It took me a minute to get used to Jared Padalecki not being Sam Winchester. And if I’m honest, I’m still not used to it. No more long hair for Jared, and that will certainly take some time to get used to. Plus, it’s styled back.
I am very intrigued by Jared’s new show, but I’m not sure I’m hooked yet.
The season premiere didn’t waste any time jumping right to it. It starts with Cordell Walker (and he does not like being called by his first name) and his wife, Emily (played by Jared’s wife Genevieve Padalecki), passing by as Walker is coming home Emily is heading out to leave supplies for refugees.
Walker plays games with his parents and kids as he gets a call from Emily being chased by someone and then being shot. Walker tries to call her back, and it goes to voicemail, and he screams in anger.
We then jump eleven months in the future as he’s just getting back from a case, and a lot has changed, seeing as he left right after his wife died.
He finds out his partner got a promotion, and he has a new partner on his first day back at work. And his kids are not in good places. He’s now faced with raising two teenagers alone, Stella (Violet Brinson) and August (Kale Culley). And neither is doing well after the death of their mother and their father never being around.
There are some things different between Sam and Walker. I can’t imagine Sam being an absentee parent, and this character is a little more prone to violence.
But after 15 years, it’s hard to shake Sam when looking at Jared on your screen. And watching him working cases doesn’t help either, even if they are normal and not supernatural.
While we get used to Jared’s new character, there are many characters to like on Walker.
His new partner is Micki (Lindsey Morgan). She’s from immigrant parents and they don’t like that she was a patrol cop and now a Texas Ranger. But she believes that the best way to make a difference is from within. And she’s feisty while still playing by the rules. She doesn’t like Walker’s break the rule way, and she’s determined to make a name for herself and do good in her new role.
I love that they put a powerful woman in this part. I love her. It’s a new dynamic to watch Jared in.
There are also so many familiar faces! Odette Annable from Supergirl and Tell Me a Story is playing Geri, a bartender who is also pretty close to Walker and was also close to Emily. We don’t get to see her much in the first episode, but she certainly imprints her character on you.
From Pretty Little Liars, Keegan Allen is playing Walker’s brother and assistant DEA.
Another Supernatural face, Mitch Pileggi, the Winchester’s grandfather, is now playing Walker’s dad.
Walker’s mom, Molly Hagan, has been in a lot. You might recognize her from Friends. She was teaching a cooking class that Monica and Joey attended.
There’s a lot of family drama, cases, and Walker still can’t put to rest his wife’s case, even know someone confessed and is in jail.
While I’m not hooked yet, I’m happy to see Jared back on my screen.
What did you think of the premiere? Tweet me @MandyTTCarr or comment below.
