Season 3 of Reacher based on Lee Child’s 2003 novel Persuader dropped on Prime Video on February 20, 2025 and is already hooked us with its action, suspense and intricate storytelling. Episode 3 titled “Number 2 with a Bullet” is a turning point in the story and gets Jack Reacher deeper into Zachary Beck’s criminal empire.

The Stakes Rise in Episode 3

As the episode goes on Reacher’s motivations get twisted. He’s not just seeking revenge for Quinn but is also on a mission to find Teresa, a key player in the story. By the end of episode 3 Reacher is in Beck’s organisation and is more in a tight spot than ever before. He can manipulate people and situations and gains the trust of powerful people including Julius McCabe who is revealed to be the real mastermind behind the criminal operation.

Reacher's Deceptive Strategy

To reinforce his position in Beck’s organization Reacher comes up with a bold and dangerous plan to take out Chapman Duke, Beck’s head of security. Duke is a major problem, he has the goods and is onto Reacher’s game. Reacher knows he has to take action to prove his loyalty and capability so he teams up with DEA agent Susan Duffy to stage a set up.

The plan is to create a scenario that looks like a real kidnapping on Richard Beck, Zachary’s son. Reacher sets the scene at an abandoned DEA safehouse where he will stage a firefight that will convince Beck and his people that the threat is real. The tension builds as Reacher prepares for the ambush, he knows the whole thing hinges on Beck believing he’s worth protecting.

Reacher deliberately fires on Duke and shoots him in such a way that it looks like he’s stopped a major attack. This is risky but Reacher has to prove himself to Beck. By killing Duke who won’t talk about Teresa because he’s afraid of McCabe, Reacher’s made himself essential to Beck’s operation.

The Aftermath: Reacher's Promotion

The whole plan hinges on Beck’s reaction to the fake attack. Seeing the chaos and what looks like his head of security dead, Beck is shaken. But instead of going after Reacher, he sees the potential in him. And in a surprise move Beck promotes Reacher on the spot, makes him an insider and gives him access to the inner workings of Beck’s operation.

This is a double edged sword for Reacher. He gets more information and more freedom within the organization but he’s now in a precarious position. He has to navigate Beck’s criminal world while keeping his cover. The promotion marks a turning point in Reacher’s mission. He’s now in a position to uncover the deeper layers of corruption and criminality that underpin Beck’s operation.

The Revelation of Julius McCabe

As Reacher gets used to his new role he talks to Richard Beck and Reacher is told a shocking truth: Zachary’s criminal empire is just a front for a much bigger operation run by Julius McCabe. Richard tells him that his father Zachary is not the real power player but a pawn in McCabe’s game. This hits Reacher like a punch to the gut. He realizes McCabe is a far bigger and more dangerous adversary than he thought.

Now that he knows McCabe has been using Zachary to expand his power Reacher’s mission just got a whole lot harder. With McCabe involved in the kidnapping of Richard Beck the stakes go up even higher. Reacher has to confront the fact he’s not just dealing with a local crime lord but a mastermind with connections and resources. He has to reassess his plan as he prepares to face a more formidable opponent.

Reacher's New Mission: Exposing McCabe

With his promotion and the true extent of McCabe’s power revealed Reacher’s mission has shifted from just investigating Beck to infiltrating McCabe’s empire. This is a big change for Reacher as he has to navigate the treacherous waters of a more complex and more dangerous organisation.

Now Reacher is part of the inner circle with Beck that adds more layers to the story. Duke and Reacher being gone is just the start of taking down McCabe’s entire operation. By the end of episode 3 Reacher is ready to go head to head with McCabe, setting up a showdown that will test his mettle.

A Dangerous Path Ahead

As Reacher gets deeper into Beck’s world the tension ratchets up. The connections between Beck and McCabe are a minefield Reacher has to navigate carefully. The last scene of the episode leaves you on the edge of your seat as Reacher goes off on a mission that will push him to his physical and mental limits.

In short, episode 3 is the pivot point of Reacher season 3. Reacher’s promotion, Duke’s assassination and McCabe’s power reveal set the stage for what’s to come. As the season goes on the stakes get higher and higher and Reacher has to face off against bigger and bigger enemies. The real battle has just begun.

The build up in Reacher season 3 episode 3 is the payoff of all the setup in the previous episodes. The story is seamless and Reacher is deeper into Zachary Beck’s criminal empire and ready for what’s to come. The plotting, character development and tension is huge and Reacher is just getting started in this dangerous world of crime and betrayal.