(Covers information from Amazon Prime Series)
KJ Kliner was the murderous son of Mr. Kliner, the founder of The Kliner Foundation. He is the primary antagonist of the first season of the Prime Video series Reacher.
Biography[]
Series[]
KJ was the only child of Mr. Kliner, and had behavioral issues as a child. He was sent to a mental hospital for treatment, but as he put it, the treatment didn't stick. KJ enjoyed the wealth and privileges that his father's success granted him. He went on a Safari trip where he shot and killed a Rhino who couldn't see the potential danger of KJ's presence. He moved to Margrave, GA when his father did, and became known in the town as trouble. He developed a crush on Roscoe Conklin, though she didn't reciprocate. KJ was involved in his father's counterfeiting scheme as his chief enforcer and helped where he could, which included eliminating the people who were a threat to The Kliner Foundation. Eventually, he kills Joe Reacher when he investigated the Kliner criminal empire.
Throughout Series[]
In "Welcome to Margrave", Reacher is enjoying a shave from Mosley when a truck pulls up with KJ Kliner and his cousin Dawson inside. Mosely remarks on their names and he calls them trouble. Reacher leaves the shop to confront KJ about eyeballing him. KJ mentions that he read Reacher had charges filed against him outside of Baghdad that suddenly disappeared. He warns Reacher to watch his back as Margrave doesn't forgive so easily.
In First Dance, while attending a town hall meeting hosted by Mayor Teale, the Kliner boys glare at Reacher from across the room.
In Spoonful, KJ tells Roscoe that that Reacher is a murderer who had killed some civilians in Bagdad during the war and that only due to his connections, all the charges had disappeared.
In No Apologies, KJ and his companions are talking in a cafe when Reacher enters and confronts KJ as he knows that he had been the one to vandalize Roscoe's truck. When KJ starts to insult Roscoe, a fight breaks out and Reacher quickly puts KJ and his companions on the floor. KJ jumps up and grabs a knife just as Roscoe and Finlay arrive to keep Reacher from inflicting more damage. Mr. Kliner enters and orders KJ to put down the knife.
In Papier, KJ enters the police station after his father has been murdered. He attacks Finlay and insults him. Teale tries to calm him down and orders him to go into his office.
In Reacher Said Nothing, KJ attends his father's funeral. He sees that Finlay is also present, but ignores him. His cousin Dawson, however, insults Finlay and threatens him.
As Reacher enters the safe house, he finds Picard pointing a gun in his direction, while KJ has Finlay at gunpoint.
In the season one finale Pie, KJ, Teale, and Picard show Reacher and Finlay a video featuring Roscoe who states that if Reacher doesn't do what they want they will torture and kill her, Charlie, and the kids like they did Morrison. KJ admits that he was the one who killed his father and also the one who killed Joe. He orders Reacher to find Hubble before the next morning, otherwise the hostages will die in a way he can't even imagine.
After KJ's mercenaries have been killed in the warehouse fight, KJ and Reacher fight each other. Reacher finally kills KJ by kicking him into a burning barrel of fuel, causing him to be incinerated.
Physical Appearance[]
KJ was of moderate height, with short curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and a slim yet athletic physique. He only wore high-end clothing that reflected his wealthy status. He had a square jaw and a cocky stance from a lifetime of privilege.
Personality and Traits[]
A self-proclaimed intellectual who preferred to read before taking action. His wealth allowed him access to any information he required. He was dismissive of newcomers, those who he deemed to be lesser than himself, and women who denied his advances. KJ became angered when Roscoe Conklin repeatedly denied him and spray painted "whore" on her truck for revenge. He knew exactly what to say to Reacher to spark an attack, and leveraged this against the man later. KJ was pragmatic but exuded trouble, as he was either at the center of any trouble or the cause of it. He was a brilliant man who could see the bigger picture of the counterfeit scheme. However, his darker impulses and troubled mental status clouded his ability to act under the radar as his father had. He was centered and stoically calm in life threatening situations. He was also callous, cruel, meticulous, and had no morality. He shot a defenseless Joe Reacher in the back of the head, with Joe's brother, Jack, believing that KJ enjoyed the kill. KJ also killed his own father who had become a liability in the scheme, stabbed an unarmed and unsuspecting Molly Beth Gordon, and had no qualms kidnapping two young children as leverage. His sharp intellect but cruel mannerisms suggested he was at the very least a sociopath with psychopathic tendencies.
Relationships[]
Appearances[]
Behind the Scenes[]
- KJ is portrayed by Chris Webster.
Notes and Trivia[]
- KJ is the murderer of Pete Jobling, Joe Reacher, Chief Edward Morrison, Mrs. Morrison, Molly Beth Gordon, and Mr. Kliner.
Book Comparisons[]
- The character is known as The Kliner Kid in the novel Killing Floor.
Gallery[]
Screenshots[]
Season One[]
