The new incarnation of Jack Ryan overwhelmingly succeeds at providing some great entertainment in this new series. Thanks to a wealth of source material for the characters, we can hopefully see the exploration of these characters for years to come.
“When CIA analyst Jack Ryan (John Krasinski) is pulled from the safety of his desk job and catapulted into a deadly game of cat and mouse throughout Europe and the Middle East, he must race to stop a terrorist’s plans for a massive attack against the U.S. and her allies. From Executive Producers John Krasinski, Carlton Cuse (Lost), Graham Roland (Fringe), and Michael Bay, the first season of Jack Ryan includes 4 deleted scenes from the pulse-pounding mission that started it all.”
I’ve always been a fan of the Jack Ryan character, and although I admit to not having read any of the Tom Clancy novels, I’ve seen every version of the character in film. What always set Jack Ryan apart from other incarnations of spies in Hollywood is just how more relatable and down to Earth he is. He’s more of a normal man than a super-soldier/gadget wielding/license to kill kind of guy, and that’s explored much deeper in this series than it ever is in the films. What better way to be able to go in depth in terms of character and story from a source book than in a television series? Thanks to this format, we get eight hours of opportunity to explore the origins of the relationships between Jack Ryan and James Greer (Wendell Pierce), his future wife Cathy Mueller (Abbie Cornish), and the beginning of his career in the CIA.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Season One sets up this story perfectly as we’re introduced to Jack Ryan as an analyst working for the CIA who has a hunch about a new terrorist entering into the world stage known as Suleiman (Ali Suliman), who’s recently large money transactions has caught his attention. He brings this information to his newly appointed boss, Jim Greer, who’s recently been demoted and transferred back to a desk job. They form an unlikely working relationship full of turmoil yet are able to work toward a common goal of catching this man before he is able to carry out his horrible plan. With some great writing by Carlton Cuse, one of the writers from Lost, the show knows how to effectively tell a thrilling story of an international spy without having to rely on certain tired old gimmicks that shows such as 24 got into the habit of over-utilizing.
John Krasinski has continued to impress me after directing and starring in A Quiet Place, now taking over the role of Jack Ryan, further distancing himself from the comedy role that made his career in The Office. Although I still prefer Harrison Ford as an older Jack Ryan, Krasinski is a close second as his younger self, able to believably play the tough, nerdy type as analyst turned field agent. Wendell Pierce is great as James Greer as well. Although I’m sure Jack Ryan and Jim Greer’s relationship runs deep in the books, what I know of the reoccurring roles in the films leads me to believe that they are life-long friends and colleagues, and watching the journey from the beginning is a lot of fun.
What’s so great about Jack Ryan is the fact that it can be timeless, just as James Bond can be. No matter what the era he’s featured in, his code of honor and passion to do good can be a vital asset to the world. Jack Ryan has a very strong first season, and it didn’t surprise me one bit that this got picked up for another one.
Here’s an episode breakdown:
Disc One:
- Pilot – In the series premiere, CIA analyst Jack Ryan uncovers a series of suspicious transactions that take him and his boss James Greer out from behind their desks into the field to hunt down a powerful new threat to the world. Hanin begins to question her husband’s affairs after he brings a mysterious outsider into their home.
- French Connection – Jack and Greer decode a fresh piece of intel that takes them to Paris and one step closer to the elusive Suleiman. Hanin’s husband returns home with a renewed fervor for his secretive mission, leaving her unsure of their family’s future.
- Black 22 – Drone pilot Victor struggles with the immense responsibility attached to his job. Jack and Greer join French Intelligence officers on a mission to track down Suleiman’s brother. Hanin is forced to make a dangerous decision for the sake of their children.
- The Wolf – As Jack and Cathy grow closer, Jack’s double-life is put to the test. A show of force from Suleiman adds to his ranks and brings him one step closer to his next attack.
Disc Two:
- End of Honor – After the horrific Paris church attack, Jack and Greer discover a deeper strategy behind Suleiman’s actions, forcing Jack to suggest an unusual trap for him. Hanin faces new challenges in her quest for freedom.
- Sources and Methods – Jack’s moral code is tested when he and Greer use a Turkish criminal to help them track down a high-value target who may be able to lead them to Suleiman. Hanin tries to evade her pursuers and keep her daughters safe. Cathy investigates an outbreak of a virulent form of Ebola that may point to something more ominous.
- The Boy – Jack and Greer try to convince their superiors to lead a covert ground assault to capture Suleiman. Jack’s double life costs him an important relationship.
- Inshallah – Jack and Greer fear Suleiman’s next attack could be on U.S. soil. They must figure out how to stop him or risk enormous costs.
Video
The episodes on this set are presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen. The video looks great on this set, with a nice balance of color. As Jack Ryan travels to different parts of the world and our story takes us to different locations, the colors change drastically and look stunning, especially the bright and yellowish locations of the desert in the Middle East. There are no defects noticed.
Audio
The audio on this set is presented in Dolby Atmos, and is definitely one of the highlights. The series has a drastic range at times, from quiet dinners with Jack and Cathy, to high speed chases and intense battle sequences. The range of the Atmos is incredible, providing amazing and well-balanced audio throughout the surrounds and center channel.
Special Features
Sadly, there are no extras on this disc save for a few deleted scenes for select episodes.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Season One is a great start to a highly entertaining series complete with characters rich in literary history. With great writing, acting and all around production, this series deserves the time to continue to explore the characters and give us the entertainment we’re looking for.
