In <em>Reacher</em> season 4’s episode 2, the character portrayed by Alan Ritchson narrowly escapes a CIA black site alongside Tamara Green and Jacob Merrick. The trio is fortunate to find a freelance journalist named Russell, who is ready to pick them up in his car and assist in their escape from the CIA before it’s too late. During this moment, Jack Reacher subtly references the Special Investigators.
When the journalist inquires why the CIA abducted them and held them captive at the black site, Tamara appears as clueless as Jacob. She questions him about what his sister was involved in that made the CIA so determined to capture them. This is when Reacher claims to know someone who can assist them if they manage to get to Washington, DC.
To his surprise, the journalist reveals they are already in DC. Following this revelation, Jack Reacher seems to be pulled in different directions, hindering him from contacting his connection in DC. While the show does not explicitly disclose who Reacher refers to as his “DC connection,” he would only trust a select few individuals with something this critical and dangerous.
Since Neagley is based in Chicago, it seems unlikely he was referring to her in Reacher season 4’s episode 2. Others like Finlay, Roscoe, and Duffy also do not appear to reside anywhere near Washington DC. The only reliable character from Reacher’s past who lives in Washington DC is David O’Donnell (played by Shaun Sipos in Reacher season 2).
David O’Donnell was a Captain in the U.S. Army before Reacher selected him as a member of the 110th Special Investigation Unit. In Reacher season 2, he was one of three secondary leads, along with Dixon and Neagley, who assisted Jack Reacher in uncovering the truth about the mysterious murders of their former team members.
Reacher season 2 revealed that David O’Donnell embraced civilian life as a family man after retiring from the military. He could still utilize his military connections and insights to aid Reacher and his friends. Given that Washington DC has been established as one of the key settings in Reacher season 4, it is possible that the character portrayed by Alan Ritchson will eventually seek his help.
David O’Donnell Would Have Been The Perfect Reacher Character To Bring Back
In Reacher season 2, Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher and Shaun Sipos’ David O’Donnell shared an incredible buddy-cop dynamic. Their relationship felt reminiscent of Reacher’s humorous interactions with Finlay but with the added depth of brothers-in-arms who have known each other for years. David was particularly a strong addition to season 2’s roster due to how his lifestyle contrasted with Reacher’s.
A subplot in Reacher season 2 revolved around both Reacher and O’Donnell teasing each other’s lifestyles but ultimately agreeing that they were both satisfied with their chosen paths after the military. It would have been intriguing to see how this narrative might have continued into season 4 of the show.
The dynamic between O’Donnell and Reacher would also have provided numerous hilarious moments where both characters attempted to outdo each other with dry humor and mockery. The character’s return would serve as a great callback to Reacher season 2’s conclusion, where Neagley reminded him that his military friends were his family.
Hopefully, Reacher season 4’s upcoming episodes will feature a cameo from David O’Donnell now that he has already been subtly referenced in episode 2.
