About Jack

Post 425:

            Anyone who makes movies or writes music or stories is probably a nerd on some level. I think I first realized I was a nerd when my dad bought me a copy of Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy. We were at the airport. I’m thinking I was between nine and eleven. My memory isn’t so great.

            It was like leveling up to another phase of stories. (More nerd talk) Books about astronomy or kid mysteries weren’t going to do it for me anymore.

            I couldn’t believe that I was getting the chance to explore this world of spies and international intrigue. Jack Ryan, the main character, was my hero. The characters were grown-ups. Serious ones. I wanted to be a spy—okay, it’s coming back to me—pretty sure I was nine. Anyway, that’s what I wanted to be, and nothing else made sense. Jack Ryan was an American good guy that kept his morals intact despite the gray world of the CIA.

            The task didn’t sound impossible when I was a kid. I read all those books and it probably had a big influence on my life—I wanted to write stories like that, maybe even more than I wanted to be a spy, though I didn’t know it at the time.

            It’s been a long bit since I’ve read any Tom Clancy, but I was excited for the new series Jack Ryan that just came out.

            It’s pretty good, though I’d recommend one of his lesser-known books if it's a choice between one or the other. You might spend the same amount of time and get more out of it.

            I’ve read some reviews that say that Jim from the Office isn’t the guy to do the role. Whatever. I think he’s fine. Greer’s character is significantly altered—he was a freaking Admiral in the books—he’s almost another functionary in the series—though, again, the actor is really great.

            I watched it. The love interest feels weird and off to me, like they needed to shoehorn it in and make it a part of the plot. I get the impulse, but they might’ve started the Jack Ryan story in a different spot. It’s a crapshoot, because Tom Clancy already did it right, and anything else is probably going to be second best.

            So it’s a little slow. A little shallow. Still, very competent and well-made. It’s hard for me to charge this sucker with anything negative. It did what it was trying to do—that’s more than most shows. I’d give it a shot. By episode three, you’ll know whether you want to stay until the end.

            Also: It does pick up—I was glad I stayed.

            There it is. Unsolicited advice. The nine year-old version of me approves this message. What a nerd.

            See you after.