Please don't tell Alan Ritchson I said this, but I think one scene in Jack Reacher novels, as the titular character consistently finds himself wrapped up in complex criminal conspiracies.

However, Jack Reacher is always on the right side as he consistently fights bad people and protects good people. This is evident in Reacher season 3, which sees the former military officer go undercover to take down Xavier Quinn. He could not accomplish this dangerous mission alone, though, which is why Susan Duffy, Villanueva, and Neagley are such great end of Reacher season 3 which basically confirms that he is a hypocrite.

Neagley Is Pretty Much Describing Reacher Himself When She Explains Who Reacher Doesn't Like

Jack Reacher Fights The "Big Guys" In Reacher

After successfully defeating Xavier Quinn and Paulie, the two most formidable villains in the entire series, Neagley claims that she has finally realized why Reacher does what he does. Reacher and Neagley have worked together countless times in the past, so her not being able to fully figure him out confirms what a complex character he is. However, at the end of the season, Neagley claims that Reacher doesn't get himself involved in dangerous situations because he loves the little guy, but because he hates the big guy. Read her full quote from the Reacher season 3 finale below:

Neagley: "It's not just because you need to put things right, and it's not because you love the little guy. It's because you hate the big guy. You hate the big, powerful, smug sons of bitches who think they can just get away with things." (Reacher season 3, episode 8)

While Reacher seems to agree with her comment, it proves that he is a hypocrite since Neagley's description of the "big guy" basically describes him. Reacher is big, powerful, smug, and consistently thinks he can get away with anything he wants.

Throughout the entire series, Reacher believes he can override the authority of law enforcement officers and do things his own way. Since he views himself as the most capable person in any given situation, he always takes matters into his own hands and hardly considers the repercussions.

Reacher's Motivation Confirms He's More Of An Antihero Than An Outright Hero

Jack Reacher Has A Dark Side

The fact that Neagley's description of the "big guy" aligns so well with Reacher's main characteristics proves that he is actually an antihero. Even though Reacher is not as bad as villains like Xavier Quinn and Paulie, he consistently breaks the law and disobeys authority figures. However, Reacher always believes his rogue-like actions are justified because he is trying to save people's lives.

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Reacher's Near-Death Experience In Season 3 Has A Deeper Meaning You Probably Didn't Realize

A closer look at Jack Reacher's near-death experience in Reacher season 3's ending story arc reveals that it is far deeper than it initially seems.

It is undeniable that Reacher does save a lot of lives and is overall a very good person. However, him going undercover in season 3 proves that his qualities also fit in perfectly with the bad guys if he needs them to. Therefore, while he has been portrayed as more of a traditional hero in the past, Reacher season 3 proves that Jack Reacher is actually an antihero.

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Reacher
Release Date
February 3, 2022
Network
Prime Video
Showrunner
Nick Santora

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Directors
Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
Writers
Cait Duffy
Franchise(s)
Jack Reacher
Creator(s)
Nick Santora