Walker Review: Bobble Head (Season 1 Episode 3)

Walker Season 1 Episode 3, “Bobble Head,” gets the show out of first gear, signifying that it has learned when to apply pressure and when to release the clutch. 

That being said, the episode does have some stalls and grinds. 

The episode as a whole takes on Walker’s tendency to take the easy way out and stay in everyone’s good graces.

People pleasing and not wanting to be the bad guy is a common problem for pretty much all of us. It is refreshing to see a cop have this issue, rather than an over-aggression one!

The investigation into who Walker is as a person is actually less important than what the episode does to distinguish Micki from the other people in Walker’s life, especially his late wife. 

It is legitimately unclear if there is supposed to be any romantic spark between the partners.

Reserving the right to a slow burn is smart, smart, smart.

Walker has already been picked up for a second season (woohoo!), so there is absolutely no reason to rush anything. The characters can go where the chemistry naturally leads. 

Romantic potential or not, the way that Micki doesn’t coddle Walker or make herself secondary to support him is the story here. 

The episode once again starts with a flashback sequence. However, unlike the other episodes, we hear from Emily rather than just see her. 

She teaches Walker how to drive stick and it is clear from their interactions that she is there to support and encourage him. She’s his rock. 

WALKER: I need that voice. That “make me feel like I can get through anything voice.”

Micki is not Walker’s rock. She is not any kind of object for him. 

Even in their conversation about the bobble head, Micki isn’t roped in by Walker or willing to entertain his neediness. 

Hallelujah!

So many, so so many, of these cop shows revolve around a white guy at the top of the pyramid being held up by all the women and BIPOC in his life. 

Prodigal Son is a hyper version of this trope. 

On “Bobble Head,” Micki asserts a dominance that comes from not being willing to cow-tow to anyone. 

Importantly, she’s not a rogue trying to prove herself. She is simply committed to doing a good job and she is unquestioning in her ability to do it.

It is not as if she gets enraged learning that Hoyt is having dinner with Walker. She is frustrated, but not pierced.

And then she is able to listen to other people’s wisdom, including Daddy Walker

BONHAM WALKER: He’s got a blind spot for faces from the past.

That is what we call humility folks!

So often, we think that martyrdom and sacrificial behaviors are humility. But no, it is actually a simple recognition that no one is better than you or beneath you.

Micki is really talented at recognizing everyone’s inherent worth. 

It is simply a shame that we still don’t see any family or friend support system for Micki.

She goes into the bar to meet up with Geri for some strange reason. There is no connection there and they shook hand a full thirty seconds before Micki took Hoyt away in cuffs. 

It is not that I don’t want to see a friendship grow between the two leading ladies on the series.

It’s just that all of the backstory development is going to Walker and it should be equally levied on the two partners. Or at least 60/40. 

Where are her chingonas!?

Someone as amazing as Micki has friends. She has brown friends. Let us get to know them so we can get to know Micki and her culture, Walker.

I think I am actually offended that the pepper competition is something that is brought into a white household where nary a Tejano is to be seen and is introduced in some seriously gringo Spanish. 

Walker’s family drama on the episode is pitch perfect. 

The sibling stuff is darn cute, especially the inside joke of a Crocodile Dundee rendition of high school.

The closing imagery of Stella, driving the OG Stella, while August runs off his hangover is really cozy and correct. This is a family that is moving forward, but not moving on. They could never really move on from a loss like the one they’ve experienced. 

Liam and Bret’s impending wedding is another sweet story.

Often, when you marry someone you marry their family too. It’s nice to see that, though Bret has boundaries and pushes Liam, he doesn’t punish him for stepping into a father role for his niece and nephew. 

The mushroom cutting conversation is nice tight dialogue, delivered expertly with excellent blocking.

It is a really well done scene that absolutely pulls us in emotionally and piques our curiosity. 

The final aspect of “Bobble Head,” that helps the show shift gears is the guest star Hoyt Rawlins played lopsided-grin expert Matt Barr. Barr is just the right amount of jackass and vulnerable. 

If that strip dance didn’t make your heart long for Hellcats, then you must not be the CW aficionado I suspected you are! (truly though, check out Hellcats if you haven’t had the chance. You will have no regrets).

It is unclear what exactly Hoyt did in the past to save Abby Bear’s son, but that lingering mystery suggests he will be back. 

That’s a threat we can embrace!

Overall, “Bobble Head” finds the right rhythm for telling a case-of-the-week story, while balancing building the audience’s understanding of the key relationships on the show. 

Target Practice

• Walker needs some tough love himself. He still hasn’t face how he abandoned his kids when they were in the height of their grief. 
• All of these folks she be in therapy. We should see or hear about them going to therapy.
• What is that red ring thingy? It looks like a maraschino cherry stem, but that can’t be. 
• August’s break dancing is not bad. I would have had a big crush on him in high school for those moves alone.
• Might not be intentional, but Micki’s presumably non-white friend not making it through his rebellious stage, but Hoyt always making it out just fine is a portrait of his privilege. 
• Male strippers! Yes! Good call!
• The music is solid on the episode. A marked improvement. 
• I’d take the shed steak and bourbon over the rowdy indoors Walker dinner any day. 

What did you think of this episode of Walker? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Walker airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Ashley’s Top 10 TV Dramas of 2020