Reacher is not a TV show that demands to be watched from episode 1. With each season based on a different Lee Child book, viewers can jump into any of Prime Video’s three releases thus far and be duly entertained. Possessing an understanding of Reacher’s character and backstory from the beginning would help, of course, but it isn’t necessary.
Nevertheless, there are subtle plot points from Reacher seasons 1 and 2 that aren’t yet resolved. Whether the upcoming Reacher season 4 will address them remains to be seen, but in order to do so, fan-favorite characters from Jack Reacher’s past misadventures would need to be brought back.
Reacher Still Hasn’t Followed Up Season 1’s Candy Wrapper Tease
When Reacher said goodbye to Roscoe at the end of season 1, she gave him a parting gift: her phone number written on the wrapper of a Clark bar. This hasn’t happened with any of Reacher’s other love interests in the Prime Video series. Season 2’s Karla Dixon made it very clear that she and Reacher were just finishing “old business,” then Susan Duffy straight-up dumped Reacher in season 3’s finale.
Only Roscoe left the door open, but as we head into Reacher season 4, the Clark bar wrapper still hasn’t been revisited. The only vague hint of digging out Roscoe’s number came in season 2, but Reacher was adamant he didn’t want her involved, then her name didn’t come up in any capacity during season 3.
For viewers who have been with Reacher since the beginning, the Clark bar wrapper is still hanging in the background, teasing the audience with the promise of Willa Fitzgerald returning as Roscoe at some unspecified point in the future.
Reacher Season 2’s Finale Set Up More Special Investigator Cameos
When Reacher got together with the other surviving Special Investigators in season 2, the downside of his nomadic lifestyle hit home. He had missed his closest friends having children, getting married, and had no idea one of them had died. A hint of remorse appeared on Reacher’s usually expressionless face upon realizing this sad truth.
Reacher season 2 then ended with a touching scene between Reacher and Neagley before the team parted ways once again. Neagley admitted she wasn’t comfortable with Reacher being so distant from their small band, and Reacher agreed to be “better at staying in touch.” This message was underscored by Neagley’s assertion that the Special Investigators were more than just friends or ex-colleagues, which Reacher himself followed up by calling them “family.”
So far, Reacher hasn’t changed much. He contacted Neagley in season 3, but given her presence throughout the entire series, nothing was different in that regard. That aside, we haven’t seen Reacher touching base with Dixon, or asking for help from O’Donnell, or even dressing up as the Hulk when O’Donnell’s kids have a birthday party.
Despite Reacher’s promise in season 2’s finale, there hasn’t really been a sense that the gap between him and the other Special Investigators has closed much – so far, at least. Reacher season 4 could change that, but would need a cameo from either David O’Donnell or Karla Dixon in order to sell it.
- Release Date
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February 3, 2022
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Nick Santora
- Directors
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Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
- Writers
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Cait Duffy
