Tracker Season 3 Episode 3 Review: First Fire Delivers Chilling Cult Horror

The CBS hit drama Tracker returned with its most intense episode yet. Episode 3, titled “First Fire,” plunged Colter Shaw into a terrifying Halloween mystery. This case blurred the line between a routine investigation and a full-blown horror story.

The plot began with the escape of a dangerous psychiatric patient. What Colter uncovered was far more sinister than a simple manhunt, leading to one of his most disturbing cases to date.

A Halloween Nightmare Unfolds

The episode opened on Halloween in Wyndam, Massachusetts. A patient named Heston Koontz murdered a nurse and vanished from a psychiatric hospital during a blackout. He had a known history of arson, making his escape a critical emergency.

Colter Shaw was hired by Heston’s parents, Lawrence and Molly Koontz. They revealed their son’s mental decline was linked to an obsession with a woman named Emily Collins. They feared she was his next target, setting Colter on a race against time.

Partnering with local detective Dundee, Colter quickly suspected an accomplice. An early clue, a stolen employee keycard, pointed to a coordinated escape plan, not a random act of violence. This discovery shifted the entire investigation.

The Sinister Cult of the Fideles

The investigation took a dark turn with the murder of a Bible study leader named Bill Prugalidad. Colter found a strange religious symbol at the crime scene, identical to one in Heston’s Bible. This symbol belonged to the Sisters of the Sacred Fire, a nearby convent.

Colter and Dundee’s visit to the convent revealed a shocking secret. A splinter group within the order, called the Fideles, was led by a fanatical nun named Sister Carlotta. Her journal detailed a violent mission to “purify” souls through fire.

Colter realized Heston and Emily had been abducted by the cult. Their grim plan was to burn them alive at the site of Heston’s original crime. The rescue mission became a desperate fight against religious fanaticism.

A Fiery Finale and Emotional Aftermath

The climax was a tense, fiery confrontation at the abandoned house. Detective Dundee was stabbed by a cult member during the rescue attempt. Colter fought through the flames to save Emily from her pyre.

In a final, tragic act, Heston broke free and killed Sister Carlotta. He then succumbed to his own injuries, bringing a somber end to the ordeal. The case concluded with profound emotional weight.

In a move that defined his character, Colter refused his reward money. He insisted it go to Emily to help her rebuild her life. This selfless act highlighted the moral core that drives Colter beyond any financial gain.

Thought you’d like to know

When did Tracker Season 3 Episode 3 air?

Episode 3, “First Fire,” aired on Sunday, November 2, 2025. It was broadcast on the CBS network during its prime-time slot.

Where can I watch Tracker online?

New episodes of Tracker are available for streaming the next day on Paramount+. The platform also hosts all previous seasons for subscribers.

Who are the new cast members in Season 3?

A significant addition is Cassady McClincy Zhang, who plays Reenie’s new assistant, Mel Day. This episode also featured guest stars Derek Richardson as Detective Dundee and Karin Konoval as Sister Barbara.

What was the fan reaction to this episode?

Early reactions suggest fans found “First Fire” to be a darker, more horror-focused entry. Many praised its intense atmosphere and emotional payoff, though some found the cult plot slightly familiar.

Will Detective Dundee return after being injured?

The episode’s ending did not confirm his future. However, his partnership with Colter was well-received, leaving the door open for a potential return later in the season.