The next Lee Child book for Reacher season 3 is fantastic news for those hoping that the series might make amends for its season 2 issue.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Reacher season 2 finale.

SUMMARY

 Reacher season 2’s focus on Jack’s military relationships altered his usual icy demeanor, but it also took away some of the mystery and appeal of his character.
 Reacher season 3 will be a solo story set in a foreign environment, isolating Jack and allowing for new foes and allies.
 The change in direction for Reacher season 3 will lean into what worked in season 1, bringing back the enigmatic and compelling narrative that made the show successful.

The new book for the Reacher season 3 gives hope that it will be able to fix its big season 2 character problem. Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher finishes his latest mission with the 110th Special Investigations Unit.

Reacher season 2’s events kick off with the death of Jack and Frances Neagley’s former military teammate, Cal Franz, followed by the murders of Manuel Orozco and Jorge Sanchez. With fellow Special Investigator, Tony Swan supposedly behind the crime, Jack rounds up their remaining teammates to seek vengeance against those who wronged their old teammates.

Unlike his stint in Margrave in Reacher season 1 where Jack was initially on his own before he met and collaborated with Roscoe Conklin and Oscar Finlay to take down the Kliners. Being mostly surrounded by people who previously knew Jack altered the character’s usual icy demeanor.

Learning more about his time in the military was a treat as it expanded the viewers’ knowledge of his life before becoming a hobo. Unfortunately, there are also drawbacks to teaming Jack with people he already knows — something that Reacher season 3 may be able to fix.

Reacher Season 3 Is Right To Choose A Solo Story After Season 2

On the heels of the Reacher season 2 finale, it has been confirmed that the book for season 3 has already been chosen. Now confirmed as 2003’s Persuader, Jack’s next adventure will drop him in a foreign environment, with fewer allies to back him up.

Reacher season 2 heavily leans on his time in the military to establish his relationship with the 110th Special Investigators. While it’s great to see Jack operate within a well-oiled unit, their dynamic isn’t as fun to watch compared to Jack’s time with Roscoe and Finlay in Reacher season 1.

Isolating Jack in Reacher season 3 means that he will meet new foes and allies, effectively bringing back his closed-off demeanor before slowly opening up to his new allies. This is what made following him in season 1 so great.

Before he established a bond with Roscoe and Finlay, Jack had to be discerning of who he could trust in Margrave. This heightened the mystery, allowing for a more compelling narrative. It also made his eventual relationship with Roscoe and Finlay a more satisfying payoff to their overall arc.

Why Reacher Season 2’s Special Investigators Ensemble Didn’t Work

Surrounding Jack with people who are comfortable with him in Reacher season 2 somehow takes away the mysterious air about him. Being an enigma is a big part of why it’s so fascinating to watch him navigate his way out of various situations.

Seeing him being poked fun at and ridiculed, while humanized it, dulled his appeal as an action-adventure hero, especially since he is known as a loner. Reacher season 3 changing course will allow the series to lean into what worked for it during its debut year.