Walker Roundup Season Four Episode Nine: “A History of Horrors and Other Tales”

The ninth episode of the fourth season of Walker, “A History of Horrors and Other Tales,” deals with how people respond under pressure or against a ticking clock. For some, the ticking clock is more literal, others, less so, but everyone is experiencing pressure, especially…

Cordell

A ticking clock follows Cordell throughout the series episode, well, as much as he is on screen, as he leaves part way through and doesn’t return until almost the end. Because when he is under pressure and a timeline, Cordell runs. The way his mental state was shown, through close ups and muffled sound, was well done. It is very evident he is stressed. He thinks he has to solve the problem on his own. In this case, he fears others will be hurt as Cassie warns. Or that he will somehow disappoint Geri, who wants time with him. So, he lies to everyone and goes off to a motel like The Jackal likes to work from. He’s not the only one who handles pressure this way, so does …

Stella

After going off on her own in the previous episode, it was nice that she brought in August this episode. Together, after talking with Geri, they are able to discover that the person after Stella, the infamous Joanna, was Hoyt’s mom. But when August feels they should tell others, Stella chooses instead to go her own way, even to the point of lying and running away, because that is how she also handles pressure and the ticking clock. As noted by August, in this case, being like her dad is not a good thing. It puts the whole family in danger and leaves the explaining up to …

August

In a call back to Season One, when Augustus is under pressure, his response is to try to be the best he can be and help others, though it seems more sincere this time as he has matured over the years. In a heartwarming, but tear-inducing scene, Geri tells him that he is so like his mother. Words that he needed, a hug that he needed. Odette and Kale were amazing in that scene that only took three takes, according to people who were there. This leads to him doing something that should have been done many episodes ago – telling adults, including …

Geri

For Geri, it greatly depends on the pressure for how she responds, but mostly, she makes a plan and executes it. With the second Side Step, she is excited with a sped up timeline. But with the Walker family, sadly, she’s dealing with a problem a few episodes late. She is worried that the kids, Stella and August, are having issues with her relationship with Cordell. She bought groceries and spaghetti-me molds. And quickly, they reassure her they love her and how happy she makes their father. So now, the focus shifts to the current problems, brought to her by Auggie. He says that they need to call in Uncle Liam, and she immediately does. No, “I can handle it on my own,” or “Okay, let me bow out.” She stays, which is nice. Other people who stay and try to make things better when under pressure are …

Trey and Cassie

On top of the Jackal case, with a ticking clock that they may lose jurisdiction to the FBI, these two Rangers are also in competition for the lieutenant position. We receive a great explanation of why no one had heard of the position before. Apparently, the guy was old school and a bit of a ghost. At first, the tension leads these two to snap at each other. However, it’s not long before they’re working together seamlessly again, with Cassie finding a big break in the case, big enough for them to keep the case. It was wonderful seeing these two together, with Cassie’s snack stealing being much needed levity. Trey even knows Cassie well enough to give her space when she wants to talk to Walker alone. Sadly, she stops short of finding out what Cordell was really up to, which seems important. But, both Trey and Cassie do explain why they want the lieutenant position in a touching scene. Sadly they communicate better than …

Abeline and Bonham

The pressure that Abeline and Bonham are under is urgent, but no less important. As they reach the twilight of their lives, how do they want to spend it? Abeline wants to do something for herself, after feeling she has dedicated her life to others. She wants to do something that feeds her soul. Bonham just wants to take it easy, and slow down. He doesn’t understand Abeline’s position, because as Abeline wisely told Cordell in 4.03 “Lessons From The Giftshop”, they experienced the same thing but not the same way in Italy. And whereas Abeline feels she needs to get Bonham’s approval, Bonham buys a boat without hers. This reaffirms in her mind the imbalance in their relationship. These are two people in love who just aren’t connecting, and when their emotions get too much, they both go off to be alone. Maybe that’s where Cordell and Stella get it from.

This episode was both amazing and frustrating. The reveal that it’s Hoyt’s mom that has been the cause of Stella’s problems was great, but her running off was not. The moment with Geri and August where they discuss Emily was incredibly moving. But neither Cassie nor Capt. James noticing how bad Cordell is, or following up to discover what he’s doing, is frustrating. It also feels like character development has been lost, because no matter how many times Cordell and Stella learn not to keep secrets and go off alone, they’re both back to it, leading once again to more issues. This adds to the feeling of frustration. But the people are so wonderful, just being able to watch them is a great time.

Sadly, time is ticking on that front, as there are only four episodes left in the series.

4.87 out of 5 stars.

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