Summary
The book selection forReacherseason 3 is an interesting choice that increases the likelihood of a surprising character comeback.Lee Child’sJack Reacherbook seriesdoesn’t focus too much on continuous flow, with the novels designed to be read in any order. As a result, the book characters don’t tend to return to the story all that much - of course, except for the franchise’s titular figure. However,Prime Videos' live-action adaptation hasn’t been too concerned with this semi-anthological approach, and has already allowed the installments to cross over a little in ways that don’t happen in the source material.
Reacherseason 2’s endingleft Alan Ritchson’s protagonist jumping on a bus and heading for the open road, so the upcoming season could really have taken place in many locations across the US. With the book that’s been chosen as the source material forReacherseason 3, the story’s location becomes a little clearer - if the setting is left intact during the adaptation process. If it is, thenone character could join Reacher in the exclusive group of appearing in all three seasonsof the show so far.
Reacher Season 3: Everything You Need To Know
Prime Video’s Reacher returned for a third season, and the explosive action series delivered another exciting adventure from Lee Child’s books.
Part Of Lee Child’s Persuader Book Is Set In Boston (Where Finlay Lives)
Malcolm Goodwin’s character could easily appear in Reacher season 3
The choice ofPersuaderas the basis forReacherseason 3 reveals a few detailsabout what to expect from the upcoming run of episodes. However, the most comeback-specific detail is one of the book’s setting - which is Boston. Interestingly,Boston has already played a role in the first two seasons ofReacher, and both times the city has been mentioned or visited is in relation to Malcolm Goodwin’s Oscar Finlay. While Goodwin’s character is a main character in the show’s inaugural run, theend ofReacherseason 1had him moving from Margrave and back to his native Boston.
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Bad Luck and Trouble
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InReacherseason 2, episode 4, “A Night at the Symphony,” Finlay makes an unexpected return whenReacher’s 110th Special Investigations Unitvisits Boston. This cameo is significant becauseFinlay doesn’t appear in the book on whichReacherseason 2 is based-Bad Luck and Trouble. While he also doesn’t feature inPersuader, the show’s willingness to deviate from the source material makes it more likely that Finlay will come back a second time inReacherseason 3. If not, being so close to the heart of the upcoming action would certainly seem like a huge missed opportunity.
InBad Luck and Trouble, Captain Finlay’s first name is never mentioned. The first name “Oscar” was introduced for the TV show.
Oscar Finlay Could Have A Much Bigger Role In Reacher Season 3 Than His Season 2 Cameo
Reacher season 3 may have a cast size more appropriate for Finlay’s return
Malcolm Goodwin’sOscar Finlay was a pivotal member of theReacherseason 1 cast, appearing in every episode. His role was severely reduced in the following season, with just a few minutes of screen time of a single episode. That being said, it made complete sense that Finlay’s return was only brief, as theReacherseason 2 castwas already quite big by comparison to season 1. If he’d become a larger part of the story, it would have been difficult to balance him with all the other big personalities, like Shaun Sipos' David O’Donnell and Serinda Swan’s Karla Dixon.
Maria Sten’s Frances Neagley will also return inReacherseason 3, despite also not appearing inPersuader.
There’s also the fact thatmost ofReacherseason 2 takes place in New York, with the story only taking a brief detour to Boston - which is what allows Finlay’s cameo to happen at all.Persuaderessentially solves both of these limitations. Using the seventh book in Lee Child’s series has resulted in what will presumably be a smaller cast than inReacherseason 2.
The fact thatPersuadertakes place in Boston means Oscar Finlay should be nearby for the entire story.
Additionally, the fact thatPersuaderbegins in Boston meansOscar Finlay should be nearby for the entire story. So, while Malcolm Goodwin may not have a role in the upcoming run that is quite as prominent as it was inReacherseason 1, he could still have much more to do than his season 2 cameo. If so, it would be the second time the show has diverged from the source material to accommodate his character’s return.
Persuader’s Setting Could Be Why The Reacher TV Show Chose The Book For Season 3
Setting the story in Boston allows for Finlay to return immediately
WhileReacherseason 1 was based on the first of Lee Child’sJack Reacherbooks, seasons 1 and 2 haven’t continued the trend of adapting the novels in their original order.Reacherseason 2 was based on the eleventh book in the series, andReacherseason 3 will be using the seventh. Whilethere are likely to be several reasons why Prime Video chosePersuaderas the bedrock of the upcoming season, one of the most salient may have been the fact it’s set in Boston.
Jack Reacher’s status as a wanderer isn’t conducive to a returning cast of characters, which can hurt a TV show. So, while the adaptation has maintained the titular character’s propensity for a life on the road, the show has also provided far more opportunities for reunions than the books do. For instance, Neagley only appears in one of the three books chosen to adapt so far, and yet she will have appeared in every season onceReacherseason 3 airs.
Neagley’s skill set has allowed her to work remotely with Reacher in Prime’s version of the story, but Reacher and Finlay need to be in close proximity in order to be an effective duo.
Neagley’s skill set has allowed her to work remotely with Reacher in Prime’s version of the story, butReacher and Finlay need to be in close proximity in order to be an effective duo. So, by settingReacherseason 3 in Boston, it creates the opportunity for Finlay to make an immediate comeback and create a better flow than in the books. This may not have been part of Child’s blueprint, but a slightly more consistent cast has served the adaptation well so far.
Will Roscoe Also Return For Reacher Season 3?
Willa Fitzerald’s Reacher character hasn’t appeared since season 1
Ever since her exit in theReacherseason 1 finale,fans have been clamoring for the return of Willa Fitzgerald’s Roscoe Conklin. Although she was referenced inReacherseason 2, Fitzgerald’s character hasn’t yet returned. This makes sense, as she left the show with the intent of staying in Margrave and helping rebuild her corrupted hometown. She was also aware that Reacher didn’t like to stay in one place for too long, a lifestyle that clashed with her own. However, it’s currently unclear how much time will have passed between the end of season 2 and season 3’s beginning.
Reacher Season 3’s Paulie Casting Makes One Season 2 Problem Even Worse
Reacher season 3’s casting choice for Paulie could not have been more perfect but it makes one significant problem that weighed down season 2 worse.
So, Roscoe may find herself a little more flexible. Like Finlay,Roscoe also doesn’t appear inPersuader. As a result, Prime Video would have to take more creative liberties if Roscoe were to return. Fortunately, that doesn’t seem to be an issue for the show’s writers. That being said, Roscoe’s return is unlikely, as bringing her back at the same time as Finlay would risk overshadowing the main story inReacherseason 3. Nevertheless, if Finlay has aReacherseason 3 role to play, the possibility of Roscoe coming back further down the line remains alive.
Reacher
Cast
Reacher follows Jack Reacher, a former military police investigator, as he navigates civilian life. Without a phone and carrying minimal belongings, Reacher drifts across the country, experiencing the nation he once served, and encounters intriguing challenges along the way.
