‘Reacher’ Recap: ‘In a Tree’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Reacher’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

There is really something special about being outright surprised by a television series in this day and age. Simply because, we have in essence, kind of seen it all at this point, since so there are so many networks and televisions shows out there, which can at times breed similarity and familiarity, and a touch of predictability. So, to have a show keep us on our toes, is a wonderful experience, one that also helps us to understand that we are going to be in for an incredible ride, post surprise. All because  the writers’ room put extra care into their creation and really, surprises are top of mind today… because shock and awe are precisely what the next episode of Reacher on Prime Video sent our way.
​
For ‘In a Tree’ is an episode that shook things up and informed us, that everything we thought we knew about the case was wrong. Since all kinds of surprises regarding it dropped into our laps in this tale and it accomplished that feat, by lulling us into a false sense of security to make the big moment worth our while... since, early on, it appeared as though this episode was going to be business as usual, and we’d simply get to know the characters better as they continued to look for evidence that Kliner was dirty and involved in Joe’s death. After all, Reacher and Roscoe had to deal with the handiwork the former made of the assassins that tried to kill him and after they handled that, the duo finally broke the sexual tension they’d been fighting for some time now after a moment of vulnerability on Reacher’s part, and once they finally gave in to their desires, they went back to searching for more clues... by visiting of the widow of the man that died alongside Joe.

Wherein they came to learn exactly where the counterfeit money was coming from and how it was getting back to Margrave. Which gave Roscoe and Reacher quite the lead regarding Kliner Industries. But before they could dive into such matters, the big twist came into play. For Picard ran the VIN of a car that was believed to be Joe’s rental car, and that led Reacher and Roscoe to the motel where Joe was staying. Which in turn would lead them to detailed clues since Joe always kept a record of every little thing. But alas, when they got there, they came to learn that someone claiming to be Joe’s alter ego arrived shortly before they did to pick up his gear, making it clear that someone had knowledge of the situation and the plan that this trio was working on, and while Reacher was able to defeat the mercenaries involved here and get more intel on the mess… things only got worse from there.

Because after our trio of heroes investigated the cryptic clues left by Joe, they headed off to Atlanta to meet Molly Beth from the Secret Service. For she had compiled all of Joe’s notes and investigative leads regarding the case at hand and was ready to hand it all over in person. But once she arrived at the rendezvous, somewhere far away from the airport for her safety… things got ugly, and she was shot by a mystery assassin and that same person took the files. Setting back the case and outright making it clear… that what we thought we knew about this case was incorrect. Because this runs deeper than just Kliner Industries and the handful of bad agents in Margrave. This is huge, this is far reaching, and someone is eager to keep what’s happening in this town a secret and there’s likely more going on here than just counterfeiting.

For some of the people Joe was trying to get ahold of… are tied to different agencies and universities, making it clear that Joe was beginning to uncover how far this went. But while we wait to learn more about what Joe uncovered, we can celebrate one surprising tale. For it really seemed as though this story was barreling toward an ugly showdown between Reacher and the Kliner family. But just like that… there’s a grand conspiracy surrounding him and his friends, one that people are desperate to keep a secret and that’s quite the twist. One that most certainly caught a great deal of the audience by surprise and truly… it will be quite interesting to see where this show takes us next, now that the danger is greater and now that the story has exploded into something so much more. Until next time.

---