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| Synopsis: "Walker, Texas Ranger"
was an American action/drama television series starring Chuck Norris.
It aired on CBS for nine seasons, from April 21st, 1993 to May 19th, 2001,
and has since spawned at least one made-for-television movie, and DVD
sets of the first and final seasons have been released. The show was known for its emphasis on values, such as participation in community service and refraining from the use of drugs. Martial arts are shown prominently as the primary tool of law enforcement and occasionally as a tool for Walker and company to reach out to the community. The show starred Chuck Norris as Cordell Walker, a Dallas-based member of the Texas Rangers, a state-level bureau of investigation. Walker was raised by a Native American named Ray Firewalker (played by Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman from 1993-94), served in the Marines in Special Forces in the Vietnam War, and shares the values of sheriffs in the Wild West. One episode reveals that Walker was once engaged to a woman who was killed by the suspect of an investigation. His partner and best friend is James Trivette (played by Clarence Gilyard), a former Dallas Cowboys player who takes a more modern approach. Walker also works closely (and shares a mutual attraction) with Alexandra "Alex" Cahill (played by Sheree J. Wilson), a Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney. He also gets advice on cases from C.D. Parker (played by Noble Willingham), a longtime Ranger who worked with Walker until retiring to operate a small restaurant and bar. The series may well have been inspired by the 1983 theatrical movie "Lone Wolf McQuade," which cast Chuck Norris in the role of a Texas Ranger and martial arts expert named J.J. McQuade. This film was a landmark in Norris' career because it gave him a distinctive character rather than the generic good guy he usually played. The character of McQuade was a rogue cop who did not work well in regular law enforcement structures. He was also divorced and, as his name suggested, was rather anti-social. While the character of Walker is almost certainly patterned on McQuade, the edginess of the character was toned down considerably. CBS broadcast the television movie "Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire", produced by Paramount Network Television (now CBS Paramount Network Television), on October 16, 2005. Chuck Norris, Sheree J. Wilson and Judson Mills reprised their roles, and Clarence Gilyard shot a cameo for the movie but was not featured due to the filming's conflict with a long-planned family vacation. To fill the void, Judson Mills, who was not in the original script, returned to reprise character of Francis Gauge. Nia Peeples, who played the role of Sydney Cook for seasons 8 & 9, also was not featured in Walker's return to Prime-time television. The explanation given was that producers decided not to follow much of the original Walker Texas Ranger series, as to give the movie a fresh look. Even the opening credits with the theme "Eyes of a Ranger" performed by Chuck Norris, was absent. Although the return of "Walker Texas Ranger" did not garner the ratings CBS would have hoped for (due in part to a late running football game pushing back the start time an hour), indications were that CBS was green-lighting future Walker Texas Ranger Movie of the Week projects. But as of summer 2005, both CBS and the Norris camps have been silent as to the future of the franchise. Leaving many to wonder as to why "Trial by Fire" ended with a cliff-hanger, that left many questions unanswered. Recurring Elements Several other elements and scenarios appeared frequently on the series: * Walker performing a roundhouse kick to the antagonist's head as a final move that usually incapacitates the victim immediately. The shot of Walker kicking his adversary is then rapidly repeated, twice, from different angles. * The kidnapping of Alex Cahill. * Walker taking part in undercover operations, with the aim of getting evidence to convict the antagonists' leader. * The antagonists' leader attempting to leave town or temporarily close down their illegal operations to avoid being arrested by Walker or his associates. * Walker talking to or interacting with animals — staring them down to prevent them from attacking, directing them to do complex tasks, or using their knowledge for his benefit. * A vacationing Walker (or an associate) inadvertently stumbling upon an illicit enterprise that requires Walker's intervention and the ultimate destruction of said enterprise; the climax often comes just before Walker returns to his post in Dallas. * Paranormal or mystical phenomena, including but not limited to: ghosts of Native Americans directing Walker towards clues; the ghost of Hayes Cooper, legendary Texas Ranger, leading Walker to buried treasure; the ghost of an old Native American shaman shooting Walker with a lightning bolt and transporting him hundreds of years into the past. * Troubled children or teens overcoming the odds with Walker's assistance. In various episodes, this has included: Juan, a boxing prodigy whose father beats him and his mother (and later kills himself and the mother when driving drunk)("Golden Boy", season 9); Chad Morgan, a young telekinetic who is institutionalized so that his abilities can be measured and tested ("Brainchild", season 6); a boot camp for deliquent 18-21 year-olds that Walker and Trivette run ("Mr. Justice, season 6); and the Kick Drugs Out of America program, an afterschool martial-arts class run by Walker to encourage kids to stay out of trouble. * Dual plotlines involving a legendary Texas Ranger of the Old West, Hayes Cooper (also played by Norris). Other Walker regulars have performed dual roles in these episodes, although some were only able to appear in them just once. * Nearly all criminals and law enforcement personnel are accomplished kick boxers/martial artists. * Cordell Walker/others jumping from helicopters on vehicles, criminals, and through windows. Changes Over The Years Over the years the show ran, many changes were made: * In the pilot episode from the first season, entitled "One Riot, One Ranger", which was two hours (later condensed into two parts) the role of C.D. Parker was played by Gailard Sartain. Noble Willingham joined the cast at the beginning of the second season (the first full regular season). * In early episodes, Ranger Walker drove a GMC Sierra truck, and in later episodes, he drove a Dodge Ram, which was outfitted with "Hide-A-Way" strobe lights in its headlights and tail lights. * In early episodes, Ranger Trivette drove a red Pontiac Firebird, then after the pilot season, he drove a silver Dodge Stealth, and in later episodes, he drove a black Ford Mustang. * In early episodes, Walker's weapon was a .357 revolver, and in later episodes, his weapon was a .40 S&W automatic, and a 1911 style .45 ACP. * The series began as a production of Cannon Television; when Cannon went bankrupt, CBS acquired the rights to the series and took over production. In later years, it was produced in partnership with Sony Pictures Television. * After much criticism for the amount of violence shown in the show over the years, the number of violent acts in each episode was reduced. * An increased use of Christian symbolism and family issues, sometimes focusing on children with Walker assisting them through a crisis. This has also included Alex opening up the H.O.P.E (Help Our People Excel) Center during the seventh season, which lasted for the remainder of the show. * For the last two seasons, two young characters, Rangers Sydney Cook (played by Nia Peeples) and Francis Gage (played by Judson Mills), were added to the cast. * Mid-eighth season, Noble Willingham left the show to pursue a career in Congress. As a result, all episodes after his removal from the opening credits only included references to his character C.D., who would never appear again (this also includes the references to C.D.'s death). * In the eighth season finale ("Wedding Bells"), Cordell Walker weds Alex Cahill (who became Alex Cahill-Walker from that point on). In the last episode of the series ("The Final Show/Down"), Cordell Walker and Alex Cahill-Walker have a daughter named Angela. (This is also the name of the baby girl born to Chuck Norris's character in the movie "The Hero and the Terror") The Cast: Chuck Norris as Cordell "Cord" Walker Clarence Gilyard Jr. as. James "Jimmy" Trivette Sheree J. Wilson as Asst. D.A. Alex Cahill Noble Willingham as C.D. Parker (1993-1999) Nia Peeples as Sydney Cooke (1999-2001) Judson Mills as Francis Gage (1999-2001) Marco Sanchez as Detective Carlos Sandoval (1997-1999) Cynthia Dorn as M.E. Mary Williams (1993-2001) James Wlcek as Trent Malloy (1997-1999) Grayson Jim Helms as Ranger Pilot Chris (1994-2000) Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman as Uncle Ray Firewalker (1993-1994) Production Credits: The Episodes: |
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