Why Reacher Doesn't Drink The Scotch In Season 4, Episode 4

One moment that stood out to people watching episode 4 of Reacher season 4 is his tense but revealing scene with Congressman Sampson, during which Reacher is offered a Scotch, but does not drink it. One word that cannot generally be applied to Jack Reacher is "subtle," but the show has been surprisingly restrained when it comes to subtext between characters, and this is especially true of this season. This sets it apart from the other seasons of Reacher, which might be heavy on witty one-liners, but have been relatively light on subtlety.

The season had a harrowing beginning, with Reacher witnessing Anna Merrick taking her own life. Then, Reacher's third episode ended with a shocking moment that placed suspicion on everyone in the vicinity. This includes the titular character's unlikely drinking buddy in episode 4, which continues in the immediate aftermath of the previous episode's events. Now, with Reacher in a bar with Congressman Sampson, he accepts a beer, but not the Scotch given to him. What happens instead is telling. Instead of outright refusing the Scotch, Reacher pushes it toward the congressman, who drinks it as he tells his story.

Reacher Is Wily Enough To Remain Clear-Headed At All Times

While the mental image of a drunk Jack Reacher might be hilarious, it is certainly not going to happen. Often underestimated due to his size, Reacher's best moments make use of his mental clarity and ability to skewer a person with a look or a well-chosen comment. The decision to give Reacher more lines is a major change from Lee Child's Reacher books, in which he is a man of even fewer words than in the TV series, but it works because large portions of the novels take place through Reacher's internal monologue.

The fact that Reacher has analytical skills like Sherlock Holmes often comes as a surprise to other characters, and this is the one constant about his character, even when he is unable to use his signature strength due to being restrained or at the other end of a telephone. With these abilities and the fact that he is constantly working on a case, it is hardly surprising that Reacher does not drink much, except for a beer or two, or that he is smart enough to allow Congressman Sampson to drink the Scotch instead.

When Reacher, Sampson, and Elsbeth confronted Nolan Cahill, he was drinking at the hotel bar, and Sampson continued with this act in a nearby bar, despite agreeing with Reacher that "conversations that require Scotch... are conversations that maybe shouldn't be had." That said, their conversation was illuminating. The shaken congressman revealed that he knew civilians were tortured and killed in Indonesia after he and the military left, having personally overseen the training of the Indonesian military under General Putra. Still, this transparency is not enough to make Reacher trust Sampson, and with good reason.

Reacher Refusing The Scotch Proves He Doesn't Fully Trust Sampson

While unlikely that Reacher would drink Scotch while embroiled in a conspiracy, the fact that he refuses it is still proof that he does not trust Sampson. Still, turning the drink down could have derailed the conversation, so Reacher plays things in a way that is more subtle. With Sampson instantly downing his drink, Reacher pushing his own toward him could be read as a kind gesture, allowing the congressman to relax. The characters in Reacher season 4 have been more complex than any previously, and an extra Scotch and a kind act were enough to get him talking.

Congressman Sampson is played by Marc Blucas, who usually plays wholesome "everyman" characters, making the congressman feel even more disarming. His charm and apparent honesty in the bar uncover another layer to the conspiracy, but the hostile behavior of Elsbeth and his bodyguard, Springfield, suggest that there could be yet another layer to him, or around him without his knowledge. With episode 4 revealing a new and surprising villain, time will tell who Reacher's "final boss" will be.