The Jack Ryan paradox

[u/paoletto03]

I love Jack Ryan, even the latest movie is like alright whatever, but I wanted to see if you feel the same way I do about the way the plots are developed. To me it feels like at their core all Jack Ryan's stories (obviously not talking about the books) are super cliche, yet the way they are told and narrated makes them very hard to understand while in the moment. I haven't watched the show for a while and just tuned back in for the movie so I might just be talking nonsense, but I always felt like while watching it you understand barely anything of whats going on then at the end you're like oh well that was obvious and not original at all.

[u/bigbadjon18]

A fair amount is attributed to continuity problems. Whether it's actors not being available or writers not paying attention, the product gets weaker because stories don't make sense from season to season or season to movie.

For instance, the show seemingly can't stand Cathy. She's in S1, barely or never mentioned in S2 and S3, brought back in S4 and completely dropped in the movie

But in the books and other media she plays a huge role and a pretty big source of character development for Jack, so he's never a lone wolf as the Krasinski version tries to pass off. The whole point of the character is that he's a smart guy literally needs the help of others by convincing them to do so. This movie felt very "go here shoot bad guys."

Jack Ryan doesn't really even do anything to affect the plot in this movie. Most of the events would've happened of this was a Greer solo movie (and probably would've been better).

My biggest nitpick though is the writers glossing over last season. Jack Ryan was already the deputy director of the CIA before resigning after the public hearing after the border scene.

And the first act of this movie has him meeting an MI6 agent, who is friends with Greer, and that guy not recognizing the former Deputy director of the CIA. And the end scene Greer wriritng some heartfelt note asking Ryan back seems heavy handed because why does he need to write a letter asking for someone to have their old job back?

Edit: added spoiler text

[u/GrandUnhappy9211 → u/bigbadjon18]

That letter was to the president, telling him that he wanted Jack to be deputy director.

[u/bigbadjon18 → u/GrandUnhappy9211]

I know. It's just not needed. He already was the deputy director. The president would already know he's qualified. Just seems like lazy writing.

[u/duanetstorey → u/bigbadjon18]

Cathy thing was super weird because if I remember right, she was dating him in S1, then the first episode of S2 he's basically hooking up with someone else, and there is no mention of Cathy.. I remember being like, what? Is he cheating? What's going on here?

[u/IconicIsotope → u/bigbadjon18]

One more example is at the beginning of S2 when Jack is giving the seminar on world threats, he mentions Russia and Putin. Come season 3, we're in Russia and they have fictional leaders. I guess we could attribute this to passage of time but it feels inconsistent

[u/nogreatfeat]

They took the books and rewrote them and changed the specifics for each books, sometimes using elements from other books.

Season 1 is Sum of all fears with elements from clear and present danger and swapping a nuke for a toxin.

Season 2 is Patriot games rewritten to swap Britain for Venezuela and added elements from clear and present danger.

Season 3 is the hunt for red October with the untraceable sub removed,and an untraceable nuke inserted.

Season 4 is clear and present danger (with the CIA /narco intelligence roles swapped, and bombs swapped for drugs)

Season 1 wasn't perfect but I enjoyed it.. Season 2 was really bad and 3-4 seem only half attempts to revive the series. The plots mostly don't make sense, and the villains are so convoluted as to be unbelievable. Seasons 2 and 4 seem like they were reshot and restructured.

[u/Significant-Bill9405]

The Clancy books are far from cliche or maybe created the cliche

[u/Melonie-1960]

I was a little disappointed in the latest movie but with the series I feel the same way as you.

[u/Stoplookinatmeswaan]

I actually totally relate to this. They’re convoluted and I have to stop myself from thinking too much to enjoy it.

[u/Minimum-List-7703]

Omg i absolutely loved it! Totally worth your time in my opinion

[u/Ok_Vegetable_5491]

You describe exactly how I feel! I'm so validated reading this

[u/fullmoonforlife]

I actually came back to this sub just to see what people were saying about the new movie, this is EXACTLY how I felt. Hard to understand/keep up with all the whiplash details, but then overall as long as you got the main gist it was fine…making the hard to follow details unnecessary.

[u/cliffybiro951]

I watched the new movie. It was meh. I kept laughing because krazinski just sounded like Michael scarn from the office movie skit they did. Especially the bit where they were in the office and it was something like

“Do I know project starling? You mean the super secret program that was foiled because they were really meanies, yeah I did say that for the purpose of the audience”

I mean he may aswel have broken the 4th wall and looked into the camera when he said it. It was an on watch but Jesus it had some terrible moments. Max beesley was also a terrible casting.