In the Reacher season 4 premiere, Reacher learned that Lila (Agnez Mo) was sick and desperately seeking her birth father. He agreed to help. But after meeting with John Sampson (Marc Blucas) in episode 2, it was clear that the original story wasn’t the truth. If nothing else, Reacher (Alan Ritchson) desires to get to the truth.
So, the final episode of the three-episode season 4 debut, “One Small Step,” is about getting to the truth.
A new target
At the end of episode 2, Reacher spots Cahill (Chris Owens), John Sampson’s chief of staff and the fourth person on the train when Anna Merrick (Karen Kwong-Chip) died. That gives him a new focus. So, Reacher, Green (Sydelle Noel), and Jacob (Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette) head off to get more information.
They turn back to Plum (Kevin Weisman), who is happy to help and looking for his new story. He finds the connection to Sampson and his time overseas, which leads Reacher to wonder what Lila’s true motive might be. But before there is much time to dwell, the CIA team catches up again. That leaves Reacher to dispatch them once again.
But Plum’s base of operations is blown, so they all head out. While Green, Jacob, and Plum are headed back to Philly to look for some leads, Reacher has other plans. He aims to find Lila for answers. Though Green questions if he wants more than a simple conversation.
Anna’s other job
As part of their search, Green reconnects with her partner (Kevin Corrigan) and learns Anna’s car has been found. Her partner questions why she would be committed to the case and even warns her against it, but Green is committed. She was detained in a cell and wants answers. She, Jacob, and Plum head to the scene.
The car has been tossed, and they find some interesting things. Among the things in the car is a work key card—different from the one found on Anna’s body. With the government agents closing in, the trio slips away. But Jacob pockets the card as a lead, despite Plum’s warning that it is crossing a line.
Jacob wants answers, and he re-affirms his commitment. So, Plum helps decode the card which points to a different location and much higher clearance. That leaves the trio with questions. Green’s partner, meanwhile, warns that he won’t put his career and pension at risk. He shares that she shouldn’t continue, but if she does and he’s asked a question, he won’t protect her secrets.
Reacher’s mission
Meanwhile, Reacher reconnects with Lila and her team. He wants the truth, and she finally gives it to him. Turns out Anisha (Anggun) isn’t her mother but rather a victim of war crimes. Lila is a reporter, and she believes that Sampson was part of an American team that trained the brutal general that wreaked havoc in her country. She wants justice, and the drive has the evidence. Reacher agrees to find the drive and review it before deciding what to do. That’s good enough for Lila.
But, again, the CIA team closes in. They appear close to capturing Reacher and Lila when he turns the tables. He sends Lila away to safety and takes on the whole team solo. He’s able to best the first two, but the third one presents a challenge. At about the moment it looks like Reacher might lose, Lila reappears and knocks out the man with a blow to the back of the head.
Lila helps Reacher to escape and even gets him new clothes and helps him clean up. We’ve seen time and again Reacher has a habit of getting close with someone on each case. Green’s query about his motives wasn’t entirely off base as Reacher and Lila spend the night together.
The next morning, he’s off again—back to speak to Sampson. He confronts the senator with the allegations of war crimes, which he denies. He seems believable. When Reacher asks about Cahill, Sampson doesn’t believe he’s involved but agrees to ask. As they find Cahill, he’s getting drunk at the bar. When Reacher asks about the train, he apologizes and quickly rushes to leap from the roof. Turns out there is more happening on his team than Sampson realizes.
This was the final episode of the big season 4 debut, and it ups the stakes again. Anna has more to her story than first appeared, while it’s hard to know what to make of Sampson. He seems like a stand-up guy, but could he be implicated without his knowledge? Or is his innocent act a good front? That’s likely what the rest of the season will be aimed at discovering.
Reacher streams Wednesdays on Prime Video. Check back next week as we recap all the action of season 4.
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