Reacher season 2 had some villain problems that weighed down an otherwise captivating season, but season 3’s book choice is about to fix these issues.

(Alan-Ritchson-as-Jack-Reacher)-from-Reacher-2Custom Image by Yailin Chacon.

SUMMARY

 Reacher season 2’s villain issues may be resolved in season 3.

 Season 2’s focus on an international conspiracy lacked formidable villains, leading to the show missing its true potential.
 “Persuader” offers a worthy enemy in Paulie for Reacher in season 3, promising a challenging showdown for the hero.

Reacher season 2’s villain story arcs had some glaring issues but season 3’s book choice might finally solve them. By adapting Lee Child’s Bad Luck and Trouble, Reacher season 2 effectively raised the stakes for its main character by unfolding his new crime-solving endeavors in a big city.

At the same time, it added new main characters to the mix, who, unlike season 1’s Roscoe and Finlay, were Reacher’s allies from the U.S. Army’s 110th Special Investigations Unit.

Unlike Reacher season 1, which primarily focuses on a crime confined to Margrave, Reacher season 2 focuses on an international conspiracy. On paper, getting involved in a conspiracy of that big of a scale should make things even more challenging for the Amazon show’s titular character.

However, due to some issues with the villains’ character beats in Reacher season 2, the season fails to reach its full potential. Fortunately, Reacher season 3 will likely avoid repeating season 2’s mistakes by adapting the right book.

Persuader’s Paulie Is A Worthy Enemy For Jack Reacher In Season 3 (Unlike Season 2’s Langston)

Jack with Dixon and Reacher season 2 episode 6 Alan Ritchson as Reacher looking concerned Malcolm Goodwin as Oscar Finlay walking alongside Alan Ritchson as Reacher
Reacher surrounded by the new season 2 cast looking at some documents on the hood of a car Serinda Swan as Karla Dixon looking at Alan Ritchson as Reacher in Reacher season 2

In Lee Child’s Persuader, Paulie is close to 7 feet tall, making him nearly half a foot taller than Jack Reacher. He is even more muscle-bound than the main character, explaining why Reacher has difficulty overpowering him in the book.

Paulie is so massive and intimidating that Lee Child’s readers often describe him as one of the most dangerous and toughest opponents. Since Reacher has barely struggled with any of his season 1 and 2 enemies in fistfights, Paulie could certainly give him a run for his money in Reacher season 3.

Why Reacher Season 2’s Villain Didn’t Work

Reacher throws Langston out of a helicopter in Reacher season 2

When it comes to villains, both Reacher seasons have failed to make them look formidable. While Reacher season 1 did have a compelling set of bad guys who used their power and influence to pull all the strings from behind the scenes in Margrave, Reacher season 2 could not make its villains look like worthy opponents to Jack Reacher.

Langston initially seemed promising when he got Reacher’s former team members from the 110th Special Investigation Unit out of the way. However, his final showdown with Jack Reacher proved he could never match the character’s tenacity and physical prowess.

Throughout its runtime, Reacher season 2 also tried to establish A.M. as a frightening antagonist who ruthlessly killed anyone who got in the way of his terrorist dealings. However, in the show’s finale, he also seemed a little too powerless against Reacher and his team.

Since Jack Reacher will likely ride solo in Reacher season 3 and face someone like Paulie, who is even bigger in stature than him, it is hard not to anticipate a slambang showdown between the two brawny and almost equally skilled characters.