When watching full episodes of Walker Texas Ranger, its almost impossible to take in the full scope of what an accomplishment it is. Created by Paul Haggis, director of CRASH, W.T.R. takes the same no-apologies approach to dealing with the serious social issues of our time...by ROUNDHOUSING THEM! There is no problem to great, no situation to complicated, that Walker cannot solve with a good round house kick to the face.
And how about that opening theme song? Did you know it was written and sung by none other the Chuck Norris himself? The man is a modern day Michelangelo!
Here's the wikiPedia breakdown of reoccurring elements:
- Walker performs a Roundhouse Kick to the villain's face as a last move that usually defeats the victim immediately. The shot of Walker kicking his adversary is then rapidly repeated, twice, from different angles.
- The kidnapping of assistant district attorney, 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 striking 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 delinquent 18-21 year-olds that Walker and Trivette run ("Mr. Justice, season 6); a child (guest star Haley Joel Osment) whose drug-addicted mother led to his being infected with a deadly strain of AIDS ("Lucas 1 and 2");and the Kick Drugs Out of America program, an after school martial-arts class run by Walker to encourage kids to stay out of trouble.
- Dual plot lines 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.
- The majority of the antagonists fight against Walker and his friends or regular police officers when they are declared to be under arrest, and the majority of criminals and law enforcement personnel are also shown as accomplished kick boxers/martial artists.
- Walker arriving just in time to save someone, or to arrest criminals.
- The episode often ends with a lighthearted moment in which the main characters exchange jokes and have a good laugh at C.D.'s Bar. This is commonly concluded with a camera still of Walker and/or another character laughing which subsequently fades to black before the credits roll.
I mean yes! This shit fucking rules! Walker!
"in the eyes of the ranger the unsuspecting stranger had better know the truth of wrong from right."
'cause that's where the Rangers gonna be.
