Episode Eight of Season Four of Walker, “Witt’s End,” is a study in tunnel vision and how it affects others. People can get so focused on something or someone, they don’t notice or seem to care what’s going on around them. However, the one to figure out that he has tunnel vision is…
Cordell
Like Larry before him, Walker has become obsessed with finding The Jackal. He gets himself cleared for duty too early after his concussion, walking in cheerily when everyone expects him to be home recovering. 
He gets sent home, only to defy orders, in a way, by continuing to work via Hunter Wall. He lies to Trey, because nothing is more important than catching the Jackal. August has to beg him for help, in order for Cordell to tear himself away from the the case. 
The throwback to August loving photography because of his mom from season one was a nice touch. But the scene where he talks about the picture he’s trying to recreate with his dad being the last picture she took was painful. 
Especially hearing Cordell beg his son not to be mad after his hyper focus on the case has him seemingly confuse a birdwatcher for a threat. Jared is a master of portraying pain, and this scene exemplifies that. 
But even after his son begs him to get help, all he can do is still focus on finding the serial killer. Even going in plain clothes to work with the evidence they have there. He knows he has tunnel vision, but for him, the only way out is through, so he begs Capt. James to let him work this case until they catch the killer. 
Someone who doesn’t realize how bad their tunnel vision is …
Stella
Whereas Cordell is overly focused on saving people by getting a serial killer off the streets, Stella’s mission to save someone is a little more self serving when it’s remembered that the only reason she is helping Witt is because she doesn’t have to again feel the guilt of his death. When she thanks him for “coming back even though he didn’t have to” toward the end of the episode, it feels more like she is thanking him for freeing her of that guilt instead of saving her from his “uncle.” 
Though her urgency this episode is understandable, as she sees Witt kidnapped right in front of her, the level of her lack of care for her family is chilling. A special mention of how amazing Sharon Lawrence was as the villainous Joana. 
Her performance elevates the whole story arc, adding a level of intensity it previously lacked. So, though the stakes have been raised, the fact is that Stella not only brushes off the news of how bad her family has become, abut she also lies to Auggie and her uncle. 
She pretends she cares just to get more information to help her out. Her saving Witt puts her family in danger, and still she doesn’t tell anyone in her family. 
Instead, she tears up the Side Step looking for the letters, not to read what her dad wrote, as she quickly cast that aside. No, she just wants more clues. 
Her lack of awareness about her destructive tunnel vision is an interesting foil for the much sweeter tunnel vision of …
Cassie
Falling in love can take most of one’s attention, so it’s understandable that her focus is mostly on Luna. 
It’s especially understandable when he’s being a shirtless distraction that was reminiscent of Micki and Trey in the early days of the series with some notable differences, mainly less shirtless time for Trey and Micki was more focused on her new job. 
Cassie is not, even though they are on a serial killer case with a recent breakthrough where her partner was attacked. Her mind is more preoccupied with the amazing Luna, and introducing him to her brother. 
Ben brings up an interesting challenge, is she all in because she knows this is temporary? Once the case is over, Luna leaves. Or does he? Though it is super sweet that he applied for a transfer to be with her, it feels too good to be true and may be a bad omen for his longevity. 
Unless the writers knew that, sadly, this would be the last season. Then the speed of their relationship makes sense. As it is, Cassie is so preoccupied with her love life, that she doesn’t have time for her partner, Walker, who’s spiraling. She even brushes off the idea Walker is having trouble when Luna brings up the possibility, saying Walker has been through worse. 
So even though it’s sweet and definitely understandable, it nonetheless has an impact on those around them. It would have been hilarious if Geri had walked in with Luna only wearing shorts, though.
Overall, another wonderful episode that mixes action, comedy, and heart to explore the human condition. In this case, the way people can get so focused on a someone, that they lose sight of how it affects others. This shows is so wonderful at how it humanizes its characters, it’s heartbreaking that there are only five episodes left.
4.89 out of 5 stars.
Photos Courtesy of The CW. Screencaps by Raloria on LJ.
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