Reacher Recap: No Soup Sandwich

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Each Reacher season features a subplot involving flashbacks that intertwine with the current events. The episode titled “Dominique” successfully delves into most of this backstory within its 50-minute runtime, making it the most satisfying installment so far before ending on a suspenseful cliffhanger.

As a movie enthusiast, I can tell you that the character Reacher clearly empathizes with Duffy’s protective feelings towards Teresa Daniels, reminding me of my own experience with a protege who met an unfortunate fate. In a sequence of flashbacks to 2012, we are introduced to this talented young military cop, Sergeant First Class Dominique Kohl. Mariah Robinson effortlessly conveys Kohl’s intelligence and unwavering commitment to duty right from the get-go.

In simpler terms, Reacher takes the law into his own hands by shooting Quinn, who was at his remote getaway, despite knowing this action wouldn’t prevent Quinn from causing harm to Kohl. Remarkably, Reacher informs his superior officer about his intention to do so over the phone and receives his approval. “Do it once, [and] do it right” seems to be Garber’s response. This army appears quite unconventional, as Reacher makes Garber an accomplice in this extrajudicial killing. However, Reacher fails to carry out the act perfectly, and it takes him 13 years to find out that Quinn didn’t die from his gunshot wound and fall into a rushing river; even James Bond survived similar circumstances.

As a devoted cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: The connection between Alan Ritchson’s portrayal of Reacher and Robinson’s Kohl is so palpable that even the somewhat preposterous plot device used to trigger these flashbacks can be overlooked. In order to link up with Duffy and Villanueva at their rented cabin, Reacher devises a clever ruse – claiming he needs to fetch food.

In a scenario where Zachary Beck suspects an opposing group is planning an attack, having learned that his previous right-hand man Duke was assassinated in an ambush, narrowly avoided by Reacher, allows his newly appointed head of security to step out for takeout. This happens even before Reacher has managed to clean the blood off his face. Moreover, when Beck employs Agnes, a cook who seems perpetually on duty, it’s hard not to roll one’s eyes. No more questions needed, your honor.

At the gathering in the cabin, Reacher verifies for Duffy and Villanueva that the individual they’ve spotted in their surveillance images, who goes by Julius McCabe, is none other than his long-time adversary, Xavier Quinn. After some persistent questioning, Reacher finally discloses the reason behind his attempt to eliminate this man 13 years prior.

Who isn’t involved in this discussion? It’s Eliot, the new DEA agent who weighs only ninety-eight pounds. He momentarily pops in from another room to ask Duffy if their prisoner, Richard Beck’s bodyguard, can have a smoke. “What does the rulebook say?” his superior queries him. Essentially, Duffy will arrange an undercover operation that breaks numerous rules, such as faking a daylight gunfight in public, leading to three supposed deaths. She’ll arrest a suspect without charges, prevent him from contacting his lawyer, and bind him to a chair for extended periods. She and Villanueva will sip beers while Reacher recounts his past with Kohl and Quinn. However, when you ignore all that, she’s as strict as they come! Couldn’t she just say, “Forget that convicted domestic abuser! You’re not giving him a cigarette or any leeway!

Regardless, Eliot has been placed at the children’s table by the adults. While it’s true that he made a mistake with Duffy’s warrant by misinterpreting a map, his punishment seems too harsh to me. I hope if he meets a violent end as this show hints, which seems likely, he’ll torment Duffy for a while after death.

In the year 2012, Garber assigned Kohl to assist Reacher with his workload, assuring him that Kohl wouldn’t require a training period since she wasn’t an ordinary investigator. The casual way Reacher seemed to struggle with the term “special investigators” suggested that this was before the establishment of the 110th Military Police Special Investigations Unit, the highly formidable team we were introduced to in Reacher’s previous series.

The swift manner in which Kohl processes the file given by Reacher, develops a robust theory about the case, is nothing short of astounding, even surpassing her already impressive military background. Moreover, her boss is equally impressed by everything else she does, notably how she manages Johnathan Sousa, a family man with no criminal history, whom Kohl and Reacher arrest on suspicion of selling designs for a covert weapons system.

During their surveillance, every solid partner-duo takes time to understand each other, and as Reacher and Kohl stayed parked at a surveillance spot, they followed this tradition of friendly bonding. Born in Elkhardt, Kohl had journeyed across the U.S., hunting elk with her father. In contrast, Reacher’s dad, a Marine who despised anything extravagant, was a rather reserved individual. Hearing Kohl compare him to his father catches Reacher off guard; he admits that he hadn’t given it much consideration before.

In this statement, we can have confidence. When I express that Reacher’s navel is as overlooked as it is devoid of fat, I am offering a genuine compliment to Ritchson’s performance. Furthermore, his skill in delivering a seemingly awkward line such as “You never leave valuable, top-secret documents this long in public without someone immediately picking them up!” without slipping into the realm of overacting is truly impressive. In terms of acting talent, he certainly isn’t a mediocre sandwich.

Due to Kohl’s persuasion, Gorowski discloses that a corrupt Lieutenant Colonel named Quinn is their main adversary. This villain manipulated Gorowski by kidnapping his 4-year-old daughter and holding her captive for a night, ensuring Gorowski would always remember the vulnerability of his family. Later, Quinn uses the same tactic against Zachary Beck.

Reacher, Kohl, and a private named Frasconi (Robert Bazzocchi) intimidate Quinn’s Syrian informant outside a nightclub. It’s been speculated that Lee Child’s 2003 novel Persuader was selected as the source material for this season because it takes place in limited locations, making production more cost-effective. I found myself less bothered by Canadian influences this season compared to season two, until Reacher yelled at the Syrian and his guards, “You just attacked American soldiers on American soil!” Kudos to production designer Naz Goshtasbpour for finding a blue Washington Post newspaper box for another covert scene set in D.C. during the Obama era, although the Metrobus paint scheme wasn’t quite accurate.

After gathering the proof against Quinn, Reacher advises Kohl to make the arrest herself since it’s her own exceptional detective work that led to it. It shows great kindness on his part to step aside, but it’s also a bit foolish of him to send only Kohl, Frasconi, and no other MPs to apprehend Quinn given how resourceful and dangerous he is supposed to be. When Reacher messages Kohl for an update and receives a response addressed as “sir,” he senses something suspicious is happening in Virginia.

In a less graphic depiction than Child’s detailed account, Reacher stumbles upon Kohl’s lifeless body hanging. Later, Quinn admits Kohl was involved in a secret deal with him. This is the first time we hear Brian Tee’s character speak, and he certainly has a persuasive charm. However, Reacher remains unconvinced. Instead, he takes action – violence, if you will, though his best efforts are evident.

The writer implies that there could be a deeper, romantic connection between Reacher and Kohl, but the show wisely avoids this narrative. It’s typical of the series to elevate Reacher, even though the show is named “Reacher.” Although they share respect and enjoy working together, their relationship remains strictly professional and collaborative. Whew, it seems everything stays appropriate!

In a similar vein, it was an intriguing scene when Reacher advised Frasconi, who appeared smitten with Kohl, to take her out for dinner and present flowers, but not roses as they are commonly chosen by thoughtless individuals. While I can appreciate your point about flowers on a first date, Major, I find it questionable that a superior officer would suggest romantic involvement between two of his subordinates, especially considering the significant rank difference between Sergeant First Class Kohl and Private Frasconi. This situation appears to be more problematic than Reacher’s preference for being addressed as “Reacher” rather than “major” or “sir.

As the flashbacks conclude, Duffy emerges as a more soiled and multifaceted character, admitting to Reacher and Villanueva that she hadn’t bribed Teresa to spy at Bizarre Bazaar, but rather had threatened her with incarceration instead. “I wronged that girl,” Duffy confesses, “and now I must set things right.

Upon Reacher’s arrival at the Beck house, carrying a takeout box, cook Agnes, superbly played by Helen Taylor, initially glares at him suspiciously, but softens when he informs her that Duke is no longer associated with the firm.

In an alternate phrasing: French maid Annette (Caitlin McNerney) thoughtfully provides Reacher with fresh attire. “I can’t have my second-in-command appearing as number two,” Reacher jokes. She blushes at the bare-chested, tanned Reacher. It’s hard to tell if Annette is saying “The shirts go up to XXL” or “The shorts go up to XXL,” which could make a significant difference.

The following day, Reacher imparts a boxing tutorial to Richard. “It’s your legs that power your punches, not just your fists,” he explains accurately. Moreover, he suggests that Richard should warn an imaginary opponent that they will be struck in three counts, and then strike at two. This is a technique I have never taught in my boxing classes, but if it works for Bugs Bunny and the Three Stooges, who am I to argue?

As a seasoned movie critic, let me share my thoughts on this scene where Jack Reacher finds himself in a heated discussion with another character over parenting styles. Despite his initial disapproval of Zachary Beck’s failure to teach self-defense to his son, he quickly comes to Zachary’s defense. You see, had Zachary contacted the authorities when Richard was kidnapped, there’s a good chance young Richard would have ended up in the foster care system. The grim reality is that many kids in such situations often end up struggling, alone, and on the streets.

“But you’re poor, alone, and on the streets,” Richard argues. “Exactly,” Reacher retorts, “but I’ve managed to thrive in those circumstances.” And here’s where it gets interesting – Reacher proudly proclaims, “Good? Maybe not. But I’m the best at it!” A testament to his resilience and adaptability, Jack Reacher is indeed exceptional when it comes to navigating life’s adversities.

In an Investigation, Details Matter

In the scene where Reacher and Kohl discover the deceitful dead drop, finding an empty envelope from a trash can seems rather foolish. One would expect Gorowski or Quinn to include some sort of random paperwork to mislead the investigators, not leave it vacant.

When Reacher estimates the time Kohl and Frasconi would require to apprehend Quinn, he mentions, “It’s 35 minutes to McLean,” pronouncing it as ‘mick-lean’. For those who grew up in the Virginia suburbs near D.C., you might know that it is commonly pronounced as ‘mack-lane’. Famous actress Shirley MacLaine, known for her Academy, Emmy, and Golden Globe awards, is an example of this pronunciation. While people outside the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia) area may not notice, those who actually reside here will certainly pick up on it.

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2025-02-27 19:56