Kaitlyn Ford ‘25

1)This is for action junkies who can take in graphic and violent scenes

2)This series includes intense fights at least once or more in an episode

3) This series ending will leave the watcher content with what had happened, while also leaving an ending that is not too much of a cliffhanger to get people excited for the new and upcoming season

Disclaimer: Spoilers happen!!!

(Though there were only eight episodes, they usually ran from 40-60 minutes)

Synopsis: “Based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child, it stars Alan Ritchson as the title character, a drifter and former military policeman who battles dangerous criminals throughout his travels,” (Wikipedia). 

Episode one: “Reacher is wrongly accused of murder while visiting the small town of Margrave, GA” 

The season begins with a murder in Margrave Georgia, which immediately got me hooked on the story. The sense of mystery with the people who committed the murder is great. Then leaving the watcher to infer while continuing the show. The introduction to the main character shows a husband and a wife coming out of a hometown restaurant, pulling her harshly and throwing her to the side of the car. Reacher stops and stares the guy in the eyes. Though he says nothing, his intimidation by just how he looks makes the man stop, and apologize. His morals, and values shine through during this scene, it is a strong instance of in-direct characterizations. Reacher is brought into the station, where we meet his love interest, Roscoe, one of the deputies in the town. He continues to say nothing, but as Chief Detective Finlay talks to him, he speaks when he sees fit. As the episode goes on, an innocent guy, Hubble, says he murdered the individual. Both Hubble and Reacher go to jail in an unsafe jailhouse where lots of action takes place, and thus the story begins.

Episode two: “When more victims are discovered, Reacher attempts to get answers but is set up. Roscoe receives a threatening message.”

When the victim is identified, Reacher makes it his current goal to find whoever is responsible for that murder. In episode two, we also begin to see more into Reacher's backstory, which introduces his parents and only sibling, Joe.  Reacher’s backstory sets up the common trope of a main character overcoming childhood adversity that shapes the character into a “rough”, but strong adult. . But the action does not slow down from there. Reacher, Roscoe, and Finlay head out to the crime scene to figure out what happened. Reacher is only allowed to be there because Roscoe has to keep an eye on him to reassure Finlay he had nothing to do with the murders. The crime scene is extremely brutal, only Reacher can withstand the violence that is shown. This part made the show even more serious, and more exciting to watchThe death appears to be the chief, naturally, it would be the chief detective Finlay, but the town Mayor had other ideas. Teale, the Mayor, sends Finlay to “chase his tail” to get him far away from the case. But Finlay continues his investigation with Roscoe and Reacher, which seem to be the only people he can trust. Nearing the end of the episode, we get the needed one on one time with Roscoe and Reacher. But soon after, when Roscoe returns to her house, she sees her house was broken into and ransacked. Ending an episode where one of the main characters has to take in consideration if her life is in serious danger.

Episode three: “Reacher and Finlay’s investigation into the missing Spivey leads them into a confrontation with Sliner Sr. Roscoe learns unsettling news about Reacher.” 

The next episode starts right where it ended, with Roscoe infuriated with the mess she came home to and immediately wanting to find whoever is responsible. Like Reacher, this case also became personal. One of many victims was Id’d. As they research that victim they find out intriguing things that lead them closer to the truth. Someone from the secret service ends up calling, wanting to talk to a certain person. But he is not available. Reacher takes the phone call and asks questions regarding the case to better understand how deep it went. Roscoe is then led on a wild goose chase by Teale. Finlay ends up going on a solid lead, but soon is arrested and beaten down by cops from a different town. The arrest made on Finlay was completely uncalled for. Leading toward the end, Reacher goes for a MAJOR lead that helps the trio tremendously. 

Episode four: “As the danger increases, Reacher and Roscoe grow closer and they make plans to meet with their contact from Homeland Security.”

Episode four starts with a rather aggressive angle. Finlay ends up calling Reacher with more information regarding the case. Reacher and Roscoe have a slight argument that quickly blows over once they talk it out. Roscoe and Reacher end up getting an expensive hotel with money they got from a criminal. Later in the episode, the lady from the secret service calls back with more information. Given another lead they go down and get every little piece together that they can. Finlay gets a solid angle on the case. Then restoring the hope of finally solving this difficult case. Hubble is nowhere to be found, and his family ends up being afraid, Finlay puts them into protective custody and sends them with his friend that works with the FBI. Reacher, struggling to find when the case ends, calls an old friend to help him out. The lady from the secret services ends up going to the trio, but things do not end up as planned, this creates a lot of intense action which is so fun to watch. 

Though there are eight episodes, I wanted to express only some to hopefully get new viewers into this show. 

All photo courtesy of google