Up until a few weeks ago, I wasn’t even familiar with this show or Lee Child’s book. When I do read recreationally, it’s generally not fiction. A friend of mine at work recommended this series to me. A few weeks later, it was recommended by another coworker. My wife and I were conveniently looking for a show to start watching together, and all the pieces came together. We binge-watched the entire series in 2 nights – awesome show! A couple of up until 2 AM nights, but it was worth it.
From my understanding, this has been made into a film as well, but it starred Tom Cruise who didn’t fit the bill of the original character. The TV show features a man more closely suited for the character Reacher as portrayed in the book. As opposed to being shorter and of a smaller build, he’s built more like a WWE superstar. The character, Jack Reacher, is arrested for something he didn’t do and then uses his skills as a former Army investigator and operative to help solve the crimes being committed along with the one for which he was arrested. While doing so, he makes a lot of enemies which he also uses Army training to deal with.
Don’t be deceived, my summary of the story will not take away from the “keep you on the edge of your seat” element to the show. As I said, we binge-watched the entire series in 2 days. There is a crime after crime plot that keeps you guessing what will happen next. All the characters are well developed and, you quickly develop an interest in their well-being. This, obviously, also keeps you roped in.
With a WWE Superstar-sized Army operator character, you know that there is going to be a machismo element to this series and violence to match. It is reminiscent of the old Schwarzenegger films of the 80s and 90s, which is probably one of the reasons my wife and I enjoyed it. While the ultra-violence early on is superb, it does tend to fall off later in the series. I think, personally, that they set the bar high early on and maybe shouldn’t have. There is a surprising gore element to this show too. Some of the scenes really surprised me and made me think I was watching Hostel again. I wasn’t really looking for that in this show but, it is present. Heads up, this is not for younger viewers.
The show has a huge psychological thrill element to it as well. Reacher’s background as an investigator is of a Sherlock Holmes nature. What I mean is that he notices a ton of detail and is very methodical in his thinking, which he always explains. This adds a flare to the show and tests how much you pay attention in some ways too – you really must listen if you want to follow it entirely. While this is an attention-holding piece of the series, it also makes it hard to follow sometimes too. I suppose it’s a good thing but, the show makes you want to understand all that is going on and how it is being discovered.
I highly recommend this show and really enjoyed it. I don’t know that this will be on my TV to watch again list but, it was great. Both of my friends were dead on with their recommendation. I almost wish we would have watched it a little over time instead of all at once, but it was that good. Now, my wife and I are back to show shopping.