In our view, 'Walker Independence' leans heavily on modern identity-driven casting and characterization that often feels at odds with its 19th-century setting. Characters are foregrounded for their race, gender, or sexuality in ways that sometimes seem more about virtue signaling than narrative necessity, which can break immersion for viewers looking for historical realism.

The show frequently subverts traditional gender roles and tends to paint family structures and faith as outdated. Masculinity is often undermined in favor of presenting female and minority characters as unflappable and morally superior, giving the vibe that the Old West simply needed a 21st-century HR department.

Alternative or traditional worldviews are almost exclusively depicted through over-the-top villains or backward caricatures. The ideological perspective is almost entirely uniform and modern, with little space for genuine debate or nuance. It’s pretty much a one-sided ride.