Reacher season 4 fans have forgotten that the hit Prime Video crime drama is supposed to be 'dumb' fun — and that's part of a bigger problem

There's only so many Reddit threads that I can take

Features By Jasmine Valentine Published 26 August 2026

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Reddit
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Threads
• Email

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter

Am I surprised that Reacher season 4 isn't just dominating Prime Video, but the internet itself? No. Am I surprised that fan opinions feel more contradictory than ever? Absolutely.

In case you've not caught up yet, new episodes are following Reacher (Alan Ritchson) as he becomes embroiled in a CIA conspiracy after suspecting a woman on a New York City subway train is actually a suicide bomber. Unlike our first three seasons, this political espionage plot has got us thinking in a way we're not used to.

But of course, there's not that much thinking happening. The general story arc of Reacher getting involved in something that's much bigger than he first thought and punching his way out of it is very much alive and well.

Latest Videos FromTechRadarWatch full video here:

Reacher coming close to — yet never quite reaching — The West Wing or The Diplomat levels of political severity seems to be causing a new tear in the fabric of the fandom. Some Reddit users have branded season 4 as the worst of all time, while others think that it's Reacher's strongest outing since season 1.

I've got a feeling that this all comes down to one important point... and it's something we've forgotten (or we are choosing to overlook). On top of that, it begs a question: do we no longer allow our TV programs to be silly for silly's sake?

Letting Reacher be a bit of an idiot is key to getting the most out of season 4

Let's face it: Reacher is a borderline idiotic, light-hearted crime drama that was never meant to be anything else. It's as superficial as superficial gets, and anybody looking for something grittier or more meaningful underneath is baseline is sadly misguided.

If I'm being completely honest, this is something I found grating when I first discovered Reacher-world. We're spoilt for choice when it comes to gripping crime dramas, both on streaming services and linear TV. So surely to be the best, a show needs to be critically engaging at all times, leaving no stone unturned in the process.

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors