Leverage - TV Show Review

Be aware that there is a significant difference between the reviews and recommendations on this blog. Just because I review a book, TV show, or movie does not mean I recommend it. I am simply analyzing the work and giving my honest opinion of it, as well as providing key points such as the plot summary, age appropriateness (if the reader should choose to read or watch it), and anything else that's noteworthy.
What do you get when you combine Robin Hood, con artists, and impossible heists? The answer is Leverage, a TV show that ran from 2008 - 2012. Starring Timothy Hutton, Gina Bellman, and Christian Kane, this show features 77 episodes that are roughly forty-five minutes long. While this show doesn't get talked about a lot, there are plenty of fans and today I'll be reviewing the series.
Leverage (2008); photo courtesy of IMDb.com and Erik Heinila

Plot Summary

After Nathan Ford loses his son, his wife, and his job in a short of period time, his life falls apart and he hits the bottle. He finds fulfillment in organizing a team of con artists and thieves to get payback for everyday people who are wronged by the rich, powerful bigwigs. His team is made up of:

  • The Brains - Himself

  • The Grifter - Sophie Devereaux

  • The Hitter - Eliot Spencer

  • The Hacker - Alec Hardison

  • The Thief - Parker

Together this motley crew with diverse personalties and strengths travel the world, stealing everything from paintings to elections to trains to artifacts. Soon the five become close friends and as they pull off heists they also dodge Nate's nemesis Jim Sterling (starring Mark Sheppard), help each other with their pasts, and fall in love.
Leverage (2008); photo courtesy of IMDb.com

Pros and Cons

The character development is solid, with little to no melodrama. Nate's backstory is focused on the most, though Parker's and Eliot's are also featured. The antagonist that pops up every season, Jim Sterling, is unique, poses as a real threat, and is an overall original nemesis. The characters have their own quirks and play off each other beautifully, especially Hardison and Eliot.

Each episode is different with no repetition. There's edge-of-your-seat action that's offset by plenty of humor and witty comments. The plots are original with lots of twists and tension.

In each episode there's swearing, mostly a**, d**m, h**l, and b**ch. A few f-bombs are implied, but never outright said. Nate spends most of season 1 drinking to cope with his hurt but everyone looks down upon it. Eliot knocks at least one person out every episode, though there's rarely blood.

There are several sexual innuendos and the women will wear revealing dresses and flirt in order to accomplish something for a heist. Eliot is a bit of a womanizer and a few of his ex-girlfriends show up. While there's no shown nudity or sex scenes (except for Parker's bare back and shoulder's as she pulls off her shirt to change), it's heavily implied the characters sleep together.
Leverage (2008); photo courtesy of IMDb.com

Notes

This show is rated TV-PG and best for older teens and up. There are five seasons total. The companion series to this is Leverage: Redemption.
Leverage (2008); photo courtesy of IMDb.com
What do you think? Would you want to watch Leverage? If you've already watched it, what are your thoughts? Tell me in the comments below!
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7 Comments


Lizzy - August 26th, 2024 at 3:57pm

This sounds great! I'll have to check it out!

Beth - August 26th, 2024 at 10:06pm

The plot and acting are really good but I dislike some of the content of certain episodes and wish they had left it out! It's unnecessary to the stories IMHO.

Lizzy - August 30th, 2024 at 5:40pm

Ahhhh, thanks, I'll look out for those

- August 28th, 2024 at 2:49pm

Some of the episodes are more egregious than others. The ones I can think of off the top of my head are: The Two-Horse Job, The Order 23 Job, The Hot Potato Job, and The Tap-Out Job.

Lizzy - August 30th, 2024 at 5:40pm

Ahhhh, thanks, I'll look out for those

Lizzy - August 28th, 2024 at 7:12am

What episodes do you suggest to skip?

Lizzy - August 30th, 2024 at 5:40pm

Ahhhh, thanks, I'll look out for those

- August 28th, 2024 at 2:49pm

Some of the episodes are more egregious than others. The ones I can think of off the top of my head are: The Two-Horse Job, The Order 23 Job, The Hot Potato Job, and The Tap-Out Job.

Lizzy - August 30th, 2024 at 5:40pm

Ahhhh, thanks, I'll look out for those

J. Koehler - August 28th, 2024 at 12:07pm

Nice analysis. I have watched very few of the episodes.

- August 28th, 2024 at 2:49pm

Thank you

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