Reacher Season 3: A New Chapter for Jack Reacher

The Evolution of Reacher

Reacher season 3 is poised to fix the biggest disappointment in season 2. Amazon Prime Video's take on Lee Child's famed books has become so popular that production for its third year has already started before its sophomore outing even wraps up. It's a testament to how much Alan Richtson has been embraced as the quintessential live-action version of the character, despite following Tom Cruise's iteration on the big screen. Despite being its titular character, a big part of its success is based on the people that he interacts with. However, like Child's books, Reacher takes on an anthology approach to storytelling, meaning it has a rotating cast every season.

Reacher surrounded by the new season 2 cast looking at some documents on the hood of a car

In Reacher season 1, Jack found his way to Margrave, Georgia, where he was roped into a string of murders. Initially, he became the suspected murderer, since the crimes began once he arrived. Eventually, he became allies with Margrave PD's Roscoe Conklin (Willa Fitzgerald) and Oscar Finlay (Malcolm Goodwin). In Reacher season 2, Jack is reunited with his 110th Special Investigations Unit on the heels of the mysterious deaths of some of their former members.

Alan Richtson as Jack Reacher, Serinda Swan as Dixon, Shaun Sipos as O'Donnell, Dean McKenzie as Lowrey in Reacher season 2

The Character Dynamic in Reacher Season 2

Reacher season 2 reunites Jack with Frances Neagley (Maria Sten) — the first member of the Special Investigators introduced in the franchise. Their reunion, unfortunately, couldn't be under worse circumstances, as they re-team after news of their former teammates either dropping dead or going missing. They recruit their surviving members, David O'Donnell (Shaun Sipos) and Karla Dixon (Serinda Swan). Reacher season 2 goes back and forth between their mission at hand and their time in the military, highlighting their bond with each other.

The 110th Special Investigations Unit photo in Reacher season 2

Sadly, their dynamic isn't as fun to watch compared to Jack's time with Roscoe and Finlay in Reacher season 1. Unlike his frosty demeanor upon his arrival in Margrave, Jack is more open and relaxed around his peers, which should be refreshing for the series. Instead, it dulls his appeal as a character because it takes away the mysterious air about him — a big part of why it's so fascinating to watch him navigate different kinds of situations. Additionally, seeing him engage in banter while still maintaining his matter-of-fact approach to things is absent in Reacher season 2.

Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, Serinda Swan as Dixon, and Shaun Sipos as O'Donnell all with bruises in Amazon's Reacher season 2

The Promise of Reacher Season 3

By Reacher season 3, Richtson teases that Jack will find himself isolated in a new city. Unlike season 2, which heavily leans on his time with the military as it assembles the 110th Special Investigations Unit, the former military police-turned-wandered will be put in a position where he is on his own — similar to the kind of situation he was in when he first arrived in Margrave in Reacher season 1. This means that Jack will meet new foes and, more importantly, allies, effectively bringing back his closed-off demeanor before slowly opening up to his new allies.

Jack Reacher (Alan Richtson) and Calvin Franz (Luke Bilyk) in Reacher season 2

Granted that Reacher season 2 features a mystery about a potential traitor within the Special Investigations Unit, somehow it isn't as compelling as Jack having to defend himself from being accused of murder in a new city only to find out that one of the murder victims was his own brother. There's no doubt that Jack can take care of himself, but it's highly entertaining to see him build a team around him, especially since he isn't exactly great with social cues despite being extremely observant.

Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher holding dogtags in the poster for Amazon's Reacher season 2

The Importance of New Connections for Jack Reacher

Reacher season 1 showed the reason why Jack is best when he is surrounded by new people. Narratively, it's so much more satisfying to see his bond develop with people that he meets during his time wandering the country. It highlights one of the aspects of his hobo lifestyle. Jack's dynamic with Roscoe and Finlay became the backbone of Reacher season 1, hence why it's so disappointing that they weren't primary players in season 2.

Reacher, Roscoe, and Finlay in Reacher season 1, episode 3

Finlay did return for Reacher season 2, but it is nothing but a cameo. Still, even their short reunion is more impactful than getting back together with O'Donnell and Dixon because their history didn't fully play out on the screen. Neagley is unique because she was already introduced in season 1, meaning viewers already have an idea of their dynamic and connection. Moving forward, it's better for Jack to forge new connections, and Reacher season 3 putting him in an entirely new setting can do that.