GayTV Recap: Walker (Episode 1x8)

Episode 8 of the CW drama Walker found a tornado headed for Austin, Texas and an emotional storm rising for leading man Cordell's brother, assistant district attorney Liam (played by Keegan Allen). After visiting Mexico on a tip related to the death of Cordell's wife Emily, Liam and Cordell's police captain Larry, narrowly missed being killed in a car explosion. The beginning of this week's episode found Liam talking with Cordell's partner Micki, who had been debriefed by the captain. Seeing how disheveled Liam looked, Micki wondered how he was doing after the ordeal. Liam then revealed that he had been sleeping at the office and hadn't been near his family, including his fiancé Brett, since his return.

Liam & Micki talked about Emily's true killer still being at large. She said that now that Liam knew the truth, he had to tell his brother, especially given the killer's connection to a dangerous gang that was responsible for the car explosion. Liam was terrified that he could lead the gang back to the family, but he knew that he had to tell Cordell that his brother had been right about Emily's killer not being the man currently behind bars. He promised Micki he would tell him. 

Later, while pouring over the case files Liam called Cordell (played by Jared Padalecki), suggesting they go out and grab a drink tonight, intending to tell him about the evidence. Cordell told his brother about his kids going to their first dance tonight, which got Liam emotional, thinking about the subject he was planning to discuss with him. He changed his mind, telling Cordell to enjoy this night and they would meet up tomorrow. Cordell was caught off-guard by Liam's quick change of plans but ultimately agreed, and ended up making plans with Micki and her boyfriend Trey, ultimately leading them into the path of the tornado.

Liam was then surprised when Brett (played by Alex Landi) showed up at his office. He panicked a bit wondering why security hadn't called to announce him, but Brett reminded him that he was on the white list at the office. He showed concern for Liam practically living at the office, which was starting to stink. Liam apologized, but told him that he was working on an important case. 

Brett encouraged him to get out and come to dinner with him. Liam, secretly afraid that danger would be lurking, didn't want to go, but Brett urged him to let him take care of him. He couldn't stay cooped up in his office forever. His pressure ultimately made Liam agree. Liam told him that he would meet him at the elevator. Brett left him alone and Liam began putting away his case files. He then looked at a photo of the notorious gang members, showing his concern.

Liam & Brett got inside the elevator and Brett noticed that Liam was glued to his phone. He moved his hand to hold Liam's free hand, only for Liam to move his hand away at the last moment to type on his phone, annoying Brett. He then tried small talk, telling Liam that he was about to say something incredibly ridiculous just to see if Liam was paying attention, but it was obvious that he wasn't. Liam wondered what he meant. Brett was happy to have his attention. He said that Liam was being weird and he wanted to know if Liam wanted to talk about it.

Before Liam could say anything else, the elevator came to an abrupt stop, malfunctioning as the lights went out. Liam immediately panicked, hitting the emergency button and trying to call for help as Brett attempted to calm him down. Hearing the operator, Liam reported that the elevator stopped working in the district attorney's office. The operator then revealed that it was likely storm-related and that it would take a while before help could arrive due to other emergencies. Liam used his phone to make a call to his parents, telling them about their predicament. 

Later, Brett tried to calm Liam down as he was literally climbing the walls of the elevator trying to figure a way out. Brett urged him to come down, pulling him into a comforting hug. He told Liam that everything was going to be fine. It was then that Liam, driven by fear, made a fateful decision. He told Brett that something happened during his trip to Mexico. He then lied to Brett, telling him that he got drunk and hooked up with a bartender. Brett immediately laughed it off as a joke, though he could see Liam on the verge of tears. 

Brett's smile then faded and he asked Liam if he was being serious. Liam said he was, but Brett said it didn't make sense, given Liam's dedication to family values. Liam tried to hold back his emotion as he continued his lie, saying that Brett was better off without him. Before Brett could respond, the doors opened, revealing Liam's parents who helped them out of the trapped elevator, getting them out of the building. 

Without Brett, the Walkers headed over to the high school which was also an emergency shelter during the storm. Liam's parents couldn't help but chat about Liam's situation after being brought up to speed on his supposed cheating. Liam's mother Abeline found it hard to believe that Liam would stray from his relationship. His father Bonham (played by Mitch Pileggi) went over to his son, finding him sulking. He called him out for his behavior, wondering if he really loved Brett. Liam said he did, but his father didn't understand how that could be true after what he did. 

Bonham reminded his son that Brett uprooted his life and moved across the country to be with Liam and if he wasn't ready to spend every day of his life showing him that he loves him, then he never deserved Brett in the first place. Liam told his father that he had no idea what he was sacrificing by doing what he did. Liam then excused himself, saying that he was going to call Brett.

Cordell & Micki arrived at the school, discussing the injury that Trey suffered while helping them rescue people from the storm. As their conversation turned to family and the things they do for them, she glanced over, locking eyes with Liam for a second before leaving. Liam then came over to Cordell, telling him that they needed to talk about something important. Cordell was taken aback by how disheveled and troubled Liam looked. They agreed to meet later at the bleachers on the football field to talk. 

Brett arrived at the school and Liam tried to explain that what he did had nothing to do with Brett. It was him dealing with his own crap, but Brett disagreed. He said it was him. He ignored all the times that Liam put other people before Brett. Liam was taken aback as Brett lashed out. Liam said that he loved him, but Brett said that what Liam loved was controlling people and controlling situations but he had no right to do that with him anymore. Brett said he wasn't going to let Liam tell him how to feel. He told him Liam that he should stay with his parents for a while because he needed time away from him. A crushed Liam agreed and watched Brett leave. 

Cordell later found Liam sitting on the bleachers outside by the field. He showed his brother a phone number that he got, the first real one since Emily died. He confided in his brother that he thought he forgot how to flirt. Liam tried to smile, saying that he really wanted his brother to be happy and be able to move on. Cordell then focused his attention on his younger brother's clearly emotional state, wondering what was going on with him. 

Liam then confided in Cordell that he lied to Brett so that he would leave him. Cordell wondered why his brother would ever do such a thing. Liam told him that it was dangerous and he has a feeling that something bad is going to happen. Cordell remained confused and wanted to know what he was talking about. Liam then told Cordell that he was right about Emily's killer being the wrong man all along, despite Liam's previous attempts to get Cordell to drop his suspicions. Liam told him about his trip to Mexico and finding evidence that proved it. He said the real killer is still out there and Liam thinks that he's going to come after the family again. Cordell told his brother that it had to be hard to get all that out. He got up to walk away, but gently stopped his brother from joining him. He left Liam on the bleachers alone as the episode ended.