Walker 1×02, Season 1, Episode 2, “Back in the Saddle” aired on The CW Jan. 28, 2021
Walker – former Texas Ranger? Whhhhhhaaaaaat? Yep, turns out that his time away has consequences extending outside of his household and it’s finally catching up to him. In Walker 1×02, we see Walker facing his problems and confronting his pain as he (you guessed it) tries to get back in the saddle.
Here’s what went down!
Barn fire! Okay, we are super sad that that ranch hand was killed in the fire – BUT THE HORSE?! NOT THE HORSE! Sorry – back to the case. Micki and Walker are sent to look into this arson case. Well, Micki is able to look into it, but Walker is behind on his certification so he’s sitting this one out. Turns out it was all just a set up by the horse owner, but don’t worry – they caught the guy (with some badass horse chasing).
Flashbacks. Ouch, these flashbacks are so heartbreaking! Not even the sight of Walker majestically riding a horse with perfect facial hair and a cowboy hat sent from the Heavens could dull the ache left by all of the flashbacks of his happy wife and happy life. It even gets in the way of his training certification and it’s very clear that the only way Walker is going to ever be able to focus, he is going to need complete and total closure on Emily’s case.
Getting real. Micki is still getting cozy with her (sometimes) flame, Trey and we are already loving them. He is usually only around for a few days at a time, but now he’s sticking around a little longer. She is worried that he will distract her. Micki’s dedication to her job and to the weight it carries to be one of the only women, and a woman of color is very inspiring. Her character has so much depth and it’s only episode 2!
Family matters. Stella is clearly still struggling with the loss of her mother and her dad’s absence. In a normal show, she would be just be another teen that only cares about their own problems, but it’s really nice to see Stella standing up to her Coach in the name of equality. When she doesn’t show for her soccer game, Walker tracks her down at their family home and it becomes clear that they have a lot of healing to do.
Liam! He is a wonderful Uncle, but maybe just an okayish brother (and Walker isn’t the best bro either). Yes, Liam stepped in to take over many of the parental duties while Walker was out catching Emily’s killer – which is amazing, but he doesn’t seem all that sensitive to his grieving brother. It makes sense that Liam tried to get custody so that the kids wouldn’t end up in the foster system if something happened to Walker when he was gone, but he should have told his brother about it. He 100% should have told him.
Chasing ghosts. Was Emily’s killer really caught? Walker was certain that there were still unsolved pieces of the case, but in this episode, the two things that didn’t add up for him were debunked. Geri, Emily’s friend who was with her that night, told Walker that she was the one that closed her eyes. And the poker chip was actually from a set that Emily had bought to give to Walker. Will these revelations finally allow him to move forward? Well, Walker’s dad hopes that a fresh start and a new saddle will help Walker try.
August. Before we discuss August’s photography aspirations, we have to comment on how perfectly cast he is! Kale Culley, who plays August, looks so much like Jared Padalecki it’s spooky! Anyway, August isn’t in a full on rebellion like his sister, he’s a little more quiet and doesn’t want to cause a stir. He takes up photography (like his mom) for a school project and shows Stella and Walker his video project that contains clips of the family. It’s the sweetest thing ever and offers a small moment of healing and togetherness for Stella, August and Walker.
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Watch Walker on Thursdays on The CW.
