The Unexpected Reveal That Sets the Stage for Finlay's Epic Comeback in Reacher Season 2

Summary

Despite Reacher's romance with Roscoe, he chose to continue his solo travel, cutting their connection and making it difficult for her to return.

Finlay's departure from Margrave and his return to Boston in the season 1 finale paves the way for a potential reunion with Reacher in season 2. By being in a larger city such as Boston, Finlay becomes more easily reachable for Reacher, enhancing the likelihood of his comeback in the upcoming season.

The last plot twist in the finale of Reacher season 1 set up the return of Oscar Finlay, despite the new story in season 2. Amazon Prime Video's adaptation of Lee Child's Jack Reacher books introduced Alan Ritchson as the main character. Reacher season 1 is based on the first book in the series, Killing Child, which follows Reacher's journey in the small town of Margrave, Georgia. Upon arriving, a series of murders occurred, and he became the prime suspect of the police department. Although he eventually proved his innocence, it became evident that he was more connected to the killings than he initially thought.

Jack, a former military policeman, possesses specialized skills that make him both a valuable ally and a dangerous adversary. However, he couldn't have cleared his name and unraveled the deeper mystery behind the murders without the assistance of Roscoe Conklin, a member of the Margrave PD (played by Willa Fitzgerald), and police captain Oscar Finlay (played by Malcolm Goodwin). Despite his romantic involvement with Roscoe, Jack chose to continue his solitary travels, severing their connection and making it unlikely for her to return in the future. However, the situation differs for Finlay, thanks to the events of the Reacher season 1 finale.

Finlay Decided To Leave Margrave In The Reacher Season 1 Finale

Reacher bid farewell to the town of Margrave, taking the time to properly say goodbye to Roscoe and Finlay. In their conversation, Roscoe mentioned her plans to rebuild the town and potentially run for mayor, offering a bright future for herself and her hometown. Surprisingly, Finlay too decided to leave Margrave, despite winning the trust of the people. He explained to Reacher that he was finally ready to return to Boston. While the first season of Reacher focused on exploring the protagonist's past through flashbacks, it also delved into the backstories of supporting characters. From the beginning, Finlay seemed out of place in Margrave, and as the show progressed, it was revealed that the death of his wife led him to the small southern town. Working alongside Reacher and Roscoe seemed to have provided him with the healing he needed in order to confront the reality he had been running from in Boston.

Finlay's Boston Move Makes It Easier For Him To Appear In Reacher Season 2

Finlay's decision to leave Margrave and return to Boston was the unexpected conclusion of Reacher season 1. While this may seem disconnected from Reacher's future in season 2, it could actually have significant implications for the show's direction. While season 1 primarily took place in Margrave, Reacher and his team ventured beyond the town's borders to uncover the Kliners' counterfeiting scheme, even traveling to New York. It is possible that season 2 will follow a similar pattern.

If season 2 explores various locations, it is not unlikely for Reacher to find himself in Boston, reuniting with Finlay. Regardless of Reacher's activities in New England, being in a larger city like Boston increases the likelihood of Finlay returning in season 2. Firstly, it would be challenging for Reacher to return to the small town of Margrave logistically, potentially distracting from his next mission. Secondly, Boston's proximity to Finlay makes her more accessible and valuable to Reacher.

What Reacher's New Mission Is In Season 2

Reacher season 2 will once again be based on one of Child's Jack Reacher books. However, instead of following the chronological order of the books, the Amazon Prime Video project is opting to adapt book 11 of the series, titled Bad Luck and Trouble. Showrunner Nick Santora has clarified that while the show takes inspiration from the books, they are not bound by them, allowing for creative freedom to deviate from the source material. This approach aims to appeal to fans of the novels while also providing something fresh and different.

In the upcoming season, Reacher finds himself in California and Las Vegas, although it is unclear how he ended up there after his time in Margrave. The story unfolds after Reacher and Frances Neagley discover the deaths of their former team members. This revelation sets off a chain of events, unraveling a new mystery and leading to more casualties. The death of Joe in Reacher season 1 creates a personal connection for his brother, who becomes embroiled in the corruption in Margrave. Season 2 follows suit by making the murders deeply personal for both Reacher and Neagley, potentially fueling a desire for revenge due to their significant losses.

How Finlay Can Help Jack In Reacher Season 2

Finlay was vague about his plans for returning to Boston, but he did mention that he intends to officially retire from the police force. Assuming he follows through with this, it's safe to assume that he will no longer be involved in any law enforcement role. Despite his professional state in Reacher season 2, Finlay could still be a valuable asset to Reacher and Neagley. Firstly, being in Boston would give him greater access to the data necessary for their investigation. Additionally, he could leverage his connections in the city to provide even greater assistance to the case.

Given their shared experiences in Margrave, it's hard to imagine Finlay not stepping up to help his old friend if Reacher were to ask. While it was crucial for Reacher to bring the Kliners to justice, it cannot be denied that coming to the town also led to Finlay finding personal redemption. Without Reacher's persistent questions about his past in Reacher season 1, perhaps Finlay wouldn't have found the courage to confront his own demons and stop running from his history.