In the 1980’s Tom Clancy created a series of novels that have come to be known as the Ryanverse. One of the main characters in this series of books is Jack Ryan, a former marine who after his service returned to school and later ended up working for the CIA.
After Clancy’s death in 2013 several author received approval from Clancy’s family to continue the Ryanverse franchise. Authors such as Mark Greaney, Grant Blackwood, Marc Cameron and Mike Maden.
Over the years the series has been adapted into several movies, and Jack Ryan has been played by actors such as Alec Baldwin, Chris Pine, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck. The most recent instalment of this is the Amazon prime series “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” starring John Krasinski.
Currently there is one season, eight episodes, available for streaming. The season focuses primarily on Ryan, currently an analyst for the CIA. Ryan’s section leader is James Greer, played by Wendell Pierce. It also focuses on a leading disease researcher, and Ryan’s girlfriend, Doctor Cathy Mueller played by Abbie Cornish, as well as the terrorist Suleiman, played by Ali Suliman, that Ryan and the others are chasing.
After his time in the Marines and going back to school at Boston College, Dr. Jack Ryan became an analyst for the CIA. When the series begins Ryan works analysing overseas finances, primarily in Yemen.
Ryan discovers a series of wire transfers that he believes to be the work of a new terrorist called Suleiman, who he believes could end up being just as bad as Bin Laden.
After discovering Ryan’s suspicions were likely correct, Ryan and Greer are sent on a series of field assignments to hunt down Suleiman and the rest of his organization.
As the season progresses, and Ryan works with many other government agencies and foreign governments, the story evolves further and further.
The series doesn’t solely focus on Ryan however, but also tells the story from Suleiman’s point of view, as well as his wife Hani, played by Dina Shihabi, and the story of a U.S military drone operator played by John Magaro.
The series uniquely portrays the effect war has on soldiers. While it isn’t a primary focus of the show, Ryan suffers from PTSD from his time overseas. This is portrayed through triggered flashbacks and Rayns inability to sleep well, as the fan in his room seems to always remind him of helicopter blades.
The show also tells the story of a military drone pilot, Tombstone, who seems to struggle immensely with the stress of his job. While Tombstone only seems to directly tie into the story of the rest of the series once, his story seems to be trying to portray just how much he has sacrificed of himself for his country and job.
The season wraps up quite well with many twists and turns and character developments, and by the last 10 minutes of the season finale you can tell there is still much more to come.
Season two is speculated to be released August of next year, around the same time season one was released this year.
Just like the first season, season two is suspected to be a self contained storyline. And while we have have some familiar faces, many characters will not be returning, and many new ones will appear.
The main trio, Jack Ryan, Cathy Mueller and James Greer, are all speculated to return in the new season. Along with many new faces such as Black ops operative Matice, played by John Hoogenakker, who is rumored to be a series regular in the new season.
Cerridwyn Kuykendall
Managing Editor