The Shocking Twist in Reacher: Kliner Jr's Jaw-Dropping Demise Leaves Fans Begging for More!
Kliner Jr's quick death in Reacher was disappointing, but it served a purpose The tense dynamic between Reacher and Kilner Jr was never resolved, hence the outcome A longer death wouldn't have been sensible
Summary
KJ Kliner's death in Reacher was disappointingly fast because his crimes merited a more brutal death. But there was no other way around it.
The tense dynamic between Reacher and KJ did not ultimately result in a one-on-one confrontation. However, Reacher's rational choice to swiftly eliminate KJ's life was understandable, considering his efficiency, goal-oriented mindset, and the need to prioritize rescuing the Hubbles and neutralizing all those responsible. Engaging in a prolonged fight with KJ would have been repetitive.
KJ Kliner, also known as Chris Webster, met a disappointingly quick demise in the Reacher series. Despite the underwhelming nature of his death, there was no other option. The Amazon Prime Video adaptation of Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels brought the former military policeman, portrayed by Alan Ritchson, to the small screen. Season 1 of the show was based on Child's book Killing Floor, which followed Reacher's time in the town of Margrave, Georgia. What was supposed to be a short visit for Reacher turned complicated when he became wrongly accused of murder. As the story unfolded, Reacher discovered that he had personal connections to the violent events in the town.
Although it took some time for Reacher and his allies from the Margrave PD, Roscoe Conklin (played by Willa Fitzgerald) and Oscar Finlay (played by Malcolm Goodwin), to uncover the dark secret of Margrave, the true nature of the Kliner family was not obscured. It became evident early on in the show that they were involved in the murders. The focus of the investigation shifted towards Kliner Sr. (portrayed by Currie Graham), the family's patriarch and the benefactor of the Kliner Foundation. However, after his death in the series, it was revealed that his son, KJ, was even more cunning and perilous than his father, who held a prominent position within the company.
Kliner Jr.’s Death Deserved A More Brutal Death In Reacher
In addition to killing Reacher's brother, Joe, KJ displayed his lack of morals by also murdering his own father without any remorse. With the confidence of his family's wealth and power, KJ carried himself as if he ruled the town. Interestingly, KJ's actions were not directly shown by Reacher, as all his murders took place off-screen. However, the crime scenes revealed the horrors that the victims endured before their deaths. While the series chose not to depict KJ committing the killings, his disturbing tendencies were evident in his relentless harassment of Roscoe.
Considering the extensive list of wrongdoings committed by KJ in Reacher, his relatively quick demise was somewhat underwhelming. After Paul Hubble successfully led his wife and children to safety outside the Kliners' facility, Reacher and his allies were preoccupied with their respective enemies. Despite the facility gradually being consumed by fire, KJ maintained an air of superiority, attempting to intimidate Reacher. Ultimately, the show's protagonist devised a plan that resulted in KJ being trapped inside the collapsing building, engulfed in flames. His death served as the most fitting justice for his victims, although given the extent of his crimes in Margrave, a more gruesome fate could have been expected.
Reacher Never Paid Off Reacher & Kilner Jr.’s Tense Dynamic
Upon arriving in Margrave, Reacher exuded a calm and collected demeanor. Despite his imposing stature, he refrained from being brash, even in the face of his own brother's death leading to his arrest by the Margrave PD. The absence of any belongings on his person made him appear less threatening, more peculiar than perilous. However, when confined in jail and confronted by paid inmates, Reacher had no choice but to unleash his impressive fighting skills, transforming him into a formidable figure. Regrettably, the opportunity to witness Reacher square off against KJ in a fight never materialized.
From the moment they met, there was an evident tension between them. At that point, Reacher and KJ were unaware of their shared affection for Roscoe. They encountered each other on multiple occasions, yet a physical confrontation never ensued, giving the impression that a climactic clash was being saved for later. Unfortunately, this was not the case. While Roscoe and Finlay engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with Grover Teale and Picard, Reacher and KJ never had their chance for a one-on-one encounter. This undoubtedly left those hoping for Reacher's revenge on KJ to be one filled with suffering disappointed.
Reacher Actually Explained Kilner Jr.’s Quick Death
Although burning alive may have been a terrifying end for KJ, it still felt inadequate. There was a lingering hope that Reacher would subject him to the same torment his victims endured in the final moments of Reacher season 1. Considering that the villain was responsible for the death of Reacher's only brother, Reacher could have been more merciless in his punishment of KJ. The recent falling out between them, after years of close relationship, only added to the tragedy of Joe's death. KJ not only robbed Reacher of his brother but also extinguished any chance of reconciliation between them.
However, upon reflection, it becomes clear that KJ's quick demise made more sense. Reacher, thanks to his military training, is highly efficient and calculated. He prefers not to inflict unnecessary pain on his victims, focusing instead on carrying out his plans. Reacher's ability to control his emotions allows him to remain pragmatic and goal-oriented. While he does experience emotions, he does not allow them to sway his actions. Therefore, as long as KJ died, the manner of his death held little significance to Reacher.
Why A Longer Kliner Jr. Death Wouldn’t Have Made Sense
Prolonging KJ's death in the bigger picture would have been illogical. Once Reacher and his allies entered the Kliner facility, a fire had already begun to spread. This gave them limited time to safely evacuate all the Hubbles and ensure that all culprits were dealt with. Roscoe settled her personal score with Teale, who killed her mentor and made it appear as a suicide, while Finlay sought revenge against Picard. Reacher and KJ's fight being drawn out would have felt repetitive, especially considering KJ likely lacked the hand-to-hand combat skills to defeat Reacher.
As mentioned earlier, Reacher is focused on his goals. He avoids unnecessary actions driven by emotions. Besides dying, he had no further plans for KJ. Torturing him would be futile as Reacher had already uncovered the Kliners' counterfeit scheme, and with Paul's safety assured, he did not require additional information for the case. During the final fight, KJ was not necessary. Hence, rather than engaging in a prolonged fight with KJ and risking being trapped in the burning building, Reacher chose the most convenient way to eliminate his adversary.
