My usual watch buddies abandoned me after the last episode, so I'm back to only family and getting around to it late.
First the continued downside: I'll take two stars off for what I hope I'm wrongly perceiving as a continued issue from part one. (This is viewer feedback though, right, so it's really only my judgment based on what I perceive as I watch)
Point one: Julia was graphically murdered last episode, which was a huge loss of a strong/competent woman of color and Cordell's current love interest. Last ep, I took off five points for fridging her for man pain (a traditionally misogynist trope) and worried about something else.
That something else is fan service for shippers. My perception after this ep is that we swapped out Julia to again allow Geri a cleared path. (After four run aways and several massive character flaws revealed by writers, but that's an essay unto itself.)
I'm hoping I'm not right and that they are bringing Geri back simply as a family friend and to introduce Hoyt's daughter.
After all, professional writers should know that women of color are not interchangeable. And they should also know that the loudest ship stans are sometimes not the most numerous in the GA.
Geri had her chance romantically, both botched and refused it, and we need to move on to the part where two grown ups with chemistry (at most) re-find their friendship.
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Point two: There seemed to be a vibe between Trey and Cassie.
Now, it may be time to give Trey a second romantic interest. The plot has given it space to breathe. I could see that happening.
But it will never be time to swap out Micki for Cassie as that choice. (Writers--you've successfully navigated replacing Micki in the job. Why would you ever push the issue further having struggled with that?)
Again, hope I'm wrong about the writers' intentions on both of these pairings, and I'm glad we have a hiatus to give us some distance to consider things.
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Fortunately, there are also a ton of positives in this episode to distract from those two negatives.
Cast and crew gave it their all.
The pacing and dialogue was gangbusters, and frankly what I've come to expect from the Walker crowd. (This and Independence were my favorite shows this year, after all, and I'm used to them scoring nines and tens regularly.)
HUGE bonus in my opinion to have Bonham (Mitch Pileggi) so actively involved. Massive bonus to have him explain to Cordell that he wants him home and apologize for asking him to leave.
Multi generational ranches are a cultural thing I respect, and Cordi leaving the ranch after just moving back was a weight on my mind.
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Loved Cassie supporting Cordell fully and the scene mentioning concussions. Cassie is growing into her own as a Ranger and really set her boundaries throughout this episode.
Great job this year by Ashley Reyes for making it real.
Love Larry trying to navigate deep waters with the family. (You do not want to have a face down with Ms. Abilene, ever.) Felt his loyalty, but also enjoyed seeing him navigating a system that purports to be about justice, but sometimes is more about rules.
Coby Bell and guest Blythe Howard rocked it.
And I loved that Stella was the one to pass along the coded message. Her character has grown so much and I'm glad to see Violet Brinson rising to the challenge and delivering as they seem to be expanding her role to the "grown up table."
Her teenage years were hard on us all. Proud of her character development.
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Huge kudos to Jake Abel for his job this season as Kevin. I both felt sorry for him, yet was glad when Cassie got in that shot.
Same for Jared Padalecki, David Meadows, and Mitch Pileggi. The ending of this episode was one long adrenaline rush.
The actors and stunt people were simply amazing this entire sequence.
Padalecki, especially, was a true action hero type. And I am here for legendary and competent Cordell, whether it's outthinking the villains or outgunning them. Walker can do both.
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Hope both shows (Walker and its spin off Independence) get renewed and are on my screen next year.
