Walker, Texas Ranger: Season 01  (1993)

Theatrical Release Information:
Walker, Texas Ranger: Season 01

Introduced as a two-hour TV movie, the long-running modern Western Walker, Texas Ranger was given a three-week trial run in the spring of 1993 -- which, one supposes, qualifies as the series' first season. In the movie-length pilot, the partner of taciturn Texas Ranger Cord Walker (Chuck Norris) is killed in a bank robbery. As he tracks down the murderers to exact his own special brand of vengeance (which is generally dispensed with karate chops and kicks), Walker learns that the robbery was only a rehearsal for a more ambitious scheme to knock over four banks simultaneously. The series' extremely short debut season not only establishes the character of Walker, but also that of his new partner, Ranger Jimmy Trivette (Clarence Gilyard Jr.). A former football pro whose knee has gone bad, Trivette may have grown up in the mean streets of Baltimore, but he prefers more scientific and court-approved peacekeeping methods than Walker, who if not reigned in by his sagacious Native American uncle Roy Firewalker (Floyd Red Crow Westerman) would just as soon exercise the old Scriptural prerogative of "an eye for an eye." Also introduced in the three earliest episodes is Dallas assistant D.A. Alex Cahill (Sheree J. Wilson), who is very fond of Walker, but not of his methods. Rounding out the regulars is Walker's best buddy, ex-Ranger C.D. Parker, played by Gailard Sartain in the pilot and by Noble Willingham thereafter. Having retired from the service after getting a bullet in the knee, C.D. has opened up his own restaurant/bar, which will serve as the favorite gathering place for Walker, Trivette, and Alex for the balance of the series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide