Let me tell you why I love Leverage

So the fifth season of TNT’s Leverage is off to a fine start and now that the hullabaloo of SDCC has died down, I can move on to discussing new topics- which translates to: I want to talk to y’all about my love for Leverage. If you don’t know the show, I hope this post will entice you check it out. If you do… I hope you will post your thoughts. Love to chat with some other fans.

When I lived in Chicago in the fall of ’07 I heard that Christian Kane was in town filming a new pilot. I was intrigued for a few reasons- 1) I adore Christian and have to check out each role he does (even the ones that make my head hurt), 2) The Dark Knight had been filming in Chicago all summer and it had been a lot of fun randomly coming upon their filming, so it amused me that I might randomly come up on this show filming (I did not, but the amusement at the possibility was still there)(though i do recognize most places in the pilot episode), and 3) what I heard the show was about peaked my interest- basically a robin hood gang (I’ve always loved the Robin Hood myth). So I kept my ears open for when the show would premiere.

Turned out- that it would be almost a year til I was able to see the show and by then, the Robin Hood aspect had been revamped a touch, made more into a group that takes down those individuals and companies that hurt other people (usually for profit). The group doesn’t make money off their doings and most of the team have criminal records a mile long… So the idea that the lead characters were all damaged or lost to society appealed to me. (I know, I’m sick in the head.) Plus… Christian Kane gets to beat people up. Who doesn’t want to see that?

Timothy Hutton, an academy award winner actor whose name and face I knew but couldn’t place (I have since become a huge fan… but at the time I was pathetically unaware), leads the cast as Nate Ford- the mastermind behind the operations. A former insurance guy, Nate suffered a tragic loss that basically decimated his family and career leaving him at loose ends at the start of the series. Nate is the only member of the team without a criminal history (at least… at the start of the series). Initially, Nate teams up with Alec Hardison (Aldis Hodge), a computer hacker extraordinaire; Elliot Spencer (Kane), a retrieval expert (i.e. ass kicker); and Parker (Beth Riesgraf), a thief; however, the team isn’t complete until Nate recruits Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman), a grifter (con-person). I won’t give too much away, but essentially the team goes around helping out those in need- taking down those companies (or individuals) who have done something wrong and squashed the little people in their quest for wealth or power.

The team behind the show includes creators John Rogers and Chris Downey and executive producer, Dean Devlin. Come on? Seriously? With this team, plus the amazing cast, how can you go wrong? Well… in my opinion you can’t. Not only are the episodes strong and the performances spot on (humor, action, drama, you name it- this show has it!), but the crew puts the effort into getting things right. That stuff they do with their cellphones? Totally possible. Parker’s light touch as a thief? Consultant Apollo Robbins taught her and Beth does the lifts herself. You think there’s stunt guys faking the beatings? Kane’s added new scars kicking ass for the show- according to commentaries, his stunt guy has the cushiest job in the business and drinks a lot of coffee.

Not only do they have a consultant explaining how to pull off the cons or lifts, but the research done to create bad guys uses actual stories as a base. You think that real estate scam sounds familiar? That’d be because you just read about someone going to prison for attempting it. There is so much quality work done to make this show something that people are excited to tune in to- I’ll be honest, I don’t have TV (let alone cable) but I subscribe to this one online. And I watch my DVDs a couple times a year. This show does not get old! (Also… Kane kicks ass so well… it’s always a pleasure to watch those fight scenes.)( Yes, I have issues, shut up.)

Let’s go steal… a list. The top 5 things I love about Leverage:

(in no particular order… written as they came to me)

#1- “Damnit, Hardison“. If you’ve seen the show, you understand. If not… let me link you to a video that explains.

#1b- because I had to add- Parker. She just APPEARS. How on earth does she get into the places she gets into? love it!

#2- The Sophie/Nate and Parker/Hardison ‘ships. No spoilers, really. But I’m really enjoying this. (also, this usually leads to moments of Elliot’s romantic side, which is AWESOME!)

#3- The team is a family. Both on and off screen, apparently. On-screen, from the first episode there is a dynamic of Nate and Sophie as the bickering, yet happy parents and Elliot, Parker, and Hardison as the squabbling kids. Even if the dynamic has altered throughout the series, this essential family unit has remained. Elliot is clearly the big brother and has to keep his eye on the lil kids (and the parents… never know what trouble they might get into!). Hardison is the middle child, complete with big sibling envy and feelings of sadness over not being the baby. And Parker… clearly the youngest. She’s the sibling that needs the most guidance; but also, she’s the kid that has no worries because the family is always there to catch her (whether she realizes it or not).

#4- Guest stars. From Mark Sheppard as the re-occurring Sterling to Wil Wheaton as Chaos and the fantastic Tom Skerritt… this show has pulled in fantastic guest cast (even the locals in the “bit” parts have been killer!). In fact, I’ve only disliked one person on the show (always has to happen, right? I despised Kristin Kreuk on Smallville for YEARS)- Elisabetta Canalis. I found her stilted and… awful. Can I be honest? Awful. She was awful. And made season 3 a little tougher to watch. But! I persevered and the arc of that season was worth the pain. I’m sorry… some people probably love her. Oops. Oh, and John Schneider! Man, his character… *shudder* When I met John in 2011 I told him that I’d adored him from Dukes of Hazzard, through Smallville, but his Leverage role just broke me. He’s papa Kent! He’s supposed to be awesome not scary! This led to a comforting hug.

#5- Alright… I admit it… The Elliot fight scenes. In particular the end of season 3…

Alright… there you have it. My take on Leverage. Season 5 is off to a great start and I’m already pondering the arc that has been hinted at. Cannot wait to see where it goes.

Ya know… it’d be fun to snag a quick interview with any of the cast and crew… maybe just some random questions. Don’t you think? I’ll need to see if anyone is interested in playing…

Oh and a final note… considering the list of delightful guest stars who’ve been on the show- I’d like to see Nicholas Brendon and/or J. August Richards make an appearance. But I’m biased to them and their fabulousness. I’m not wrong though… they’d be awesome. Just sayin’.

Tags: Action, Aldis Hodge, Beth Riesgraf, Christian Kane, Dean Devlin, FanGirl Squee, Gina Bellman, Leverage, Reviews, Television, Tim Hutton