This article contains spoilers for Reacher season 4, episode 1.
Reacher and The Night Agent have been extremely different until now, with season 4 of Reacher giving us a very familiar opening. Both based on books, with a protagonist facing a new danger with each season, it is not surprising that two of the best recent action TV shows might have similarities, but neither has felt like a copy of the other. That said, fans of both shows might feel a sense of déjà vu starting the latest Reacher season. Season 4 of Reacher is based on the book Gone Tomorrow, which begins on the subway.
A man on the subway notices somebody looking suspicious and immediately decides to investigate. What follows is an intense and claustrophobic scene centering on a bag. This description applies equally to the opening to The Night Agent season 1 and Reacher season 4, and while the scenes then differ, the tone remains the same. Peter races against time to evacuate the train before the bomb detonates, while Reacher intercepts and tries to reason with the presumed terrorist. The Night Agent often beats Reacher in terms of character development, but this scene is pivotal for both.
Reacher Season 4 & The Night Agent’s Opening Scenes Reveal Opposite Things About Their Characters
The subway scene in The Night Agent is our first introduction to Peter Sutherland, but we have known Jack Reacher for three previous seasons. This means that the two opening scenes have very different roles in their respective shows. Peter is immediately established to be friendly and unassuming, with a sense of humor, making the reveal that he is from the FBI more of a surprise. On the other hand, as we expect Reacher to be in control at all times, it comes as a shock when he does something that is extremely out of character.
When it comes to analytical skills and reading a situation, Reacher often resembles Sherlock Holmes. Some of his best scenes have featured him giving a rapid-fire analysis, skewering the person opposite him. However, while Reacher explains what he sees to the prospective terrorist, he is making a mistake, which he realizes to his horror when she reveals a gun and takes her own life instead. The Night Agent‘s subway scene reveals that Peter is more competent than people may assume, while the same scene in Reacher changes the viewer’s impression of the titular character.
Gone Tomorrow was published a decade before The Night Agent, so Reacher‘s subway scene came first despite being adapted later.
In context, both scenes are extremely important, but Reacher‘s beat The Night Agent in terms of originality. Peter seems almost too composed when confronted with a bomb inside a packed subway car, and introducing high stakes through a child character is an overused trope in action movies and TV shows. Reacher’s horror is clearer to see, and despite Karen Kwong-Chip having a small role within Reacher season 4’s cast, her portrayal of the tormented Anna Merrick made the scene feel far more personal. However, while Reacher‘s take is better, The Night Agent beats the flagship show in other ways.
Is Reacher Really Better Than The Night Agent?
Reacher‘s success on Prime Video has led to a boom in other streaming platforms creating fast-paced action TV shows, with The Night Agent being one of several Reacher replacements on Netflix. The Rotten Tomatoes scores appear to cement Reacher as the best action TV show to date, but the ratings do not always tell the full story, and The Night Agent avoids an issue that Reacher faces with every season.
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Comparing Reacher to The Night Agent |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Title |
Year |
Seasons |
Rotten Tomatoes critics’ rating |
Rotten Tomatoes audience rating |
|
Reacher |
2022 |
4 |
95% |
82% |
|
The Night Agent |
2023 |
3 |
82% |
67% |
No matter how excellent Alan Ritchson is as Jack Reacher, he cannot carry the entire show on his own. The series reflects Lee Child’s books, with Reacher being a drifter who meets a new cast of side characters with every adventure, with few exceptions. This means that each season is only as good as its supporting characters, who we know will probably not return. This does not allow much room for character development or surprise, while The Night Agent allows us to be reunited with fan favorite characters like Chelsea, while watching Peter grow as a person and an agent.
Even James Bond has changed the character before, with Casino Royale being set before Bond had grown into his iconic personality. This raises the question over how long Reacher can remain a success when the titular character does not undergo any significant changes. Fortunately, the Reacher TV show has departed from the books in this respect, developing his relationship with characters like Neagley and showing him learning from his mistakes. Were this not the case, Reacher would certainly have more competition from The Night Agent.
