The third season of Reacher is a project that I’ve been waiting for with huge anticipation. It was supposed to bring Lee Child’s novel Persuader to life. Alan Ritchson reprises his role as the iconic Jack Reacher, a character that we all know and love. He doesn’t have an easy life, and everywhere he goes, there is a mission waiting for him.
Season 3 of Reacher delves further into this complex world, presenting new challenges that test his abilities and moral compass. I’ve been given an opportunity to preview the new season, and I’ll share my thoughts below!
Reacher season 3: the story
Season 3 was meant to adapt Persuader, which is the seventh book in Lee Child’s series. And I have to say that if you’ve read the book, you will be pretty happy with the outcome. This season, from the first episode, immediately puts Reacher (Alan Ritchson) into a high-stakes mission. The plot of this season starts immediately in the first minutes of episode 1 when Reacher intervenes in an attempted kidnapping.
I don’t want to spoil much about this season because it is so good. The quality of the story in every season of Reacher so far doesn’t get below fantastic. The adaptation of books works very well, and this show is proof that you can adapt a book, change some things, and still keep the whole point of the story, interesting characters, and overall quality.
New characters give much-needed depth to Reacher’s character and to the show
Richard Beck, the heir of the family fortune, is portrayed as a young man who is torn between an unquestionable loyalty to his father and his moral dilemmas. Zachary Beck, the head of the family, is a man who is very mysterious from the beginning. His interactions with Reacher are weird, interesting, and manipulative at some point. If I have to compare him to someone, I’d say that he reminds me of a silent, yet very convincing modern mafia boss that you can see in plenty of shows. But this one is so convincing that his role is immediately one of the best parts of the show.
A standout element this season, and the one many of the fans were waiting for, is the introduction of a person who is finally bigger than Reacher, and it is Paulie (Olivier Richters). Paulie physically is bigger, stronger, and more dangerous than Reacher. Their dynamic from the beginning is funny, competitive, and full of testosterone. The physical confrontations between them are some of the best fights we’ve got so far in this show. It shows the strength, physical accuracy, and different mindset of Reacher and Paulie.
Each character that has a longer interaction with Reacher, helps us understand him even more. Especially when there are no already established characters around him that could help him, or just talk to him. As the season unfolds, the interactions with new characters show that Reacher’s relationship with people is hard, but never is underappreciated. The show has managed to show a similar relationship between Reacher and Duffy (Sonya Cassidy) in the show that was in the books, as well as with the supporting cast. This season proves once again, that you can change relationships in the shows, and change characters, but as long as you stay faithful to the essence of the story in some points, you can keep the overall quality.
With each new season, Reacher seems to be evolving into an even more confident show that isn’t afraid of this type of storytelling, and changing approach to certain aspects of the books. The decision to use Persuader, the seventh book in the series, was great. Adapting those books out of order allows the series to select stories that best fit the show’s narrative. That way, we can watch the most interesting stories while acknowledging that characters are constantly evolving, and we don’t have to see their adventures every few weeks.
Moreover, the show’s popularity proves that you didn’t have to read the books to enjoy it. It’s a show that is perfect for everyone, it doesn’t matter whether you like the books or not, and it certainly doesn’t matter if you’ve seen Tom Cruise’s version of Reacher. This show is so good that you will immediately love it. Season 3 still keeps the overall quality and feels fresh and engaging.
Final thoughts on Prime Video’s Reacher season 3
Season 3 of Reacher adapts perfectly Lee Child’s novel on the big screen. Alan Ritchson’s portrayal continues to capture the essence of Jack Reacher, giving us a strong and interesting hero, who tries to be normal, like everyone else. His ability to outthink his enemies, as well as, in many cases, outfight them, proves that it is not all about his muscles, but also about his strategic thinking. Unlike many action heroes who often rely purely on brute strength or blind luck, Reacher’s victories are the result of careful planning, quick thinking, and not accidental events. Season 3 allows these qualities to shine while also showing Reacher’s vulnerabilities.
As the season progresses, it promises to show an even deeper journey into the world of shady business, corrupted people, and people who try to do a good. Reacher’s justice is often absolute, but this season challenges his perspective in new ways, forcing him to confront the ethical dilemmas of his actions more directly. This approach also mirrors the experience of reading a Reacher novel, where we have to constantly be focused and figure out what may happen in the future. That’s why the whole structure of the show allows the audience to remain invested over several weeks rather than bingeing the whole season at once, and forgetting it too quickly.
Overall, Reacher season 3 is an excellent season, that keeps the quality of the previous two. It not only met my expectations, but it exceeded them. Reacher remains one of my favorite shows of the last few years, and thanks to this season, it solidifies it even more. It’s a faithful adaptation of the books, that mixes known elements, with some new ones to create a storytelling that fits this version of Reacher. Alan Ritchson’s acting is terrific, and I hope that as long as he wants to play Reacher, he’ll get the chance to do so because he deserves it.
Are you excited for the new season of Reacher on Prime Video? Let us know what you think on social media @mycosmiccircus or @TheCosmicCircus.com on Bluesky!
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