The Second of Two Shows You May Not Be Watching...But Maybe You Should

As I stated in my last post, there are 2 shows that have quickly moved into my favorites...and for me they can both be watched over and over. The first was Merlin (see previous post for more information).

The second is TNT's Leverage.

This show is somewhat like the modern day Robin Hood. A team of outlaws work to help the average citizen get what was wrongly taken from them.

Timothy Hutton stars as Nate Ford, a fellow that worked to retrieve stolen items so that the insurance company he worked for wouldn't have to pay out the large sums of cash that those items were insured for. Nate went off the deep end a bit, after that same insurance company denied his son a medical treatment, which would have saved his life. Because of this trauma, Nate begins to see the world in a different way. He sees that large corporations care little about the average person, and they also hold all the cards. In Leverage, Nate becomes the mastermind behind an interesting group of con artists (that he used to chase), that have all traded in their naughty ways, to using their conning skills to help those that cannot help themselves.

There is Sophie, the grifter (Gina Bellman). She is an expert at acting, but the stage must be the right one. Put her up on Broadway and she bombs. Put her in an elegant gown trying to get something from the CEO of a multi-million dollar company, she shines.

There is Hardison, the hacker (Aldis Hodge). He is the computer wiz of the show. He is able to hack into any computer or security system that is out there--and if he can't he finds some other way to make it all work. He gets the team all the information they need and gets them where they need to be.

There is Parker, the thief (Beth Riesfraf). She can break into any building without setting off any alarms. She's the odd one of the bunch, and tends to see the world in a different way. She gets her thrills by jumping off buildings, and having lots of money--not to spend, but just to have it.

And last, but not least, there is Eliot, the hitter (Christian Kane). He is able to knock out many large guys within seconds. He doesn't like guns, but will use anything else to neutralize the people that stand in his way to getting what he's after.

This team works their magic each episode by conning their way into situations to help out the average citizen. Each show of Leverage is filled with action and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think the jig is up, there is a twist, and things begin to fall into place. The writers of this show have done an amazing job layering the characters. At first, we see a group of misfit criminals that only care about themselves. Now after two seasons, we are seeing each character beginning to truly care about each other, as well as those they are helping.

The interaction between the characters is one of the best parts of the show. Nate and Sophie are somewhat like the mother and father characters to the other 3--not to mention that there is a story arch that involves the question of will they or won't they get together. The banter between the other three adds an amazing amount of humor. This group of once singular, self serving criminals has become a family.

The show's opening lines sum up what the team's mission is...."The rich and powerful take what they want. We steal it back for you...Sometimes bad guys, make the best good guys. We provide...Leverage."

I started watching Leverage, after the first season had already aired. I'll be honest, I caught myself up before the second season aired because they began filming the show here, in Portland. As I watched the first season, I was intrigued by the storyline and truly amused by the humor that is mixed into the action and mystery. Though I came to see my town on the screen (which is pretty neat to see), I stayed because this show is genuinely a great show!

Leverage airs on TNT. Currently they are showing the first and second seasons at random times. The third season will begin with a 2 hour episode at 9p on Sunday, June 20th.

Here is a promo for the new season:



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