Reacher Season 3 Episode 6 shares its title with a Deep Purple rock classic, and here’s why it works for the story

Reacher Season 3 Episode 6 was, by far, one of the best episodes of the season. It saw our hero finally meet the season's villain. We come to know that Teresa is still alive. We witness Quinn's brutality, and of course, Reacher gets his cover blown.

All in all, a lot happened in the latest episode.

Episode 6 is titled Smoke on the Water, and what does that remind us of? The Deep Purple rock classic with a guitar riff that is considered one of the most iconic in rock music history.

The British band was all set to record an album in a fancy casino by a beautiful lake, but instead, they ended up watching the whole place burn down. That’s exactly what happened to Deep Purple.

They were in Montreux, Switzerland, ready to record at the Montreux Casino when, during a Frank Zappa concert, someone in the crowd fired a flare gun at the ceiling. The entire place went up in flames.

The band watched from their hotel as thick smoke rolled over Lake Geneva, and that's how Smoke on the Water was born. But the question is—how do these words work for Reacher Season 3 Episode 6?

Let's find out.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Reacher Season 3. It also reflects the author's opinions. Reader discretion is advised.

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Reacher Season 3's ocean imagery

Nothing like watching an episode with twist after twist. That's what Reacher's latest episode was. We are taken from Quinn's warehouse to a burning boat in just over 45 minutes (approx.).

From the very beginning of Reacher Season 3, the ocean has served more purpose than being just a scenic backdrop. It has been an important aspect of the season.

Reacher is staying at Beck’s mansion, which sits right on the seafront. And time and again, the ocean has been used both for stealth and disposal. Whenever Quinn’s men kill someone, the bodies end up in those waters.

Reacher himself uses the ocean’s cover. He swims through the choppy waves when he needs to sneak out unnoticed. Remember when he slips away to clean up Angel Doll’s body?

So, all of this ocean imagery was perhaps not just for aesthetics. It did give us quite a few excellent shots, but it seems like it was also subtly building up to the explosive final moments of Episode 6.

Towards the end of the episode, Reacher and Duffy take out Harley. He was one of Quinn’s men who owned the boat, Sweet Marie, where Teresa was held hostage. Duffy beats up Harley, but his death ultimately comes from a fire on the boat itself, which, of course, Reacher sets.

We witness the sea swallow both the flames and Harley. In hindsight, every scene involving the ocean—be it for stealth or disposing of bodies—could have foreshadowed the future events of the season. This is one of the many examples of how Reacher never wastes a single detail.

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How Smoke on the Water ties Deep Purple's song and Reacher's latest episode

For rock fans, the title Smoke on the Water immediately brings to mind Deep Purple’s legendary song of the same name. And to be honest, the connections are hard to ignore.

Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water tells the true story of a fire that broke out on Lake Geneva and how it turned the sky into a smoky haze. Similarly, Reacher’s episode builds toward a dramatic, water-based climax. A boat is set on fire. And thick smoke rises over the sea.

Throughout the season, the ocean has been a recurring element. It has been used for sneaky escapes, body disposals, and more. And then, in Episode 6, it all explodes with Harley’s death on the boat.

Though unsure if it was intentional or not, Smoke on the Water perfectly captures the intensity of that moment.

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