consistently then that all-out attacking style is fine but where’s the Plan B? That’s what people demand to know. And the demand for Plan B is effectively code for a demand to surrender principles and put victory above all else.
For years under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal played some of the most fluent and attractive football seen in the modern era.
It made them one of the world’s most popular teams and created their enormous global fanbase but when the billionaire owners changed the Premier League landscape, the pretty football did not go down so well without the same degree of success.
Now, under Mikel Arteta they can be easy on the eye but are moreover a team looking to win and prepared to do what it takes to get the result.
In the big games they might be closer to George Graham’s Arsenal than Wenger’s and few hardcore fans will complain that they are no longer the best ticket in town if they win something big.
The best ticket in town is to see Postecoglou’s Spurs because they can transform any old mundane looking fixture into a nerve-shredding adrenaline ride. Little wonder he appears exhausted when the final whistle goes. And thus we might forgive him his irascibility.
The best ticket in town is to see Postecoglou’s Spurs because they can transform any old mundane looking fixture into a nerve-shredding adrenaline ride
Five things I learned this week…
New Champion League’s format hits lukewarm note
UEFA have successfully captured the essence of pre-season friendlies with their new format for the Champions League. A blur of games, hard to keep on top of as they pop up at different times on different days on different channels with an almost complete absence of jeopardy. As first impressions go that’s all a bit tepid. It might come to the boil somewhere near Christmas but don’t expect all these extra games to serve up much beyond the same old names once we get around to spring.
West Brom’s Maja could finally be fulfilling potential
Josh Maja is thriving at West Bromwich Albion with six goals in six games. London-born Maja is 25 and has never quite fulfilled the potential on display when he first broke through at Sunderland.
He went to Bordeaux in France, had loan spells at Fulham and Stoke, and his first season at The Hawthorns was disrupted by injury. This season he has not looked back since a hat-trick on the opening day. He scored the only goal against Plymouth on Saturday and Carlos Corberan’s team are top of the Championship.
West Bromwich Albion’s Josh Maja could well be fulfilling his potential having enjoyed a fine start to the new season
Clemence revelling in manager’s role at Barrow
Stephen Clemence is making a splendid start to his new job as manager of Barrow, top of League Two after seven games and with an interesting couple of fixtures ahead this week.
On Tuesday, Clemence will take his team to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and then on Saturday to Gillingham, the club level on points who sacked him in the summer after less than six months in charge.
Stephen Clemence is making a splendid start to his new job as manager of Barrow, top of League Two
Family matters for England’s interim boss Carsley
England’s interim boss Lee Carsley took a break from his scouting duties to see son Callum making his debut for Nuneaton Town, the latest incarnation of the club formed after the latest demise of Nuneaton Borough. They are playing home matches at nearby Bedworth Town and won 7-0 against Allexton and New Parks in Midland League One.
England’s boss Lee Carsley took time off to watch his son play football for Nuneaton Town
Roy Hodgson’s (right) trusty assistant, Ray Lewington (left), has plunged into his third spell as caretaker manager of MK Dons
Hodgson’s former lieutenant Lewington back to help son at MK Dons
Former England coach Ray Lewington is back on the touchline. Roy Hodgson’s trusty assistant through various roles until their departure from Crystal Palace in February is helping his son Dean, who is now a player-coach and plunged into his third spell as caretaker manager of Milton Keynes Dons when Mike Williamson left abruptly for Carlisle last week. The Lewingtons were tracksuited on the touchline during Saturday’s draw with Doncaster Rovers, who played for 80 minutes with 10 men at the Stadium MK.
If points were handed out for irritability Tottenham would not be wallowing in midtable. Not with Ange Postecoglou setting the tone.
Getting narkier by the game, in a hurry to take umbrage, seemingly aghast there have not been more gushing reviews about his team’s performances.
On Saturday after beating Brentford, he was annoyed to find himself fielding questions about his goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario handling outside the penalty area and getting away with it.
‘Okay, look I guess we were lucky to get the result,’ he sighed with the sort of heavy sarcasm Pep Guardiola likes to deploy when press conferences are not to his liking.
Spurs had scored three and won deservedly so Postecoglou would rather have been discussing how well they had played, basking in acclaim for his thrilling style of football after a week with arrows fired in his direction in the wake of defeat in the North London derby.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is cutting an increasingly irritated figure in recent weeks
Tottenham players such as James Maddison have admitted form has fluctuated this season
This weekend’s north London derby showed the differnce between having an attacking philosophy and a more pragmatic approach to see games out
Losing at home to Arsenal always tends to heighten the senses in N17. Postecoglou snapped tetchily afterwards about how he ‘always wins trophies in his second season’ and woke next day to headlines declaring the Ange Ball honeymoon to be over and the sound of Tottenham supporters growing uneasy about his unyielding commitment to such an attacking brand of football.
Inside the camp though, they were feeling hard done by. They had not played poorly and lost only narrowly to a very good team.
Cristian Romero thought it necessary to alert the world via a repost on social media to the fact Spurs had not seen fit to lay on a private jet to get him home sooner from international duty in South America.
Whether this was Romero’s excuse for being nudged aside and beaten in the air by Gabriel Maghalaes for the goal, his contribution to the debate on player welfare or simply him marking out his long run for an attempted move to Real Madrid remains to be seen.
None of the Spurs players had been at all keen to talk after losing to Arsenal but after scoring his first goal of the season against Brentford,
James Maddison told Australian broadcasters Optus Sport: ‘We lost to Arsenal and we dominated the game. They were resilient, they played long ball, they played for second balls. The football basics as I say.’
Maddison also said he had been pleased with his form all season albeit with no recognition because he has not been scoring and the team had not been winning. He wasn’t complaining, he was making the point, and the point was fair.
Ultimately everything comes to be viewed through results. Increasingly, there’s a race to judgment after every single game as part of a relentless cycle of analysis across many different platforms.
It must make it a more confusing time than ever to be ensconced in the manager’s office at Tottenham where attacking style is supposed to count for everything based on something that happened all those decades ago. And yet only to a point.
But is Tottenham’s all-out attacking style of football feasable in the long run? Does Postecoglou have a plan B?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shown the club how to be resilient and win tough
Only if you’re winning and winning and winning. And that sort of form is very difficult in the Premier League, especially if you are committed to playing an open brand of football without paying the salaries to command the very best players in the competition, which means the very best players in the world.
Once you’re not winning consistently then that all-out attacking style is fine but where’s the Plan B? That’s what people demand to know. And the demand for Plan B is effectively code for a demand to surrender principles and put victory above all else.
For years under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal played some of the most fluent and attractive football seen in the modern era.
It made them one of the world’s most popular teams and created their enormous global fanbase but when the billionaire owners changed the Premier League landscape, the pretty football did not go down so well without the same degree of success.
Now, under Mikel Arteta they can be easy on the eye but are moreover a team looking to win and prepared to do what it takes to get the result.
In the big games they might be closer to George Graham’s Arsenal than Wenger’s and few hardcore fans will complain that they are no longer the best ticket in town if they win something big.
The best ticket in town is to see Postecoglou’s Spurs because they can transform any old mundane looking fixture into a nerve-shredding adrenaline ride. Little wonder he appears exhausted when the final whistle goes. And thus we might forgive him his irascibility.
The best ticket in town is to see Postecoglou’s Spurs because they can transform any old mundane looking fixture into a nerve-shredding adrenaline ride
Five things I learned this week…
New Champion League’s format hits lukewarm note
UEFA have successfully captured the essence of pre-season friendlies with their new format for the Champions League. A blur of games, hard to keep on top of as they pop up at different times on different days on different channels with an almost complete absence of jeopardy. As first impressions go that’s all a bit tepid. It might come to the boil somewhere near Christmas but don’t expect all these extra games to serve up much beyond the same old names once we get around to spring.
West Brom’s Maja could finally be fulfilling potential
Josh Maja is thriving at West Bromwich Albion with six goals in six games. London-born Maja is 25 and has never quite fulfilled the potential on display when he first broke through at Sunderland.
He went to Bordeaux in France, had loan spells at Fulham and Stoke, and his first season at The Hawthorns was disrupted by injury. This season he has not looked back since a hat-trick on the opening day. He scored the only goal against Plymouth on Saturday and Carlos Corberan’s team are top of the Championship.
West Bromwich Albion’s Josh Maja could well be fulfilling his potential having enjoyed a fine start to the new season
Clemence revelling in manager’s role at Barrow
Stephen Clemence is making a splendid start to his new job as manager of Barrow, top of League Two after seven games and with an interesting couple of fixtures ahead this week.
On Tuesday, Clemence will take his team to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and then on Saturday to Gillingham, the club level on points who sacked him in the summer after less than six months in charge.
Stephen Clemence is making a splendid start to his new job as manager of Barrow, top of League Two
Family matters for England’s interim boss Carsley
England’s interim boss Lee Carsley took a break from his scouting duties to see son Callum making his debut for Nuneaton Town, the latest incarnation of the club formed after the latest demise of Nuneaton Borough. They are playing home matches at nearby Bedworth Town and won 7-0 against Allexton and New Parks in Midland League One.
England’s boss Lee Carsley took time off to watch his son play football for Nuneaton Town
Roy Hodgson’s (right) trusty assistant, Ray Lewington (left), has plunged into his third spell as caretaker manager of MK Dons
Hodgson’s former lieutenant Lewington back to help son at MK Dons
Former England coach Ray Lewington is back on the touchline. Roy Hodgson’s trusty assistant through various roles until their departure from Crystal Palace in February is helping his son Dean, who is now a player-coach and plunged into his third spell as caretaker manager of Milton Keynes Dons when Mike Williamson left abruptly for Carlisle last week. The Lewingtons were tracksuited on the touchline during Saturday’s draw with Doncaster Rovers, who played for 80 minutes with 10 men at the Stadium MK.
