Leverage 1.02
I think “The Homecoming Job” sort of served as almost a second pilot. Each character had their own introductory scene that served as the same shorthand for their background that the placards did in the actual pilot, when their roles were explicitly labeled. The reminder of Sophie’s atrocious acting when not on a grift was hilarious. And I got a much better feel for what Nate would have been like at the insurance company, watching him sitting with that soldier. Besides the reintroductions, there was the new work space that Hardison showed off so lovingly. Coming into the show in the middle of the second season, I never got to see their offices.
For me, one of the signs of a good show is when we start quoting it to ourselves and each other, mere seconds after the lines were uttered onscreen. “I don’t like stuff. I like money.” They toned down the crazy for Parker a bit from the first episode…well, I don’t know if toned down is the right way to put it. Her crazy was less malevolent and more quirky. Same with all of them actually. They were genuinely freaked about dealing with mercs and weapons. They’ve struck a really nice balance with Eliot. He could be scary, he’s so literally dangerous. And yet he’s so matter of fact about his skills, there’s no sense of menace in his demeanor. It’s a good trick.
The story itself was almost in the background for me. I thought the soldier and the rehab doctor were extremely likable but the characters weren’t particularly deep. The senator and the CEO were more fleshed out and I adored watching them trying to spin the reveal of the cash to the news crews, even as I knew any minute now the web camera footage of them totally admitting to their crimes would be sent to all their phones. That was hilarious. I had a little trouble with leaving the pallets of cash at the hospital, if only because, how in the hell are they supposed to move that inside without people Asking Questions? But honestly, that’s minor.
Oh, OK, if I’m being honest I had one other nitpick. Nate pouring himself the glass “for later”. It was funny when it happened but then I didn’t like the for later being after Sophie took his bottle away. First of all, she was so pissed off about him drinking! Who is she to judge? And secondly, how did he know that she was going to disapprove so heartily that he’d need his backup glass? But to end on a positive note, I loved Nate and Hardison settling down with beer and popcorn to watch Parker in the Capitol. Good times.
For me, one of the signs of a good show is when we start quoting it to ourselves and each other, mere seconds after the lines were uttered onscreen. “I don’t like stuff. I like money.” They toned down the crazy for Parker a bit from the first episode…well, I don’t know if toned down is the right way to put it. Her crazy was less malevolent and more quirky. Same with all of them actually. They were genuinely freaked about dealing with mercs and weapons. They’ve struck a really nice balance with Eliot. He could be scary, he’s so literally dangerous. And yet he’s so matter of fact about his skills, there’s no sense of menace in his demeanor. It’s a good trick.
The story itself was almost in the background for me. I thought the soldier and the rehab doctor were extremely likable but the characters weren’t particularly deep. The senator and the CEO were more fleshed out and I adored watching them trying to spin the reveal of the cash to the news crews, even as I knew any minute now the web camera footage of them totally admitting to their crimes would be sent to all their phones. That was hilarious. I had a little trouble with leaving the pallets of cash at the hospital, if only because, how in the hell are they supposed to move that inside without people Asking Questions? But honestly, that’s minor.
Oh, OK, if I’m being honest I had one other nitpick. Nate pouring himself the glass “for later”. It was funny when it happened but then I didn’t like the for later being after Sophie took his bottle away. First of all, she was so pissed off about him drinking! Who is she to judge? And secondly, how did he know that she was going to disapprove so heartily that he’d need his backup glass? But to end on a positive note, I loved Nate and Hardison settling down with beer and popcorn to watch Parker in the Capitol. Good times.