Why was Beck missing an ear in Reacher Season 3 Episode 7? Reasons explored

Season 3, episode 7 of Reacher dropped on March 20, 2025.

The episode follows Jack investigating the gun smuggling case for DEA. In the episode Zachery Beck, the business owner is seen missing an ear and the fans are wondering the reasons behind this.

In season 3 episode 7, Beck is missing an ear because of Quinn's violent actions. Xavier Quinn, a ruthless ex-military officer and the main antagonist of the season kidnaps Beck's son Richard and tortures him to threaten his father.

Read on for more clarity on events that lead to Beck missing an ear.

How did Beck lose his ears in Reacher Season 3 Episode 7, reasons explored

Why was Beck missing an ear in Reacher Season 3 Episode 7? (Image via Prime Video)

In episode 5 of the season, we see Xavier Quinn cutting off Richard's ear to prove his authority and control over Beck's life. This was a message from Quinn about what he can lose if he does anything wrong, or is disloyal to him. As a result, Beck helplessly gives away his gun smuggling business to him. But now that Reacher is investigating the business, it builds suspense about Quinn's powers and the possibility of their face-off.

Jack was working undercover for the DEA to rescue classified undercover informant Annette held by Zachary Beck. Annette was disguised as a maid in Beck's house and used to pass on information. He stages the rescue of Beck's son and gains his trust. However, he later discovered that Beck was not the true mastermind behind the operations. Instead, a ruthless figure named Julius McCabe was controlling everything. It turned out that McCabe is his old enemy Xavier Quinn.

When Annette is caught and killed, Quinn considers it a casualty in the dangerous world they are running, however, when he discovers that even Reacher is an informant, he loses his control and becomes paranoid. Annette and Jack were recruited by Beck and therefore he again holds him accountable and threatens him that his son may lose his life if Beck performs under expectations.

Quinn cuts off Beck's ear to teach him a lesson and show him he is still in charge. This is a reminder for Beck how easily he could lose his son and his life if anything goes wrong. Though he decides to be honest with Quinn, eventually he ends up helping Reacher and reveals the information about confidential locations of the gun business.