SPOILER ALERT: have you watched Reacher? I have a question

[CormoranStrike]

Please, please note I am going to be talking about the plot. So don’t read beyond here if you don’t want spoilers.

I’ve finished Reacher and have a question - did Reacher kill/assist suicide his mum?

We see him and Joe visiting her, she explains she is dying, and both men revert to type, Joe trying to solve the problem, Reacher determined to do the right thing.

Mum reminds them of their personality types, stressing their strengths in particular that Reacher always does the right thing, even if it is not the easiest route. Joe then leaves the room to make an urgent call - odd in the circs - leaving Reacher alone with her at her bedside.

Next shot both brothers are together in the car and Joe is telling him it is okay to cry now.

My take is mum asked Jack to end her pain, and Joe gave them the space to do it.

Thoughts?

Yes I agree.

@sploshsplash

Yes I agree.

Interesting. I’ve asked family and friends and nobody read the scene the same way as me.

I thought the same, OP.

It's the only thing that makes sense otherwise why didn't Joe go back in after his call?

At the time I did think it was odd that they just got in the car and drove off, I remember thinking it was a bit final given she wasn't actually dead yet, but your interpretation makes so much more sense!

It didn’t occur to me at the time and maybe I’ll watch it back and see with that angle in mind but I wouldn’t have thought she was in such an advanced state where she needed assisted suicide.

Have you read the book? That's not what happens but now you say it, I can see that you could read that scene in the show that way.

@RunAwayNow

Have you read the book? That's not what happens but now you say it, I can see that you could read that scene in the show that way.

Years ago, so long that I’ve long forgotten the plot

I think his mum's death is actually covered in one of the later books. They say their final goodbyes before she's severely ill, at her behest as she doesn't want their memories of her to be at the very end. I don't think that came through in the show though.

I didn’t see it like she’d died so no. I thought his brother was just saying it’s okay to cry now she can’t see you crying.