Reacher Season 3 Episode 2: How did Reacher outsmart Paulie during the Bavarian arm wrestling sequence? 

In Reacher Season 3, Episode 2, the tension between Reacher (Alan Ritchson) and Paulie (Olivier Richters) increases. From the moment they meet at Beck’s place, it’s clear that Paulie sees himself as the bigger, stronger man and wants to prove it. Reacher, on the other hand, isn't afraid to push his buttons.

The two end up in the mansion’s gym, where Paulie challenges Reacher to a bench-pressing contest. But instead of going along with it, Reacher convinces Paulie to test his strength with a Bavarian arm wrestling match. The rules? Paulie has to sit on a bench, extend his arm in a traditional arm wrestling position, make a fist facing himself, and resist Reacher’s attempt to pull it down.

At first, Paulie holds strong. His strength keeps their arms steady, and even Reacher struggles to move him. But just when Paulie is using all his power, Reacher suddenly lets go, making Paulie punch himself in the face. Reacher casually insists it was an accident, but Paulie isn’t buying it. Just as he’s about to retaliate, Duke (Donald Sales) arrives and stops him, defusing the situation.

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The bigger battle ahead

This scene is more than just entertainment, it's a sneak peek at the real fight coming later in the season. Paulie might have the advantage in sheer size and strength, but Reacher knows how to fight smart. He understands that brute force alone doesn’t win battles, strategy does.

When the inevitable fight between them happens, it won’t just be about who’s stronger. It’ll be about endurance, tactics, and patience. And if we’ve learned anything about Reacher, it’s that he excels at playing the long game.

Even though Reacher outsmarted Paulie this time, that doesn’t mean their actual fight will be easy. Paulie is still a major threat, and Reacher will have to give it his all to take him down. Fans have been looking forward to this showdown ever since Persuader was announced as the basis for Season 3.

We’re used to seeing Reacher dominate his opponents without much struggle, but this time, he’s facing someone even bigger than him. This makes their upcoming battle one of the most exciting fights in the series.

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The rest of episode 2: Reacher’s plan in motion

The episode picks up where the first one left off, with Reacher talking to DEA agent Duffy over the phone. He tells her that her informant might still be alive. After ending the call, Reacher heads to his room but overhears Duke, Beck’s head of security, coming toward him. Instead of waiting, he quickly climbs out of the house to re-enter through a window.

Duke barges into Reacher’s room but finds the window open, assuming he escaped. Just then, Reacher casually walks out of the bathroom, making it look like he never left. This tense moment keeps viewers on edge, but Reacher’s quick thinking saves him from suspicion.

Later, Beck gives Reacher a task, he must accompany one of Beck’s men to the police yard where impounded vehicles are kept and locate the truck that hit Richard’s car. Knowing how risky this is, Reacher immediately calls Duffy and urges her to get rid of Richard’s car before Beck figures out the truth.

If Beck discovers the car undamaged and without bloodstains, he’ll realize something is off. He’ll know that Richard’s bodyguard wasn’t inside when the grenade was thrown, and Reacher’s cover could be blown. Reacher gets into the car with Beck’s man, trying to stall for time. Meanwhile, Duffy and her team rush to remove the car, but things don’t go smoothly.

Just as they’re struggling to get the car out, Reacher and Beck’s informant arrive at the yard. The situation becomes even more dangerous, putting everyone’s plan in jeopardy.

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The Bavarian arm wrestling scene proves that strength alone doesn’t win fights, intelligence and timing do. While Paulie may have the size advantage, Reacher knows how to think ahead.

But their battle is far from over. When they finally face off, it’s going to be a fight worth watching. With the tension rising in the story, Reacher will need all his skills, not just his strength, to survive.

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Also read: Reacher Season 3 Episodes 1-3 recap: Reacher’s arrival in Abbottsville