10 Things About ‘Reacher’ Season 1 That Make Absolutely No Sense

Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Reacher’ dropped in 2022, bringing Lee Child’s iconic drifter to life with Alan Ritchson’s towering presence. The first season, based on ‘Killing Floor’ (1997), follows Jack Reacher as he stumbles into a conspiracy in Margrave, Georgia, after being wrongfully arrested for murder.

I binged the show for its gritty action and Ritchson’s spot-on casting, but some moments had me raising an eyebrow. Here are ten things in ‘Reacher’ Season 1 (2022) that don’t quite add up, from shaky logic to outright head-scratchers.

10. Reacher’s Instant Arrest

Jack Reacher steps off a bus in Margrave and gets arrested for murder within minutes, based on zero evidence. The cops pin him as a suspect because he’s a stranger in town, which feels like a stretch even for a small-town setup.

This snap judgment sets the plot in motion, but it’s hard to buy that police would lock up a guy with no motive or connection to the crime. It’s a convenient way to kickstart the drama, but it leans heavily on lazy stereotyping of small-town law enforcement.

9. Hubble’s Confession

Paul Hubble, a random banker, confesses to a murder he didn’t commit after a brief encounter with Reacher in jail. He claims it’s to protect his family, but the show doesn’t explain why he’d cave so fast under vague threats.

The confession drives the investigation, but it’s flimsy. Why would Hubble trust Reacher, a stranger, with his life-altering secret? It feels like the writers needed a quick plot device to keep Reacher involved.

8. Kliner’s Counterfeiting Empire

The big bad, Kliner, runs a massive counterfeiting operation in Margrave, bleaching dollar bills to print fakes. For a small town, this setup is absurdly complex, involving corrupt cops, politicians, and international clients.

How does a rural Georgia town sustain this level of crime without anyone noticing? The scale feels more suited to a global syndicate in a major city, not a backwater with one diner. It’s a cool idea, but the logistics don’t hold up.

7. Reacher’s Brother Coincidence

Reacher arrives in Margrave to check out a blues musician, only to discover the murder victim is his brother, Joe. This coincidence is the emotional core of the season, but it’s wildly convenient for the story.

The odds of Reacher stumbling into the exact town where his brother was killed are astronomical. It’s a narrative shortcut that relies on fate rather than logic, making the setup feel forced.

6. Roscoe’s Combat Skills

Officer Roscoe Conklin, played by Willa Fitzgerald, holds her own in brutal fight scenesalongside Reacher, despite being a small-town cop with no military background. She’s tough, but her ability to match trained killers feels off.

The show wants her to be a strong ally, but her sudden combat prowess comes out of nowhere. A few training sessions don’t explain how she handles professional hitmen with ease.

5. The Prison Fight Logic

In jail, Reacher takes on multiple inmates in a choreographed brawl that establishes his toughness. But why do these random prisoners target him so aggressively, and how does he walk away unscathed?

The scene is fun but doesn’t make sense. The inmates have no reason to gang up on a new guy, and the prison guards’ absence during the fight is too convenient. It’s pure action for action’s sake.

4. Neagley’s Convenient Timing

Frances Neagley, Reacher’s former army buddy, shows up in Margrave at the perfect moment to help with the investigation. Her arrival feels like a plot device to give Reacher backup without much explanation.

How did she know exactly when and where to find him? The show glosses over her sudden appearance, making it feel like the writers needed a quick way to move the story forward.

3. The Town’s Blindness

Margrave’s residents seem oblivious to the massive criminal conspiracy in their backyard. Corrupt cops, murdered feds, and a counterfeiting factory operate under their noses, yet no one suspects anything.

Small towns notice everything. The idea that this level of crime could go undetected for years, especially with environmental cover-ups, strains belief. It’s a plot hole that undermines the setting.

2. KJ’s Cartoonish Villainy

KJ, Kliner’s son, is a psychopathic antagonist who taunts Reacher with over-the-top schemes and cheesy dialogue. His reckless behavior, like threatening Roscoe openly, makes him seem more like a comic book villain than a believable criminal.

Why would someone in a high-stakes conspiracy act so carelessly? KJ’s lack of subtlety clashes with the grounded tone the show aims for, making his scenes feel jarring.

1. Reacher’s Home Alone Trap

In the finale, Reacher sets up a Home Alone-style trap to take down Kliner’s men, complete with booby traps and a burning factory. It’s a fun climax, but the idea that one man could orchestrate this elaborate takedown single-handedly is absurd.

The plan requires perfect timing and resources that Reacher, a drifter, shouldn’t have. It’s a satisfying ending but sacrifices realism for Hollywood flair, leaving me questioning how he pulled it off.

What’s the biggest plot hole you noticed in ‘Reacher’ Season 1, or did I miss one that bugged you? Drop your thoughts in the comments!