The Walker cast and crew didn’t know for sure whether they would be picked up for a fifth season when they filmed this final episode, but it actually works strikingly well as a series finale too. I’m grateful for that, because many of us were quite attached to this show and were expecting more seasons. Its numbers were good, so that expectation wasn’t unreasonable, but unfortunately the CW as a network is headed in a different direction – one that didn’t leave room even for a successful and popular show like this one.
I’ve spoken with some of the cast and others who worked on the show, and they were all hopeful too. So this was a tough ending for them, and I’m sure very frustrating not to be able to tie up all the loose ends and film a true series finale. Keegan Allen posted his feelings on Instagram, which I think spoke for most of the cast (and the fandom).
Nevertheless, this one did feel satisfying as it brought to a close the main story lines of this past season and even ones that have spanned multiple seasons. I hope the cast and crew know that we appreciate their hard work on this episode, and their hard work on all four seasons. I know Jared Padalecki knows, because I told him. The unexpected ending was hard on him as the EP of the show, of course, feeling responsible for so many cast and crew. But the Walker fandom was celebrating during the finale too, enjoying the ride right up to the end.
This show ending felt emotional for me too because Walker came on just as my favorite show of all time, Supernatural, was ending. It provided some continuity for fans of Jared Padalecki, who were accustomed to having him on our screens every week for the past 15 years – more if you were a Gilmore Girls fan. Supernatural ending felt like a huge change for many of us, and Walker helped ease that loss while also giving us a whole new family to love.
I really liked this episode. Its title is even perfect – not goodbye, but “See You Sometime.”
The Aftermath
The best thing about this episode – and I told Jared this too – is that the show doesn’t gloss over Cordell’s trauma from being buried alive and almost killed by the Jackal. He’s trying very hard to be “normal” and hold it together, making a big breakfast for the kids and asking Geri if she needs him for anything. He’s also trying to make it up to all of them for the time he spent distracted and away, caught up in the case. Geri says not to come over, that he’d be too much of a reminder to Cassie of what happened. Which, fair, but I still don’t think that was his fault.
As he’s talking, he starts the blender to make a smoothie and immediately has a flashback, since that’s what the Jackal used to make the fruit puree he force fed his victims. Geri’s voice calls him back, but she can tell he’s rattled.
Geri: You’re okay. I’m here.
She reassures him that she loves him (though she probably should tell him to go get some therapy instead of just reassuring him that he’s okay, since he’s probably not – and understandably so!)
Most people give Cordell a pretty damn hard time for someone who just almost died and who is clearly trying very hard to make it up to everyone that he wasn’t there for while he was immersed in the case. It’s been a theme of this show, and it makes me have a lot of empathy for Cordi. He tries so hard, and nobody really cuts him a break most of the time.
Cordell wants to celebrate August’s last day of senior year, so he made a big delicious looking breakfast and tells Augie how proud he is of all he’s accomplished over the last year, but August interrupts.
Augie: When you weren’t here…
Ouch. He says it will take a minute to get over all the trauma, which he’s certainly right about, but I don’t know why that made the reminder that “you weren’t here” necessary. Like I said, people are hard on Cordell – he loves his kids so much and tries had to be a good dad. I’ve enjoyed seeing that side of the character, and love that parenthood was such a big part of what this show was about, often much more than Rangering.
Augie must decide the same, because he pulls his dad in for a hug. And that Cordi definitely does need!
