(Image credit: Courtesy of Prime)

"Reacher" season 4 just kicked off with a three-episode premiere on Prime Video. If you were worried the show has lost a step, don't be. It's the same "Reacher" as before, and that's a good thing.Like a lot of great shows, and more than a few crime/spy thriller shows, "Reacher" suffers from a Catch-22. You get drawn into the show by a specific character, or group of characters, or the way it's paced, etc. It's like your favorite food: you don't want to deviate from the recipe. But if you don't put a new spin on the recipe, or branch out a bit, you might find that your once favorite food has suddenly turned stale.Tom's Guide Verdict: "Reacher" season 4 premiereRating: 4/5 starsVerdict: "Reacher" promises a very specific archetype for its titular character. Strong, mostly silent. But when he speaks, he's clever and witty. That's usually enough to get him into bed with one woman per season. By the end of the three-episode season 4 premiere, the Prime Video crime thriller series delivers on all fronts. And that's largely thanks to the perfectly cast Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher.Premiere date/time: Episodes 1-3 streaming nowWhere to watch: Stream "Reacher" season 4 on Prime Video"Reacher" certainly runs that risk, in no small part because the books the show is based on also follow a specific recipe. Given the popularity of both those books and the Prime Video adaptation, showrunner Nick Santora would be forgiven if he decided to simply stick to the script.Unsurprisingly, that's what season 4 does. At least through three episodes. Yes, tonally, this show is a bit darker. Those who are sensitive to scenes portraying suicide might want to sit it out. But it ultimately holds to the recipe that made this show the ultimate "dadcore" thriller series. Get a big, strong, silent type. Make him clever and a bit funny when he talks. Let him get the girl without much trouble. Let him beat up bad guys along the way.Luckily for Santora, Paramount (who co-produces) and Prime Video, the formula is still fresh. At least, it is for now. And that's almost entirely down to the performance of Alan Ritchson, who plays the titular former military police major with a thirst for justice.Alan Ritchson is perfectly cast and it pays off big in season 4