My Life With The Walter Boys 1×08 Review: Spinning Out

There are times that my heart breaks for fictional characters, because I know that they deserve better. I know that they are on a journey. I get it. But, when you are invested in a television show (don’t judge my life) and you just recognize some characters are really in need of a hug and some guidance.

That’s Cole Walter in the eighth episode of My Life With The Walter Boys. The way that Cole is working against himself and the way that he doesn’t see how he deserves better, it breaks me. It breaks me because as the viewer watches Cole work against himself, you can’t help but see that he needs help.

But, I know that in life, no one can really help someone who doesn’t want to help themselves. And right now, where we are, Cole doesn’t want to help himself. He wants to push everyone away.

THE START

Cole is spiraling. It’s very sad to see, because this poor guy doesn’t know what to do or how to be. He’s seeing everything that has been happening as his life is over – not that it’s just beginning.

Life at the Walter ranch is complicated, but right now they should be celebrating. Katherine is getting an award and that should be a great thing. But she seems to be put off a little by it. She doesn’t seem to want anyone to celebrate her, because (IMO) of everything going on at home.

But Katherine deserves to be celebrated more than most. She deserves it because she’s good at her job, but she’s also a great Mom. Like that’s huge. She’s not giving herself enough credit for the life that she’s living and the great things that she’s doing.

But George isn’t going to have that. He’s going to put the article on the fridge. He’s going to make sure that the kids see how great their Mom is and the things that she’s done. It’s honestly something kids should see.

They should see that their Mom is as special to the rest of the world as she is to them.

Though, I can’t blame Katherine for what she feels. She knows that her kids are having issues and they need her. Cole especially (even if he acts like he doesn’t). She knows that her son is in pain. She knows that Cole isn’t the only one. See, Will is back at home, because Hayley and Will are giving each other space.

So how can she accept an award when she needs to be paying attention to what’s happening at home? We’ll tell you Katherine – you just accept it.

THE WALKOUT

Cole isn’t going to make things easy on anyone. He’s walked out of his english class, rather than write an essay. He’s been getting high and all he can reflect on is what he feels that he’s lost.

Coles life isn’t over, but I can see why he feels that way. His heart is hurting, because he feels that the only thing that he’s been good at – football – has been taken away from him. Though he’s wrong that way. One thing doesn’t define you. You don’t give up on life because of one thing.

You pivot.

My Life with the Walter Boys. (L to R) Jaylan Evans as Skylar and Corey Fogelmanis as Nathan in episode 108 of My Life with the Walter Boys. Cr. Chris Large/© 2023 Netflix, Inc.

Cole getting high and making a scene at the pizza place, talking to Kylie about how Jackie and Alex shouldn’t be together. I would like to say that Cole’s only issue is that Jackie and Alex are together, but that’s not even close.

They all don’t want to talk about honest with each other. I hate it and I get it. At their age, it’s not easy. What I want to do is tell Katherine and George that they need to get their son some professional help – he needs it. He’s grieving in a different way and he needs to talk about it.

THE PLAY

As we all know, Isaac got the part that Danny wanted in the play. Though his audition went well, Isaac isn’t good. He’s crashing and burning at all the rehearsals and everyone sees it. Isaac knows he’s not doing well. Danny knows he’s not doing well.

What I do love about rehersals is sseeing Erin and Danny talking. Both of them are figuring out who they are and it’s kinda beautiful to see. Erin’s always thought that she has to be a certain way because it’s what her Mom wants. She’s been pressured to be a track star, but Erin is loving acting.

And she’s love being around Danny.

Though there is a code and you don’t date someone who has dated your brother, I do wish that Erin and Danny were a couple. They bring out the best in eachother.

But Danny brings out the best that he can out of all. He tries to set Cole straight and he tries to make sure that Isaac knows that he’s capable of more than he thinks.

When Isaac wants to quit the play, Danny guides him through with the help of Erin. Danny is a great brother. He is driven and he is focused. He may be a big dreamer, but Danny is the one who is going to do anything to make them come true.

The way that Danny is always there for his brothers is a testament to who he is and the way that he was raised.

THE AWARD

You know how you watch something and you have second hand embarrassment for someone? That’s me watching the awards ceremony and Cole arriving. I woulda thought that he had more respect for his Mom.

And I want to know how it is these kids keep getting served. Does no one card in Colorado? Are servers under the “Cole effect” or something?

My Life with the Walter Boys. (L to R) Corey Fogelmanis as Nathan, Jaylan Evans as Skylar, Ellie O’Brien as Grace and Ashby Gentry as Alex in episode 108 of My Life with the Walter Boys. Cr. Chris Large/© 2023 Netflix, Inc.

Katherine is trying to give her speech and Cole is making it all about him. He’s making a spectacle of himself and won’t calm down. Will can’t make him behave and Alex won’t help. This makes me not like Alex even more, because it shouldn’t be about his fight with his brother – it should be about their Mom.

It’s up to Jackie again to help and of course, Alex is mad about it. I don’t get him and his anger towards her. She wouldn’t have to take care of things if he would step up to the plate and be the brother that he should be.

And Jackie wouldn’t have been hurt.

Because that’s exactly what happened. Jackie tried to talk to Cole, and he told her that he wished she never moved there.

What an asshole!

Jackie didn’t want to move there. Her family died. Him bringing that up, no respect. I woulda slapped him, but she just walked away.