After tracking a potentially suspicious shipment of illegal arms in the Venezuelan jungle, CIA Officer Jack Ryan heads to South America to investigate. Jack’s actions threaten to uncover a far-reaching conspiracy, leading him and his fellow operatives on a mission spanning the globe.
John Krasinski – who is rapidly acquiring a reputation as a first-rate director in the wake of his surprise hit “A Quiet Place” – adds another worthwhile credit to his resume, filling out the growing list of actors to play CIA analyst Jack Ryan. Other well-known names in that category include Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine. It’s safe to say that Krasinski more than holds his own against this impressive roster.
With the extra screen time available in a series format such as this Amazon Studios production, further depth and detail typical of Tom Clancy’s novels can be brought to the narrative. As in Season One, the plot is nothing if not intricate and engaging. Along the six-plus hours of content, Jack moves from one country to another with the ease of a global jet setter, chasing clues regarding nefarious plots by other countries and adversaries.
Wendell Pierce is James Greer, providing a different take on the Admiral Greer character portrayed by James Earl Jones in the film series. Here again, he’s still Jack’s boss, though in this case as deputy chief of operations, as well as a friend and confidant.
Many of the events take place in Venezuela, where Christina Umaña as opposition candidate Gloria Bonalde provides a welcome contrast to the entrenched and corrupt President Nicolás Reyes (Jordi Mollà). Bonalde’s husband, Sergio (Gonzalo Vivanco), a former Minister of the Interior, disappeared a year earlier after approving permits for a mysterious mining operation, and now presumed dead.
Sensing little opportunity for justice from the government, Bonalde decides to run for president in protest. The interests of Bonalde and Greer coincide when a rogue jungle mining operation comes into question. Greer learns that Sergio Bonalde was investigating a rare element called Tantalum – also known as blue gold – before he disappeared. Tantalum comprises a critical ingredient for the production of all types of high-tech components. Given that the only substantial deposits are found in China or the Congo, the prospect of a large find in Venezuela holds the potential for significant geopolitical upheaval.
Not only does the plot weave and bob smartly in several directions – involving hitmen, special ops, and corporate henchmen, to name but a few – similarly the casting is exceptionally fine and diverse, with a superb ensemble of fleshed-out supporting players. Jovan Adepo as Marcus Bishop, nicknamed Uber because he drives and repairs the small assault boat for the recon team led by Matice (John Hoogenakker), accompanies Ryan and Greer deep into the Venezuelan jungle. Noomi Rapace as the mysterious Harriett “Harry” Baumann enters into a complicated relationship with Jack, while also maintaining a different kind of association with the creepy assassin, Max Schenkel (Tom Wlaschiha). Michael O’Neill as Senator Mitchell Chapin provides cover for Jack when he gets himself into trouble, either at a U.S. embassy or in the field. Benito Martinez as Senator Moreno, a longtime friend of Jack, also assists in uncovering layers of corruption.
Michael Kelly as Caracas station Chief Mike November is marvelous, alternating between anger and admiration for Ryan in nearly equal measure. His ex-wife, Ambassador Lisa Calabrese (Susan Misner) steals most of the scenes in which she appears. At-first a seemingly air-headed career bureaucrat, she quickly reveals that she holds a few cards up her sleeve, much to November’s dismay.
Jack Ryan’s cerebral and epic exploits continue in fine form across Season Two, making a nice addition to the storied collection of spy thrillers. This Blu-ray package is crisp and clean and includes a handful of deleted scenes to fill out some of the details. With Season Three in the works, viewers can look forward to even more compelling tales surrounding Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan” and his daring adventures once again brought to life on the screen.
Available on Blu-ray August 4th
