Warning: This article contains spoilers for Tracker season 2, episode 1.
Trackerseason 2 is beginning to unravel the fate of Teddi Bruin, explaining the character’s exit now that Robin Weigert has departed the series.Trackerseason 1 was the most-watched television series of the 2023-2024 TV cycle, introducing Justin Hartley as self-proclaimed"rewardist"Colter Shaw.Tracker’s success made Weigert’s choice to leave the series ahead of its sophomore run a shock, and the character’s departure is a complex issue since Weigert’s character is married to another mainTrackercharacter. Abby McEnany’s Velma Bruin and Teddi are married inTrackerseason 1, acting as Colter Shaw’s handlers.
Sending Teddi off was complicated. The character could not simply have other exciting opportunities elsewhere. Weigert departing the series with McEnany opting to stay meant thatTrackerseason 2needed to address why one half of the couple remained without the other. FollowingTrackerseason 2’s premiere, fans finally know how the popular CBS series handled the decision, and frankly, the series had no good options.Trackercould kill Teddi or break up the couple, andColter Shaw’s team, and the series opted for the latter. In the series opener, Velma and Teddi take some time apart.
Velma Explains Where Teddi Is In The Tracker Season 2 Premiere
Velma And Teddi Are Taking Some Time Apart
In theTrackerseason 2 premiere,Velma explains that she and Teddi are taking time apart. Velma says Teddi will be away while she helps her mom get sorted. She reveals she was"getting in the way.“There is hesitance in Velma’s voice as if she is still grappling with the reality of the separation and processing how to articulate it to others. The moment makes Fiona Rene’s Reenie Green, who is in the room with Velma, stop what she’s doing to listen. The topic of Teddi’s whereabouts is uncomfortable territory for the remaining members of Colter’s team inTracker.
Colter and Velma’s conversation suggests that Teddi’s mother is experiencing a turning point in life, and the former tour manager has gone to help.
Velma doesn’t explain where Teddi is other than she’s with her mom.Colter and Velma’s conversation suggests that Teddi’s mother is experiencing a turning point in life, and the former tour manager has gone to help her. However, Velma’s hesitancy to speak openly about what happened suggests tension between the couple. It makes sense that Teddi is experiencing stress after taking on her mother’s affairs, and Velma’s conversation with Colter indicates that the life event put stress on the couple’s relationship.
Will Teddi Ever Return In Tracker?
A Door Is Open For Robin Weigert’s Return
While it isn’t likely,Teddi can return toTrackersincethe character and actor are still alive. That said, it’s unlikely that Teddi will ever return to her previous role in Colter’s operation.Trackershowrunners explained the character exitwould result in Teddi and Velma’s separation, which began inTrackerseason 2. While the characters are not technically divorced, andTrackercould incorporate Teddi into the narrative at any time, Robin Weigert has no plans to return to the series.
WhileTrackerseason 2’s choice to break the couple up was unfortunate, it avoided killing off Teddi, which would have played into Hollywood’s"bury your gays"trope.
Still, Teddi can return to the series since she is still alive and well in theTrackeruniverse. The decision to break Teddi and Velma up, while unfortunate, thankfully preserved Robin Weigert’s spot in the show. If Robin Weigert decides to return toTrackerin the future, there is room in the narrative for Velma and Teddi to work through their issues and get back together. In the meantime, McEnany’s character can evolve as she processes her new role in Colter’s team and gets her footing in the world without Teddi by her side.
How Teddi’s Absence Will Impact Tracker Season 2
Velma Has A New Role In Tracker Season 2
Teddi’s absence inTrackerseason 2 immediately affects Velma since she will navigate the world without her partner. Plus, Teddi’s absence will impact Colter Shaw’s operation since the couple previously handled Colter’s operation out of their home together. With Teddi’s absence in season 2,it’s looking like Reenie will play a more robust role in Colter’s operationor will at least be a sidekick to Velma as she navigates the work alone. TheTrackerseason 2 premiere reveals that Reenie also opened her law firm, enabling her to pursue her passion.
Velma and Reenie’s friendship makes sense since Velma has a connection to Reenie inTrackerseason 1, episode 1, and calls the lawyer throughout the first season.
Teddi’s absence will significantly alter Colter’s workflow. InTrackerseason 2, the audience will see Colter checking in with just Velma, and rather than being around the house with Teddi, it appears that Velma will be out and about. In the premiere, Velma helps Reenie set up her law firm, and Colter checks in with both of them simultaneously. The shift in dynamic means thatReenie will play a more prominent role in Colter’s operation in season 2 since Velma may need someone to help her.
Why Robin Weigert Left Tracker Season 2
The Deadwood Actor Has Not Said
The reason forRobin Weigert’sTrackerseason 2 exit remains a mystery. The actor hasn’t personally commented about it, but it’s possible to speculate. Before her stint withTracker,Robin Weigert played Calamity Jane in the popularDeadwoodseries. Still, Weigert’s background is in theater, and it could be that her stint on network TV wasn’t what the actor wanted. While the actor gained a prominent role on network TV in the series, she had a relatively minor role in season 1, which could have left Weigert seeking something more robust.
The actor has an upcoming role inAmerican Dog.The story is about"an unhinged lesbian cop"in a dark comedy"fueled by whiskey and rage.“The production could be closer to Weigert’s Wild West roots as Calamity Jane and, therefore, more appealing to the actor. While Weigert was a sweet source of representation for LGBTQ+ romance on network TV, and the series will lose an element of diversity with Teddi’s exit,it could be that the actor wants to take on projects that speak more to her talents and experience.
Trackerseason 2 airs on CBS on Sunday nights at 8 pm Eastern.
The other characters will miss her regardless of why Teddi exited the series or howTrackerhandled her exit. Teddi and Velma were like a family to Colter, andlosing Teddi means that he has lost a crucial aspect of his support system.While Teddi’s role in Colter’s operation is technically replaceable, the couple cared for Colter like a son, and he won’t have that in season 2. Teddi and Velma often balanced each other out inTrackerseason 1, so it will be fascinating to see how Velma changes throughout season 2 as the separation progresses.
Tracker
Cast
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.
