In the books, Jack Reacher masterfully communicates with his allies and enemies and makes his presence known without saying much. The phrase “Reacher said nothing” appears so often in the novels that the character’s quietness is considered one of the most defining traits of his personality. Reacher‘s seasons 1 and 2 failed to bring this trope to the small screen and made Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher seem a little too talkative. The show’s season 3 seemingly had the opportunity to honor the book trope because of one detail in its story, but it followed the same path as its predecessors.
Reacher’s Undercover Role Was The Perfect Excuse To Do “Reacher Said Nothing”
Not Talking Would Have Benefited Him In Season 3
In Reacher season 1, the titular character could not get away with not talking because he found himself in an unknown town where he had to investigate a web of local corruption to find the truth about his brother’s murder. Even his relationship with Roscoe and Finlay was initially defined by many conflicts before he learned to peacefully collaborate with them. Owing to this, it became nearly impossible for the series to implement Lee Child’s “Reacher said nothing” rule in season 1.
Since Jack Reacher is in an undercover role in season 3, he could have actually benefited from staying quiet and being careful with his words.
Season 2 came with its own set of challenges in this regard because it showed Reacher working in a team. Since his former team members from the 110th Special Investigation Unit are among the few people he likes talking to, the show could not maintain his trademark minimalist speech from the books. In season 3, however, Reacher seemingly had the perfect opportunity to make the character more true to the original Lee Child novels. Since Jack Reacher is in an undercover role in season 3, he could have actually benefited from staying quiet and being careful with his words.
There are a few intriguing scenes in Reacher season 3 where the Alan Ritchson character resorts to action instead of saying anything at all. For instance, when he realizes Angel is growing suspicious of who he is, he slams his head on a table instead of reasoning with him. However, in many other moments, Jack Reacher still seems a little too talkative compared to his book counterpart.
If Anything, Reacher Is Even More Talkative When Undercover In Season 3
Reacher Tries To Talk His Way Out Of Almost Every Situation In Season
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Reacher Key Facts Breakdown
Created By
Nick Santora
Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Score
96%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
84%
Based On
Lee Child Jack Reacher book series
Despite knowing that Neagley would want to help him and get involved in his mission, Reacher also ends up oversharing the details of the case by revealing that it involves a familiar figure named Quinn. While Jack Reacher’s insults and one-liners directed toward Paulie in season 3 are hilarious, he seems a little too verbally expressive against the giant villain. Given how the show benefits from Reacher being talkative, this shift in his personality from the source material is not necessarily detrimental to the series. However, the show could have still leaned into his more taciturn nature.
Why Prime Video’s Reacher TV Show Never Follows Lee Child’s “Reacher Said Nothing” Rule
The Books Have One Major Advantage Over The Series
The Lee Child books often make up for Jack Reacher’s lack of verbal communication by featuring intricate monologs of the thoughts in his head. Although the Prime Video show could have also taken a similar approach, too many monologs would not have worked too well for the audiovisual storytelling medium. Owing to this, it makes sense that all three Reacher seasons feature more verbal exchange and dialogue, especially between characters like Jack and Neagley, to ensure viewers know what the titular character feels and plans to do in his quest to seek justice.
