Walker fans—throw your cowboy hats high into the air because this right here is the show you’ve been waiting for!
Walker Independence has all the makings of an action-packed Western that the Walker reboot always aspired to be but never could accomplish in a modern-day setting.
The prequel, set in the 1800s, focuses on the Walker family’s ancestors, specifically Abby Walker, who arrives in Independence, Texas (Austin, Texas in the present day) after the death of her husband, Liam. While her real name is Abigail Collins, she takes on the surname Walker (inspired by a nickname “Walks in Tall Grass” given to her by Calian, an Apache who saves her life along with the elders in his trib) after the traumatic murder.
The premiere episode slightly mirrors the first episode of Walker in that we see Abby mourn the loss of her soulmate much like Cordell Walker did following the death of his wife.
The past shapes and informs the future, and as we uncover what happened in the 1800s, we begin to understand the current Walker family so much better.
However, Walker Independence stands on its own. You don’t need to be a fan of Walker–or have ever seen an episode—to enjoy the series, so don’t be deterred if that’s the case. Still, it is fun if you’re a fan of the original as there are many parallels, callbacks, and Easter eggs that connect back. Liam, it turns out, isn’t the only family name passed down through generations as Hoyt Rawlins, a character reprised by Matt Barr, names his horse Cordell.
Abby is an ancestor to the matriarch Abby Walker that we know from Austin, and they’re both fearless and driven in their own right. As most Westerns put a man in the saddle, Walker Independence challenges gender roles and counts mostly on Abby to take the lead. By the end of the episode, she decides to settle down in Independence and fight for justice on her own terms. She may have lost her husband and witnessed his murder, but she’s not a victim; She’s not going to sit by idly and let the man that killed him get away. She’s going to get her revenge, one way or another, and she has a diverse cast of players to help her out.
One of those people is the aforementioned Hoyt, who truly isn’t much different that the present-day Hoyt we got to know ever so briefly. Barr was made to play Hoyt in both iterations. He’s still a gambler, womanizer, and criminal, but it’s all in the name of survival because underneath it all, he’s a kind man whose path crosses with Abby’s as she begs him to help her seek out justice. Upon arriving in town, she immediately identifies her husband’s killer as the new Sheriff in town… Sheriff Tom… Tom Davidson. . If you’ve always been infatuated by the Walker and Davidson feud in the present day, this is actually the origin story of that feud. And it’s dark and ugly, and, quite frankly, makes me despise the Davidson family even more. Marv Davidson’s death was nothing in comparison to the death of Liam Collins.
Walker Independence — “Pilot” — Image Number: WID101b_0014r — Pictured: Katherine McNamara as Abby Walker — Photo: Anna Kooris/The CW — © 2022 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Abby and Hoyt immediately have a spark, but it’s unclear how long it’ll take them to act on it considering Abby is recently widowed and Hoyt is romancing Luisa, a Spanish woman whose family, particularly her brother, seems to disapprove of her relationship with him. She informs them that Davidson took on the role of Sheriff as his family arrived from Boston and began stealing land from settlers all around with the hopes of getting away with it.
Hoyt is trouble, sure, but she really threw caution to the wind when she asked him to help her commit murder just because she saw him rob a bank is a huge ask. Her determination is admirable, and I can see a future for Independence where she defeats Tom Davidson and takes over as the new Sheriff
As I said, they have a connection, so while Hoyt is determined to shake Abby, he eventually ends up helping her bury her husband’s rotting corpse and vows to help her in any way that he can.
Independence seems to be a budding town filled with lost souls running from something and looking to carve a name and path for themselves, including Calian, Deputy Augustus, who may be one of the rare yet honorable policemen, Kate, an entertainer who works at the hotel owned by Nathaniel Hagan (who just sounds like trouble), and Kai, a man from China who works doing the laundry at the hotel and is clearly in love with Kate.
Kate is friendly to Abby initially, but she also sneaks a peek at the telegraph she sends back home to inform them of Liam’s death and figures out that Abby might suspect the new Sheriff. It’s unclear if we can fully trust her at this point, but I’m hoping she’ll be a source of female empowerment and friendship for Abby. We know she could use it. Could she possibly be Geri’s ancestor in some way?
This isn’t just the origin story of the Walker family but also the Side Step Saloon. While it’s fun to see it in this dated form, I’m hoping we see how the Walker family gets ownership.
Independence may have been a rough start for Abigail, but it’s full of possibilities; it offers the promise of a fresh start and a found family. I hope she makes the most of it and doesn’t spend too much time living in the past. While revenge is great, it won’t change what happened, and by focusing too much on the past, you might miss out on a great future.
Walker, Independence is a reimagined Western that incorporates all the elements people love about the genre while also tackling the bigger issues and telling raw and honest stories about racism, sexuality, and more.
What will Abby do next? How will Hoyt’s carefree vibe fit into it? And who is ready to see everyone band together to take down the Davidsons?
Let us know what you thought of the Walker Indepdnence Series Premiere!