"Leverage" (2008) TV series 2008-????

Creators:

Chris Downey
John Rogers

Seasons:

1 | 2 | unknown

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Get ready to get even.

Plot:

A crew of high-tech crooks attempt to steal from wealthy criminals and corrupt businessmen.

Plot Keywords:

Thief | One Word Title | Hustler | Con Team | Greed

Awards:

2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Nov. 18	10:00 PM	TNT	The Lost Heir Job	#2.9
Thur. Nov. 19	12:00 AM	TNT	The Lost Heir Job	#2.9

Cast

Timothy Hutton	...	Nathan Ford / ... (23 episodes, 2008-2009)
Christian Kane	...	Eliot Spencer / ... (23 episodes, 2008-2009)
Gina Bellman	...	Sophie Devereaux / ... (23 episodes, 2008-2009)
Aldis Hodge	...	Alec Hardison / ... (23 episodes, 2008-2009)
Beth Riesgraf	...	Parker (23 episodes, 2008-2009)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Portland, Oregon, USA

Company:

Electric Entertainment

Trivia:

There are several references throughout the show to "Doctor Who" (2005). In "Leverage" The Bank Shot Job (2008) Hardison expresses his frustration at the amount of time it took him to torrent the latest episode of "Doctor Who". In "Leverage" The Mile High Job (2009), the aliases given are all references to "Doctor Who" (Nate's aliases, Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy and Tom Baker, all portrayed The Doctor while Sophie's alias is Sarah Jane Baker, a reference to Sarah Jane Smith, one of The Doctor's companions). Furthermore, in "Leverage" The 12-Step Job (2009), Nate again uses the alias Tom Baker, while Parker uses Rose, the name of another one of The Doctor's companions.

Quotes:

Nathan Ford: Did you just kill a guy with an appetizer?
Eliot Spencer: [shrugs] I dunno. Maybe.

Excellent new TV series! Well worth watching!

It usually takes me about three episodes of a new series to decide if it's worth continuing to watch. With "Leverage" I was hooked after the first 15 minutes. I think it's because it seemed to be an amalgam of some of my favorite TV shows of the past. This includes "The Equalizer" (righting wrongs using unconventional methods), "Mission Impossible" (the TV series)(putting a great team together to work towards a common goal), and "Banicek" (solving seemingly perfect crimes).

What I really like about it is the team. It is made up of very independent individuals who are master criminals. The key is how they have been enticed to work for Nathan Ford (Timothy Hutton's character). They all contribute to the cause and, because of it, find they are a very powerful force that can get them more of what they are looking for. There is also a camaraderie that I haven't seen in a long, long time.

What I also like about this show is that it is not dark and seedy. While there is violence, it is not gratuitous. And, so far, there have been no plot lines that involve stalkers or other misogynistic individuals. One can only hope it continues that way.

While there are great special effects, great sets, great actors and great acting, etc., I find that it is the writers who deserve the lions share of praise for concocting such an enjoyable storyline.

I am REALLY looking forward to more "Leverage" episodes! 10 out of 10