How ‘Tracker’s Writing out Bobby & Velma — Will Abby McEnany & Eric Graise Return in Season 3?
Preview
When Tracker returns for its third season on October 19, it will do so without half of its series regulars, with Abby McEnany and Eric Graise not returning as Colter’s (Justin Hartley) handler Velma and hacker Bobby, respectively. But could we see them again?
“There’s a possibility, but right now, in this first block, no,” showrunner Elwood Reid tells TV Insider.
As for how their absences will be explained, he shares, “Right now, Velma is going off to be with Teddi [Robin Weigert, who exited after Season 1], who we’ve set up that there were some problems; that’s set up in the first episode. And Bobby has taken an interesting job offer, which we’ll hear about in the first episode.”
Looking at this season, Reid explains that one of the goals is “trying to do is build out the world of Reenie’s [Fiona Rene] office a little bit better. And one of the things that we’re doing is bringing Randy [Chris Lee], who was a really strong character from last year, bringing him to Denver to help out.”
After the events of last season, which put Reenie “in a pretty dark place — her boyfriend had been shot, her company had been kind of fucked over, she’d had this breach of security,” Randy is coming in to give her “a digital health check detox,” the EP says. “That blooms into a deeper relationship where he may be working out of her office a little bit helping.”
There’s also how Reenie herself is doing after the events of Season 2. “That’s going to become a storyline,” confirms Reid. “Because I have these amazing actors, I think the show loses if they’re just all about the case. You want to follow them home a little bit. I know we have Reenie as this sort of boss lawyer all the time, but I don’t know if she’s always that. I think there’s this other side to her, and I particularly think that given with what happened to her last year, it’s only realistic that that would have some lasting effects on her. So you’ll start to see us trying to build out her character a little bit more as not just someone who waits by the phone for Colter to call, because that’s not what these people are doing.”
Tracker, Season 3 Premiere, Sunday, October 17, 8/7c, CBS
Conversation34 Comments
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G
Wish they would have expanded more on Bobby’s character vs Randy. Bobby was a great fit for the hacker/analyst role that the writers failed to explore.
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P
Makes no since i enjoyed the show how it was ? Why change the show if its not broke
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O
For a show that is supposedly been doing great, they sure can’t, or don’t want to, keep their regulars
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R
Not a good sign when they start writing off secondary characters.
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O
I loved the old characters. That made the show. I will watch a few episodes and if I don’t like where the show is going I will not watch it.
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C
Exactly. We became fans of the show because of it’s dynamic. taking away the characters that we learned to love in the first season will affect me watching.
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O
Mistake: those were two of my fave characters, I always want to skip Reenies story to get back to Trackers
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R
I’m really hoping they don’t make the same mistakes the 911 series made by turning the show into a soap opera. 911 moved away from the 911 adventures into soapland. I stopped watching them. I love Tracker so much but I will leave them as well if they go soapy.
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G
Good points. From reading this I'm just now realizing that's why I stopped watching 911
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B
When shows start eliminating my favorite characters I start losing interest. I love the show but don’t know if I will keep loving it without those two. Like when 911 killed Bobby off.
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C
I agree! Episodes should.be about "tracking." The Blacklist, and 911 both made the same.change creating disinterest.
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O
Keep Bobby! Not that interested in Reenie's character, nor a relationship for her and Colter.
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O
Why are they doing that? I absolutely loved the people who are now gone.. shame on the
ones who made this decision..I will not watch this season..If it's not broke, don't
fix it. !!!!
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R
I think im going to hate it
5
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P
Whyyy?? Those two character actors were a perfect foil for Coulter. Keep doing that crap and you’re just watering down the ensemble. I hope you haven’t shot yourself in the foot and we’ll be seeing the beginning of the end…this WAS my all-time favorite show. :(
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C
I became interested in Tracker because I wanted to see Tracker solve the cases he took on, hense the name of the show. I really enjoy the plot-driven episodes and feel that is the direction Tracker should continue on.
The plot is what "hooked" me in and why I kept making time to watch. While I appreciate character development, focusing on the personal drama of the characters turns the show into a gossip type soap opera.
That's not why I tuned in and could be why I might tune out.
This type of redirection of a good series is why they end up being canceled.
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C
I really liked Bobby and Velma, they added more depth and could have added more if their characters had been explored more. Not sure I'll keep watching, maybe a couple episodes but really not pleased with them being written out.
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O
I loved Bobby will really miss him. He was one of my favorites. I’ll have to decide if I still like the show without him.
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R
Hate it; Randy is a buffoon. Too much comic relief with him instead of keeping the intelligent Bobby character. I'll watch the first few episodes but I don't know if I will continue to watch Tracker
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O
Weird. There is room for all of these characters, it's a small cast. Seems like this rationale is less than complete. Maybe make the seasons longer than three episodes 😆
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O
I think that when the show started it was great but second season was OK now writing out two more people . I don't think I'll watch the show. Its only in third season and more people are being wrote out. Not a good one to do.
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C
October 17th isn't on a Sunday. When does the new season start?
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P
October 19th
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G
Leave Bobby and Velma along! They make the show so much better! Great dynamics with the other characters. The show is great stop, with all of the changes!
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G
What a mistake this will be. Bobby was a great character and seeing a new case solved.each episode in season 1 was exactly what I liked about the show. Season 2 began to drag as it carried over way tok many story lines. The while story line with her business was predictable. Will watch a few episodes to see if its worth it but not looking good.
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O
I love the changes and very excited to see where this goes.
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L
Love the show, Tracker! Gonna miss Velma and Bobby! Would like to see them back at some point.
However, the person writing this article, Melissa Jacobs needs to watch what she writes. Referring to Reenie's company. If you want to be a writer or journalist, you don't draw your readers in by using foul language. That is a BIG TURNOFF! Who proofreads your articles??? AI???
I can't wait until Tracker premieres.
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C
I thought Bobbie was a great character. There was just something about him that rang very true.
He was a great part of the show to me.
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G
I don't think we need to follow them home more. It will get tedious and boring fast.
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P
I won't know or care what they do because I won't be watching. No Velma and no Bobby = no Me.
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P
First they got rid of Velma's wife, and replaced. Then they replaced Bobby with his 'cousin' Randy. I wish they'd get rid of Reenie. I know she serves a purpose, but she's just too 'convenient' of a character: a high-powered lawyer with contacts who can conveniently get info that Colter can't get otherwise. As I've said, this show is simply a procedural, with a main character who relies on others to help him. And he takes money to help people. 😳
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O
No Bobby no watch
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P
October 17th is not Sunday
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R
It says October 19th
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