It wasn’t that long ago that I was talking about things Leverage needed to do to turn things around. Actually, “turn things around” isn’t exactly what I said. It was more along the lines of “stop sucking.” Was that a bit harsh? Yeah, it was (but no more harsh than those people that say that the third season of Veronica Mars sucked). Five episodes in, though, I think Leverage is back on its game, and I’d like to take a look at my suggestions, and see how they matched up.
- A more consistent antagonist: So far, the introduction of “Mystery Woman” hasn’t really led to anything, but considering the magic of the show is back, I’ve got faith.
- More serialized episodes: I’d hoped if I got these two things, they’d be tied together.
- More relationships: Parker’s jealousy this entire episode was delicious. And the final scene between her and Hardison was oddly touching.
- Less Nate and Sophie: Well, I lose here.
- More back stories: And here, at least so far.
- More Eliot: Between him knowing how many ways “professionals” inject someone with poison, and having to take the FDA Rep on a Duck Ride, how can you not love this guy?
- More Wil Wheaton: ‘nuf said.
I’m serious about not wanting Sophie and Nate to get together. Throughout the first season, I had a different opinion, but after watching Nate with his ex-wife Maggie, I just can’t buy these two together.
Parker and Hardison, on the other hand, do work. Sophie actually having to explain what jealousy is to Parker sums up just how clueless she is. At least Hardison recognizes what is (not) going on between the two of them. Because Parker is apparently just having weird feelings for pretzels.
Notes & Quotes
- “Oh, you made two mistakes, bra … first, you flashed that fake-ass FBI badge at me. Second, you spilled his [points at Eliot] coffee.” – Hardison
- The phones that everyone use are branded “HARDIPHONE 3.0″ in the top right-hand corner
- Does the team take down a pharmaceuticals company each year, or does it just seem that way?
- “They made it look like a heart attack.” – Eliot
“What do you mean, made it look?” – Nate
“Well there’s nine places a professional would use to deliver an injection … they went under the fingernail.” – Eliot
- Parker “triggering the motion sensors” was genius
- Is Nate really out of control? I didn’t see anything tonight that made me agree with Sophie
- Hardison and Ashley drinking orange soda at McGory’s
Photo Credit: TNT
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Clacked by Ivey West
on Jul 12, 2010 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
I would argue that we have gotten more backstories: Archie and Parker, Hardison and his childhood violin lessons….
*POST AUTHOR*
I completely zoned on the Archie/Parker episode. That was exactly what I was looking for, and I forgot all about it :(
I would argue that you zoned out for a good reason — we got some back stories, but they’ve sucked. Hardison’s a violin virtuoso? Seriously? What I think is missing (in this area, at least) are stories about when they were the “bad” kind of criminals, and Nate was pursuing some/all of them.
But isn’t the Archie/Parker backstory exactly what you are describing, Aryeh? It was all about how she was trained and made the great thief that she is. I suppose it didn’t show a lot of her criminal exploits, but…
That’s interesting; I actually viewed it as a background to her emotional growth, or lack-thereof. I haven’t seen last night’s episode yet, but I assumed that story meant we were being prepared for Parker’s growth as a human being, that it was more foundation than story (not to say it can’t be both). What I want to know about her is how she made being good at jumping off buildings into a thriving career. :)
In the Notes and Quotes how could you have forgotten Nate asking Elliott if he wanted a moment after the FDA agent dumped him because he was not exciting enough?
Sophie’s comment that Nate was out of control refers to him actually putting the team in danger … taking too many risks