‘Reacher’ Season 3 review: Prime series returns in fighting shape

There’s a simple rhythm to the first two seasons of “Reacher”: an explosive opening, the hero getting pulled into some sort of shenanigans he’ll need to punch and shoot his way out of, plenty of twists, brilliant deductions and a generally satisfying if somewhat melancholic conclusion. The third season of the Prime Video series, which premiered earlier this month on the streaming service, follows that same narrative formula almost to a T. But whereas that repetition may feel stale in other series, here it works thanks to its crunchy action sequences, stellar pacing and host of interesting, fleshed-out characters. In effect, Season 3 punches above its weight — and that’s saying something for Jack Reacher.

The third season of the popular series — based on Lee Child’s 2003 novel “Persuader,” the seventh book in his long-running Jack Reacher series — hits all the narrative beats you’d expect in a “Reacher” season. It opens with a pulse-pounding kidnapping attempt that shows Reacher (reprised once again by a delightfully sardonic Alan Ritchson) seemingly out of his depths — a rare moment for the 6-foot-5, steely eyed, hypercompetent former Army major-turned-hobo (his words).

Turns out, he’s not floundering; it was his plan from the start. After seeing a face from his past — one of the worst people he’s ever met and someone he thought he put into the ground years ago — Reacher becomes entangled in a federal operation targeting Zachary Beck (Anthony Michael Hall), a rug merchant whom the government believes is smuggling drugs. In order to get close, Reacher and the Drug Enforcement Administration hatch a plan to get close to Beck’s son, Richard (Johnny Berchtold). So that kidnapping? A clever bit of investigative stagecraft — and it works. Reacher gets a position on the inside of Beck’s operations, kicking off a series of wild adventures for Reacher and Co.

Season 3 is full of moments like that: layer upon layer of clever storytelling and perfectly timed flashback sequences. Just when you’re asking yourself, “Wait, how?!” there’s a moment of exposition that fills in the details. That pacing is superb throughout: an excellent blend of just the right amount of action and the right amount of dialogue; there’s never a boring moment.

For those unfamiliar with the series or the books, Reacher has no problem with graphic violence, and the Prime series has never been afraid to lean into his bloody style of vengeance. (Reacher’s knee-jerk instinct to kill any problem in his way is still slightly jarring, but in this world of “shoot first, ask questions never,” it serves a purpose.) Season 3 is no different: Bones break, blood flows, bullets fly and bodies drop — mostly the villains’, but sometimes the good guys’, too.

And there are some good people this season. Sonya Cassidy’s DEA agent Susan Duffy is the perfect complement to Reacher: equally tenacious, dangerous and intent on seeing this case through. Much like Reacher, she has her own reasons that compel her forward. (And that another no-nonsense woman falls into bed with Reacher is kind of par for the course at this point.) Berchtold’s Richard, on the other hand, serves as a delightfully wholesome foil to Reacher — kind of a blossoming and hilarious mentor/mentee relationship that matches Reacher’s personality (he’s always imparting words of wisdom) but hasn’t really been an element before this season. And then there’s the always welcome return of Reacher’s brilliant friend/sidekick Frances Neagley (whose first name I had to look up because I don’t think it’s ever said in the TV series), played by the fantastic Maria Sten. In a show full of competent individuals, Neagley stands out time and again.

As with previous seasons, “Reacher” has a surprising strain of absurdity running through its veins. From the running gag of Reacher’s toothbrush (pretty sure it’s the same one from previous seasons, which, gross) to a near-nude scene in a laundromat to Reacher finally meeting someone his own size, levity pops up in frequent doses. It’s a nice balance to a show that’s otherwise fairly brutal; this season feels even a bit darker, with Reacher seeking vengeance, not justice, for the events of the past.

This latest season of “Reacher” proves that familiarity doesn’t have to breed contempt. Twists aside, there’s never really any doubt how all of this will end up — and yet, you can’t stop watching as Reacher knocks some skulls around and saves the day with his Sherlockian wit and competent comrades (I would say friends, but that’s a strong word for Reacher). It’s well-done entertainment through and through. And since there are at least two dozen other books in the series that haven’t been adapted yet, I’m curious, and excited, to see what comes next for our wandering hero. I’m just hoping he gets a new toothbrush before then.

‘REACHER’ SEASON 3

Rating: TV-MA

How to watch: Prime Video