Neagley’s Military Backstory Makes Her More Relatable Than Reacher

Neagley’s military backstory seems to give a glimpse of how the upcoming spin-off show will be better than Reacher in one major way. While it seems unlikely that the spin-off will overall be considered superior to its parent series, many aspects of Neagley’s past can truly elevate the upcoming series and make it a worthy addition to the Reacher franchise.

There is an abundance of detective TV series on Amazon Prime Video. However, Reacher ranks far higher than all others in terms of both viewership and critical acclaim. The show is easily among the streamer’s most valuable television IPs, which puts immense pressure on its upcoming spin-off show.

Given how the Neagley spin-off is also not based on any Lee Child books and will adopt an original storyline, it could easily veer off into risky territory if not handled well. Fortunately, despite all the challenges, the Neagley spin-off show has a lot going in its favor, with its biggest advantage being the Maria Sten character‘s established history.

Neagley’s Military Backstory Reveals She Was An Enlisted Soldier

Neagley’s military backstory in Reacher season 2 reveals that, unlike other members of Jack Reacher’s 110th Special Investigation Unit, she was an enlisted soldier. The backstory also features a sequence in which she visits an officers’ bar with the members of the 110th Special Investigation Unit.

To her dismay, an officer looks down on her for being an enlisted soldier and even asks her to leave. Reacher and the entire team defend her and ensure she is not disrespected again, but her backstory highlights how she often had to deal with systemic prejudice and condescension within the military hierarchy.

Her history in the military contrasts with Reacher’s because the Alan Ritchson character was a respected and celebrated officer almost throughout his military police tenure. It shows that she was always an underdog and had to overcome several insurmountable odds to be where she is in the show’s present timeline.

Neagley’s “Underdog” Status Makes Her More Relatable Than Reacher

Jack Reacher’s larger-than-life personality, stoic demeanor, and massive stature make him an incredibly fascinating protagonist in the Amazon Prime Video series. However, since Jack Reacher is incredibly overpowered and portrayed as nearly invincible, the show occasionally risks making him feel less relatable or predictable.

This is where Neagley seems to have a clear advantage. The Maria Sten character seems far more relatable and grounded because the series has avoided turning her into a one-dimensional powerhouse. Her journey makes her more of an underdog who had to work incredibly hard to prove her worth, which highlights how her upcoming Reacher spin-off can appeal to audiences.