Warning: Major spoilers for Reacher season 3, episode 7 “L.A. Story” below!Reacher’s"L.A. Story" is the weakest episode of season 3, which just highlights how solid this series has been.Reacherseason 3 adaptsPersuader, a novel that ranks high among fans of the books. The third season has earned a near-perfect score onRotten Tomatoesand has been a huge streaming success for Amazon, so it appearsReacherwill be around for many years to come. There are plenty of other great titles in theLee ChildJack Reacherbook seriesto pick from too, including61 HoursandTripwire.
If a complaint could be leveled at the new season, it would be that it feels slightly padded.The ideal episode count for adaptingPersuaderwould be six instead of eight, andReacher’slatest episode, “L.A. Story” only proves this. Episode 7 puts the pieces in place for the upcoming finale, where Agent Duffy (Sonya Cassidy) brings the ATF into her investigation, Quinn (Brian Tee) is getting ready to wrap up his latest deal and Reacher (Alan Ritchson) gets ready to blow the latter’s head off. It’s a serviceable episode, but it can’t help but feel like filler.
Episode 7 is an exercise in wheel-spinning
Image via Prime Video
Previous episodes of season 3 featured extended scenes of tension or action. “L.A. Story” has none of that, andmost of the episode sees characters going over their elaborate plans in motel rooms or offices. There’s no big setpiece or twists, with the only real source of tension being Duffy trying to prevent Reacher killing Quinn. The road trip element adds some spice, and it’s nice that Neagley (Maria Sten) and Jack are finally reunited onscreen, but “L.A. Story” is an exercise in pure wheel spinning.
Reacher Season 3 Had The Perfect Chance For A Finlay Cameo, But I’m Glad It Didn’t Happen
Reacher season 3’s “L.A. Story” opened with the perfect excuse to have a Finlay cameo - but I’m so glad it resisted the temptation.
In an ideal world, the entire episode could have taken up the first 15 minutes ofReacher’sfinale instead.To reach the eight-episode mark, “L.A. Story” stretched the source material further than it needed to. That’s not to say it’s a dull offering by any stretch, and it’s nice to have an episode that lets the story breathe before the main event. It sees Beck (Anthony Michael Hall) reconcile with his son Richard (Johnny Berchtold), and “L.A. Story” finally confirms Duffy’s informant Theresa is alive (if not exactly well).
Reacher episode 7’s buildup better pay off like a slot machine in the finale
With Reacher’s cover being blown in episode 6, it was only natural for the show to switch to a lower gear. If the source material is anything to go by, episode 8 will revolve around Reacher rampaging around the Beck mansion; this includes the eagerly awaited Reacher vs Paulie fight.Setting all the players in place for the final episode results in “L.A. Story” feeling like an extended teaser trailerfor the next episode, though. It can’t resolve any stories and a big action scene would have felt forced, so instead, there’s alotof talking.
If nothing else, Reacher and Duffy finally acted on their mutual attraction, but that’s the only storyline that gets any true payoff.By the end ofReacher’s"L.A. Story,“a big shootout is about to occur and Beck’s lavish birthday party has just begun. With all the setup out of the way, episode 8 should be non-stop action from the opening moments. On that score,“L.A Story” is quite effective in building anticipation, but it could have injected more excitement into proceedings too.
Despite Being Reacher Season 3’s Weakest Episode, “L.A. Story” Is Still Pretty Good
Reacher’slatest episode might be a letdown compared to previous offerings, but it’s still an enjoyable watch. It’s a calm before the storm episode, getting all the exposition out of the way so the finale can take flight. The benefit of this approach is that it lets the characters hang out without the need for a fistfight to pep things up.“L.A. Story” is a more reflective outing too, which underlines the stakes going forwardand what each of the main characters has to lose.
Hopefully, the Reacher season 3 finale will be worth the extended tease, and the titular character will gain some bloody revenge on Quinn.
Even if “L.A. Story” is the weakest of season 3, all things considered, that’s a decent bar and highlights what a fun ride the series has been. Hopefully, theReacherseason 3 finale will be worth the extended tease, and the titular character will gain some bloody revenge on Quinn. One thing is for certain: there is plenty more punching and shooting to go before this season wraps up.
Reacher
Cast
Reacher follows Jack Reacher, a former military police investigator, as he navigates civilian life. Without a phone and carrying minimal belongings, Reacher drifts across the country, experiencing the nation he once served, and encounters intriguing challenges along the way.
Reacher - Season 3
Based on Lee Child’s novel ‘Persuader,’ Season 3 finds Reacher tangled up in a DEA investigation of an import business owned by Zachary Beck. As is often the case, Reacher has a personal stake in the investigation, when he realizes someone he investigated years ago for a crime during his time in the Army has resurfaced in connection to Beck’s operation. To unravel what’s happening in Beck’s business, the DEA collaborates with Reacher and attempts to send him in undercover to help rescue another undercover DEA informant and put a stop to Beck’s business practices.
