Looking at Prime Video‘s library, the majority of its original programming falls into two categories. The first section features genre-defining hits like Invincible, The Boys, and The Legend of Vox Machina, which often subvert superhero or fantasy tropes with shocking results. The second section mostly consists of what’s referred to as “Dad TV”, featuring protagonists who are either active/retired military operatives or detectives in procedurals that appeal to older male viewers. One of these shows, The Terminal List, is providing Prime Video with its next big action franchise.
Based on the book by Jack Carr, The Terminal List thrusts Navy SEAL James Reece (Chris Pratt) into a web of murder and mystery. Following a covert mission in Syria that led to the deaths of his platoon, Reece returns home with questions and vague memories of the event. Tragedy strikes again when Reece’s wife and daughter are murdered, leading him on a quest to discover what truly happened in Syria. Along the way, he has to deal with a debilitating brain tumor that affects his memory and clouds his judgment. The Terminal List managed to overcome poor reviews, earning both a second season and a prequel titled The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.
‘The Terminal List’ Is a Mix of Hardcore Action Elements & a Compelling Mystery
Chris Pratt in a still from The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.Image via Prime Video
While some might draw comparisons to fellow Prime Video shows, particularly Reacher, The Terminal List has far more in common with the Jason Bourne films. That’s especially true of how it weaves hardcore action sequences into its ongoing mystery, which features Reece and journalist Katie Buranek (Constance Wu) investigating the true motives behind his mission in Syria. It’s where the titular “terminal list” comes from, as anyone who ends on said list usually ends up dead by Reece’s hand. This results in some intense firefights, not to mention brutal hand-to-hand combat that could only come from the mind of executive producer Antoine Fuqua.
The Terminal List: Dark Wolf took a similar approach, this time focusing on Reece’s old friend and fellow Navy SEAL Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch). Edwards plays a pivotal role in The Terminal List, especially inresolving its big mystery, and Dark Wolf doesn’t hold back as it explores how he got to that point. If anything, it’s even more violent than The Terminal List, as its story has Edwards grappling with the darker side of warfare and human nature. Despite their dark nature, both The Terminal List and Dark Wolf proved to be major hits for Prime Video.
Related
This show helped cement Prime as the place for “dad TV”.
Chris Pratt Has Led Other Prime Video Projects Following ‘The Terminal List’
The Terminal List helped cement Chris Pratt as a major draw for Prime Video, and he’s since started working on other original projects for the streamer. Prior to The Terminal List’s release, Pratt had a starring role in the Prime Video film The Tomorrow War, and also played the lead in its first big theatrical release, Mercy. He also serves as an executive producer on both The Terminal List and Dark Wolf, meaning he has a hand in shaping them into hits. Pratt even teased that Season 2 of The Terminal List would eclipse the first season in terms of action and intrigue.
“I can tell you, we’re deep in edits. We’re through the first six of eight episodes, and it is truly remarkable. I cannot wait for fans of the show to see it, for fans of the second book, True Believer, to see the book fully done on the screen… I think we really elevated. I’m excited for people to see it.”
The Terminal List is proof that “Dad TV” can be just as compelling as anything else on television, and it’s proving to be one of Prime Video’s biggest draws. Hopefully, the second season will live up to the high ideals set by the first season and Dark Wolf.
Release Date
July 1, 2022
Network
Amazon Prime Video
Showrunner
David DiGilio
Directors
Paul McCrane
Writers
Chris Pratt2, David DiGilio
