By 1997, Walker, Texas Ranger was roundhouse kicking butt in the ratings, so star/executive producer Chuck Norris decided to try his hands in punching out a spin-off with Sons Of Thunder, which debuted on May 4, 1997.
A two-hour Sunday night movie on CBS, SoT also doubled as a backdoor pilot with James Wleck as Walker protege Trent Malloy, an Army veteran who returned home to care for his family after the death of his reverend father Thunder. While trying to reconnect with them – especially with younger brother Tommy -, Trent began to find himself at a crossroads. Good for him that he has Walker on his side to help him find what his purpose in life will be. Skilled in martial arts, Trent doesn’t want to be a police officer because he doesn’t want to use a gun due to an incident that haunted him since he was a kid. And not only that, there’s a killer out there targeting cops that not only includes Walker, but also his partner Trivette (Clarence Gilyard), and Trent’s childhood friend: Dallas police officer Carlos Sandoval (Marco Sanchez).
Over the next two seasons, the characters Trent and Carlos became recurring Walker characters, with Carlos promoted to detective, and Trent running both a martial arts school and a protection agency. Sometimes, Trent gets help from Walker and/or Carlos with his cases, and Walker helps them as well as get help from either one on his cases.
Then, finally in the spring of 1999, Sons Of Thunder came to fruition with Carlos leaving the police force and teaming up with Trent to become partners of a detective agency. Sadly, after just six episodes, the series was canceled. Despite decent ratings, Chuck Norris hoped SoT would get a full season, but CBS cited budget concerns as the reason for not picking it up for the fall season, and the characters of Trent and Carlos were never heard from again.
Still, Sons Of Thunder could’ve returned as a mid-season replacement and would’ve succeeded Walker for many seasons – and crossovers – to come on Saturday nights. It could’ve been and would’ve been up there with its predecessor, Touched By An Angel, and The Equalizer.
Reruns of Walker, Texas Ranger can be found on Heroes and Icons (H&I) and getTV; all nine seasons can also be found on Hulu.