There is no doubt that fans of Reacher have been ready for season 3 since the second season wrapped up. Well, Reacher season 3 is here!
The first three episodes dropped on Thursday, Feb. 20. After that, we’ll get one episode per week, but the first three episodes certainly set the tone of what to expect. To be honest, the first two seasons have already set the tone.
This is not a series for the younger kids in the house. The older teenagers maybe, but it really depends on their stomach for violence and gore. If they handled something like Cross, they'll handle this.
Reacher season 3: Explaining the TV-MA rating
The series is still officially rated TV-MA, and it certainly earns it with the violence and the gore. Most locations around the world agree, putting the show as an 18+, although there are a few jurisdictions that opt for 16+. Of course, it’s what you’d expect as a fan of the book series.
Sex & nudity: The first two seasons included some sex and nudity. The third season hasn’t had too much just yet. Well, that is unless you count Alan Ritchson walking toward the camera in just his underwear after swimming in a lake!
Reacher tends to end up sleeping with the female lead, so we’re sure to see something of that in a later episode of Reacher season 3.
Violence & gore: This season opened with violence. Reacher watched as someone attempted to kidnap a college student. He ended up stepping in, shooting two people and getting involved in a car chase with college security. That’s just the start of it all!
There is much more violence and gore to come. The show tries to remain relatively realistic with how cuts form and remain for some time. After all, not a lot of time passes during the season.
The previous seasons have been much more graphic, and we’re sure to see that happen as this season progresses. One thing that will stand out for many in the first episode of season 3 is Reacher playing Russian Roulette, and it’s not just one shot!
Language: There are a few F-bombs dropped throughout the episodes. That’s the worst of the swear words.
Alcohol & drugs: We do see characters drink alcohol now and then, but it’s not glorified in any way. This is likely to remain the same throughout the rest of the season judging by previous seasons.
Overall verdict: Who is Reacher season 3 appropriate for?
If your teenagers have watched the first two seasons with you, they’ll want to watch the third. The violence hasn’t taken much of a step up from the previous two seasons. In fact, the promo shows a lot of what’s to come.
However, I wouldn’t say this is for younger children. It’s one of those shows that can have a few frightening scenes, and the descriptive dialogue of some torture can be a little too much for younger ears. Sometimes, the implied torture can be worse than actually seeing it. Our brains can make up a lot! I’d stick with at least the 16+ rating, but this really does earn the TV-MA rating.
Reacher season 3 airs Thursdays on Prime Video.