Texas Ranger Cordell Walker, a widower and father of two with his own moral code, returns home to Austin, TX, after being undercover for two years, only to discover there’s harder work to be done at home. As Walker attempts to reconnect with his creative and thoughtful son August and his headstrong, somewhat rebellious teenaged daughter Stella, he finds that he needs to navigate clashes with his family – Liam, Walker’s ADA brother who stepped in during Walker’s absence, his perceptive mother Abeline and his traditional rancher father Bonham. Walker’s former colleague, Larry James, is now his Ranger Captain. And Walker finds unexpected common ground with his new partner Micki Ramirez, one of the first women in Texas Rangers’ history while growing increasingly suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death.
Micki is uncomfortable with the spotlight Captain James puts on her during a current investigation. Walker talks to Liam about their parents and learns there was trouble while he was away. Trey applies for a new job in town while Stella starts community service and August stumbles upon some secrets from his father's time away undercover.
Captain James and Liam follow up on a tip regarding Emily's murder. The duo head to Mexico for more answers but decide to keep their trip a secret from Walker. Meanwhile, Trey escorts Stella, August and the girls soccer team to an away game but when things take a dangerous turn Trey, Walker and Micki have to team up to save the kids. Micki learns some shocking news.
A tornado touches down in Austin and it's all hands on deck to keep the kids and community safe. Walker, Micki and Trey rush to the school where Stella, August and Ruby are at a school dance. Bonham and Abeline stop at a store for supplies where old memories resurface and the two are forced to discuss their marriage. Meanwhile, Liam and Bret get trapped in an elevator and everything Liam has been carrying on his shoulders gets the best of him and he makes a rash decision.
With the Sidestep now in their name, Walker, Stella and August put their stamp on the place. Liam turns to Bonham for advice on a career move, while Micki and Trey work through the aftermath of his injuries after the hurricane. Stella confronts Clint about Trevor and his response prompts Stella to make a dangerous decision that will leave a permanent mark on the Walker family.
Walker has concerns over Micki going too deep undercover and wants to keep a close eye on her and the possible new informant. Captain James and the new District Attorney work together trying to close the case to bring Micki home. Stella and Colton Davidson team up to solve a mystery while under the watchful eye of Trey and come across an interesting obstacle on their way home.
Walker invites Gale Davidson to participate in the chili cookoff at the Side Step to try and make amends after years of their families feuding, however Abby isn't too pleased with the gesture. Micki and Trey work on reconciling their relationship when she comes home after her deep undercover operation.
Walker tells his family about the surveillance cameras in their home and partners with Denise to lure out whoever is watching them. Liam doesn't trust Denise, or her husband Dan, which frustrates Walker who is trying to mend the rift between the families. Micki continues to deal with the ramifications of her time undercover.
Tensions run high when Walker and Liam investigate a cold case together. Micki, still on desk duty, is working through her grief while slowly easing her way back into the field. Trey tags along for a fishing trip and gets a lesson on love. August makes a discovery that could lead to answers about the feud between The Walkers and The Davidsons.
Micki comes clean to Trey about her past and they question what it means for them in the future. After a heartbreaking talk, Micki realizes it might be time to start a new chapter. Meanwhile, Walker and Liam put their differences aside and agree to trust each other when Denise asks them to investigate a case. Bonham dresses up as Santa Claus for the annual holiday party.
Things are still tense between Walker and Liam after Liam called in a false warrant on Dan Miller. However, things take a turn for the worse when Captain James informs the brothers that Serano's lawyers are using Liam's mistake as a way to set the criminal free, putting the entire Walker family in danger.
When he hears that Serano is out on bail, Dan panics and asks Liam for help. Liam doesn't trust Dan but Dan makes him a tempting offer that would put Serano behind bars for good. There is just a small catch - Liam can't tell Walker what's going on. Meanwhile, Geri decides to have an open mic night at the Side Step and encourages August to hit the stage.
It's graduation day and the Walker family is turning a corner into a seemingly hopeful future that is until Cordell goes missing, and his mysterious captors are trying to break him down physically and mentally. Meanwhile, Captain James, Cassie and the rest of the Rangers have all hands on deck to bring Cordell home safely but Stella has ideas of her own on how she can help.
Walker, Cassie and Captain James team up to put Trey through the final stages of his training, a "Rangers hell-week" that will ensure he's ready to join the ranks of the elite organization, but it's not only Trey who is put to the test, Walker hasn't worked with Cassie in weeks and both struggle to get their partnership back in sync.
Walker attempts to make this the most memorable Thanksgiving ever in the hopes of luring Stella to return home, but when the family’s annual “Circle of Thanks” turns into a circle of grievance, tensions bubble over- leaving things worse off than they began, with one member of the Walker family being rushed to the hospital.
In the aftermath of the Walker’s dramatic Thanksgiving dinner with Abeline’s traumatic hospitalization, the family rings in the new year with members of the Walker family resolving to make better choices across the board. While Cordell throws himself into family matters, Cassie pulls Trey into a case tracking down an elusive tech mogul. But Cassie gets the sense she’s in hot water with Captain James.
Cordell and Cassie intervene in a hostage situation at a server farm, but something Trey finds indicates something more sinister is at play. Meanwhile, August tries to smooth things over with his grandparents, Liam attempts to step up his responsibility within the family business, and a luncheon awkwardly reunites Cordell with someone from the past.
Cordell is tipped off that Grey Flag may still have him as their prime target. Meanwhile, Captain James has discovered that Cordell and Cassie weren’t truthful about some top-secret information and Trey’s involvement in the prior week’s case lands him in hot water. Abeline and Bonham disagree on how ready Cordell is to handle his responsibilities, while Liam continues to pursue his new business venture, despite his dad’s displeasure over his son’s new partner.
As Cordell and Cassie dig deeper into the deaths of his military buddies, he uncovers some inconsistencies that may reveal truths he’s not ready to face. Meanwhile, Trey is presented with a new opportunity, Captain James receives some news from Kelly and Bonham is still at odds with the rest of the family.
After a shocking revelation, Cordell and Cassie set off to find out more about Grey Flag's nefarious plans. Liam's and Stella's plan for the horse rescue appear to finally be coming together when a big-time philanthropist offers her support, and the Walker family joins forces to move the project along quickly. Trey's new assignment lands him in unfamiliar territory and a new partner could compromise his focus.
Stakes are high as Cordell, Cassie, Captain James and Trey all realize Grey Flag’s plans and partnerships extend deeper than they once thought. While the Walkers plan for the Mayor’s Medal Ceremony, Cordell struggles with missing out on time with his kids as he focuses on trying to keep the whole city safe.
An old friend returns with a shocking surprise for everyone, and Cordell is forced to come to terms with the decisions he’s made and how it’s affected the ones he loves most. In the aftermath of the devastation caused by Grey Flag, Trey’s left feeling like an outsider, but a new case will force he and Cassie to overcome their issues.
It’s Walker’s birthday and Geri is pulling out all the stops, but her plans are thwarted. Walker, Captain James and Trey tackle a case together and Cassie surprises everyone with her return. Abby asks for Liam’s help to bring Stella out of her cocoon. Meanwhile, August is enjoying his senior year of high school, leaving Walker feeling like an empty nester.
When Maybelline, an 80-year-old grandmother and witness, is in crucial need of protective custody, Walker, Cassie and Trey are charged with keeping the acerbic matriarch safe, and though Walker and crew call the plays, the wise elder is the one keeping score. Cassie grapples with a big decision and asks Geri for help to make some changes. Meanwhile, Stella wants to move on but continues to struggle with her grief and Liam tries to help. Lastly, August wants to join an after-school program and asks Bonham to help convince Walker to sign off on the program.
Trey and Liam try to help Walker figure out his next steps with Geri. Liam confides in Walker that he's worried about Stella. Meanwhile, Stella and Sadie look into recent events. August begins his bootcamp training and it is not what he expected. Liam helps Cassie sift through the clutter. Lastly, the family works together on a fundraiser.
Walker, Trey, Cassie and Detective Luna explore more leads as Walker starts to become more and more invested. Captain James notices Casey and Luna growing closer. Stella goes to Bonham for self-defense training and August excels in his boot camp training. Lastly, Bonham and Abby discuss the future with mixed opinions.
Liam express his concerns about Walker to Trey. Walker becomes more invested in the case as Captain James asks him to take a break. Stella continues her search for the necklace and starts putting together the pieces of the mystery. August goes to his dad for help with a school project. Meanwhile, Cassie and Detective Luna take their relationship to the next level.