The Checklist: Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (S2 Ep1) “Cargo”
The first season of the Amazon Prime action thriller Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan was a big success in terms of bringing the source material to the small screen and for Amazon because they have brought the CIA man back for a second season. The eight episode first season was chock full of espionage, intrigue, and fleshed out characters. How does the start of season 2 match up? Only one way to find out… put Episode 1 “Cargo” to the Checklist test.
#1 – Has Jack Ryan Grown From Being The Wet Behind The Ears CIA Agent Thrust Into Full Blown Espionage? – John Krasinski was a spot on choice to play Jack Ryan because the character is more of an everyman who rises to (an unfamiliar) occasion. The audience can believe in Krasinski’s Ryan because we see him struggle and fail before finally succeeding. Season 2 starts with Jack Ryan a little more confident, both personally and professionally. That is until a shock ending that will undoubtedly send this season’s plot down its path. 1/1
#2 – Are There Globetrotting Locations? – Jack Ryan has been all over the globe on the page and in the screen. Season 1 took us to the Middle East and Europe among other spots. “Cargo” starts off in the South China Sea, makes a stop in Moscow, where we get to catch up with the grade A performance of Wendell Pierce as James Greer, Langley, VA, Washington, DC and Venezuela. There is a major shift in locale from season 1 which gives the series an even bigger feel. 2/2
#3 – Does Jack Ryan Get Help From His Friends/Family? – Jack Ryan may be very talented in almost everything he tries, he still can’t do it all alone. James Greer is back, and while he and Jack are not working the same operation, it isn’t too long into “Cargo” where they are back together. Jack spends much of “Cargo” with his former Marine commander and current U.S. Senator Moreno (Benito Martinez). The pair are in Venezuela at a turbulent election time. Jack’s love interest from season 1, Cathy, is gone, but that doesn’t stop him from getting busy with Noomi Rapace’s character. We don’t learn any of her story (or her name) in “Cargo” but she is guaranteed to play a major role. 3/3
#4 – Are There Any Action Set Pieces? You can always count on the Jack Ryan series to blow something up and “Cargo” doesn’t disappoint. There is an ambush on a convoy that includes some exploding cars and a tense firefights. There is also a brutal fight scene that almost has everything, including the kitchen sink, but those of you who do not like to see violence towards dogs might want to look away. Although I don’t want to see any pooches getting hurt, the realistic and gritty action in “Cargo” is easily a highlight of the program. 4/4
#5 – Are There Any Notable Guest Stars? – Notable is a very subjective adjective, but when I watch television programs, I am looking for guest stars that made an impact in the action universe (i.e. I liked seeing Frank Whaley, but he doesn’t move the needle on the action scale). “Cargo” falls a little short of provided that wow factor guest star. Some of that has to do with the fact that the main cast is spot on and filled with high level talent, and some of that is when your show is set all over the world you will have a cast that are not household names in the action world. Neither of those factors are a negative but they are also not enough for “Cargo” to check the box. 4/5
“Cargo” did exactly what a first episode of a new season should do. It caught the audience up on the major players in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan during the course of the episode, without being a major exposition dump. It introduced new characters, that may or may not be major players (remember it is a show about a spy). Teased some new characters with just enough intrigue. Got the heart beating with action set pieces while also allowing the story to breathe. And most importantly provided a compelling storyline that keeps the audience wanting more with familiar characters but a unique story from the previous season. “Cargo” may not have hit all the boxes in the checklist, but sometimes you want to save something for the end… ask me about episode 8.
