The latest episode of 'Reacher' sees the titular character and Congressman John Sampson confronting a dangerous plot to sell a chemical weapon. The mission culminates in Sampson's heroic sacrifice to prevent a terrorist attack in Philadelphia.
Unraveling the Plot
Reacher, with assistance from Tamara and Springfield, interrogates Leo Ahlquist, a former chemist who worked on a black market chemical weapons project codenamed Operation Mongoose. Ahlquist reveals that he worked for DARPA in the 1990s, developing weapons for a secret CIA-contracted lab in Indonesia. The project, which violated international law, was conducted off the books and involved training General Putra's Indonesian special forces.
Congressional aide Cahill was aware of the project, and the formula for the weapon was visible in a photograph that became central to the season's conflict. Mercenaries hired by Ahlquist, as well as a CIA operative named Foster, were attempting to silence Reacher and others aware of the formula. Lila and Amisha, described as international criminal opportunists, sought to profit by selling the weapon's formula. Reacher ultimately kills Ahlquist for his complicity in repurposing deadly chemical weapons technology for profit.
The Auction and the Threat
Detective Docherty, having released Jacob instead of arresting him, provides Jacob with crucial information. Jacob, monitoring Russell Plum's phone, intercepts communications indicating Lila and Amisha are auctioning the weapon's formula on the dark web. They plan to demonstrate its potency in a public outdoor location in Philadelphia before the sale.
Reacher contacts Congressman Sampson, hoping federal resources can help identify the potential target. Sampson reveals that he himself, as a former Delta Force officer, hunted down General Putra in Indonesia after the general went rogue. Amisha had witnessed Sampson kill her father, who was a mentor to Putra.
Climax at the Fundraiser
Sampson is attending a riverside charity event when he identifies Tomas Waberi, a suspect from Djibouti with a history of terrorist activity, in the crowd. Waberi fits the profile of a bomber, carrying a large bag and exhibiting purposeful, self-directed behavior. As Reacher is still on the phone with Sampson, the congressman realizes the attack is imminent and races to intercept Waberi.
Sampson tackles Waberi, who is revealed to be wearing a suicide vest loaded with the weapon. The two fall into the water, where the device detonates, killing Sampson but preventing a wider catastrophe. The episode features a brief mention of DARPA's history of developing advanced military technology and a needle drop of Bobby Womack's "Across 110th Street."