‘Reacher’ Season 3 Review – The Best Season So Far

While Amazon Prime’s Reacher has two seasons under its belt, season three is the best. Let’s get this out of the way, season three of Reacher is leaps and bounds better than the previous two. Season one was great and season two was good, albeit a little too cheesy at times, but season three is a different beast altogether. Its story is better, it’s grittier, darker, and the fight scenes are amazing. There’s so many twists and turns that it had this reviewer on the edge of her seat the entire time.

Do you think we’re exaggerating? We’re not. This season warrants several expletives of surprise that are incredibly earned. Alan Ritchson returns and he’s better than ever. Instead of relying on cheap jokes about his height, the writing this season positions Ritchson to really flex his acting skills. Season three showcases Ritchson/Reacher as the badass he is, but also explores the complexities of living the kind of lifestyle that he does.

Where Does ‘Reacher’ Season Three Start?

So, where are we in season three? Reacher is Reacher aka he’s a nomad, exploring a small town in America, but his world turns on its head fast. Pretty much within the first five minutes. Reacher finds himself saving a kid from a kidnapping and this kid happens to be rich. Filthy rich. And suddenly, Reacher is working for a very wealthy man who is in the midst of a criminal enterprise that has layer upon layer in it.

On top of Reacher returning, we’re introduced to a new cast of characters who are probably some of my favorite side characters within the show. Sonya Cassidy plays DEA Agent Susan Duffy, Roberto Montesinos plays DEA Agent Guillermo Villanueva, and Johnny Berchtold plays Richard Beck. And they’re all great – Duffy is a great counter for Reacher, Guillermo is the lovable agent close to retirement, and Beck is essentially there to make Reacher a surrogate father. Watch out, Mandalorian, Reacher’s the new papa in town.

Great New Villain

On top of that, we have some great new baddies introduced in this season – Olivier Richters is even taller than Reacher and if you don’t think they had these two going at it, you’re wrong. But, Brian Tee plays a ruthless new villain and I’m not going to reveal his character’s name, as doing so would sort of spoil some plot points in the season. Just know that when Brian Tee is around, nothing is guaranteed, no character is safe, and you feel the palpable danger that everyone is in when he’s on screen.

Reacher season three showcases Alan Ritchson’s best acting yet. Not only is he more comfortable in the role, but he’s adding layers to this character that weren’t really explored properly. Yes, there’s a bit of a forced romance scene, but besides that, every scene is intentional and necessary. His banter with Duffy is amazing, his scenes with Beck take a beat and provide a warmer side to this character, and Maria Sten is back as Frances Neagley. Frances is a ride-or-die and her and Reacher’s friendship is so cool – I really become jealous of how cool Frances is.

Seriously, This Season is SO GOOD

There’s also a background story that explains why Brian Tee is such a dangerous character and it stems back from Reacher’s past. It’s an intense story that is both heartbreaking and horrifying and it might just be the most gruesome thing the show has done. We believe that the show was able to approach it tastefully, while also not sugarcoating anything. Everything felt fluid and tangible – whether it’s moments of warmth, horror, sadness, action, and even bittersweetness. You, as the viewer; will feel everything.

Season three makes you want more and guess what? Reacher season four has been confirmed! We really hope that they keep up this pace and make season four even better, instead of falling into the goofiness that was season two. Alan Ritchson, you deserve to be a household name and season three of Reacher is a great example as to why.