Walker, Texas Ranger

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Tweens will groan over hokey Western cop drama.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this '90s drama-action series features a fair amount of violence, including explosions, shootings, fistfights, and knife wounds. But it's all pretty tame by current primetime standards and blood is kept to a minimum (a trickle from a split lip, for example). What's more, the central law enforcement officials rarely use their weapons, instead relying on their martial arts expertise to disarm and subdue bad guys. Strong moral messages are woven throughout each episode, and the main characters spend much of their free time mentoring troubled youths. That said, it's likely that today's tweens will be turned off by the series' clichés and redundant predictability.

  • The show is heavy on well-intentioned (if clichéd) values: not judging a book by its cover, listening to your heart to do the right thing, always giving your all to every endeavor, etc. Though the series can be pretty violent, the rangers always use their skills to subdue (rather than harm) their enemies, and they exhibit self-control, never allowing their emotions to push things too far. The multicultural cast includes a strong female and an African-American character.
  • Lots of fistfights, knives, explosions, and shoot 'em ups (it is a law enforcement show, after all), but the rangers mostly rely on their martial arts skills to subdue the criminals. Tame compared to current procedural crime dramas.
  • Some mild flirting between two main characters (which in later seasons develops into a relationship). Content sometimes touches on issues like teen pregnancy.
  • "Damn" and "hell" are used sparingly.
  • Not applicable.
  • Supporting characters occasionally smoke or drink. Some storylines touch on drug use, but it's alluded to rather than shown, and the drugs are usually some kind of generic, powdery white substance in clear plastic bags.

What's the story?

Wild West-style police drama WALKER, TEXAS RANGER centers on Cordell Walker (Chuck Norris), an officer in the Lone Star state's investigation bureau whose straight-shooting adherence to the law makes him a relentless force against criminals. The martial arts expert/Vietnam War veteran doesn't waste any time impressing on those he encounters that his crusade for justice and civility isn't to be taken lightly. But Walker's cool-headed, commanding presence hides a lighter side, which he willingly shares with his friends -- fellow Ranger/former Dallas Cowboy James Trivette (Clarence Gilyard); retired Ranger C.D. Parker (Noble Willingham), who offers counsel to Walker when it's needed; and lovely Assistant District Attorney Alex Cahill (Sheree J. Wilson), whose mutual attraction with Walker in later seasons blooms into a bona fide relationship. When they're not hunting down bad guys, Walker and his cohorts devote time to mentoring troubled youths in the Dallas area. Through martial arts and extension camps, they connect with troubled kids and help them beat the odds and turn around misdirected lives.


Is it any good?

 

Since it's a law-enforcement drama, Walker, Texas Ranger is pretty violent -- every episode features shootouts, knifings, fistfights, or explosions. But a notable difference between Walker and police dramas like NYPD Blue is that while the bad guys use weapons, the Rangers rely mostly on their martial arts skills to disarm and subdue criminals. For them, the goal is always to diffuse volatile situations with the least amount of effort and harm.

The series pushes some blatantly obvious life lessons about strong character, honesty, and self-respect. (In one scene, for example, Trivette tells a teen, "You gave it your all ... that's the mark of a winner.") But heavy-handed or no, tweens aren't likely to stick around long enough to absorb these positive messages, since a hefty dose of cheesiness accompanies the characters' strengths and uncanny knack for exploiting criminals' routine incompetence.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about law enforcement. Are the characters believable as real-life police officers and lawyers? If not, what seems unrealistic? Do other police dramas offer more accurate portraits cops' lives? How have cop shows changed since this show originally aired? How do you think it would be different if new episodes were on now? Families can also discuss helping others. How do the characters use their standing in their community to positively impact people's lives? Tweens: How can you lend a hand in your community to help others?


This review was written by Emily Ashby
Teen, 15 years old
May 5, 2011
 
Great if You Want Fights but no Story
This is one of my favorite shows. One thing with the review is they talk about a "relationship". It is perfectly moral. Personally I think the earlier made episodes were better.

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Adult
February 3, 2011
 

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Kid, 13 years old
November 14, 2010
 
Read My Review and You will See Why This Show is Great:
CHUCK NORRIS!!!!!!!!! THE ONLY MAN WHO COUNTED TO INFINITY....TWICE! Seriously, what drew people to the show was Chuck, and boy was he great! Almost every aspect of the show was cool! Unfortunatly, Chuck's glory should not be viewed by very young kids, for he has a lot of violence. For teens and up, sit back, and enjoy some classic Norris Roundhouse Kick!

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Teen, 15 years old
September 24, 2010
 
OKAY for 12+
This show is great. I am a mature 13 year old teen and I watch this show with my grandpa sometimes. I pretty much agree with all Common Sense Media except for one thing, they forgot that in some episodes their are strip clubs. But these are not too graphic and at the worst show women's rears with covering such as lengerie and they just dance around. It also has some mild language, but not too bad.

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Adult
July 24, 2010
 
Great show to watch with my grandma
It's a great show to watch with family. Sure there is some violence but it's not all that bad.

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Adult
April 29, 2010
 

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Teen, 16 years old
May 13, 2009
 
Walker
From TV to THe Museume of Crime and Punishment, Chuck Norris has made his mark in many ways, Texas Ranger is one of them. Everyone knows Walker Texas Ranger but if your wondering about info on what the age limit is, its Chuck Norris round house kicking bad guys. But seriously there is some violence but a great show.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Killer Show
I loved it the people were outstanding and I think you should a reuion movie with the orignal cast, and also another chapter of the show, where Walker and Alex's Daughter Joins the rangers with the moves Walker had.

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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Chuck Norris rules!!!
Yeah! I love this show except it's on in the morning. The violence is pretty bad but the social behavior is good because they beat people up for a good reason. How dare Common Sense Media give this 2 stars!? It's 6 STARS OUT OF 5!!! OFF THE SCALE AWESOME. Now for a semi-serious review: The biggest problem would probably be the violence (although rape is discussed on occasion). The language isn't too bad, but when the criminal is going to do something bad, how can you help but swear? Social behavior is good because people are senselessly beaten for a good cause. You have to watch it right now! It's awesome.

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Teen, 14 years old
January 9, 2012
 
awsome show, beats up NCIS like norris beating up a white belt!
some teen pregency, two shows deal surprisingly graphicly with rape.

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This review was written by Emily Ashby
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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