Reacher's Biggest Weakness Has Become Its Greatest Strength

Published Sep 6, 2026, 3:30 PM EDT Faith Roswell is a Senior Writer on Screen Rant's Classic TV team. Since earning her degree in Creative Writing over a decade ago, Faith has written articles on film and TV from a variety of different angles. Faith now combines her knowledge of psychology with her love of monster movies to give more insight into what makes the best ones. You may have read her Screen Rant lists and features covering horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, or read her Amazon Top 10 book, "Movie Monsters of the Deep." Faith has had an extensive career as a writer, appearing on BBC live radio, researching true crime for Rotten Mango podcast, and writing for publications including Mental Floss, Atlas Obscura, and The Daily Jaws before beginning here at Screen Rant. With 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, Reacher is Prime Video's flagship action series, but it is not immune to criticism. However, one of the most common issues with Reacher has just been turned on its head in season 4's latest episode, with the show's biggest weakness becoming its greatest strength. While the book and TV versions of Jack Reacher have a few differences, especially giving the famously stoic character more to say, author Lee Child has made it clear that Reacher's lack of character development is by design. Still, this too may be changing. Features that work well in source material do not always translate well onscreen, but Reacher's lack of personal growth has been an asset, as the fact that you can start Reacher with any season allows the show to pick up new viewers at any time. However, season 4's subject matter has been particularly harrowing and most characters should be somewhat changed by these events. While we still have another episode before the finale, a different character's surprising arc has highlighted the good that character development can do, with him sometimes becoming more interesting than Reacher. Jacob Has Become The Most Interesting Character In Reacher Season 4 Image via MovieStillsDB The first episode of season 4, "City of Brotherly Love," saw the grieving Jacob sitting in a diner unable to eat, and later running down a street with a towel held to his bleeding nose. Reacher would barely notice injuries ten times more severe, but Jacob is not Reacher, and that has rapidly become a good thing. Of all the characters in Reacher season 4, Jacob at first appeared to rival Lila for the position of the series' resident vulnerable character in need of care, but over the course of the first six episodes, he has transformed. The Jacob of episode 6, "Plum Out of Luck," held hostage by Amisha and defiantly telling Reacher that he didn't care if he died, is a very different man from the first episode. He might not have used his resources as competently as Reacher might, but for a small town cop out of his depth, he is learning quickly. We tend to know what Reacher will do in any given situation, and while Tamara is easily the best of his companions, she is also relatively predictable, while Jacob has become the show's wildcard. Jack Reacher is interesting due to Alan Ritchson's career-making performance, his associated action scenes, and the necessary change from the books that give him some of the funniest lines in the show. That said, Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette's standout portrayal of Jacob has proven that when placed opposite a character written with a real arc and personal growth, even Reacher can be outshone. The series' other characters have not been written with as much depth, but Jacob is now showing us what we have been missing, as well as the key to the future of the show. Reacher Cannot Survive Without Characters Like Jacob While Reacher's nod to a previous season with a reference to the fan favorite Richard Beck was a neat way of showing Reacher's respect for the gentler character, "Plum Out of Luck" is the first time in which the series has clearly pointed out that the world needs people like Jacob. Tamara's dismissal of Reacher as a romantic partner was refreshing, because without characters like Jacob, the show loses some of its heart. Still, the more vulnerable characters need good writing and other redeeming characteristics in order to prevent them from becoming mere obstacles, and the show must continue this. Season 4 is showing that characters do not have to be like Reacher to be fascinating, and that courage can be demonstrated by regular characters as well as the members of the 110th Special Investigators. Reacher's best supporting characters have often been unusual, with personal quirks and details that could be explored further, but, until the upcoming Neagley spinoff, this series is the first time a supporting character like Jacob has improved the show due to the fact that they are nothing like Reacher. Reacher's four seasons Season Year Rotten Tomatoes critics' rating Rotten Tomatoes audience rating 1 2022 92% 91% 2 2023 98% 77% 3 2025 98% 74% 4 2026 94% 73% That is not to say that Reacher must become more like Jacob. With some already feeling that Reacher is weaker this season, this would be an odd creative choice. Still, having witnessed Anna's suicide, he should at least feel something, because season 5 is set to grow darker still. The show has featured vulnerable characters before, but Jacob stands out for his growth. He is still afraid, still inexperienced, and still weaker than Reacher, yet he has been afforded the chance to change without abandoning himself in the process. The same opportunity must be afforded to Reacher too. Reacher 8/10 Release Date February 3, 2022 Network Prime Video Cast Maria Sten Frances Neagley