
On a cool April day, my mother traveled up from sunny south Florida to Chicago, and it was up to me to choose a suitable wallpaper-TV setup for her unique preferences. My Creole mom, fiercely rooted in the South, may not represent the typical palate that critics might consider when gauging mainstream American taste, but she has always served as a reliable gauge for me, especially for those who watch movies not as cinephiles, but simply for enjoyment. I would describe her tastes as quintessential American normcore.
I deliberated over true crime and romantic dramas that might appeal to her, before considering the popular streaming series Reacher, which had just wrapped up its second season. I’d been hearing a lot of praise for the show on social media – about its entertaining fun factor and the attractiveness of the lead character.