5 musts in the new season of 'Reacher'

Alan Ritchson and company start punching things today over at Prime.

Certain shows don’t have to be overly complex or cause too much thought when viewing them. After all, it’s called entertainment, not a math problem. While a show like HBO’s Westworld literally produced at least one headache per episode, Prime Video’s Reacher exists on the straight shot freeway. As in, there is no multi-web conspiracy that will include fourteen different players and another twenty plot twists. Just one drifter who likes protecting innocent people and hitting things. He doesn’t have to use any advanced interrogation techniques to get his message across; Reacher will just squeeze the stress right out of your system, one hour at a time.

With Alan Ritchson and company getting back into action with the third season tonight, here are a few (or five) things that need to happen for the pillars of the series to remain intact.

1) DON’T SLEEP ON THE GUEST STAR LIST

One of the things that made the first two seasons stand tall were good supporting parts. Season 2 made good use of known faces like Domenick Lombardozzi and Robert Patrick. Serinda Swan was a fine love interest/new Reacher team member. While some can merely watch big Alan throw people through walls or try to put his fist through a skull, the rest of us need that extra something.

The writing was witty enough to include a hilarious Sarah Connor joke for Patrick (from his Terminator 2 claim to fame) and a heartfelt ode about Aquaman from Lombardozzi (who was the superhero’s friend on HBO’s Entourage), so that would be nice too. A guest list makes a television show sing loud for its supper.

Anthony Michael Hall and Sonya Cassidy are a nice start.

2) GIVE REACHER A GOOD OPPONENT

Here’s the thing. Big Frankie has been teased in trailers and previews. There is definitely a moment where Ritchson’s loner gets knocked to the ground and possibly bloodied by the big fella, played by bodybuilding boss man, Olivier Richters. Just don’t make it weak or underwhelming.

Give us a fight or two between the two before they are brought together as buddies like every big screen muscle guy showdown. Just don’t make them buddy-buddy too quickly. Let the blood, rage, and testosterone boil over a couple times.

While filming, Richters could tell the star of the show wasn’t messing around, as Ritchson was consuming 7000 calories and training for five hours to get into the beastly character that has helped the show become a hit. Basically, let the bad guy be bad before the story makes him a good guy. Give us war. Give us blood. Many thanks, Nicky Santoro.

3) DON’T YOU DARE MAKE NEAGLEY A SIDE SHOW OR SMALL PIECE OF THE PIE

As my warehouse colleague Andy would shout: “No, no, no!” One of the best parts of the show are the interactions between the big guy and his smartest helper and closest thing to a friend. She’s the woman who knows what Ritchson’s hero needs and can make a plot-thread connection like few others.

There have been rumors that she would briefly appear in the season but not play a big part. I hope those are bullshit rumors. Unleash the Neagley. Reacher doesn’t tell her nearly enough how smart she is. All the “she isn’t in this particular Lee Child novel” can shove it. Don’t care.

4) AN OUTNUMBERED BRAWL

At this point, it’s customary. Reacher and his team find themselves outgunned, possibly double the trouble. Undeterred and confident, he guides his pals through a beat down that involves cracked ribs, foreheads, kneecaps, and everything else within stomping distance. A guilty pleasure show with a well read brain has to deliver the pleasures of a good fight.

We know who will win, but it’s still fun to watch the odds lose.

5) LET HULK SMASH

Taking a note from the last point, let Ritchson bash some bad people. Don’t PG-13 it. No holds barred for some no good folks. Early reviews have said the action is brutal and that makes me a very happy boy. Let it lean into the bloody knuckles and broken faces.

This isn’t supposed to be light and fluffy Reacher. He’s mad, hungry, and determined to kick ass while keeping thrift shops open across the country. He’s the dream for both sexes. To women, he’s the real muscled deal with a thinker brain. To men, he’s a detached vagabond forever on the road to nowhere adventures. Just keep the punch count up.

Those boots are made for walking and kicking. Enjoy your Reacher on Prime. The first three episodes are live now and the following five will appear weekly.

P.S. Show us more scenes of the big fella taking a breather and killing some food. Heroes need a hot meal too.