Several elements and scenarios appeared frequently on the series:
- Walker performs his roundhouse kick to the villain’s face as a last move that usually defeats the victim immediately when the victim falls from a window, off the roof, and others. The shot of Walker kicking his adversary is then rapidly repeated, twice, and in slow motion, from different angles.
- The kidnapping of assistant district attorney Alex Cahill/Cahill-Walker.
- Walker taking part in undercover operations, with the aim of getting evidence to convict the antagonists’ leader.
- The antagonists’ leader attempting to leave town or temporarily close down their illegal operations to avoid being arrested by Walker or his associates.
- Walker is often shown teasing Trivette as they drive from place to place.
- Trivette often complains about always having to fight with the largest opponents in a particular battle. Walker teases him by emphasizing how much it looked like it did or is going to hurt.
- Walker talking to or interacting with animals—staring them down to prevent them from attacking, directing them to do complex tasks, or using their knowledge for his benefit.
- A vacationing Walker (or an associate) inadvertently stumbling upon an illicit enterprise that requires Walker’s intervention and the ultimate destruction of said enterprise; the climax often comes just before Walker returns to his post in Dallas.
- Paranormal or mystical phenomena, including but not limited to: ghosts of Native Americans directing Walker towards clues; the ghost of Hayes Cooper, legendary Texas Ranger, leading Walker to buried treasure; the ghost of an old Native American shaman striking Walker with a lightning bolt and transporting him hundreds of years into the past; a reborn Buddhist monk being hunted down by a jealous monk, also reborn.
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Troubled children or teens overcoming the odds with Walker’s assistance. In various episodes, this has included: Juan, a boxing prodigy whose father beats him and his mother (and later kills himself and the mother when driving drunk) (”Golden Boy”, season 8); Chad Morgan, a young telekinetic who is
institutionalized so that his abilities can be measured and tested (”Brainchild”, season 5); a boot camp for delinquent 18- to 21-year-olds that Walker and Trivette run (”Mr. Justice, season 5); a child (guest star Haley Joel Osment) whose drug-addicted mother led to his being infected with HIV (”Lucas 1 and 2″ Season 5);and the Kick Drugs Out of America program, an after school martial-arts class run by Walker to encourage kids to stay out of trouble. - Dual plot lines involving a legendary Texas Ranger of the Old West, Hayes Cooper (also played by Norris). Other Walker regulars have performed dual roles in these episodes, although some appeared in them only once.
- The majority of the antagonists fight against Walker and his friends or regular police officers when they are declared to be under arrest, and the majority of criminals and law enforcement personnel are also accomplished kick boxers/martial artists.
- Walker is often shown jumping out of a helicopter, or another moving vehicle, into the vehicle of a fleeing criminal, or occasionally into a criminals hideout.
- Walker arriving just in time to save someone, or to arrest criminals.
- C.D. being injured by the antagonist and being hospitalized.
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When suspect people or criminals are confronted by Walker with interrogating questions, they usually respond by pretending to turn away, only to then draw back and attempt to throw a hay maker punch. This punch is always blocked by Walker, and after its failure, he proceeds to beat them until
they are rendered to the ground. - The episode often ends with a lighthearted moment in which the main characters exchange jokes and have a good laugh at C.D.’s bar. This is commonly concluded with a camera still on Walker and/or another character laughing which subsequently fades to black before the credits roll.
- Often real clips from other televised programs are used as the backdrop for episodes that show sporting events, weather and action sequences.
