Warning! Spoilers ahead for Reacher season 3, episode 4.
Reacher
star Alan Ritchson explains how one actor’s performance saved all of season 3. Adapting the events of Lee Child’s popular Jack Reacher novel series, the hit Prime Video show premiered in 2022, introducing Ritchson as the titular former military police officer. Reacher season 3 brings the events of Child’s Persuader to life, and episode 4 finally introduces Mariah Robinson’s Dominique Kohl, providing some crucial context for the season by showing how Reacher’s former partner dies while investigating Xavier Quinn (Brian Tee).
In a recent interview with CinemaBlend, Ritchson reveals that Robinson’s Reacher performance as Dominique “saved the entire season.” The actor explains that episode 4 is ultimately the one that establishes the emotional through line of season 3 for Reacher, and it’s Robinson’s performance that makes her a character worth caring so much about. Check out Ritchson’s comment below:
That episode is the heart and soul of this entire season. If we don’t understand why he wants to go after the antagonist so bad – you know, he calls [him] the most evil guy he’s ever met – this is the inciting incident for that. But it also helps us understand Reacher’s values, you know, and who he works with. I mean, this is the first teammate that he’s ever adopted.
Robinson has previously appeared in episodes of Act Your Age, Chicago Med, and Family Reunion.
What Dominique’s Storyline Means For Reacher Season 3
Xavier Quinn Just Became A Key Villain
Dominique is killed when Reacher sends her to get Quinn by herself, thus making Reacher season 3, episode 4, the key to Ritchson’s character’s motivation in this particular story. In the episodes released so far, it’s been clear that something is eating away at Reacher when it comes to Quinn, and there’s clearly a history there. Dominique’s death makes Reacher’s story personal, and his undercover work is now about more than taking down a criminal; it’s about taking revenge and attempting to redeem himself for the death of his protégé.
Related
Reacher Season 3’s Main Villain, Xavier Quinn, Explained
Reacher himself described season 3’s latest villain Xavier Quinn as “the single worst person I’ve ever known,” but what is his backstory?
Though season 3 was already barreling toward a major showdown between Reacher and Paulie, episode 4 has made clear that a showdown between Reacher and Quinn is also on the way. While the former has been built up as this season’s big fight, Dominique’s death suggests that the latter could end up being more emotionally powerful.
Reacher’s Flashbacks Have Been Effective
Reacher has generally remained calm and collected in the seasons and episodes thus far, and it tends to be hard to truly get under his skin. Dominique’s death provides audiences with a window into Reacher’s emotional state, and it totally changes the tone of season 3, making the stakes feel ever higher. Even though Quinn still remains mysterious as an antagonist, he’s just become far more dangerous for the heroes in the Reacher season 3 cast.
Reacher season 3 has been very well-received and sports a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Relying on flashbacks to tell a story can sometimes feel unnecessary or like a gimmick, especially since it can take away from the action happening in the present. Ultimately, though, Reacher season 3, episode 4, feels like a worthwhile detour, shedding some crucial light on what is driving Ritchson’s hulking hero this time around.
Source: CinemaBlend
Reacher
8/10
- Release Date
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February 3, 2022
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Nick Santora
- Directors
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Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
- Writers
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Cait Duffy