Warning: Major spoilers for Reacher season 3 episode 1 "Persuader" below!With a single line, Lee Child's Reacher novels. Amazon's Reacher wiped the slate clean for Alan Ritchson to take over the part, with the show wisely avoiding readapting either of the books that Cruise's films were based on.
This extends to not featuring characters from the Cruise duology, including Major Susan Turner. In the novels, Turner took over as commanding officer of the 110th Special Investigators after Reacher left the army, with the two developing a connection through various phone calls. Cobie Smulders played Turner in 2016's Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, where Cruise's title character teams up with the Major to clear her name. The premiere episode of Reacher season 3 sees Ritchson's anti-hero calling Turner for help, only to learn she's away on an undercover assignment.
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Reacher Season 3's Susan Turner Reference Rules Out Adapting Never Go Back
Reacher is never going back to Never Go Back
The notable part of Reacher's call to Turner's office is his line, "I'm calling in that favor she owes me." It's a throwaway reference that's easy to miss, but this line heavily implies the events of Never Go Back happened offscreen in the world of Reacher. By the end of that book, Turner's name had been cleared thanks to Reacher's assistance, so it's only fair she would owe Reacher a solid in the aftermath. Unluckily for Reacher, Turner isn't available to repay the favor.
It's interesting that Amazon's Reacher didn't give Turner - one of the few recurring characters from the novels - a cameo, which could have set her up for a future appearance. This was likely avoided for a few reasons. Turner doesn't appear in the Persuader book, so it may have felt like fan service. Two, unless the showrunners know that Turner will appear in the next season, it would be a mistake to lock an actor into the role so soon. Finally, the series can delay direct comparisons to the Cruise duology for a bit longer.
Reacher Season 2 Already Ruled Out Adapting Tom Cruise's Other Jack Reacher Movie
Reacher had one shot at One Shot
The Never Go Back easter egg recalls a similar tactic Reacher took regarding the Cruise films in season 2. In an early second season episode, Reacher references sniper James Barr and how he "owes me now." This was an obvious nod to One Shot, where Barr was accused of a mass shooting, while his mortal enemy Reacher ended up clearing his name after uncovering a criminal conspiracy. With his "owes me" comment, , which was a smart move.
... while Never Go Back is a mediocre movie, the original Jack Reacher is a solid action thriller from director Christopher McQuarrie.
It would be intriguing to see Ritchson's Reacher in a story previously covered by Cruise's take on the character - but that's a lose-lose situation. It would feel like Amazon's show is intentionally leaning into the Ritchson/Cruise comparisons, intending to prove the former is the "best." This would be a tacky move, and while Never Go Back is a mediocre movie, the original Jack Reacher is a solid action thriller from director Christopher McQuarrie. The Cruise movies should be left in peace, and with the Susan Turner/Never Go Back reference in the season 3 premiere of Reacher, it looks like the show is doing exactly that.
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Reacher
8/10- Release Date
- February 3, 2022
- Network
- Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Nick Santora
Cast
Jack Reacher
Maria Stens Neagley
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingBUYReacher 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.
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Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
4/10- Release Date
- October 21, 2016
- Runtime
- 118minutes
- Director
- Edward Zwick
Cast
Danika Yarosh
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingRENTBUYJack Reacher: Never Go Back is the sequel to the 2012 original based on the Novel by Lee Child. Finally trying to meet face to face with his over the years, Jack heads to Washington to meet Major Susan Turner, only to discover that she has been accused of treason and arrested. Jack quickly deduces that she is being framed - and after helping her escape, the two team up to get to the center of a deadly government conspiracy.
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