Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan

The six episodes of the fourth season offer a worthy conclusion to the series, even if the level of the first and third seasons is not reached. But I was particularly pleased that the Swiss cameraman and director Lukas ETTLIN (born in Basel in 1975) directed three episodes of the fourth season. I had already noticed him positively through a few episodes of the pirate series BLACK SAILS (ETTLIN was active as a director from season 2).

What was remarkable about JACK RYAN was the well-thought-out plots, which were always reminiscent of real scenarios (especially season 3). The guest stars Noomi RAPACE and Tom WLASCHIHA as BND agents in season 2 and of course the fantastic Nina HOSS as the Czech Prime Minister in season 3 were also great.

Small weak point: The fact that Abbie CORNISH was brought out of obscurity as Jack's love interest in season 4 after she had not been mentioned for two seasons seemed all too forced.

After BERLIN STATION and CONDOR, JACK RYAN was simply a very entertaining spy series that has now found its well-deserved end.

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan is an Immensely Thrilling Jam packed Action thriller based on CIA's Strategic Operations. John & James have a nice combination of work. Cool thing is, how they rotate the story from one part of the World to another. Cool, and scenic views make the Audience stick to what they're here to watch. Critics might give it a 7.5 or 8, as must I should but I won't.

Might give it a 10/10 because of the feel that the production team has spent some huge budget as well. The Cool thing is, how they are moving from country to country at each season and story gets deep and deeper. Looking forward to more good work.

Like many other reviews I find season 1 to be very good, entertaining, engaging and hook you so that you just want to keep watching the next episode. Season 2 lost all that magic and I had a hard time completing it. I finished season 2 feeling that I just had to to see I'd wear other reviews said about season 2 were all true, and they were. I had my doubts with season 3 but I think it got back to its roots. The story is once again engaging and get you hooked from the beginning. If you like season 1 and disappointed by season 2, I strongly recommend you give season 3 a try and I think you will like it.

You cannot go wrong with something based on Tom Clancy's stuff. I am also an avid fan of Reacher. So the premise for this series and the main plot points are super entertaining, everything has great pace, beautiful establishing shots all around the world.

My only big problem is the silly little decisions that constantly challenge our suspension of disbelief. I will just give vague references without mentioning seasons, episodes or characters so you will not be able to see them coming if you watch the show.

But I find it preposterous that they expect us to swallow somebody snapping a neck from a rear naked choke. Or a father trying to reestablish a bond with his son taking him "on the field" when the father knows for a fact his life is in danger. Or the bad guys missing their first shots when they have the element of surprise. I understand you need to get to a shoot out, but they should have set up the situations better.

Other than these details, AWESOME stuff.

In this day and age, we have no shortage of shows like these. Stuff like "Reacher", "Shooter", "Taken", "Punisher" and "Terminal List" all roughly scratch the same itch for a grounded gun guy vs government goons TV series. It becomes increasingly difficult to stand out when the series is based on books written roughly 30 years ago. I mean Tom Clancy has been dead for 10 years now. That might explain why so many of his stories involve some spark that will make the Cold War escalate to World War III between America and Russia. Most of Clancy's material has been mined in other films and even video games that anything now seems derivative. Similar to Jane Austen with romantic comedies, so it is with Clancy and political thrillers.

Well then, the difference has to come from the character. What makes Jack Ryan different than Jack Bauer? What made him a charming protagonist was the fact that he didn't have, as Bryan Mills would say, "a particular set of skills." Ryan is an analyst, a desk jockey. He was the everyman thrown into difficult situations outside his control.

I feel that edge is where "Jack Ryan" misses the mark. This Jack Ryan, particularly by the third season, is just the same type of action tough guy as every other political thriller show. It's not bad, just every change they make to Jack Ryan makes him more generic. They are making him out to be more like John Karasinki's character from "16 Hours".

That being said, they do an excellent job with the action in this show. The music, cinematography and acting are all top-notch. The political intrigue and stories are well done. I just wish it would appeal more to the everyman angle that makes Jack Ryan so unique.