Neagley and Reacher hit their marks

Reacher fans get a satisfying double dose from Amazon’s two entries to the franchise with full seasons available to binge now. It takes some six hours and ten minutes to binge all of Reacher’s fourth season from the Gone Tomorrow book—allowing for no snacks, bathroom breaks, or emergencies. Padding means you can slip away during long martial arts showdowns and fist fights, since at least one happens per episode. While the dance-inspired movements add variety, action can feel repetitive and predictable--hey, it’s Reacher, we know who wins in the end. Though more brutal than other series entries, the show keeps elements fans love. The focus remains on Reacher, a man who looks ready to play a non-green, less angry version of The Hulk. He controls his emotions, lives off the grid, travels cheaply, comes across a wrong that needs righting, and picks up a few locals to help. Season 4 sticks to the formula with strong supporting characters and another engaging turn by Alan Richson who once again outshines the Tom Cruise big-screen efforts. Richson and the new cast have to deal with the absence of Reacher’s frequent helper, Frances Neagley which would be a bad thing except that she got busy with her own show. After three seasons as Reacher’s go-to backup, Neagley takes center stage as title character, a private investigator facing major crimes in Chicago. Both the Reacher and Neagley characters display enviable traits—powerful, confident and fully able to take care of themselves, yet willing to risk their own safety to help the little guy, and and each series reflects these strengths. Like Richson, Maria Bren looks good as a powerhouse. Though the Neagley series looks less polished than Reacher, it shares enough of the same spirit to keep fans happy.