"I'm smarter": That Reacher line in Season 3 finale totally justifies the way he ends the much awaited duel

Reacher Season 3 finale was an absolute banger, just as we'd expected. It had everything. But mostly, it had adrenaline-pumping action.

The epic showdown between Reacher and Paulie that we'd all been waiting for finally happened. And let’s not forget the cherry on top - a sweet and satisfying ending that wrapped things up just right.

Reacher isn’t just about brute strength, and that's one thing this season really drove home. He’s smart, and we saw him go full-on undercover for the first time.

He gathered intel on Zachary Beck’s operation, which was actually under McCabe's control. And somehow, he always managed to come out of every sticky situation.

The finale reinforced that Reacher doesn’t just win because he’s strong. He wins because he’s smart. And that’s exactly what we’re about to break down here - how this one line, “I’m smarter,” perfectly justifies how he finally takes down his enemy.

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Reacher Season 3 finale: Reacher vs. Paulie

In Reacher Season 3 finale, we see Reacher and his team go to Beck’s house, where the real deal is going down. Julius McCabe (aka Quinn) had previously fed Beck false intel, which led to an ambush. Bullets fly, and both ATF agents and Quinn’s men fall.

Once they reach Beck's property, Reacher stays back to stop Paulie from charging into the house while the rest of the team moves in.

Paulie is huge, and right from the get-go, he has the upper hand. He throws punch after punch, and for a moment, it looks like Reacher might be in trouble. But then he starts reading Paulie’s movements and dodges his punches.

The fight shifts to the barn. Reacher finally goes on the offensive and lands powerful punches to Paulie’s ribs, thighs, and every vulnerable spot he can find. Then comes the shovel. Paulie is desperate to finish Reacher off. He swings it at him, but Reacher stops it.

And then, in pure rage, Paulie smashes the shovel in half with his head. Reacher grabs the sharp end of the broken shovel and starts striking Paulie. It cuts deep into him. Paulie’s face, which was already a mess, starts getting worse.

While this brutal fight happens outside, the rest of the team handles business inside. Susan Duffy is searching for Teresa, Villanueva is rescuing Richard, and Neagley is disguised as a waiter. She is keeping an eye on Quinn.

However, the fight outside refuses to stay in one place. It moves from the barn… to the cliff… and then, straight into the ocean.

And here’s where it gets even more intense. Because now it’s not just Paulie that Reacher has to survive. It’s the water.

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Reacher proves why he’s smarter

Falling off a cliff into the ocean? Bad. Having a giant like Paulie trying to drown you? Worse.

Reacher barely has time to catch his breath before Paulie drags him under. He locks his head between his knees while keeping his head above the surface.

Reacher presses down hard on Paulie’s wounded thigh. Paulie groans, and his grip loosens. And that’s all the opening Reacher needs. He lands a brutal strike to Paulie’s throat right near the Adam’s apple.

Paulie’s eyes go wide. For a moment, it looks like he’s done for. The water swallows him. But just when we think he’s drowned and gone, he hasn’t.

Reacher is exhausted. He walks towards Beck’s house. But behind him is Paulie. It's not over yet. Reacher races towards the guardhouse near the gate where a machine gun is mounted. What happens next is a brutal, no-mercy kind of brawl.

The tiny space can barely contain them as they crash into everything. The monitors shatter. The windows break. It's all a mess. Then, in a split second, Paulie gets hold of the machine gun and aims it at Reacher, who got hit by him.

Reacher lifts his hands as if surrendering. But we all know better.

Paulie, now panting, smirks and says:

"You shouldn't have f*cked with me. I am bigger than you. I'm stronger than you."

He pulls the trigger. Click. Nothing happens to Reacher.

Paulie stumbles back a second later with his eyes wide in shock. Blood gushes from his mouth, and his neck is utterly wrecked.

And then Reacher delivers the final blow. But this time with his words:

"You might be bigger and stronger... But I am smarter. I pulled a bullet from the belt and plugged the barrel."

Paulie’s attempt to shoot backfired, literally. And just like that, the monster of a man who seemed unstoppable finally goes down for good.

Season 3 reminded us that Reacher is calculated and methodical. And of course, always ten steps ahead. That’s exactly why he always wins.

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