WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Walker Season 2, Episode 8, "Two Points for Honesty," which aired Thursday, Jan. 20 on The CW.
As the investigation behind the local crime lord Thomas Serrano and his outfit the Northside Nation intensifies, those close to Cordell Walker and his family have been put directly in harm's way. The latest incident has Walker's boss and Texas Ranger Captain Larry James shot multiple times and fighting for his life. And with James down, it falls on Walker to personally lead the Rangers until James recovers, while struggling to maintain a cool head as he confronts the crime syndicate that has caused the Walker family so much misery.
Trey Barnett manages to pull James to safety and drive the gunmen away by returning fire before the authorities arrive to take James to the nearest hospital as he passes out from the blood loss. Trey alerts Walker of what transpired, with the Texas Ranger dropping everything and arriving at the hospital with the rest of his family to check in on James. While the identities of the gunmen remain a mystery, the group is heartened to hear that none of James' major organs were damaged by the gunfire and James awakens the next morning with Walker by his bedside.
James wastes no time guiding Walker on what to do next, telling him he is instructing the District Attorney not to bring in any additional officers for the ongoing investigation behind the Northside Nation over concerns of double agents secretly on Serrano's payroll. James has Walker take point on the investigation while he recovers but warns Walker not to let the investigation become personal and keep a level head about it rather than it becoming a vendetta. This advice is tested when Walker approaches the imprisoned Stan Morrison, the man who murdered Walker's wife Emily on behalf of the Northside Nation, for more information.
When Stan's insight on the Northside Nation proves unhelpful, a frustrated Walker and James verbally clash on how Walker is handling the investigation. The stress causes James' health to significantly worsen, with the doctors subsequently noticing that James' wounds have become septic, resulting in a severe infection. An overwhelmed Walker reunites with Geri Broussard, who has separately come to check in on James, with Geri providing some much-needed emotional support to her old friend before Walker rallies his fellow Rangers to continue the investigation in earnest.
Liam Walker pulls strings to learn that a man named Cole that James personally arrested is out and likely looking for revenge. This revelation comes just as Cole menaces James at gunpoint, revealing how the routine stop and resulting arrest ruined his life. As James begins talking down Cole, while imploring Walker to stand down, a responding S.W.A.T. officer shoots and kills Cole on the spot, visibly shaking both James and Walker to the core. As a recovered James prepares to leave the hospital, he reconnects with his ex-wife who airs her concerns for him and his obsessive dedication to his work.
Bonham Walker and Trey commiserate over Micki Ramirez leaving Trey and Austin behind, with Bonham assuring Trey that he will always have a base of support with the Walker family. James and Walker reflect on how their perspective on law enforcement has changed dramatically since getting started, especially in light of Cole's death. Reaffirming their friendship and professional partnership, the two men vow to steer the Rangers with officers like Walker and Micki as James is discharged from the hospital. Liam privately meets with Stan, who warns him about the Davidsons and directs him to a set of hidden files he has on the family.
Developed for television by Anna Fricke, Walker airs Thursdays at 8pm ET/PT on The CW.