It really doesn't make much sense to review each episode since it takes all 8 episodes to tell the story of the first Reacher novel. Although they gave Lee Child's first novel the full LOTR treatment, using almost 7 hours, it didn't feel bloated. They followed the book very faithfully (at least from my memory), but, despite the long running time, didn't have to pad it.
They combined the 2 barbers into the one who mattered, and skipped a side-trip where Reacher actually did learn something about Blind Blake. They modified the circumstances of the ending only slightly, in a way I won't relate for fear of spoiler. A good change I think. Other than that, I can't think of anything either left out or added. It may be that some of the flashbacks to Reacher's background came from other books, but I can't remember. They were certainly all relevant, character-revealing, and short.
The casting was mostly spot-on. I think Maria Sten played Sgt. Neagley to perfection. No, Alan Ritchson is not Tom Cruise, (who is?), but he actually is 6'5" and built like a tank instead of Cruise's up-armored Volkswagen . Reacher's not a character requiring Laurence Olivier's acting talents. Malcom Goodwin was great as Finlay, as was Willa Fitzgerald as Roscoe, and Bruce McGill always brings his best to any role.
The plot/mystery is also good fun, but I'm so familiar with the book that I really didn't notice since I knew it all already. More to enjoy if you haven't read the book.
If you enjoy thrillers, westerns, or their ilk, you'll love this Reacher incarnation. If you like a good story with a character who grows or is conflicted, look elsewhere. Drawing from his European roots, Child calls Reacher the Knight Errant. To those of us raised in the US., he's the lone stranger who rides into town, sets things right, and rides off into the sunset.
The only downside is by taking 8 episodes to film each novel, we'll all be in our graves by the time they catch up with with Child's now 27 novels.
