Movies and TV shows about heists are very interesting creatures. They appeal to both sides our nature as viewers and audience members. On one hand, we are "in the know." We are on the the side of the team of thieves or con artists that are pulling the heist and know their plans. We feel smarter than the dim-witted enemies of the team and we become invested in the outcome of the heist. On the other hand, there is always something we don't know. The heist team drops hints and things are shown that aren't fully explained at the time. As an audience, we crave to be fooled and we always wait for the twist at the end that allows the thieves to get away scot free. It's the reason why we love movies like the Ocean's Eleven trilogy and the reason why the Italian Job has been remade not once but twice in the last ten years. It is also the reason I can't stop watching Leverage, even after its five season run has come to an end.
The show revolves around former insurance investigator Nate Ford, who, after the insurance company he worked for refused to pay for an experimental procedure that would've saved the life of his son, decides to form a team of thieves to target other greedy corporate tycoons and take them for all they've got. His team includes Sophie Devereaux, a silver tongued grifter with a long history with Nate, Alec Hardison, a hacker extraordinaire who is in every way the modern geek, Eliot Spencer, a hard-nosed hitter with a heart the size of his fists, and Parker, a quirky thief who is equal parts crazy and lovable. Together, the Leverage team either search for targets or are hired by client who somehow find out about the services the team offers. Each episode consists of a drawn out confidence scam that, more likely than not, is spun out of control, forcing the team to use their individual skills and teamwork to pull off the job.
Now, the show itself works with a kind of "case of the week" format in which the team pulls a con or series of cons each episode. Each season has some sort of loose overarching story arc which become more defined towards the end seasons. The writing of a TV show is always something I pay particular attention and appreciate. Leverage's writing ranges from very intelligent to insulting to your intelligent. Leverage is meant to be a fun summer show, so they take a lot of liberties in the department of suspension of disbelief. However, if you play along with some of the show's zanier bits (it's not much worse than some of the heist movies that you see coming out theses days), the Leverage team will surprise you with some sharp, fast-paced, and absolutely heart-warming television. Each of the actors on the show have immense talent and incredible acting range that allows them to pull of a variety of personas during the heists. The talent of the cast becomes a draw for a regular host of fantastic guest stars including Wil Wheaton, Saul Rubinek, Jeri Ryan, Richard Chamberlain, Tom Skerritt, Mark A. Sheppard, and freaking Adam Baldwin!
However, the one of the best things about the show's concept is that, while these characters are fighting the Goliaths of the world, none of them are heroes. Each has flaws that are just as important to their character as their strengths. Nate used to be working on the side of the law and is called "an honest man" by his team at the beginning of the show. As the show progresses, the team discovers that, due to alcoholism and a hefty God complex, Nate's role as the Mastermind behind Leverage is a short road to self-destruction. The formation of a sort of pseudo-family amongst the team is the only thing that keeps Nate from going over the edge. Both Parker and Eliot are haunted by their pasts. Parker, an orphan raised by a series of foster parents, is used to working alone and has a hard time connecting with the rest of the team. Her budding relationship with Hardison is one of the show's sweetest elements. Eliot has an extensive history as both a solider and a mercenary and keeps many of the deep dark things he has done away from the team. His past does have a way of catching up with him. Hardison, under his thick layer of geeky cockiness, has all sorts of confidence issues and develops a sort of master-apprentice relationship with Nate as the show goes on. Sophie, as an actress and grifter, has had to put on a lot of identities over time and often finds herself lost in her part, even with her friends. As she opens herself to Nate, she finds that she discovers more of herself.
But, bar none, the thing that always brings me back to Leverage is the cast's absolutely incredible chemistry. Even without the slick sheen of the heists and the special effects, the dynamic nature of the five principal actors with have you glued to the screen with cheerful enthusiasm for the full 45 minutes of an episode. Each member of the Leverage team is an iconic and memorable character that will stick with you longer after you stop watching the show. If anyone has a little time and are willing to do a little internet digging, I employ you to watch the pilot of Leverage and see if anything sticks. I am obviously a huge fan so you can bet that there will be something that you can enjoy.
Notable Episodes: The Nigerian Job, The Two-Horse Job, The Mile High Job, The 12 Step Job, The First David Job, The Second David Job, The Tap Out Job, The Three Days of the Hunter Job, The Two Live Crew Job, The Bottle Job, The Jailhouse Job, The Studio Job, The Three-Card Monte Job, The Rashomon Job, The Big Bang Job, The Cross My Heart Job, The French Connection Job, The D.B. Cooper Job, The Broken Wing Job, The Rundown Job, The Frame Up Job, The Long Goodbye Job
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