Wrangling Walker: Season Four Episode Seven “Hold Me Now”
Relationships are at the forefront despite the threat of a serial killer in this episode. As usual, I’ll leave the detailed recap to others and focus on thoughts and themes.
Cordell vs. the World
Cordell wakes up alone, and texts Geri because she’s gone. This doesn’t seem like an auspicious start to the next phase of their relationship. And if they are serious about deepening their commitment, is this really the time for her to go out of town for an extended period to start a new restaurant? That’s going to require a huge investment of time and energy, and I’m wondering if Geri is dodging emotional connection again, which seems to be a personality trait. Cordell deserves better. What about that nice school teacher who flirted with him a few seasons back?
Auggie is graduating from the training camp, an extracurricular activity. Cordell’s team gets a break on a serial killer—a freakin’ serial killer. Everyone’s mad that he didn’t punch out on the clock to go to see Auggie. Video, anyone?
I’m tackling this because to me it was at the heart of the episode, and that’s the reality of living in a family where one or both parents are military, EMT, law enforcement, clergy, medical, and other first responder. It’s a commitment for the family, not just the individual, because of the burden it places on intimate relationships.
Saving people isn’t a 9-5 job (neither is hunting things, but that’s another conversation). It’s a lifestyle. That ambulance driver can take grandma to the hospital when she falls down the steps because he’s missing his kid’s baseball game. That emergency room doctor is there when grandpa has a stroke because she isn’t making cookies for the bake sale at school (again). Dad can’t be at the school play because he’s deployed. You love the person, you miss them, you send photos and video, but helping professions make the world livable, so the people who love the helpers sacrifice.
The Walkers just don’t get it. Yes, Cordell went too far in his Duke days, but he’s past that. But Liam lays on the guilt, even though Cordell is taking point to save Captain James from ruining his life in the same way. The Walkers need a serious family sit-down and either Cordell quits the Rangers and runs the Side Step, or they go to first responder family counseling to learn how not to add to his stress by placing unrealistic (and selfish) demands on Cordell that force him into un-winnable choices.
Auggie and Stella
Anyone notice that Cordell’s/Captain’s journal looks a lot like John Winchester’s? Hmm.
Auggie wants to tell Cordell about the problem with Witt. Stella refuses. Stella gets Bonham to teach her some sparring moves. I still don’t understand the depth of her seeming commitment to protecting Witt. And I fear her ‘go it alone’ pig-headedness is going to get someone (probably Auggie) hurt.
With all that said, Auggie sacrifices his chance to win the obstacle course by going back to help a teammate, which of course is more important. Good for him. He’s the voice of reason. Stella apparently hasn’t learned much from the past.
Bonham, Abeline and Liam
Abeline tells Bonham after the fact about working with Ben on the event business. Bonham is mad that she didn’t tell him sooner. This family needs to talk to each other!
Liam is worried that Cordell might get in too deep again like he did before, but he doesn’t seem to be able to balance that worry with the realities of Cordell’s job as a Ranger. Since Cordell doesn’t have a desk job, there is going to be danger and unpredictable hours. Liam is worried about Cordell but it comes off like nagging.
I get that the Walker family doesn’t want Cordell to get hurt and wants the best for the kids. I also get that they’ve seen what Cordell’s single-mindedness can be like after his undercover stint when Emily was killed. But if he’s going to be a Texas Ranger, he needs their support for the realities of the job, or he needs to quit and run the Side Step.
Cassie, Luna, and Captain James
Cassie and Luna take the next step in their relationship. They urge Cordell to go to Auggie’s graduation, but then they discover the defunct zoo and realize that they have a lead on a serial killer. (And they miss seeing the dead jackal.) They call for backup for themselves and Cordell, who gets blindsided and injured. Trey tells the family that Cordell got hurt but not Auggie to keep from spoiling his special day. Meanwhile, James is trying to take a step back to avoid becoming obsessed again.
I understand the characters’ desire for balance, but having grown up in a medical family I also know that emergencies don’t happen when they are convenient and all plans are contingent. It goes with the life. If the family can’t be supportive, then the responder need to get out of the life and get a desk job. Guilting someone about doing their job isn’t the way to fix the situation.
Since Walker is in jeopardy of not being renewed, maybe we’re being set up for the finale. Cordell leaves the Texas Rangers to run the Side Step (with or without Geri). Liam and Ben run the horse rescue and help with the ranch. Bonham and Abeline retire. Stella and Auggie make life choices. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Find more of Gail’s commentaries on her Writer’s Page.
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