Walker (TV Series) Pilot (2021) User Reviews

Boring for a pilot

[hp-jel · 6/10 · 24 January 2021]

I realize it's only the first episode and there's more to build on it, but it was boring. The original pilot was also boring, but I loved the series.

I had to watch it twice to see if I missed anything to explain for the boringness. But I don't think I missed anything. There seems to be things left unexplained for future episodes to explore, but the first episode was setting up Walker's family relationship. It's probably that simple.

Walker being a single dad with a brother and parents will make it difficult to compare with the original. It's likely going to stand on its own. I'm still interested to see how it goes.

It should be interesting to see where it goes after Walker resolves his wife's murder. I generally expect to see a show with that type of drama to be good the first season and then go downhill after the murder is solved. It's that predictable so far. The original show didn't have that. It had the flexibility to go in any direction each week and it lasted for almost 10 years. In a sense it's not good for the writers but it was constant employment and income for the actors for many years. You don't see that anymore.

As for the actors, I liked them all. The plot is strange though. Walker's daughter was glad to see him come back, but when he's back they get in a negative spiff. Weird. Walker went on sabbatical after his wife's death, also unexplained for the meantime. Micki seems tiny for action, but so was Sydney Cooke. On another note, Bonham Walker's house looks like a Joanna Gaines house.

But for now about the only thing I liked was the stupid funny police beating. I'm glad it carried over from the original show. I think this is the only thing in common with the original Walker so far. Only in the original show did people harass, threaten and assault a police officer and get a beating for it. It's so stupid, it's funny. Its like wrestling, you know it's fake, its coming, but you still like it. It wouldn't have thought this is CW though and I'm not sure it'll last.

I'm sure it'll get better but this episode was just about an intro to Walker's family and wife's death.

Standard Low-Budget Pilot Fare

[jgtassie · 7/10 · 22 January 2021]

I really want to like this show. But the storyline is stale and spent way too much time trying to introduce each character and not enough time on an actual plot. That wouldn't be so bad but every character and relationship in this show has been done before in every cop show and movie since the '80's. So for now, I'll give it a 7, but it's a low 7. Maybe next week will be better.

Not sure if this will be an action show

[lukebernstein3 · 8/10 · 30 January 2021]

I just watched the pilot and it was mostly charector driven with a lot of diolouge. I was sure this was going to be an action show, but judging by the first episode and it's 30 second action sequence I'm not so sure. Not much time is actually spent on the case. Strange considering that I think part of the main story is that walker finds it hard to find time for his family. There were someone interesting things. Walker is obsessed with his wife's murder and that things don't add up still after 11 months. Even though he apparently already got a confession from someone. And walker was on a case that took him away for a while, that got complicated and he doesn't want to talk about it. That was interesting. His brother is gay I think?. Don't really have a problem with that, just so many shows feel like they need to do that now. Mostly I think they need to incorporate more action into the show. I don't consider it an action show with one 30 second action sequence. Overall the show being about family is great. But this is a reboot of walker texas ranger. If you don't want to have martial arts fine but you need action. Also one more thing. Not even a hint of a southern accent for MANY of the main charectors.

I'm SO ready to see more!!

[karlabantonelli · 10/10 · 22 January 2021]

This was a poignant start to what I feel like is going to be a great story to follow!

The pilot always has to do a lot of heavy lifting and there was just a little glimpse of a lot of characters, but I'm already so interested to find out what's going to happen with them all.

For me, the Texas Ranger part pretty much took a back seat to the family and friends dynamic. I found the story for them compelling, and the cast all seem to have wonderful potential. I really can't wait to see more.

A couple of things that strike me in particular about this? The tension between work obligations and family. OMG, I could relate to that SO MUCH. It's easy to say family always comes first but we've all also got jobs to do, you know? And that does require our attention and our time.

Second was the Southern setting. The family dynamics and the mannerisms, accents, all ring very true and very recognizable.

I'm 100% on board and will be watching.

Decent pilot

[ryanaltfillisch · 7/10 · 22 January 2021]

First, this isn't like the original Walker. It's not a reboot but is a reimagining, so if you are expecting similar characters and action, you're going to be disappointed. Now, this wasn't a perfect pilot, but it was good enough. The plot line moved a little slow, even for a drama, and it was a little dry, but there was so much to tell in the pilot that it can be forgiven. Also, the acting was really good. They do a great job of portraying the emotions necessary and they have good chemistry with each other (especially Jared and Lindsey). I'm intrigued for future episodes and think this could be a really solid series.

Great Start

[emmagrace13 · 10/10 · 22 January 2021]

This was an awesome beginning to a show that is delivering exactly what it promised.

Walker's struggle to balance out his work with his family is believable and portrayed well to the audience, and practically every single character has great chemistry. Jared and Lindsey stand out, as well as Jared and Violet. Those two relationships seem especially believe and they give convincing performances.

It's also really nice to see how the show has adjusted to its modern setting, especially with the issues it addresses and the diversity in all of the different characters. There are already important topics being addressed in the proper way that they should be, and are treated with the right amount of weight.

The only thing I didn't really love was how the pacing of the show was a bit quick, especially in the beginning, but by the end of the episode it had evened out.

This was such an incredible start to a promising show, and I can't wait to watch more!!

Ok for 1st episode

[confidential-67897 · 6/10 · 22 January 2021]

What was going on with the sound, actors mumbling and weird Rock music over quiet conversations. Almost turned the subtitles on. Apart from this, not too bad

Strong cast prompts me to watch further

[thorvaenn · 10/10 · 22 January 2021]

I wanna see what they all have up their sleeves, Jared as Walker is scrumptious and all the recuring characters we meet show a story and personality I wanna see.

I want to know more!!!

[trevino-19768 · 7/10 · 22 January 2021]

I went into this knowing nothing about Walker, but just from this first episode (pretty shots, good soundtrack, amazing acting), I can tell this show transcends the usual 'CW' lull. I want to know more about the characters and their relationships! Really good chemistry

Boring & Dumb Anti-Chuck Norris

[Johnny_West · 1/10 · 18 February 2021]

This first episode was really hard to watch. It was insanely boring. I expected Dr. Phil to jump into any of the dysfunctional family moments, which were all of them. They have a problem getting along at dinner, the daughter gets arrested for drugs, then she runs away from school/home, hates that Dad is never there, son is falling apart, Walker has problems with his own Mom & Dad, etc. and his Mom was cheating on his Dad (Mitch Pileggi). Just fixing the family dynamics could be its own TV series.

Sadly, all this family psychology stuff is insanely boring if you were hoping to watch a TV show about the Texas Rangers. Walker's wife gets killed, and that should have been its own episode of Walker, but somehow all that aftermath and the capture of her killer is skipped. So we get some of it explained when Walker talks to his brother.

By the way, Jared Padelecki has zero chemistry with anyone. The only one that seems to have any connection with him is the girl that plays his daughter, and this is only because she is literally crying and hysterical in every scene. Maybe this cast was not able to spend much time together due to the pandemic, but it feels like most of them are seeing each other for the first time as they utter their lines on camera.

Mitch Pileggi, who played Jared Padelecki's Grandfather on Supernatural, is now playing his Father. He also was the boss of Scully & Mulder on X-Files. Pileggi is a great actor, but he is too intense for family drama. I cannot imagine Pileggi rocking children on a swing or playing fetch with his dog. I also have to wonder what he is going to do when he discovers that his wife (Molly Hagen) was cheating on him.

Overall, Jared Padelecki plays Walker as the anti-Chuck Norris. Padelecki is a hard drinker, not a family man, and a very disorganized cry-baby mess. If Chuck Norris were on this show, even at 80 years old, he would punch Padelicki out and give him some tough love. I hope this show gets better, because it cannot get any worse.

wow

[tonyroger-80871 · 10/10 · 22 January 2021]

Ahh this was sooo wonderful! Jared and Lindsay did so goood! can't wait for more of this story!

Solid

[jdow-74709 · 7/10 · 22 January 2021]

Interesting characters, interrelationships look intriguing. Will stick with it for a bit to see how it develops.

poor pilot and 0 character development

[Lythas_85 · 2/10 · 19 March 2021]

Well, wife died in 1 minute, is that it? And we should care about his pain, why? Then ,he disappears for almost 1 year and leaves his kids with their grandparents... then, he comes back and has a rookie probably feminist partner who scolds, nags and second guesses his more experienced partner? What?? We've had some shows like this and usually the new guy, like the famous training day movie, tries to fit in, to survive and learn the job but never goes on a rampage "i can do it all" like we've seen in recent shows. Do not get me started on Liz Keenes God mode on the blacklist.. early 30s fbi agent is smarter than everyone on the show including a criminal who's twice her age and has been in the game longer than she's been alive.... anyways, I guess that's the plot nowaydays, you're a woman so immediate IQ of 2000

Hello, Walker!

[jdmwinchester-83992 · 10/10 · 22 January 2021]

I really loved the pilot and I can't wait to see more. Jared was great as Walker, and I LOVED Lindsay as Micki!

Slow burn

[Sjark · 7/10 · 23 January 2021]

I went in not knowing anything about the reload, and having grown up with the original, so.. not that high expectations to be honest. Some karate guy with a moustache and a hat about sums the original for me.

But Walker 2021 actually got in under my skin. It isn't, as other reviewers rightly claim, really a crime series. At least not yet, not really. There's an origin story, that isn't hashed out yet, but the crime of the day was kind of "meh" and a side note, with very little investment from the writers. The majority of the plot is balancing work and family, alongside grief, with negligible action from both Jared and Lindsey. No need for any skilled stuntmen any time soon.. There's a lot of room for improvement, but I'll still tune in for the next episode!

Solid pilot!

[Dawnages · 8/10 · 22 January 2021]

I really enjoyed the pilot. The most interesting being Mickie's perspective and her struggle. She really stole the show! I look forward to seeing this show develop!

Not your daddy's Walker.

[kappachino · 6/10 · 27 January 2021]

For the highest watched CW pilot in 5 years, I was expecting a little bit more. Full disclosure, this a review from a big fan of the original but also a big CW show fan. Oh Chuck Norris how we miss you. The original Walker was a police procedural, but it's signature draw was plentiful martial arts and action every episode that was exciting to watch. This CW re-imagining is in name only. Gone is the martial arts. Amp up the angst and melodrama. While it wasn't completely bad, the pilot should have been a lot more exciting than it was. True, the pilot has to establish characters and setting but it felt like it dragged the whole episode. It was 42 minutes of perpetual denouement, no climax. Even in the ads the wife's death is supposed to be a big part of the show, the tragedy that plagues Walker, a possible ongoing mystery of the show, but there was a weird time jump after she gets shot. What happened?! You just skip 11 months on us. What a copout. We should have seen him at least find his wife and a funeral. While I appreciate delving into Walker's home life, this re-imagining has strayed from what the original Walker was. Lindsey Morgan is the bright side, hopefully she will bring on the action and attitude. I like what I saw there. I'm a big fan of hers from The 100 and of course of Jared from Supernatural. It's great to see Mitch Pileggi as Walker's dad. And also Odette Annable as bartender friend and potential love interest. But this was just the pilot and maybe I'm being a little critical. There's time to improve and change. How about some Texas-sized action scenes to punch things up a bit. Awesome this show is set and filmed in Austin!

Not your mom's Walker Texas Ranger

[JJSR22 · 9/10 · 31 January 2021]

If you're expecting this to be a copy of the 90's hit Walker Texas Ranger, you're gonna find yourself mighty disappointed. The only thing this show shares with the original is the last name Walker and that it's about a Texas Ranger. And, no, he's not related to Chuck Norris's character.

But if you're willing to set aside those expectations, and give it a try you may find your new favorite show.

Jared Padalecki goes back home to Texas, and brings to life Cordell Walker the main character of the show. A Texas Ranger who, after losing his wife and having been undercover for a year, returns home to find things are not the same as when he left. Between doing his job, he must re-connect with his two teenage children who he hasn't seen in a year, get used to a new partner, and deal with his grief over the murder of his wife.

Lindsey Morgan is alongside for the ride as, Micki Ramirez. The first Mexican-American woman to become a Texas Ranger. And Cordell Walker's partner.

Jared and Lindsey are a joy to watch together, the Cordell and Micki scenes are truly the highlight of this episode and it's something I look forward to seeing more of; the rest of the cast also does a great job bringing their characters to life.

It needs some polishing but as a Pilot episode this is a great introduction to the Walker of a whole new generation.

Awful

[psalfate · 1/10 · 5 February 2021]

How this got picked up, with such low quality pilot!!!

Great! Very promising show and excited to see more!

[just_jaxs · 10/10 · 28 January 2021]

I'll admit I was a bit nervous with the trailer and reviews. I thought I was gonna watch a soap opera type of show but I'm surprised at how much of the show I actually enjoyed. Cordell is a sarcastic drunk with a short temperature and Ive never seen Jared act like such a character. And I've been watching him since 17 lol. I'm a big fan already and I can't wait for every Thursday.

Characters are lacking

[mlboeding · 1/10 · 21 February 2021]

The reboot is certainly different, and I can't really think any positive qualities. Cordell Walker's actions throughout the episode only left me to wonder "Why is this guy in the rangers?" We're told he's a legendary ranger, but never shown it in the episode. He just came back from solving a big case that he won't talk about, and the case in this episode is solved by the rookie ranger with no contribution from Walker. Throughout the episode, he wasn't right about anything. That would be fine if it wasn't the exact opposite of what we're told. The music mixing is awful as well and actually overpowers dialogue when used.

I'll give the show a chance, but this was a very poor start.

Great Pilot episode! Can't wait for more!

[Julierempel · 10/10 · 22 January 2021]

This show started off strong with a cool mystery to solve as well ask a lot of heart warming character introductions! I am immediately hooked and can't wait to see how this story unfolds! Well done to the entire cast and crew!

Can't wait to see where it goes!

[asimplebaker · 9/10 · 22 January 2021]

I loved the pilot! The characters are varied and unique. There was a nice balance of drama and laughs, taking issues seriously, but not getting too dark. If they continue on with what they showed in the first episode they are going to challenge a lot of "norms" that are accepted in most cop shows and instead show someone with power and privilege being reprimanded or corrected in how he deals with delicate situations. When I first heard about the show, I was excited to see Jared kicking bad guys in the face a la the previous Walker, but I think the way they've set it up is so much better and more human. I can't wait to see what they have in store for us!

Micki is Magic

[dragonardh · 9/10 · 22 January 2021]

Came to see Jared, who delivered good stuff of his own - but fell in love with tough, badass, ranger Micki who was played wonderfully by Lindsey Morgan. Looking forward to learning to much more about her and the walker family in the coming weeks. The pilot worked to get me interested!

not my Cordell

[cassielea · 1/10 · 27 January 2021]

This page is flooded with fans of Supernatural. I get it. Everyone loves Sam. But really...

Walker is NOT a reboot of the Norris classic series. It is a reimagining. This guy is a guilt laden abusive alcoholic with massive mental issues. Maybe he will overcome all the issues as this version but it sure doesn't line up with the iconic former Marine WTR. This pilot lacks on so many levels from camera angles (flares? why?) to fluidity to plot, and then there's the music... can we pick appropriate timing and volume and selection? It's all kind of random. Also trying to figure out is Micki a gender variant of Trivette and Liam of Alex? Weird choices. It seems to only share a main character name and locale and that's it. Really I see this Walker as kind of wimpy definitely not a former military bad a** detective who knows martial arts. Jared is a decent actor but this was not the role for him. I think if the CW wanted to cash in on the SPN Fandom for longer they should've tapped Jensen Ackles. He's at least got more of the build and isn't lanky looking.

So if you are a fan of the original, pretend this isn't related and maybe you can get through it without teeth grinding. If you don't know the original then you'll probably think it's a masterpiece but really you should go watch the original before you bolster it too much. But it's just my opinion and you know how the saying goes about opinions...