Reacher Review: The Show I Almost Didn’t Watch

Reacher Review: The Show I Almost Didn’t Watch

I’m going to start this review with a confession…

I almost didn’t watch Reacher.

And before the book fans come after me, no, I have not read the books.

Sorry, not sorry.

My hesitation wasn’t because I thought the idea was bad. It was because we’ve all seen this happen before. A successful movie gets turned into a TV show, and instead of expanding what made it special, it becomes a watered-down version.

My brain immediately put Reacher into that category.

My first introduction to the character was Tom Cruise, so seeing someone else take over the role was an adjustment. But I also knew this wasn’t trying to simply copy that version, it was its own thing.

Then there was the fact that my strongest memory of Alan Ritchson was him as Thad from Blue Mountain State.

Going from that to a serious action lead was a big jump.

Then something funny happened.

A buddy and I watched a buddy action comedy starring Alan Ritchson and Kevin James. We expected it to be a bad movie and ended up getting a genuinely fun watch.

That changed my opinion.

I kept seeing clips from the first two seasons, then eventually saw the trailer for season three. I mentioned to my cohost that maybe I should finally check it out.

He was immediately on board.

A couple weeks later, during a rainy day in 2026, I finally started season one. By this point, season three had already aired, so I wasn’t following along week-to-week. I was catching up.

I went in skeptical.

Within the first scene…

I understood.

Season 1: “Okay, I Get It”

The show starts exactly how you want a Reacher story to start.

A small town.

A diner.

A quiet guy sitting alone eating pie.

Then suddenly there’s a massive police response.

And in the middle of all of it?

Reacher is completely calm.

That contrast hooked me.

The biggest surprise was how quickly the show grabbed me. There wasn’t a single episode that felt like filler. Instead of dragging things out, the show constantly feels like it’s building toward another major moment.

You’ll hit a scene where you think:

“Okay, this feels like the end of this story.”

Then another problem appears.

Another twist.

Another reason to keep watching.

By the end of season one, I couldn’t wait to start season two.

The biggest problem with Reacher isn’t the writing, action, or pacing…

It’s that it makes “one more episode” way too easy.

Season 2: Realizing Alan Ritchson Was Reacher

I actually started season two immediately, but then found out my buddy hadn’t watched it yet.

So I stopped.

We restarted together, and honestly, that made the experience better.

Season two expands the world by bringing in members of Reacher’s old 110 Special Investigators unit from CID. It introduces new characters while keeping the core of what made season one work.

This was also when my buddy explained something important:

The Reacher we were seeing on screen was actually much closer to the version described in the books.

That clicked.

Because before this, all I could see was Thad.

Now?

I saw an actor.

Alan Ritchson’s biggest strength as Reacher is that he isn’t just a giant guy who punches people.

His real superpower is his intelligence.

His patience.

His ability to set traps and calmly wait for the bad guys to walk right into them.

One of my favorite moments from season two was Reacher approaching a car he believes is following him. Instead of a typical action scene, he walks up and stomps the front end of the car, deploying the airbag directly into the driver’s face.

It perfectly shows what makes him different.

He doesn’t just overpower people.

He outthinks them.

And what makes Reacher even better is the humor. He’s funny without trying to be funny. He’ll say something completely serious, and everyone around him reacts because they understand how ridiculous the situation is.

Reacher just keeps being Reacher.

Season 3: Raising the Stakes

Season three doesn’t waste time.

The stakes immediately feel higher.

Reacher is doing what Reacher does helping someone who needs it and suddenly finds himself in a situation where it feels like there is no easy way out.

That’s the formula of the show, but it works because it feels organic.

Reacher isn’t searching for trouble.

Trouble just keeps finding him.

He’s basically a guy walking around the country he fought for, enjoying the quiet life, while still protecting the sheep from the wolves.

The writers keep finding ways to make a character this capable feel vulnerable.

And that matters.

Because the biggest complaint you could have with a character like Reacher is:

“He always wins.”

But I don’t think that’s true.

His wins are usually revenge for his losses.

He gets hurt.

He gets surprised.

He pays a price.

That’s why you find yourself cheering for him.

Reacher is basically the Batman who doesn’t stop at putting the villain in handcuffs.

He isn’t looking for fights.

But when someone crosses the line?

You understand why you’re rooting for him.

Final Thoughts

When I started Reacher, I would’ve given it around a 7.

By season three?

I was closer to a 9.

The seasons build on each other, and I honestly don’t have a favorite. Each one adds something different and keeps expanding the world.

If you like movies and shows like Man on Fire, The Dark Knight, Payback, or The Equalizer, Reacher is absolutely in your lane.

This is old-school action storytelling done right.

A good guy.

Bad people.

A code.

Consequences.

I started Reacher expecting another reboot that couldn’t live up to the original.

Instead, I found a show that reminded me why these types of stories work.

And after watching Alan Ritchson go from “that guy from Blue Mountain State” in my head to a legitimate action lead…

I’m already waiting for the next chapter.