'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 2 Episode 2 review: 'Tertia Optio' paints a new shade to Ryan and he's not pulling his punches
This review contains spoilers for 'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 2 Episode 2 'Tertia Optio'
The episode title is actually the motto of the Special Activities Division (SAD) wing of the CIA that stands for "Third Option" — a covert action with diplomacy and military.
The title is an apt fit for the plan of action that Jack (John Krasinski), Jim Greer (Wendell Pierce) and Mike November (Michael Kelly) formulate to find out the perpetrators behind Senator Moreno's death.
The final few minutes of the season opener was explosive, grim and set the tone for the rest of the season.
Noomi Rapace's mysterious appearance gets an explanation and we see a reluctant team-up between the former KSK agent and Jack.
While the latter firmly believes President Nicholas Reyes is behind Moreno's death, Rapace's Harry Bauman (She lies saying she's Lee Kline) is behind Max Schenkel (Tom Wlaschiha) who she wants to capture alive.
It is evident that Reyes has a plan up his sleeve and in a bid to rid himself of Jack and Greer, he frames a few mercenaries as the people responsible for Moreno's death.
Ryan doesn't buy the theory and later also comes face to face with Schenkel. A scrimmage ensues that sees Jack gouge Schenkel's eyes, though he manages to evade Jack and Greer eventually.
John Hoogenakker (Garth aka Matis), in the meantime, tries convincing Jovan Adepo's Marcus, a former Navy man to help with a mission in the Venezuelan jungles. It's not hard to see where the plot is going and with Greer, Matis was plan C.
Krasinski's Jack has a new shade this time. His rage is understandable and his eyes turn moist at the mention of Moreno. However, what's admirable is that he's not going all guns blazing.
There's a bit of snooping, there's some trading blows and some laughs (very rare). With the death rattling him, it's established that he's not pulling his punches this time around.
Michael Kelly's Mike November is steely and to-the-point. It won't come as a surprise if the COS from Venezuela plays a key role in the series going forward.
'Tertia Optio' sees a plan in motion. If Jack and company were pushed a step back in the season opener, the plan is simple: Go hard on the offense.
'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 2 is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.