Warning: Major spoilers for Reacher season 3, episode 7 “L.A. Story” below!Reacher’slatest episode opened with a golden opportunity for a Finlay cameo - but I’m glad they resisted the temptation.Reacherseason 1 adaptedKilling Floor,which was a very logical starting point as that was the first novel. The first season was a ratings smash that also received surprisingly strong reviews, particularly for Willa Fitzgerald as Roscoe and Malcolm Goodwin as Finlay. Both performers made such a strong impression that it was hard to picture future seasons moving ahead without them.
TheLee ChildJack Reacherbooksare all essentially standalone, with few recurring characters or plotlines. Still,Reacherseason 2 added a fun cameo for Finlaythat also felt like an organic part of the story. Fitzgerald has yet to return and unless a future season heavily revises another book to include them, it’s doubtful Roscoe or Finlay will return. It’s a shame to lose such great characters and performers - but I’d also hate the show to push them into the story for the sake of it.
Reacher Season 3, Episode 7 Review: I Hope Next Week’s Finale Can Make Up For An Underwhelming Penultimate Slow Burn
After a fantastic start, Reacher season 3 starts to lose momentum in its penultimate episode “L.A. Story”, raising the stakes for next week’s finale.
Reacher didn’t call up Finlay after all
Reacherseason 2 confirmed that Finlay had rejoined the Boston police force, and was available whenever Alan Ritchson’s title character ever needed help. WhenReacher’slatest episode “L.A. Story” opened with Jack and Agent Duffy (Sonya Cassidy) driving to Boston, I got a brief flutter of excitement that Goodwin’s Finlay would make an appearance. Instead, Duffy only makes a brief stop to visit the grandmother of her missing informant, Theresa.
There would be no real reason for Finlay to get involved in Reacher’s latest mission…
Finlay doesn’t make a cameo in the episode, which I’m glad didn’t come to pass. There would be no real reason for Finlay to get involved in Reacher’s latest mission; plus, it’s not like Jack is the kind guy who would arrange a catch-up with Finlay over coffee and a Danish. A Finlay appearance would have felt forced, and much as I’d love to see Goodwin pop back up on the series, his return shouldn’t be an empty gimmick either.
I Love How Reacher Season 3 Is Avoiding Fan Service
Just like its main character, Reacher isn’t a very sentimental series
Finlay not making a return is part of a larger thread I like about this series; it’s avoidance of annoying fan service. There have been almost no callbacks to the events of previous seasons and even mentions of things like the 110th Special Investigators or Margrave feel like they come naturally.Neagley (Maria Sten) doesn’t appear inReacherseason 3’s source novelPersuader, but even her inclusion feels organic.
Willa Fitzgerald and Malcolm Goodwin worked together again on Mike Flanagan’s Netflix miniseriesThe Fall of the House of Usher.
The previous two series made Neagley a key part of theReacherTV show, and her subplot in the third season fits neatly into the story found in Child’s book. Other popular shows would be tempted to add more easter eggs or guest appearances, but I’m impressed withReacher’srestraint in this regard. Maybe the upcoming finale will spoil all that and seeReacherfinally call Roscoe’s number - but I doubt that will happen.
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.
