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Reacher was an unexpected hit for Amazon Prime Video. The Alan Ritchson-led series, adapted from the Lee Child novel, is a lot of fun with its nomadic lead with a dark past. It’s one of those classic premises from the 90s that returns in a big way, while still keeping things innovative and fresh enough for entirely new audiences. With the Reacher season 3 premiere episodes, the show finds yet another fascinating and story-rich angle into the deceptively simple titular hero. Read on for my Reacher season 3 premiere episodes review.
Please note the following will contain some spoilers for Reacher season 3 premiere episodes.
Reacher’s simplicity is its greatest selling point. But that doesn’t mean the stories aren’t engaging or gripping. The series has a steady and consistent pace, along with writing and performances that complement each other. Not to mention the action choreography. It’s a writing feat in and of itself to continuously challenge a character that could easily be a Mary Sue; a perfect physical specimen with a high IQ, no attachments, seemingly no emotions, and nothing to lose in life.
Reacher Season 3 Works Hard To Keep The Stories Fresh
Yet the writers find compelling and new ways to make the character care for others and find himself in situations that we can’t help but be excited to see him fight his way out of. But with his brain. And I’m glad this has continued in Reacher season 3. Writers Nick Santora and Scott Sullivan, along with creator Child, whose Persuader novel was the inspiration for season 3, find another unique way into the character and his story.
Season 1 was the loner Reacher (Ritchson) finding himself at the heart of a small-town murder and ending up exposing political corruption and a deeper plot. Season 2 took the loner archetype and flipped it on its head by introducing Reacher’s team, a lovable group of former Special Investigations officers, Reacher’s former colleagues, friends, and even a lover. So what else could season 3 do to top it? Oh, how about a variation on the Lone Wolf and Cub trope?
Lone Wolf And Cub Trope For Season 3?
Reacher Season 3 premiere sees our lead stepping in to save a teen from a dangerous situation. While there’s more to the story than meets the eye in that first season 3 episode, it’s a different take on Reacher that works so well. The writers isolate Reacher again, like in season 1, in completely unfamiliar surroundings.
Which is a great idea, because Reacher is interesting because he constantly starts at a disadvantage and thinks his way out. But with his fists. Having a team to have his back took away some of those traits. Reacher making friends, finding allies in unlikely places, and getting into tough spots is the fun of the character. So I was very glad to see that formula return in Reacher season 3.
Joining Ritchson in season 3 is Sonya Cassidy as Susan Duffy, a detective who needs Reacher’s help. That sounds familiar. Duffy complements Reacher quite well and is a great counterpoint to the small-town cop in season 1’s Roscoe Conklin (Willa Fitzgerald). Duffy is brash, direct, and more than a few times leaves Reacher flabbergasted. Well, as much as Reacher’s flaber can gast.
The writing never betrays the Reacher character or Ritchson’s performance.
Reacher season 3’s story is interesting so far. The premiere episode begins with an interesting action sequence that makes you question the writing a little. But as the episode progresses, the show reveals why it’s so great. The title card drop, timed perfectly to a plot point reveal, sets the perfect tone for the rest of each episode. So far, season 3 has found a unique way to continue telling Reacher stories that don’t feel like the same story, characters, or situations repeating over and over.
But the most impressive thing about the show is still the writing for Reacher and Ritchson’s pitch-perfect performance. Reacher isn’t just a strong, silent archetype, but neither is he the emotional and impulsive hero. Ritchson plays Reacher with that perfect balance of serious, sassy, suspicious, or just straight-up dangerous, which is a fine tightrope walk.
The first 3 episodes of Reacher season 3 premiere on Amazon Prime Video on February 20, 2025.
And the writing never betrays the performance. The writing takes care to never make Reacher do something that feels out of character. And for a character that can easily end up feeling one-dimensional, this is a huge achievement. Reacher is interesting, conflicted, damaged, flawed, and layered in very unexpected ways. And while Ritchson’s range isn’t always the greatest, in my opinion, he was born to play Reacher.
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Grade: A-
Reacher
Jack Reacher, a veteran military police investigator, has just recently entered civilian life. Reacher is a drifter, carrying no phone and the barest of essentials as he travels the country and explores the nation he once served.
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Director: Nick Santora
Cast: Alan Ritchson , Sonya Cassidy , Maria Sten
