I was a big fan of the first season of REACHER on AMAZON Prime Video (you can read my review here). REACHER was based on the first Jack Reacher book by Lee Child, The Killing Floor (1997). For some inexplicable reason, REACHER, Season 2 is based on the 11th book in the Reacher series, Bad Luck and Trouble (2007)–the Third Season of REACHER will be based on Persuader (2003), the 7th book in the series.
Like Reacher, Season 1 the AMAZON PRIME Video version stays fairly close to Lee Child’s novel. For some reason, the team behind Reacher, Season 2 moved to main location for the action from Los Angeles to New York City. The casino scenes were moved from Vegas to Atlantic City. Occasionally, an additional violent scene is added to increase the body count and add to the action.
In a series of flashbacks, we learn that Reacher–then a Major in the Army–was put in charge of a Special Investigation unit. Reach chose seven soldiers with various skill sets to help him investigate. Reacher’s team consists of Frances Neagley, Calvin Franz, Tony Swan, David O’Donnell, Karla Dixon, Manuel Orozco, and Jorge Sanchez.
In the present, Neagley, now a Private Investigator, figures out a clever way to contract Reacher who has no fixed address. When Reacher meets up with Neagley, she tells him that Franz is dead. Neagley has tried to contact the rest of the team, but no one other than Reacher has responded.
The plot becomes more tangled as Reacher and Neagley learn other members of their Army team are dead–thrown out of a helicopter after being tortured. This engages Reacher who now seeks vengeance.
This eight-episode series was almost as good as Reacher, Season 1. Alan Ritchson is an ideal actor to portray Reacher: big, strong, and powerful. Maria Sten plays Neagley as smart and capable. I also liked Serinda Swan as Karla Dixon, a forensic accountant who can fight, who is Reacher’s love interest this season. If you’re in the mood for an entertaining action series, I recommend Reacher, Season 2. GRADE: B+
Watched half of season one and bailed. I thought the writing was sub par and the lead actor who looks the part can’t act very well.
Steve, Alan Ritchson is way more convincing as Reacher than Tom Cruise ever was. Ritchson doesn’t have to act…he needs to react violently.
I enjoyed it too, though not as much as Jackie, who considers REACHER one of her favorite shows. I understand Neagley will be in future series too, a smart move.
Jeff, I’m with Jackie on the Reacher series. Yes, Neagley is a great character and helps keep Reacher in line. Maria Sten gives Neagley some depth and humor.
It looks like I need to read another book in this series. I do have several that I bought at the book sale a few years back. I have read five of the books and not all in publication order, but I don’t have a clear picture of Reacher. I never thought of him as that hulking.
Tracy, Reacher is supposed to be 6 foot, 5 inches tall and 250 pounds of muscle. Tom Cruise didn’t fit the bill.
I read one book and didn’t like it at all! Then they made movies with The Smirking Dwarf and I really hated it! I’m too soured on the whole enterprise to ever enjoy it now!
Bob, but you got free drinks in Vegas from Lee Child!
Yes, and in Chicago. I felt a little guilty taking them from someone I didn’t support so I limited myself to two!
Bob, I respect that.