Reacher Recap: Western Exposure

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The third season of Reacher, considered by some as its weakest so far, strays even more from the 2003 source novel “Persuader” as it approaches its conclusion. It’s important to note that there’s no significant literary infringement occurring here; the showrunners aren’t altering the ending of a classic like “The Scarlet Letter.” Some modifications made to Lee Child’s original work have actually been beneficial, such as eliminating the character of Elizabeth Beck. In the novel, she is another female character whose sole purpose in the story is to be victimized.

In the penultimate episode, a significant portion is dedicated to a side mission in Los Angeles, which is a fresh addition to the series. With Reacher’s cover exposed, both he and Duffy find themselves in need of an alternative way to keep tracking Beck and Quinn long enough to save Teresa Daniel. Teresa is an informant and recovering addict whom Duffy coerced into working as a secretary at Bizarre Bazaar, a business linked to West Coast drug lord Darien Prado. Although it was Duffy who traced Quinn due to her surveillance of Prado, leading to her involvement with Reacher (who happened to run into the man he believed he killed 13 years ago on the street), it’s Reacher who recalls this chain of events and proposes they visit Prado.

It’s indeed Reacher’s concept. What can be frustrating in the show “Reacher” is that only characters not named Reacher seem to lack resourcefulness and competence. However, there are exceptions like Neagley, whose spin-off series has been confirmed, and Kohl, who was efficient but suffered severe consequences back in 2012. The portrayal of Susan Duffy on the show is puzzling because in the book, she’s a few steps behind Reacher. On TV, she appears to be one of the least effective federal law enforcement officers since Robert Hanssen.

In the second-to-last episode of the season, Duffy takes Reacher with her to visit Teresa’s grandmother prior to their departure from Logan Airport. Interestingly, it’s revealed that Duffy is on familiar terms with the woman whose granddaughter she had put in peril after Teresa had turned over a new leaf. The old lady remains unaware of Susan’s part in her granddaughter’s vanishing act. Nicky Guadagni delivers an endearing portrayal as this character, sensing the apparent romantic tension between Reacher and Duffy. (“I know a thing or two.”) Despite denying any romantic involvement, Reacher reveals to Ms. Daniel that Duffy is merely interested in him physically. This exchange provides a delightful moment of humor for the week.

1. A picture of Teresa Ms. Daniel on the refrigerator brings to mind the central character who’s been propelling this whole season. “She’s a decent person,” her grandmother remarks. Charming woman.

Here’s another option:

2. The photo of Teresa Ms. Daniel on her fridge evokes the pivotal figure who’s been leading us through this season. “She’s a fine individual,” her grandma says. A smooth talker.

Both options aim to maintain the original meaning while improving readability and using more natural, everyday language.

Next, we witness a scene where Neagley stealthily approaches Costopoulos, a crook from Chicago, as he retrieves his morning newspaper. It’s unfortunate to see someone still receiving daily newspaper delivery being treated this way, but this is the man who dispatched the two enforcers to Neagley’s office in the previous episode. He’s also the most chatty character we’ve encountered so far this season, readily revealing information when all Neagley has done is hint at using a gun. Somehow, he understands that Julius McCabe, the one who instructed him to send the hitters, is also Xavier Quinn. “There are only a handful of people still living who recognize that name,” he says.

Costopoulos explains, “Quinn was once in charge of solving problems for me, but no longer is my superior. He’s the one who established operations here, back when we were in Chicago.” He shares with Neagley a tragic tale about an import-export business owned by a family, which Quinn had taken over and eventually eliminated all the key players. Now, Costopoulos suggests, Quinn is employing the same strategy against the Beck family and Bizarre Bazaar.

How is it that Costopoulos continues to roam the streets of Chicago, Ontario, even after being described by Reacher as “the most evil man I’ve ever known,” and yet he still goes outside in his bathrobe to retrieve his own newspaper in his own town? If Quinn truly possesses the level of danger we’ve been repeatedly warned about, then Costopoulos wouldn’t be alive to share any of this information with Neagley.

In a hotel room in Los Angeles, Duffy demonstrates a surveillance footage of Prado for Reacher. Unfortunately, this video was deemed inadmissible due to Agent Eliot’s mistake in location interpretation, leading him to shoot the video from an unauthorized spot. When Reacher requests a closer look at the footage, Duffy playfully responds with “that’s what she said.” Her wit and charm are as keen as her skills in law enforcement.

In the Reacher series, it’s no surprise that they continue their relationship, given Duffy’s attractive appearance and Reacher’s nature. However, it seems more like an obligation, despite the enjoyment of watching Duffy navigate around Reacher, much like a jungle gym. Each season introduces a typically-sized romantic interest for our oversized vigilante hobo, Reacher. I’d love to see him paired with a partner as massive as he is in future seasons. Is Gwendoline Christie free for such a role?

Due to my extensive focus on Alan Ritchson’s mispronunciation of McLean, Virginia in episode four and my lengthy critique of Sonya Cassidy’s Boston accent throughout the entire series, it’s only fair that I give credit for the fact that she pronounces Worcester, Massachusetts correctly in the scene where her character and Reacher confront Prado. Thanks!

In a similar vein to Victor Maitland from Beverly Hills Cop, many years ago, Prado is concealing his drug business under the guise of an art gallery. Reacher and Duffy’s reason for traveling across the country becomes apparent as they manipulate Prado into making a false firearms purchase from Zachary Beck. I found it amusing that their means of pressuring this drug lord was his use of a handicapped parking permit. Reacher and Duffy hint to him that they will testify in court that he coerced his doctor for the permit, which would be his third strike, leading to a life sentence. Since Al Capone fell due to tax evasion, anything goes. The climax of this scene unfolds when a crowd of DEA agents storm Prado’s gallery. Duffy had previously mentioned in episode one that she was unofficially handling the investigation after the botched surveillance warrant took her off the Prado case, but who can recall such details? Perhaps these other DEA agents are also operating clandestinely as well.

Previously in Maine, Beck encounters someone he believes to be Prado’s emissary – Neagley – while Reacher, Duffy, and Villanueva keep watch. Villanueva queries Duffy about the noticeable wound on her arm, hinting at their previous altercation with Harley; she jokes it off as a “rug scratch.” Being a seasoned lawman, Villanueva suspects that the only plausible way one could get such an injury is through intense, high-friction sexual activity in a hotel room with a man weighing around 250 pounds. He expresses his disapproval, saying “You were meant to be on duty!

Zachary Beck now sports a bandage on what was previously his right ear. During the last episode, Quinn suggested they’d both need a matching set, which could have meant harming Richard as well, but it appears he meant a father-son pair instead. Neagley informs Beck that she is representing Reacher instead of Prado and advises him that his best chance of making it through this predicament is by discovering the location and timing of Quinn’s major arms deal so Reacher can take down Quinn. The special effects work behind Maria Sten and Anthony Michael Hall in this “quarry” scene are comically poor, resembling those seen on the Weather Channel. Beck informs Neagley that the buyers are coming from Yemen, but he only has that much information. Following two uninvited spies entering his home, he’s naturally been left out of the loop regarding further details.

Currently, Teresa Daniel is restrained next to a pipe in an unsanitary basement. Quinn, despite being only a mediocre global criminal mastermind, exhibits a high level of cruelty. He expresses regret to his captive that he won’t be able to keep her for himself longer. “I could have enjoyed you exclusively,” he says. “Exploit you, then discard all your beautiful parts. Abandon you in the undertow as bait when the entertainment ends.” Then, against her will, he administers a dose of heroin. Every aspect of this scenario is disturbing. The actress portraying Teresa is Storm Steenson, and she doesn’t get a chance to speak. I hope her future roles are more promising.

In one of Anthony Michael Hall’s standout moments during the season, Zachary finds Richard attempting to fix his father’s broken toy revolver, which he had purchased as a 50th birthday gift. Upon learning that Richard had tampered with the gift in an effort to reconnect, Zachary reveals that he purposely distanced himself from Richard following Quinn’s intrusion into their lives. He admits that he anticipated his own death and didn’t want it to cause as much pain for Richard as the passing of his mother had years before. Hall delivers a poignant performance in these scenes, making one question if this was the scene that motivated him to take on what is typically a less rewarding role.

In the story, Neagley, now part of the team with Reacher, Duffy, and Villanueva, follows Quinn’s clients upon their arrival at a private airport that Villanueva mentions is often used by a well-known political family when they visit Kennebunkport. It’s surprising to find a real-world political figure mentioned in a series so detached from reality. Meanwhile, Duffy and Villanueva inform Reacher that they’ll require the ATF’s assistance during their raid on Quinn. However, Reacher disagrees due to the ATF being a law enforcement agency, which wouldn’t permit him to kill Quinn – something he had already attempted! “I don’t seek justice,” Reacher states. “I seek revenge.” You’re not like Batman, pal!

In this scenario, when Duffy shares news about a large firearm transaction with the ATF, the senior official in the room, Sears, logically tries to exclude Duffy and Villanueva, explaining that it’s an arms case, not a drugs case, and that all the evidence they’ve obtained has been gathered illegally. Eventually, he consents to let them observe the raid from the van. My preferred part of the scene is that Sears doesn’t inquire about Reacher’s identity until the towering man standing silently in the corner, looking angry, speaks up. Remarkably, this seemingly ordinary individual, fitting the size of a Honda Fit and wearing casual clothing, managed to enter a secure government building for a critical law enforcement meeting without having to identify himself. One could say he was almost like Batman!

It’s more implausible, you might think, that Reacher managed to get a sniper rifle from a pawn shop, store it in Duffy’s car, and then jump out of an ATF van to retrieve it, compared to the fact that he’s determined to kill Quinn despite being reminded that it would mean a life on the run. Yet, Reacher sees this as just another part of his lifestyle, although we know he lives comfortably off his Army pension. Instead of arresting him, Duffy seems dejected and returns to the van.

In a ready stance, Reacher contacts Neagley to advise her to dispose of any proof that they’ve interacted over the past week, so she won’t be suspected in his upcoming murder of Quinn. When Neagley counters that he’s mistaken since she’s still tracking gun purchasers, Reacher deduces that the transaction will occur at Beck’s residence and that they’ve unwittingly walked into a trap set by the ATF.

Only one episode remains, and Reacher still needs to settle up with Paulie!

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2025-03-20 18:56