Alan Ritchson's Real-Life Reacher Moment: Chasing Down a Robber
Alan Ritchson, the lead star of the Prime Video series Reacher, recalls a real-life situation where he channeled his character to stop a robber. His courageous act mirrors the heroic nature of Jack Reacher, but it also raises questions about the character's portrayal in the show's future seasons.
Real-Life Reacher Moment
Alan Ritchson, the lead star of the Prime Video series Reacher, recalls a real-life situation where he channeled his character to stop a robber. Close to concluding its second installment, which is based on the Lee Child novel Bad Luck and Trouble, Ritchson and the rest of the Reacher season 2 cast have regularly shown off their knack for fighting skills. But the lead star of the Prime Video series reveals he's also been involved in off-screen skirmishes to stop a robber.
Alan Ritchson looking surprised as Jack Reacher in Reacher season 2, episode 6
In a video posted by Etalk while talking about Reacher season 2, Ritchson responds to whether he's faced any dangerous situations off-camera. Check out the video below: The actor details how he stopped someone trying to steal from a locked car and shares how his wife reacted to the incident. Read Ritchson's story below:
"Dangerous situations? Yeah, you’d get a very different dude. My wife is here. She’s right behind the camera. She’s got cue cards for me, so I know what to say. I saw somebody—we were on a date in Montreal, walking to a very nice dinner, all dressed up, and we saw somebody breaking into a car. She put it together before I did because it was just hanging out with glass everywhere, like, [going] through somebody’s stuff. She goes, “I think he’s breaking into that car,” and I was like, ‘By gosh, I think you’re right’. And she goes: ‘Don’t do it.’ And I was like—instant Reacher mode. Some justice has to be done here and I chased that dude like four blocks until I tossed them into a building and the cops came. She was very very mad at me for not just taking her on our date. You know, we got there eventually. You don’t want to see that."
Instagram article posted by etalkctv
Should Reacher Be Depowered In Season 3?
Ritchson makes a playful reference to his character's unwavering and uncomplicated moral compass. One of the consistent elements of the hit Prime Video show is that it's a quick and snappy action romp, rarely bothering for too long with ambiguity and scarcely showing its hero at a disadvantage. In season 2, Reacher has overcome the odds without ever breaking a sweat while investing in a case with his 110th Special Investigations Unit. On a personal level, though the character's flaws are occasionally referenced for punchlines, the adaptation never really stops considering Reacher's shortcomings, which are alluded to in passing.
With just two seasons, Reacher can get away with its uncomplicated outlook. But given that it's one of Prime Video's biggest hits, the show would do well to introduce more complexity into its world, especially with Reacher season 3 already renewed. For instance, Ritchson recalls the robbery incident in the interview because, as he notes, there's danger involved. There's a person and an outcome that's worth rooting for, given the real-world scenario of such a risk. Jack Reacher, on the other hand, never loses a fight. He's hardly at a serious disadvantage and rarely gets called out for his moments of arrogance. It makes him harder to care about in the long run, but this can change if Jack's flaws or vulnerabilities are questioned to showcase a far more complex hero.
Part of what makes television unique is that it requires the audience to make the active decision to spend time with a character. So far, Reacher has accomplished that by presenting its titular protagonist as an aspirational hero. But if it's going to run for several seasons and adapt several more novels, it would need to change Jack's character development slightly so that he can resonate more with audiences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alan Ritchson's real-life experience mirrors the heroic nature of Jack Reacher, raising questions about the character's portrayal in the show's future seasons. As Reacher season 2 continues to captivate audiences with its quick and snappy action, the show's longevity may depend on its ability to introduce more complexity into its world and character development. Ritchson's courageous act to stop a robber highlights the real-world scenario of danger, emphasizing the need for a more complex hero in the series. As fans eagerly await Reacher season 3, the challenge lies in balancing Jack Reacher's unwavering moral compass with a more nuanced portrayal that resonates with audiences.
