WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Walker Episode 3, "Bobble Head," which aired Thursday on The CW.
In its debut season, the CW's Walker reboot hasn't really given Walker (Jared Padalecki) many personal crimes to investigate in its case of the week style of storytelling. He's faced off against heroin smugglers and arsonists but everything feels disconnected from his family life and the big mystery involving the murder of his wife, Emily.
However, the latest case does hit home a bit more, as the Texas Ranger has no choice but to betray his best friend -- all in the name of justice.
Walker's showing his new partner, Micki, the ropes as they track Toretto and her arms smuggling ring. However, when they bust in, Toretto's gone, having been tipped off by a mysterious male stripper. This cowboy steals Micki's truck and shockingly shows up at Walker's home for dinner later that night. It turns out he's Walker's best friend, Hoyt, someone who saved him years ago and helped Walker in his football career.
Hoyt's a swindler, dipping in and out of town, working all over America on shady jobs as a tumbleweed. His family was heavily involved in crime, and he feels like it's his destiny, no matter how much Walker's family tries to help him on the straight path. And he's quite adept too, as he knows how to leave no trails of evidence -- not even when Micki finds the truck in Walker's yard. Simply put, Hoyt is slick, swift and smart, thinking harmless crimes will garner him a payday without hurting anyone. But in this case, Micki tells Walker that, if it's guns for the cartel, it's way worse than just petty crime.
Micki is angry that Walker's compromised, buying into Hoyt's crap as he thinks his buddy can be redeemed. Even Walker's boss, Captain James, warns her she'll have to use Walker to get the drop on Hoyt. It comes to a head when Hoyt feeds Walker bad info and sends him and Micki to the wrong location, allowing Toretto to slip away with her weapons. Micki's furious, as she thought after arresting Hoyt for trying to bribe her with a drink, Walker would get the truth out. However, it's a blessing in disguise, as Walker finally sees through the nonsense.
Thanks to the wagyu steaks he brought for dinner, they're able to track Hoyt down through a beef delivery truck he stole. They set a sting operation up for the weapons sale. However, during the raid, the slick and sneaky Hoyt weasels his way out, hiding beneath a truck and then jumping into Micki's truck once more. But after driving off, Micki immobilizes the vehicle, allowing a couple squad cars to corner and arrest Hoyt.
Walker set the trap up knowing Hoyt would repeat the vehicular theft due to his ego. He's always been a narcissist and prankster since their salad days. Micki knows the situation is hard for her partner. However, Walker's mom, Abbie, is the one struggling most; she considered Hoyt to be a son, and she feels like she failed. Still, the Texas Ranger had to take off the rose-colored glasses in the name of justice because, had he not done this, Hoyt may have ended up dead running with the wrong people.
Walker stars Jared Padalecki, Lindsey Morgan, Keegan Allen, Mitch Pileggi, Molly Hagan and Coby Bell. New episodes air Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.