Reacher Season 2 Spoiler Free Review - GOOD but Good Enough?

Published: 21st January 2024, by Andrew Radbourne.

My spoiler free musings about Reacher Season 2.

Image of Jack Reacher from the second season of the neflix show
Jack Reacher
Hello All! The latest instalment of "Reacher", Season 2, has arrived, and I thought it would be the perfect time to share some spoiler-free reflections. The inaugural season was an oasis amidst the mundane landscape of identitarian tropes, resurrecting the quintessential "Stranger Comes To Town" plot with characters suffused with refreshing layers of complexity.

Contrary to popular opinion, I like the Tom Cruise portrayals, particularly the first film. Alan Ritchson, is indisputably closer in resemblance to the Reacher from the novels, whereas Cruise, lacking in similar stature, surprisingly adds a novel layer of the unexpected.

Moving on to the current Season 2, it has succeeded in maintaining its allure, though in my opinion, it hasn't exactly matched the brilliance of Season 1. It features dynamic action scenes, engaging characters, and the thrilling detective aspect remains enjoyable as all the elements come together. However, the narrative seems overly complex for an ostensibly simple storyline and at times veers towards the absurd.

There are moments when Reacher seems to take a backseat to the powerful women in his series, coming off less as the main character and more as a member of an ensemble cast. The Reacher of this season sometimes presents as mere brawn, rather than the sharp intellect we saw in Season 1, thereby becoming an easy target for humor. This isn't a complaint, rather an observation given the overall narrative and its relationship with his character development.

With regard to the ensemble cast, just as in the previous season, their performances remain commendable. The returning character bridges the two seasons together with another making a brief appearnce. Their well-defined personalities allow us to understand their motivations and connect with them on a deeper level.

Image of Reacher ensemble with Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, Maria Sten as Frances Neagley, Serinda Swan as Karla Dixon, Shaun Sipos as David O'Donnell
Reacher Ensemble Cast
Ritchson's portrayal of Reacher still exudes the signature gritty charm we've come to associate with the character. However, his visibly bulked-up physique can occasionally make him appear ponderous. Nevertheless, the action sequences retain their bone-crunching, adrenaline-fueled impact from the previous season, amplifying Reacher's formidable presence.

Unfortunately, there's a particular moment where a significant event takes place off-screen and is later revealed through a clumsy expositional scene. This felt slightly bewildering given the otherwise well-crafted plot, but it wasn't a showstopper by any means.

All things considered, "Reacher" continues to be one of the best series currently on air despite its minor flaws, providing immense enjoyment and garnering remarkable viewership. With Season 2 having drawn to a close, my anticipation for the next season is no less than it was before. I'll stop there to avoid potentially spoilers. It would be great to hear your perspective on the show - do you find my critique fair or a bit too harsh? As usual, if you found this review helpful, be sure to give it a like and hit subscribe. Thank you for tuning in and until next time, peace out!
I'm giving this a score of 8
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