With a quick nod to movies, I fall in with millions of Lee Child book fans who never liked Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher. In contrast, I enjoy all three seasons of Amazon’s Reacher series with Alan Ritchson looking like a tank as he sets out to right the wrongs that little guys just can’t handle. Once again, guns, explosions, and pummeling fill action with enough bodies to fill a cemetery, but joined by warm, fuzzy moments that appeal to men and women, liberals and conservatives.  This widespread draw comes from the freedom that Reacher goes by—no house, no family, no bills, no schedule, no laundry, nothing that ties him to any one place. As a shot in Reacher 3 shows, he wants nothing more than a toothbrush before moving on. Series creator Nick Santora hangs on to other key elements from the books, including Reacher as a non-sexist sexy guy. He looks at abilities rather than labels so includes women as strong fighters. He likes them as lovers too, but without making the first move or denigrating comments. Actor Ritchson suits the image well, his Clint Eastwood cadence conveying both intelligence and toughness, his physique and moves exuding power and grace. Season 3 adds other positive elements, with Toronto and Halifax stepping as the state of Maine for distinct location choices and events from the book series’ seventh entry called Persuader.  The story plays out as a stand-alone without a need to watch Season 2 and without a cliff hanger for Season 4. No nail biting for another year—a fine show of faith from the show creators who require no gimmick to bring me back for more.Â
