The CW's Walker reboot makes a significant change from the original series by not making Cordell Walker a lone wolf, which may annoy fans of Chuck Norris' show. Often, elements from original shows tend to be what reboots leave behind, all in the hopes of providing viewers with something fresh and modern. That's, unfortunately, the case with Walker, which has been criticized for its execution in updating the original premise.
One of the biggest draws of the original Walker, Texas Ranger was watching Cordell Walker learn how to let more people in and create a family from those closest to him, including his law enforcement team. He shared his knowledge and experience passed on to him from mentor C.D., to his partner, Trivette, and later new Rangers Sydney and Gage. He opened his heart to Assistant D.A. Alex Cahill, who later became his wife and the mother of his child. Most importantly, he did all this while remaining true to the tough, hard-driving respected Texas Ranger that he was.
On Walker, the show ignores the strongest elements of the original, retaining only the character's name and job title. The CW’s Walker reboot has been given a family consisting of two troubled teenagers, grieving their mother. Still in mourning as well, the moody Cordell is experiencing something of an identity crisis. By placing his role as a Texas Ranger in direct conflict with being the father his children need, the show has set Walker up for failure, unable to properly fulfill either role.
Walker has struggled to reconnect with his children since his return home after months away on assignment. His heated argument with his daughter, Stella, in season 1, episode 2, "Back in The Saddle" is a prime example of his failure as a father. During their argument, Stella accuses him of never being there, revealing Walker’s brother sought to protect Walker’s children by taking custody of them; instead of addressing his daughter’s unspoken plea, he turns on his heels to go angrily confront his brother. He doesn’t even revisit the subject with her afterward.
Walker’s family aren’t the only ones struggling to deal with the Texas Ranger. From the get-go, he has disobeyed or shown disdain for his new Captain, who used to be his partner. He flew off the handle and attacked a suspect, forcing his brand-new partner and new Ranger, Ramirez, to intervene. When he stormed off to attack his brother, Walker didn’t just leave his daughter behind; he also left Ramirez alone to shut down a wild party of unruly teenagers. The original Walker would never have left his partner behind in any situation.
None of the things the title character has done on Walker indicates he has any desire to be a good father or Ranger. Had the show retained Cordell Walker's lone wolf status, there would be more foundation for his cold treatment of others. Giving him preexisting family and friends just to watch him hurt them repeatedly is a decision met with increasing dismay by fans of the original Walker, Texas Ranger.
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February 04, 2021 at 05:00AM
