Reacher season 3 may seem similar to its predecessors in more ways than one, but a closer look at its narrative reveals how one thing will separate from seasons 1 and 2. Based on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books, Amazon Prime Video’s Reacher has achieved what the Tom Cruise 2012 movie series could not — unanimous acclaim and consistent commercial success. With Reacher season 3’s release on the horizon and the Neagley spin-off’s confirmation, the franchise seems to be showing no signs of slowing down.

However, despite this, it is hard not to be concerned about whether Reacher‘s new installments will be able to maintain the same level of originality to keep viewers invested. While only time will tell what the future holds for the Amazon Prime Video detective series, Reacher season 3 already seems to be taking major steps to differentiate itself from the previous seasons. On the surface, season 3 will likely have many narrative parallels with seasons 1 and 2. However, Jack Reacher’s overarching mission in season 3 will include some exciting, never-seen-before elements.

Reacher Season 3 Feels Very Similar To The Last 2 Seasons

The Show’s Narrative Structure Has Been Consistent Since Season 1

Although all Reacher seasons have had unique elements, it is hard not to notice how they are all quite similar in storytelling structure. In all three seasons, Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher starts his journey as a lone figure whose sole purpose is to embrace the open road and hop from one town to another. With little to no belongings, he wanders from place to place before getting embroiled in a criminal conspiracy that only he can stop. In season 1, he finds himself dealing with the powerful forces in Margrave’s underbelly after he locks horns with the Kliners.

Despite being set in a different location and featuring a new set of characters, Reacher season 3 will likely be no different. As its source material, Lee Child’s Persuader, suggests, Jack Reacher’s central mission in season 3 will again be driven by his hunger for revenge against former Military Intelligence officer Francis Xavier Quinn, who brutally killed his female military police officer, Dominique Kohl. During his quest to find justice, Jack Reacher will also join forces with DEA Agent Sarah Duffy, just like he teamed up with other law enforcers in seasons 1 and 2.

Reacher Going Undercover Is The Biggest & Most Exciting Difference In Season 3

The Undercover Mission Will Put Reacher’s Brain & Brawn On Full Display

Even though Reacher season 3 already seems to have many narrative parallels with seasons 1 and 2, it will stand out as a unique addition to the series because of one plot development. In Persuader, Jack Reacher’s journey begins with him going undercover for the Drug Enforcement Administration to take down a man who smuggles drugs. To pull this off, the DEA and Jack Reacher even set up a fake abduction of the suspected drug smuggler’s son to help Jack Reacher win his trust.

Reacher Season
Book Adapted

Season 1
Killing Floor

Season 2
Bad Luck & Trouble

Season 3
Persuader

In seasons 1 and 2, Reacher’s story primarily revolved around him using his brawn and unconventional methods of investigation to solve crime. He did not hold himself back from directly confronting his enemies and never had to conceal his identity to achieve his goals. If Reacher season 3 will loyally adapt the original Lee Child novel, the titular character will also get involved in a covert operation to take down Quinn, the man who harmed his fallen military colleague.

The fact that he will keep going even when many external forces will try to stop him will also help the season establish him as a solid solitary figure who never forgives and never forgets.

Even when the DEA will try to pull him out of the mission, he will remain steadfast in his decision to seek revenge and serve justice to Quinn. This will make Reacher season 3 significantly different from its predecessors because the Alan Ritchson character has previously been fairly upfront with his confrontations and never gone undercover. The fact that he will keep going even when many external forces will try to stop him will also help the season establish him as a solid solitary figure who never forgives and never forgets.

Reacher Season 4 Must Break Prime Video’s Formula

It Already Seems To Be On The Right Path To Bring Some Novelty To The Series

Apart from walking through an undercover operation, Reacher season 3 will also feature the most formidable enemies the titular character has faced so far. He will not only find himself fighting against a sharp-witted former Military Intelligence officer, Quinn, but will also encounter a man, Paulie, who towers above him by a foot. As seen in Reacher season 3’s trailers, the giant Paulie, who can take Jack Reacher down with one slap, will significantly raise the stakes for the Alan Ritchson character, promising that the upcoming installment will break the series’ existing formula in several ways.