The article contains spoilers for Reacher season 3, episode 4.
Reacher
star Alan Ritchson explains how one actor’s performance saved all of season 3. Adapting the events of Lee Child’s popular Jack Reacher novel series, the hit Prime Video show premiered in 2022, introducing Ritchson as the titular former military police officer. Reacher season 3 brings the events of Child’s Persuader to life. After two seasons of flashbacks to Reacher’s past, episode 4 finally introduces Mariah Robinson’s Dominique Kohl. That debut finally provides some crucial context for the season by showing how Dominique, Reacher’s former partner, died while investigating Xavier Quinn (Brian Tee).
In a recent interview with CinemaBlend, Ritchson reveals that Robinson’s Reacher performance as Dominique “saved the entire season.” The actor explains that episode 4 ultimately establishes the emotional throughline of season 3 for Reacher, and it’s Robinson’s performance that makes her a character worth caring so much about. He also emphasized that he had never “seen a more difficult role,” which only makes Robinson’s work even more impressive. Check out Ritchson’s comment below:
That episode is the heart and soul of this entire season. If we don’t understand why he wants to go after the antagonist so bad – you know, he calls [him] the most evil guy he’s ever met – this is the inciting incident for that. But it also helps us understand Reacher’s values, you know, and who he works with. I mean, this is the first teammate that he’s ever adopted.
And, man, she absolutely crushed that role. I gotta say, I’ve been in this business close to 20 years, I’ve worked on a lot of different things, I’ve met a lot of different challenges. You know, even with Reacher, there are some times that we’ve had to, with very little time to prepare, rip through just pages of complex dialogue. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more difficult role as an actor.
She, without a doubt, saved this entire season. I don’t know who else could have done [it]. I mean, she was so incredibly talented, and she had the hardest, heaviest lift of the entire season and of any role I’ve ever seen in my career, face to face. And she really nailed it.
I don’t think people can appreciate just how difficult that kind of dialogue and that pacing and the military jargon and the speed at which she had to do it in the interrogation scenes, wildly, wildly difficult. [As] somebody who is pretty good at dialogue, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
What Dominique’s Storyline Means For Reacher Season 3
Xavier Quinn Just Became A Key Villain
Dominique is killed when Reacher sends her to get Quinn by herself, thus making Reacher season 3, episode 4, the key to his motivation in this particular story. In the episodes released so far, it’s been clear that something is eating away at Reacher when it comes to Quinn, and there’s clearly a history. Dominique’s death makes Reacher’s story personal. His undercover work is now about more than taking down a criminal; it’s about taking revenge and redeeming himself for the death of his protégé. All the while, he has to rectify the mistake of leaving Quinn alive.
Related
Reacher Season 3’s Main Villain, Xavier Quinn, Explained
Reacher himself described season 3’s latest villain Xavier Quinn as “the single worst person I’ve ever known,” but what is his backstory?
Though season 3 was already barreling toward a major showdown between Reacher and Paulie, episode 4 has made clear that a showdown between Reacher and Quinn is also on the way. While the former has been built up as this season’s big fight, Dominique’s death suggests that the latter could end up being more emotionally powerful. There are eight villains in Reacher season 3, but none have a personal connection quite as profound as Quinn’s history with Reacher. In the four episodes left, the hero will undoubtedly be working to capture or even kill Dominique’s murderer.
What Makes Robinson’s Dominique Performance So Impressive
She Only Had Two Episodes To Depict Dominique
Few characters have ever earned Reacher’s respect so quickly, but it is no wonder that Dominique managed to make such an impression. She is portrayed as extremely competent, cool, and collected at all times. She was intelligent beyond compare, and she managed to impress Reacher within minutes of meeting him. Once he learned more about her, Reacher trusted her without reservations. He was even willing to permit her to lead the investigation against Xavier Quinn solely because he wanted her to get the credit that she deserved for his capture. Unfortunately, that was her undoing.
Robinson has previously appeared in episodes of Act Your Age, Chicago Med, and Family Reunion.
Xavier Quinn is a ruthless killer who was never going to accept his capture, and Reacher failed to account for his depravity. He tortured and killed Dominique, and that brutal death has been the driving force of the entire season. Everything hinged on making Dominqiue’s death painful for the viewers, just as it was for Reacher. Robinson had just two episodes to make her character likable, memorable, and tragic. It is no wonder that Ritchson thought that her role was incredibly challenging. Robinson was facing an insurmountable challenge but still managed to nail the role.
Reacher’s Flashbacks Have Been Effective
At his core, Reacher is generally a calm and collected character. In the seasons and episodes thus far, it tends to be hard to truly get under his skin. Dominique’s death provides audiences with a window into Reacher’s emotional state, and it totally changes season 3’s tone, making the stakes feel ever higher. Even though Quinn remains mysterious as an antagonist, he’s just become far more dangerous for the heroes in the Reacher season 3 cast. If he could kill Reacher’s first major partner, then he is capable of absolutely anything.
Reacher season 3 has been very well-received and sports a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Relying on flashbacks to tell a story can sometimes feel unnecessary or like a gimmick, especially since it can take away from the action happening in the present. Ultimately, Reacher season 3, episode 4, feels like a worthwhile detour. It sheds some crucial light on what is driving Ritchson’s hulking hero this time around. In a show that has relied on flashbacks since season 1, these glimpses into the past are welcome insights. Without them, it would be impossible to see why Reacher cares so much. Besides, we would never have gotten to see Robinson’s amazing performance otherwise.
Source: CinemaBlend
Reacher
8/10
- Release Date
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February 3, 2022
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Nick Santora
- Directors
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Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
- Writers
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Cait Duffy