Modern-day Texas Ranger, Cordell Walker's independent crime-solving methods have their roots in the rugged traditions of the Old West. Walker's closest friend is former Ranger, C.D. Parker, who retired after a knee injury, and now owns "C.D.'s," a Country/Western saloon/restaurant. Rookie Ranger, James "Jimmy" Trivette is an ex-football player who bases his crime-solving methods on reason and uses computers and cellular phones. Alex Cahill is the Assistant DA who shares a mutual attraction with Walker, but often disagrees with his unorthodox approach to law enforcement.

Action adventure set in the High Sierra country involving an intrepid ranger who has come out of retirement and, with the special squad he has created, leads the search for a vicious escaped convict who had returned to the mountains. This TV-movie pilot aired nearly a year before the short-lived subsequent series began.