Mystery Surrounds Bobby’s Absence on CBS’ Tracker

LOS ANGELES, CA – Fans of the CBS procedural drama Tracker are left wondering about the fate of the character Bobby Exley, played by Eric Graise, following his absence in recent episodes. As the show progresses through its second season, the mystery surrounding Bobby’s whereabouts has prompted questions about his future on the series.

In episodes 10 and 11, titled ‘Nightingale‘ and ‘Shades of Gray,’ Colter Shaw, portrayed by Justin Hartley, relies on his remote team to assist him in tracking down missing persons. However, Bobby, who typically serves as Colter’s technical support, has not been seen, with his cousin Randy (Chris Lee) stepping in during his absence. Randy informs Colter that Bobby is currently dealing with family issues, which has raised concerns among viewers about the character’s status.

In ‘Nightingale’, Randy’s light-hearted demeanor and competence provide a temporary solution to Colter’s tech needs, yet fans have expressed nostalgia for the dynamic between Colter and Bobby. This was highlighted when Colter remarked on Randy’s prior assistance in a case and confidence in his abilities. Despite Randy’s compelling character, viewers miss Bobby’s signature technical expertise and personal connection to Colter.

The procedural has not officially commented on Graise’s absence but did indicate via a midseason trailer that Bobby will return later in the season. The trailer features a brief glimpse of Bobby working on a new case alongside Colter, suggesting that his temporary departure from the show may be linked to production decisions or budget management, a common practice in the industry.

The absence of Bobby has prompted discussions among fans regarding cast rotations, similar to what other network shows have utilized. Critics have pointed out that shows like Grey’s Anatomy and FBI have reduced the guaranteed episode counts for cast members to manage costs, and Tracker could be employing a similar strategy.

Despite these budget concerns, the show continues to perform well in ratings, becoming one of the most-watched scripted series of the current season. Additionally, Justin Hartley, who serves as an executive producer and stars as Colter, expressed gratitude towards the cast and crew for their hard work, thanking them for contributing to the show’s success.

Fans remain hopeful that Bobby’s return will include significant plot developments regarding his family issues, echoing earlier arcs involving personal challenges faced by the characters. While the exact timeline for Bobby’s comeback is unclear, the strong audience engagement indicates that his absence has not gone unnoticed.

As the second season of Tracker continues, viewers can catch new episodes aired on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.