Amazon’s Reacher: 5 Most Unexpected Twists | Screen Rant
Reacher has proven to be a bonafide hit for Amazon with the series setting a record for Amazon Prime by hitting the top of the Nielsen streaming chart. While the films with Tom Cruise proved to be popular with audiences, the Prime series, however, has clearly made the long-running book character shine.
Reacher follows former military police officer Jack Reacher while he investigates corruption, murder, and conspiracy in the small Georgia town of Margrave. Throughout his investigation, fans are treated to some real unexpected twists that made many fans excited for the show's second season.
When it came to Chief Detective Oscar Finlay in Reacher, there seemed to be one common question on everyone’s mind, “Why’d you choose Margrave?” Finlay is a Harvard graduate and a formerly highly ranked detective with the Boston PD, so him ending up in the small town didn't make sense. Some thought maybe he was demoted and others thought he was running away from something, and for all intents and purposes, he was. Although he seemed to form a reluctant partnership with Reacher in the beginning, he was soon on the other end of some of Reacher's best quotes.
In the show, Finlay can be perceived as an intelligent main character that knows what he's doing when it comes to the badge. Although many others might not see him as better than Reacher, Finlay can hold his own. So, it was a little surprising and unexpected to learn that the reason he left Boston PD for the small Georgia town of Margrave is that he lost his wife. While talking to Reacher, Finlay expresses that he couldn't handle staying in a city that constantly reminded him of what he'd lost and decided to pick up and move to Margrave for some peace.
It's always hard when a friend turns out to be a foe working with the bad guy that is trying to kill you. When it becomes clear that Hubble, an accountant for the bad guys, has placed his family in danger, it's up to Reacher, Finlay, and Roscoe to keep them safe and out of harm's way. In keeping the family safe, Finlay calls upon an old FBI buddy of his that he trusts with his life, Picard. However, this trust proves misguided as the investigation into the corruption of Margrave proceeds.
While Reacher and Finlay are investigating Kliner Sr. and his associates, it's revealed that Picard is on their payroll. He is involved in the conspiracy and corruption that is plaguing the small town of Margrave. When it's revealed about his involvement, Picard states it's all about the money and he warned Finlay not to take the job in the small Georgia town. This twist proved to be unexpected because there was no indication that Picard had any prior connection to Margrave or Kliner. Picard played the role of caring and concerned best friend so well that he was even able to fool the all-knowing Jack Reacher.
Fans were always anticipating Reacher to deliver some amazing action and suspense in the show in an offer to live up to the movie franchise, however, they weren’t expecting the brutal nature of some very unexpected scenes.
From the beginning, Officer Stevenson seemed to be on the list of dirty cops in Margrave. His spying and constant questioning didn't help in this department. However, the suspicions of his involvement in the corruption of Margrave were quickly dismissed when he and his pregnant wife were murdered in their own home. Horrifyingly, Stevenson had to watch his wife being tortured.
Finlay seemed to be a complex character in the beginning episodes of the show, never showing vulnerability or getting too close to his colleagues. His character didn't seem to hold any depth in the series until fans learn that the wife he seems to call almost daily, is dead.
This realization is unexpected for fans because of his constant phone calls to Sharon, wearing his wedding ring, and speaks of his marriage in the present tense. Some could say this realization was foreshadowed when the calls he would make would go straight to voicemail. However, this also could have been the result of the two separating and her changing her number. Whatever the case, Finlay was a man stuck in the past. His inability to let go shows a softer and human side to the cool and abrasive exterior he portrays daily.
When Jack Reacher arrives in Margrave, he's in search of a famous blues singer that seemed to disappear after playing in the town. Some audiences, who know Jack Reacher and his missions, are expecting some of the twists and turns that come with Reacher's visit to this seemingly innocent little town. There are similarities between the movies and the show that are hard to dismiss and only make the series considerably better. After Reacher is arrested for a body found on the side of the highway, he becomes involved in the investigation.
While searching for clues on who this John Doe is and what happened to him, it is unexpectedly revealed that John Doe is Reacher’s brother, Joe Reacher. This development is surprising to Jack because he and his brother hadn't spoken in years and doesn't know what his brother would be doing in a town like Margrave. This discovery pushes Reacher to search for the truth and kill every man that had a hand in his brother's death.