The title of the penultimate episode of Walker seems eerily fitting, even though at the time they filmed it, they weren’t sure if the show would be renewed or if this would be its final season. “Letting go” is something that’s hard for fans to do when they’re invested in a show and in the community of fans that grows up around it. Especially with a show as successful as Walker has been, few of us were prepared for it to be ending. I guess that’s to say I’m going into watching this one with a bit of trepidation and anticipatory grief – but also determined to enjoy the ride until the very end. Letting to is hard, as all the characters also find out in this episode.
The episode spools out mostly coherently, in real time. We pick up as Luna has been shot and Cordell rescued. Trey tries to comfort Cassie, who begs him to help Luna, but it’s too late.
Trey and James go after the Jackal, giving Cassie something to do by taking care of a trembling and shaking Walker, but you can’t miss the glare she sends his way either.
It’s not rational really, he didn’t kill Luna, he was trying to save people just like David was. But he’s also alive and rescued and Luna is dead, and it makes sense that Cassie would really be struggling with that in the immediate aftermath.
A gunfight ensues in the woods (with music) and James gets shot (luckily with a vest on). Trey and the Jackal fight, and the Jackal almost gets the jump on him before they finally manage to take him down.
Coby Bell really conveyed all the pent-up hatred and resentment that James must have for this killer who nearly destroyed his marriage – twice! He looks like it’s all he can do just to rein in the impulse to pull that trigger.
This episode has some interesting things to say about emotions and how we can or can’t control them. It’s one of the main struggles that bring people in for help (with my psychologist hat on for a minute), and something that nobody is born knowing how to do. This episode shows just how difficult it can be to regulate our emotions when what we’re feeling is this intense – both with James in this scene and with Cassie later.
Later, the whole family gathers around Cordell’s hospital bed, Bonham squeezing his hand.
Liam is freaked out because Cordi was buried alive and it brings back horrible memories of when he almost was forced to bury his brother’s body when they were kidnapped.
It’s a Wizard of Oz situation, with Cordi telling them “I have so much to tell you – all of you. I dreamt you were all with me.”
Mawline and Bonham hug James in gratitude for saving their son. Cordell asks to talk to just Stella, asking if she really ran away and just went off on her own trying to find some necklace.
Cordell: What were you thinking, babygirl?
She’s reluctant to tell him, but one of the things Cordell learned from the dreamworld (ie from his own subconscious) is that he needs to listen to the people he loves. He encourages her, saying she can tell him anything. So she does.
Stella thinks he’s being hypocritical, saying she only did what he would’ve done – what he did. He points out that he’s a Ranger and she’s a teenager, but she insists she’s an adult and he has to accept that.
Wow, harsh. Maybe not the time, Stella? On the one hand, every teenager is hugely invested in being treated like an adult, but on the other, their situations really were not comparable. And she is not – as evidenced by her actions this season – an adult. That prefrontal cortex is most definitely not done yet!
The next day, Geri’s not too happy that Cordell is going back to work and not taking it easy – he’s off to talk to the Jackal aka Cole. She’s also upset that he lied to her about getting the motel room, and didn’t tell her how much he was struggling. He insists he was trying not to bring that obsessive energy around her or anyone else, but then realizes he hasn’t been giving her much of himself lately, flashing back to the drugged dream where the words “she deserves the best” ring in his ears. He’s determined to listen – really listen – to her too.
Cordi: You deserve the best. Tonight, after dinner?
Geri: We’ll see.
That sounded harsh but I think she meant, we’ll see if you come home and actually sit down with me.
And then there’s Cassie. Ashley Reyes did an amazing job in this episode as Cassie deals with the grief of losing Luna. She picks up his discarded shirt and inhales, something everyone who has lost someone you loved has done. She calls him to hear his voice and leaves a message on his voicemail, tells him how sorry she is that she didn’t get to that grave first and in time to save him.
Cassie: And I’m sorry that I never got the chance to tell you I love you.
They chose a beautiful sad song to play during this scene, and ouch.
The Rangers try to make the case against Cole, realizing he was trying to punish “bad parents” but also that he has an adult daughter himself, Rebecca. Her mom died during childbirth apparently. James and Cordell stare at Cole with such hatred, the aftermath of obsession.
When they confront Cole, he stares back at Cordell in the most creepy way imaginable, actually gave me goosebumps. He insists they’ve got the wrong guy (in the most creepy voice imaginable).
Cole: You’re trying to force me into a box… but I won’t fit in there.
He plays mind games with Cordell, remembering “little Augie’s” boot camp graduation, everyone there to support him…
Cole: Except for you, Cordell. If the so called Jackal is still out there, I hope he ticks off a few more scumbag parents like you.
Walker throws the chair over; James insists they take a break.
James: Get a grip!
Cordi: You think he bought it?
I love smart Cordell.
He also recognizes that comment about not fitting in the box from his dream, realizing he has bits of memory of reality mixed in with the hallucinations.
Cassie and Trey meet with Rebecca, who insists she’s not close with her dad so they let her go. Cordell says the appropriate thing, that they have to get this to stick because Cole is responsible for so many deaths, including Luna’s. Cassie says she doesn’t blame that death on the Jackal – she blames it on Cordell.
What????
Cassie: I warned you that someone would get hurt if you went rogue again and you ignored me.
I’m gonna put it down to her grief, but that was unfair. The Jackal killed him. Would she have blamed any other victim if that’s how Luna died?? Poor Cordi, he just almost died and everyone is kicking him when he’s down. It’s kinda been a theme of this show.
Meanwhile, Abilene and Bonham show how it’s done (this listening thing that Cordi is working on) by both admitting they’d been obstinate (or in Bonham’s case “dug in like a tick”) and that life is short, don’t waste it bickering.
I will be forever grateful to this show for giving me a couple who are actual grandparents and also actual romantic, complicated, struggling, show-us-all-how-it’s-done partners. Molly Hagan and Mitch Pileggi brought it every single time they were onscreen, and I so appreciate the characters and the talented actors.
Back at HQ, Trey explains that digoxin paralyzes your body but your cerebral cortex remains active, so Cordell might have some actual evidence in his subconscious. Cordell recalls some of the dreamscape for Trey, including that he was at his own funeral.
He remembers the dirt falling on his face, Hoyt and Sadie saying “I forgot how tall he was” then “I’ll get the shovel.”
They suddenly realize Cole was having a conversation with someone else, that there was someone else there! Little by little, Cordi remembers more of reality. That wasn’t Sadie, that was Rebecca!
Sure enough, the DNA results from Luna’s body come back at 50% not 100% and they all realize it was Rebecca after all who was the accomplice.
They confront the Jackal about his daughter, trying to convince him that “your little girl” is in danger if he doesn’t fess up and help her.
James: Isn’t that what any good parent would do? What kind of father are you?
He suddenly decides to tell them anything in return for them bringing her in safely, so clearly that was a good strategy but it worked so well it was a little convenient.
Cassie’s turn to go rogue after going off on Cordell for going rogue, taking off after Rebecca to get revenge for Luna, her car gone.
They all converge on a warehouse because those make the best chase environment for sure.
Another music montage, something this show has become known for, as the Rangers look for Rebecca. Cassie is already ten steps ahead of them.
Rebecca goes over the side, many stories up. Cassie stands over her, taunts her that she’s helpless as a child now, while Rebecca says her dad forced her to do it and pleads for help.
Walker watches from far below and tries to get through to Cassie.
Walker: I know you’re angry at me, but don’t do this!
Cassie: Why did you kill him??
They all stare up, watching. Finally she goes to grab Rebecca’s hand but then lets her go, remembering Luna.
Cordell: I know what you’re feeling, I felt it after Emily died. Don’t let your grief make decisions you’ll regret.
She pulls Rebecca up, anguished.
Emotional regulation for the win – but what a hard fought and unsatisfying win for Cassie right now.
The Rangers hold a press conference to close the six year investigation.
James puts the photos of the Jackal and his daughter into his journal, along with Luna’s photo. He closes it up, puts it away in his desk drawer and locks it.
Cordell comes to talk to Cassie, but she says not today.
Trey takes down Cole’s photo from the evidence wall, takes down the photos of the victims, files them away.
Geri comes home to find Cassie grieving, curled up on the couch. She says that after Hoyt died she sat on the couch for three days straight. Geri has empathy, not sympathy, and says what Cordi did – don’t make any life altering decisions right now. She normalizes the numbness and says not to throw away something good just because something bad happened. Geri holds Cassie as she grieves.
Cordell comes home to find Stella and August asleep on the couch which for some reason made me start tearing up, remembering how the series started.
Stella says she warmed up some chili for him, and Cordell says he’s ready to listen to her whenever she’s ready; she asks if they can talk tomorrow.
She snuggles up against her dad as Augie sleeps, on the verge of being a grown-up yes, but still and forever his babygirl, and wow, it’s going to be hard to lose this show.
One more episode left – do not miss the series finale this Wednesday on the CW!
Caps by spndeangirl/raloria on dreamwidth
–Lynn
You can read Jared Padalecki’s powerful chapter
on his own journey and his thoughts on fandom
in Family Don’t End With Blood and There’ll Be
Peace When You Are Done. Info and links at:
I’m sorry to see this show go. At times it frustrated me especially when those kids got away with behavior without any consequences. I would have beat their asses a time or two. I loved Bonham and Mawline. They were such good actors and I praise the writers for them. And of course Jared, whether he’s wearing a black hat or a white hat is always a joy to watch. Sam Winchester will always be my favorite character but Cordell did a great job. As Jared once told me, they both live in his heart.
I loved Bonham and Mawline too – so rare to see an “older couple” who are romantic and passionate and realistic, ie flawed and compelling.