The Major Supernatural Easter Egg In Jensen Ackles' Tracker Season 2 Return Explained (2024)

Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from Tracker season 2, episode 2, "Ontological Shock."

Jensen Ackles' Russell Shaw returns in Tracker season 2, episode 2, and with him comes a couple of Supernatural Easter eggs, including one that was seen in season 1. Ackles starred as Dean Winchester in all 15 seasons of Supernatural on The WB/CW, making it his most well-known role. It's going to be hard for anything to beat the fantasy drama series on Ackles' résumé. However, after Supernatural ended in 2020, Ackles has landed many notable roles on TV shows such as Big Sky, The Boys, and Tracker​​​​​​.

Ackles stars as Russell, Colter's brother, in Tracker. He first appeared in season 1, episode 12, before returning in season 2 to help find Colter after he goes missing and assist him with his latest case. For many years, Colter believed that Russell was responsible for their father's death when they were younger. After the Tracker season 1 finale, Colter isn't sure what the truth is. Consequently, the two brothers are on better terms, and Ackles has an excuse to show up as Russell in future episodes as Colter inches closer to finding out what really happened to their dad.

Russell's Car In Tracker Is A Supernatural Easter Egg, But Not The Same As Dean Winchester's

Russell Drives A 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible In Tracker

As first seen in Tracker season 1, Russell arrives in and drives his 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible in the season 2 episode, "Ontological Shock." Although it's not the exact model, Russell's car is undoubtedly a nod to Dean Winchester's 1967 Chevrolet Impala (affectionally called "Baby" by Dean) in Supernatural. Jensen Ackles' character even refers to his car as "baby" during Russell's appearance in Tracker season 2. So, it's apparent that the writers are purposefully making Russell drive a car similar to the one that Dean did in Supernatural​​​​​​.

During Ackles' first Tracker episode in season 1, the CBS action drama TV series introduces fans to Russell's car. At first glance, the 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible looks quite similar to Dean's 1967 Chevrolet Impala. However, following season 1, episode 12's airing, TVLine confirmed that Russell's vehicle was a different model and not Dean's iconic 1967 Chevrolet Impala in Supernatural​​​​​​. Despite being contrasting models, Russell's car in Tracker and Dean's "Baby" in Supernatural look a lot alike, which is not a coincidence.

Tracker Season 2 Has Another Reference To Supernatural's Dean Winchester

Russell Is Seen Eating A Lot In Episode 2

Outside the 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible, Tracker season 2, episode 2 uses Russell to include another Supernatural Easter egg concerning Dean Winchester's eating habits. As many Supernatural fans know, Dean was known to always be snacking and/or eating onscreen over the course of the TV show's 15 seasons. So, Ackles' Tracker character evidently references Dean in season 2, episode 2, as he eats quite a bit throughout the hour.

It seems as if the Tracker writers and producers (and probably Ackles) are committed to incorporating as many Supernatural and Dean Winchester references into the CBS action drama as possible. Of course, they all have to be naturally woven in, and, so far, they have been. When Ackles returns as Russell in future Tracker season 2 episodes after "Ontological Shock," viewers should be on the lookout for more nods to the actor's most notable role. Unfortunately, Ackles' next appearance in Tracker season 2 is unknown.

Tracker Season 2, Episode 2's Story Made Its Supernatural References More Fitting

Episode 2 Features UFOs

The story in Tracker season 2, episode 2, is a fitting one for Jensen Ackles since it revolves around UFOs and the supernatural. Ackles is quite familiar with the fantasy genre as he spent 15 years playing all seven versions of Dean Winchester in Supernatural on The WB/CW. So, having Ackles reprise his role as Russell in "Ontological Shock" is quite appropriate.

The hour follows Colter taking on a case about a missing man who was tracking unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), aka UFOs. Russell enters the picture to save his brother after he's taken to a Department of Defense black site. Afterward, Colter and Russell solve the case together. While Colter is a skeptic, Russell is more open to believing in the supernatural, which couldn't be more fitting for Ackles' character in Tracker.

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9.6/10

Tracker (2024)

TV-14

Drama

Crime

Tracker follows lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw as he navigates the country as a reward seeker. Utilizing his expert tracking skills, he aids private citizens and law enforcement in solving various mysteries while grappling with issues from his fractured family.

Where to Watch

• stream
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Not available

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*Availability in US

Cast

Justin Hartley , Abby McEnany , Eric Graise , Fiona Rene , Robin Weigert , Wendy Crewson , Sofia Pernas , Jensen Ackles , Lee Tergesen , Prestyn Bates , Matthew Nelson-Mahood , Alison Araya , Link Baker , Mattia Castrillo , Paniz Zade , Ashley Roxburgh , Jeremy Jones , Aggie Bell , Oscar Chark , Dalias Blake , Colm Hill , Nicole Anthony , Sean Owen Roberts , Garfield Wilson , Zia Newton , Arianna McGregor

Release Date

February 11, 2024

Seasons

2

Network

CBS

Showrunner

Elwood Reid

Creator(s)

Ben H. Winters

Source: TVLine