Reacher

By Sophia Doshi

I blame my girlish tendencies (I'm just a girl) for starting this series. Admittedly, when I saw a clip from the first episode of season 2 when Reacher helps a woman and her child when they are carjacked, I saw a very tall, very jacked, very badass-looking man and immediately knew what show was going to be added to my watchlist. My next gym goal is to look like Alan Ritchson. I'm giving myself six months.

Reacher is based on Lee Child's popular Jack Reacher novels, bringing to life the adventures of the ex-military policeman who wanders from town to town, solving mysteries and delivering justice. The show combines intense action, clever detective work, and a touch of (dry) humor, making it a compelling watch for fans of the genre.

Season 1 of Reacher was my preferred season. Each character had an individual personality, the storyline kept me hooked, and the ending was more than satisfactory; I'm a sucker for larger-than-life action sequences at the end of any film media. A warehouse going up in an explosive fireball as the silhouette of the main hero ambles out? The kiss between the leading woman and the hunky hero? It's a classic action sequence, but not one I'll ever tire of. The events in the season leading up to this satisfactory climax were entertaining and didn't bore me out of my mind. Unfortunately, Ritchson's acting didn't meet my standards, but at least I can believe that his character could take out a dozen men with barely a scratch. Oh, and Reacher is 6'5" in the show–Ritchson is only 6'3". I'm a foot shorter either way, so I shouldn't be height-checking the man, but the truth must persevere. 

I loved Finlay, played by Malcolm Goodwin, as his tweed-suited, glasses-wearing, comedia-relief-esque persona kept me awake and alert, especially in some scenes where it was just him and Reacher. The stakeout scene where the two men are sharing their backstories nearly put me to sleep; while I enjoyed the show overall, Ritchson's emotional range is that of a small Poland Springs bottle. It was also a pleasant surprise that caused a huge smile to blossom on my face when Finlay made an appearance in season 2. Roscoe Conklin (Willa Fitzgerald) also added a little pep in my step while some of the scenes dragged on. Sure, she's not like other girls: her mom and dad were killed in a car crash she survived, her parents' best friend raised her, she can protect herself thank you very much... hmm. Sounds similar to the likes of Arya Stark, Katniss Everdeen, Natasha Romanoff, and Rey (Skywalker), among others. I am not trying to bash a fellow woman, but the fictional female stereotype in film media of having dead parents (every Disney princess), being raised by a close friend/relative of the family (also every Disney princess), and being able to take care of themselves (although every Disney princess claims this, they still always seem to be getting themselves into trouble) is too cliché for me. However, Roscoe certainly knows how to handle a firearm and does not take any bulls**t from anybody. 

Season 2 was a different ballgame, and the sudden cacophony of characters that had the same abilities and backstory as Reacher was certainly the information overload. Although I spent some time catching up with all the characters, I grew to enjoy their dynamic. I love O'Donnell; we certainly needed a witty and sarcastic character to balance out the somberness of the rest of the cast. One main thing I don't like about the show in general manifested in Reacher's nomadic relationships with women. Roscoe left him her phone number, and they seemed very compatible and into each other, then suddenly Dixon is a woman from his past who seduces him (again) and he forgets all about Roscoe. Maybe I'm biased against men but that is just silly to me. Why leave a perfectly intelligent, beautiful, and capable woman for a convenient past flame? Perhaps it is just the show's writing, or maybe it's my disdain for leaving a woman in the dust, but I don't like it.  

Overall, despite some acting shortcomings and undesirable nomadic relationships, Reacher is a worthy watchlist addition. I've enjoyed it so far and anticipate the upcoming season. 

Cover image from The Australian