WALKER - “Pilot” Thoughts & Review

 

This Thursday evening, Jared Padalecki returned to The CW after a very brief hiatus (Supernatural recently ended) as the titular role in the new series Walker.

Walker serves as a reimagining of the beloved Chuck Norris series Walker, Texas Ranger, and proves to be different from the get-go. While the original series was very much an action-oriented "family values" series, Padalecki’s take features a more broken, disconnected version of Cordell Walker.

But that's not bad.

By reimagining this series -- I call Walker a "reimagining" of the original series for modern times as opposed to a reboot because reboot implies "more of the same", whereas a "reimagining" takes the bare-bones concept and alters it to the creator's liking (in this case, that "Cordell Walker is a Texas Ranger who is tough on crime") -- Walker is in a unique position to chart its own course and create a whole new fanbase in the same vein as series like the 2004 Battlestar Galactica or the 2009 V did when they "reimagined" the original concepts from the 80's. Walker seems to be doing the same thing here, and that makes it special and unique.

Walker is also unique in that it's a CW series that is not primarily filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, in fact, it's actually shot in series' star Jared Padalecki's home of Austin, Texas where the series is also set. A Texas native himself, Padalecki was born in San Antonio (his Supernatural co-star Jensen Ackles was born in Dallas and also resides in The Lone Star State), which gives him a real, personal connection with the backdrop of the series. Another personal connection his wife, Genevieve Padalecki, who will be recurring on the series as Cordell's, err, sorry, Walker's deceased wife, Emily. 

I guess the "family business" line from Supernatural really stuck...

But enough about the behind-the-scenes trivia, let's talk about the "Pilot".

First of all, as pilots go, this is one of the better ones I've seen on the CW in recent years. Besides the obviously higher budget that this series has compared to other CW series (and based on the trailer for the upcoming Superman & Lois, it looks like the CW is doing their best to keep up with other TV platforms), Walker takes itself seriously in this new age of television content. 

This is a show that you could be watching on Netflix, Hulu, or Prime.

What makes Walker different from its original counterpart is that Cordell's life seems to be in shambles. He's not all that put-together, he doesn't have incredible familial bonds, but there's room for that to grow, and it's possible that this version of Cordell may get there in the same way Chuck Norris' character always was, though we should probably avoid comparing Norris and Padalecki's Cordells since they're each going to be quite different from one another.

A positive addition to this series is Walker's new partner Micki Ramirez. Micki is smart, headstrong, and determined. She doesn't allow herself to be undermined, yet she's willing to do all the grunt work necessary. She's loyal to her partner but unafraid to speak her mind. I'm looking forward to seeing their partnership progress as the series continues.

One thing that my wife and I noted when watching the "Pilot" was that they immediately give her a loving boyfriend who seems to be a permanent fixture. Trey should hopefully keep fans from "shipping" Walker and Ramirez as the series continues on, not to mention he's an immediately lovable character.

Walker's kids however are slightly less so. His son August is relatively harmless (though always walking on eggshells it seems), while his older daughter Stella is vying for her father's attention any way she can. Seeing these fractured relationships between a father and his children is heartbreaking (especially since Walker's parents are having to step in and parent), but makes room for a lot of potentially groundbreaking character development for this series.

Speaking of Walker's parents, watching Mitch Pileggi (Skinner of X-Files fame) go from playing Padalecki's grandfather on Supernatural to playing his father outright was a welcomed touch.

Some final thoughts on the Walker pilot include... 

Where does this deep-seated hatred for religion come from in Walker? Does this have to do with Emily's death or is it deeper than that?

Speaking of Emily, how did she die? What was she working on that night? Was she helping Walker on a case? Is the Mexican drug cartel involved?

Emily's best friend Geri seems to know more than she's saying...

Will Walker learn some karate moves like Chuck Norris's version (sorry, I'm trying not to compare)?

In conclusion, I recommend Walker to anyone who's looking to scratch their Jared Padalecki itch in a post-Supernatural world, anyone who craves "modern westerns", and anyone who has some sort of personal connection to Texas (my Dad was born in Houston), it's certainly a show I'll be following each week!