Reacher Season Three Early Review

The following is a spoiler-free review of the first 6 (out of 8) episodes of Reacher Season 3, premiering tomorrow on Prime Video

Waiting a little over a year has not been easy for those anticipating the next season of Reacher. But that patience will be rewarded with yet another promising season of the series, based on the immensely popular Lee Child’s action crime novel series, just around the corner. Each season thus far has been based on specific books in the series and the third is no different, drawing its narrative directly from the 2003 novel, Persuader, which centers around Reacher working with the DEA by going undercover in a criminal organization in the hopes of finalizing a previously personal mission he thought complete while also trying to rescue one of the DEA’s informants at the same time. As fans can already expect, what follows is violence, mayhem, and a long trail of bodies along the way. But more importantly, the season offers viewers a deeper look into Reacher’s past before establishing his unit of Special Investigators which only adds to his mystique.

In the episodes provided for to press before the season 3 premiere, Reacher continues its trend of delivering an easily digestible action crime thriller that stays diligently close to its source material to deliver a plot with moving pieces and characters that while, at times, can be somewhat stereotypical, still provides moments of levity and a change of pace when compared to the titular character’s stoic and dry demeanor. With newcomer characters like Susan Duffy (Sonya Cassidy), the hardened DEA Agent with a thick Maine accent, Guillermo Villanueva (Roberto Montesinos), the DEA Agent just trying to make it his last 5 months before retirement, and Paulie (Olivier Richters), a criminal henchman that is double the size of Reacher (still can’t believe it’s possible), each is able to contribute in Reacher’s ability to retain his humanity instead of slipping away as an entirely solitary and reclusive figure.

Oddly enough, that is where the series’ main subject truly embodies its overall approach to its audience. This is the very thin double-edged sword with the series as the familiarity of the show’s pacing, character roles, action, and drama all can be perceived as a solid foundation for presenting a polished product that never wavers in its presentation of a well-established literary character. Conversely, the “knowing” of who Reacher is, how he will react, and how others seemingly exist in his world can also hinder the series from truly being something or doing something different. Essentially saying to its viewers, they can like the series, or find something else to watch and move on. It makes no difference, and it will not deviate from this on any level because that would be doing a disservice to the character himself and the fans it has fostered. There’s a form of beauty in its simplicity, but its predictable nature can keep some from becoming fully immersed in this season’s narrative with little to no variation from the formula.

Despite this, the latest season of Reacher is determined to continue its streak of consistency by delivering an intriguing story filled with twists and turns that lead to both hilarity and tragedy. The supporting cast, while appreciated, can become trite at times in their specific narrative roles, however, their existence is essential in keeping the Reacher, the character, moving forward and not only seeking justice for whatever wrongs he might encounter but also looking towards his next adventure. This season is simply a continuation of the same as before and while some might see that as a slight, it can just as easily be seen as a comfort within a landscape of streaming properties that burn bright for a time and quickly fade. Reacher is the same today as it’s always been and that is always a good thing.

still courtesy of Prime Video

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Critics w/o Credentials

Trying my best to get all thoughts about TV and Film out of my head and onto the interweb.