Copyright Screen Rant
It is hard not to see Jack Reacher as somewhat of a tragic hero, but with one story change, the Prime Video show is flipping his script. Alan Ritchson perfectly captures the inherent sense of freedom and accountability Jack Reacher carries himself with. Every time I watch the Prime Video detective series and experience Jack Reacher's crime-solving endeavors and hobo adventures through his eyes, I cannot help but look up to him. His ability to not care about societal norms and expectations and live on his own terms is truly enviable. However, a closer look at Alan Ritchson's Jack Reacher and his journeys reveals a tragic core. It highlights that often, in his pursuit of justice and vigilantism, there rises an unspeakable void that no amount of heroism can fulfill. Jack Reacher Is Enviable, But There Is Something Truly Tragic About Him & His Lifestyle There is an interesting scene in Reacher season 2 where Jack Reacher suddenly realizes that he knows little to nothing about his former teammates from the military. His reaction to this reveals that as much as he loves embracing the opening road and living on his own terms, a part of him craves long-term connection. This is where the real tragedy of his characterization is revealed. It is hard not to deny that Reacher's sense of freedom and control over his circumstances seems empowering. The fact that he is able to move from one place to another, with a toothbrush being his only material possession, epitomizes the fantasy of absolute detachment and liberation. However, as his backstory reveals, his detachment is not just born from a desire to defy societal norms, but from a lifetime of displacement. Even while growing up, Reacher was raised on one military base after another, trained to believe that permanence was nothing but a liability. Even his inability to avoid trouble is what often gets many innocents killed. In Reacher season 2, Guy Russo paid the price of getting involved in Reacher's crime-solving endeavors and got himself killed. Realizing how his "troubles" often harm others, Reacher even tries to push Neagley away in season 3, highlighting why he chooses the lonely path instead of seeking the warm embrace of companionship, Reacher’s Relationship With Neagley In The Show Makes Him Less Of A Tragic Hero While Lee Child's Jack Reacher books do highlight the incredible bond Reacher shares with Neagley, they do not delve too deeply into their relationship. Prime Video's Reacher seems to be doing a better job of capturing their unspoken connection. On screen, their chemistry feels lived-in. It truly shines when they convey their deepest feelings without even saying anything to one another.
