WARNING: Due to this episode's status as a Grand Finale, all spoilers are unmarked!
The Final Show/Down is the series finale of Walker, Texas Ranger; it aired May 19, 2001. During its original airing, the entirety of the episode lasted for two hours, but in syndication, this is a two-part episode, serving as the 23rd and 24th episodes of the show's ninth and final season.
Alex and Walker are preparing for the arrival of their baby, but at the same time, a gang Walker put away seven years ago, led by Emile Lavocat, escapes from Huntsville to exact revenge on him and all the Rangers in his company, including Trivette, Wade Harper and Cliff Jensen. Among the first victims of Lavocat's killing spree was C.D., who was assassinated with ricin poisoning. With Alex about to go into labor, she makes it clear she is concerned for Walker's well-being and does not want to raise their baby alone. Meanwhile, Trivette's old flame from his criminal justice class at Southern Methodist, Erica Carter, asks him for his hand in marriage.
In one last Hays Cooper story, parallel to the original one, Cooper retires from the Rangers, having had a child himself, but a group of outlaws, led by Lavocat's great grandfather, Milos, plots to kill him, which just might force him out of retirement.
Tropes seen overall:
- Babies Ever After: The series ends with Walker and Alex welcoming their daughter, Angela Walker, into the world and their circle of friends. At the same time, Hays Cooper retires from the Rangers and goes on to have a child with his wife, Althea (Alex's past life).
- The Bus Came Back: Erica Carter, from Season 8's "Justice Delayed" returns in this episode.
- End of an Age: What more can you expect from a Grand Finale? This is also the final episode to be directed by Aaron Norris.
- Flashback B-Plot: In the last Hayes Cooper story of the show, the B plot has a story parallel to the main plot that involves Cooper approaching fatherhood while doing battle with Emile Lavocat's great grandfather, Milos Lavocat.
- Grand Finale / Season Finale: The final episode of the Ninth Season, as well as of the series.
- Identical Grandson: The episode parallels around the present showdown between Walker and Emile Lavocat and the past showdown between their respective ancestors, Hays Cooper and Milos Lavocat, as well as Walker and Hays rapidly approaching fatherhood.
- Last-Minute Hookup / Pair the Spares: After having too many girlfriends, Trivette is engaged to marry his former law enforcement student, Erica Carter.
- Special Guest: Marshall Teague as Emile and Milos Lavocat, Robert Fuller as Ranger Wade Harper, Leon Rippy as Chastain, Tammy Townsend as Erica Carter, Marla Adams as Betsy Harper, Matt Clark as Cooper's Friend, John Dennis Johnston as Shifts, William Sanderson as Mayor and Randall Tex Cobb as Ross Dollarhide and a Desperado.
- Visions of Another Self: The episode parallels around the present showdown between Walker and Emile Lavocat and the past showdown between their respective ancestors.
- Wham Episode: The Rangers find out after Jensen is killed, C.D. didn't really die from a heart attack in "The Avenging Angel", but of ricin poisoning.
Tropes seen in Part 1:
- Call-Back / Flashback Cut: As a Melancholy Musical Number plays, Walker and Trivette grimly reminisce of the good times they had with C.D. when they exhume his body for a second autopsy.
- Melancholy Musical Number: Tears from Heaven
" when Walker and Trivette exhume C.D.'s body on a rainy day for a second autopsy, finding out his cause of death was ricin, a type of poison, while reminiscing of the good times they had with their old friend.
Tropes seen in Part 2:
- Group Picture Ending: To conclude the series, a photo of the main cast, composed of— from left to right, respectively— Gage, Alex, Walker, Sydney and Trivette, is shown, along with the caption/narration "Until We Meet Again".
- Oh, Crap!: Emile Lavocat has this when Walker reveals he pulled the pin of the grenade on his belt. Walker then runs from the impending explosion.
