Jared Padalecki transitioned seamlessly from Supernatural to the reboot of the Chuck Norris headliner Walker (dropping Texas Ranger), moving from a fifteen-year run as a demon hunter to a criminal-pursuing, door-kicking member of the Rangers. As Cordell Walker, he returns home after spending too long on the road doing his job, only to discover his wife is dead (suspiciously) and that he’s lost touch with his children.
Walker’s son August (Kale Culley) and daughter, Stella (Violet Brinson) have grown closer to his ADA brother Liam (Keegan Allen), and his parents, Abeline (Molly Hagan) and Bonham (Mitch Pileggi). They resent the time Walker spent undercover, and blame him for a variety of things which may or may not be his fault (most are). Life at work isn’t any smoother: Walker?s former colleague, Larry James (Coby Bell), is now the captain of the Rangers, and the adjustment is rough. Throw in new partner Micki Ramirez (Lindsey Morgan) and the drama is high.
Having seen a few episodes of the original, it’s clear there’s a little less campy dialogue and a few less high-flying kicks. The exploration of Walker’s character is more of a focus, with the development of Ramirez’s character higher in priority as well. Special features on the DVD, “Walker: Tragic Hero” and “The Edge of the Coin,” show that Anna Fricke’s development of character (she’s Dawson’s Creek, Everwood) ranked higher on her list than worrying about the choreography of the fight scenes.
Now in its second season, Walker on DVD gives a chance for audiences to catch up before they’re too far behind the plot or the criminals we all know Walker will catch.
