In the gripping fifth episode of "Tracker" Season 2, titled "Preternatural," Colter Shaw (played by Justin Hartley) embarks on a harrowing journey to locate a missing teenage girl, Emmaline Trace. This episode not only delves into the supernatural but also explores themes of family, trust, and the lengths one will go to protect their own.
The episode opens with Colter Shaw being approached by Velma (Abby McEnany), who has a gut feeling about the case of Emmaline Trace, a sixteen-year-old girl who has disappeared from Prior, Kentucky. Despite the low reward money, which is the complete savings of Emmaline's older brother Jasper, Colter takes on the case, sensing the urgency and the genuine concern from Velma.
Upon arriving in Kentucky, Colter's first lead is Emmaline's brother, Jasper. The siblings had moved from Tennessee to Prior for Jasper's mining job, which offered a union and benefits, crucial for raising his sister. Jasper is adamant that Emmaline would not abandon him, especially amidst the hostility they face from the townspeople, who view him as a job stealer.
The hostility is palpable as Colter discovers that someone has been leaving roadkill on the siblings' porch. His investigation leads him to the local coffee shop where Emmaline used to work before being fired for alleged witchcraft. The shop owner, uncooperative and hostile, spits in Colter's coffee, prompting him to seek information from an employee about Travis McCannis, a man who had a public altercation with Emmaline.
Travis had confronted Emmaline in the coffee shop because she had promised to cure his wife Shirley's cancer. Despite his skepticism, Emmaline successfully cured Shirley, who is now also pregnant—a miracle for the couple who had been trying for a child for years. Grateful, they would not harm Emmaline, and they keep her secret as she wishes, not wanting her brother to know about her healing abilities, a trait inherited from their mother.
Colter uncovers that Emmaline was taken by the reclusive Drell Clan, who live up the mountain and are known for keeping to themselves. The patriarch of the clan is dying, and they hope Emmaline can cure him. Colter finds Emmaline on the mountain and attempts to extract her, but she insists on staying to cure the patriarch, showing her dedication to helping the sick.
As Emmaline tries to cure the patriarch, the sons of the clan, believing she is worsening his condition, turn against her. Colter intervenes, saving Emmaline from being shot, and they flee into the woods, pursued by the Drell clan on ATVs. In a twist of fate, Emmaline is injured, and they seek refuge in an abandoned store.
The Drells catch up to them, and in a tense standoff, Colter is shot with an arrow and pinned to the wall. Just as it seems all hope is lost, the patriarch, now healed, intervenes, and the Drells, fearing Emmaline's curse, release her. She calls for an ambulance for Colter, ensuring his survival, and the police move in on the Drell clan.
In the aftermath, Emmaline is reunited with her brother, and Colter, though injured, is grateful for the successful resolution. The episode concludes with Colter missing his own sister, a poignant moment that humanizes the stoic tracker. As he leaves town, he calls his sister, highlighting the importance of family and the lengths one will go to protect it.
"Preternatural" is a standout episode that masterfully blends the supernatural with the raw emotions of family bonds and the moral dilemmas faced when protecting loved ones. It is a testament to the show's ability to deliver thrilling narratives while maintaining a strong emotional core.