'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 2 Episode 8 review: Scintillating finale caps off an explosive season as Ryan emerges as America's hero
This review contains spoilers for 'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 2 Episode 8: 'Strongman'
If anything, season 2 up to episode 7 were compelling watches and the season finale doesn't disappoint. It moves at a brisk pace and maintains the element of surprise till the last minute. The season sees Ryan (Krasinski) go from analyst to a full-fledged secret agent. It's got dirty politics, secret agents, lies, and deceptions, not to forget some good ol' fashioned generic, yet high-octane action, something that raised eyebrows when the trailer released. All of these combine to dish out an engrossing episode 8.
Recap
Things continue to breeze along with Jack (John Krasinski) and Mike November (Michael Kelly) heading back to the city after rescuing prisoners from Reyes' (Jordi Molla) prison camp lodged in the Venezuelan jungle. But not before Ryan releases a video of the political prisoners at the prison to the press. It is revealed Greer (Wendell Pierce) is being held captive in the palace and the team rushes to rescue him. Meanwhile, the elections are disrupted and termed closed as Reyes' insurmountable lead automatically qualifies him as the winner leaving his opponent Gloria Bonalde (Cristina Umaña) stunned.
The video is broadcast across the world and there's pandemonium in the streets even as Reyes celebrates his victory. The tide turns with the people out for Reyes' blood. Ryan and the team storm the compound and rescue Greer. It is also revealed that Bonalde had over 70% of the votes at the time the elections were suspended implying that she indeed won and was the new President of Venezuela.
The final minutes of the episode sees Sergio (Gonzalo Vivanco) unite with his wife Bonalde after Greer rescues him from the prisoners camp. It also implies Greer may call time on his CIA career and move on. Back in Washington DC, Ryan meets Senator Mitchell Chapin (Michael O' Neill) and explains that the shell company used a mining company as a front to bring in drilling equipment for illegal mining. He reveals that Reyes only owned half of the shell company and the other half was owned by a company in Philadelphia but the details were a heavily guarded secret.
However, he does find a phone number during his investigation in the UK and realizes it was the senator who owned the other half of the company. Despite Chapin's attempts to bribe Ryan, he declines and walks away as the FBI closes in and takes Chapin to custody.
Review
Season 2 may have just set the bar higher by blending explosive action and a riveting plot. Jack Ryan maybe an analyst, but he's a thorough badass on the field. While it gives Krasinski's character a more action-oriented role, it also brings out a vulnerable and softer side of his version of Ryan. Krasinski does a stellar job as the titular character and is immensely likable. Be it jumping off rooftops chasing baddies, trading blows or standing tall with his hard-worn musculature, he goes on to show he's not superman but comes awfully close to being one.
An impressive cast, some mind-numbing action, and a thick and intriguing storyline make this a series worth the binge-watch.
'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 2 debuts on November 1 on Amazon Prime.
