It is hard not to look forward to Jack Reacher’s return in the upcomingNeagleyspin-off, but his appearance on the show also continues a concerning trend for the Prime Video franchise. AfterReacherseason 3, theAmazon Prime Video detective seriesis all set to expand its lore with an original spin-off centering onMaria Sten’s Frances Neagley. AsNeagley’s story details suggest, it will follow the titular character’s pursuit of solving the mystery behind her close friend’s murder.
Since Lee Child has not written any books that primarily revolve around Neagley, the upcoming show will follow an original storyline. Unsurprisingly, however,behind-the-scenes footage fromNeagleyhas confirmed thatAlan Ritchson’s Jack Reacherwill play a role in its story. The capacity of Reacher’s role in the spin-off remains unknown, but his return undoubtedly adds toNeagley’s appeal. Despite this, though, it is also hard not to be a little worried about a growing trend in the Prime Video franchise that continues with Reacher and Neagley teaming up in the spin-off.
Reacher’s Return In The Neagley Spinoff Chips Away At His Lone Wolf Persona
Jack Reacher Is Usually A Solo Figure In The Lee Child Books
Frances Neagley has consistently appeared inall three Reacher seasonsso far. In the original Lee Child books, Neagley only shows up in four books:Without Fail,Bad Luck and Trouble,The Affair, andNight School. Her roles in most of the novels are relatively small as their stories primarily focus on Jack Reacher and his crime-solving endeavors.The Prime Video show, however, has often gone against the source material and included the Maria Sten character.
…Neagley and Reacher’s recurring team-ups in every installment of the TV series are also concerning because the Alan Ritchson character is not supposed to be a team player.
Books likeKilling FloorandPersuaderdo not even include Frances Neagley, but the show has drifted away from their original story beats to get her involved. Since Neagley has been a great addition to the live-action series, it is hard to complain about the show’s deviation from the source material. At the same time, though, Neagley and Reacher’s recurring team-ups in every installment of the TV series are also concerning because the Alan Ritchson character is not supposed to be a team player.
The books explicitly portray him as a lone wolf who loves the empty road more than anything else. He is a self-proclaimed hobo who moves from one town to another and rarely runs into people from his past. He collaborates with characters like Neagley from time to time. However,most of his adventures are solo missions, where he relies solely on his own instinct and military-honed skills to navigate his way through dangerous conspiracies and situations.
By featuring Reacher in theNeagleyspinoff, the Prime Video franchise not only forces another collaboration between the two characters but also risks giving Reacher a minor role. This seems to chip away at the very essence of what makes the character compelling in the original Lee Child books.Reacher’s primary appeal stems from his independence and ability to defy societal norms and expectations surrounding stable long-term relationships. By constantly teaming him up with Neagley, the show makes it look like he relies on her a lot more than his book counterpart ever would.
The Two Characters Need To Stop Crossing Paths So Often
Image via Prime Video
Compared toReacherseasons 1 and 3, season 2 is often touted as the weaker installment in the series. One of the reasons whyReacherseason 2 was not received as well as seasons 1 and 3 is thatit struggled to balance Neagley and Reacher as co-leads without compromising on their individuality. Both characters are incredible detectives and also physically strong. Owing to this, every time they share the screen, one of them is always overshadowing the other.
The franchise might still need a team-up or two between the two characters in its future installments, butit would benefit more from featuring them in solo narratives. TheNeagleyspin-off likely needs Reacher’s involvement to be able to leverage the parent series' success. However, instead of becoming a franchise about a detective duo,Reachershould focus more on capturing the individuality of the two main characters.
Reacher
Reacher 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.
Neagley
Cast
Frances Neagley, portrayed by Maria Sten, returns as a skilled private investigator in Chicago. Upon discovering the suspicious death of a close friend, she becomes determined to uncover the truth. Utilizing her extensive military training and experience from the 110th Special Investigations Unit, Neagley delves into a complex web of intrigue and danger.
