Leverage (TV Show)

[BudweiserCeltic]

Anyone here watches this series? It airs on Wednesdays on TNT. Currently it's on its second season, and it really is a ton of fun. Great characters (expect one) and some really cool actors to portray the parts (expect one).

It stars Timothy Hutton who has a long list of credits, his previous tv show was Kidnapped if anyone remembers that. You then have Christian Kane who you might remember from his Angel years. Then there's Aldis Hodge who some might recognize him from a Supernatural arc and Friday Night Lights. That rounds up the guys.

As for the chicks, you have Gina Bellman who completely sucks. And last but not least, the actress who I think is the best thing this show has produced Beth Riesgraf. She's completely awesome and I'd say pretty much a recent talent.

As for the show:

TNT set Tuesday nights on fire this past winter with the first season of this thrilling, fast-paced drama series starring Oscar® winner Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People). This summer, the gang is back with more elaborate scams designed to exact revenge against those who use power and wealth to victimize people. Hutton stars as Nate Ford, a former insurance investigator determined to bring down the kind of corrupt bigwigs whose neglect led to the death of his son. His highly skilled team includes Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman – Coupling), a grifter who uses her acting skills to corner her marks; Eliot Spencer (Christian Kane – TNT’s Into the West), a “retrieval specialist” with bone-crunching fighting skills; Alec Hardison (Aldis Hodge – Friday Night Lights), a gadget and technology wizard who keeps the team connected and informed; and Parker (Beth Riesgraf – Alvin and the Chipmunks), a slightly off-center thief adept at repelling off buildings or squeezing into tight places. Together, the team puts their energy, quick minds and keen intellects toward securing justice for society’s underdogs.

LEVERAGE, which is executive-produced by Dean Devlin (Independence Day, TNT’s The Librarian movies), has scored big in its first season, ranking as ad-supported cable’s #1 show in its timeslot.

http://www.tnt.tv/series/leverage/

In all this is a cool fun series, with a ton of comedy and some really good dialogue and direction.

So, anyone into this? I also heard it's already picked up for a 3rd season.

You can watch the episodes from this season here:
http://www.tnt.tv/dramavision/?cid=44213

[Who]

It is a really silly show ... I've been close to giving up on it a couple of times but I can't stop watching it ... the characters are very likeable (Parker), some good actors (Hutton), and they just about keep the show fun enough to look past it's flaws (storylines, agh!).

[BudweiserCeltic]

It is a really silly show ... I've been close to giving up on it a couple of times but I can't stop watching it ... the characters are very likeable (Parker), some good actors (Hutton), and they just about keep the show fun enough to look past it's flaws (storylines, agh!).

Oh, well of course it's a silly show. The trick is not to take it seriously. As I said, it's just a fun show and considering that you've been on the verge of dropping it but can't stop watching it's a testament that they're at least delivering in that regard.

But yeah, it can get a bit too silly at times, and some of the plots, as you mention, are downright idiotic. But the strength is indeed in it's characters and the funny dialogue, and it's what makes it worth watching. Beth really needs to get some recognition for her role as Parker. I'm still crossing my fingers that someone would kill Sophie off, most of the idiotic storylines stem from her.

In all it's a show that I can find myself easily in the mood to watch, lay back and enjoy the fun.

[bdm860]

It is a really silly show ... I've been close to giving up on it a couple of times but I can't stop watching it ... the characters are very likeable (Parker), some good actors (Hutton), and they just about keep the show fun enough to look past it's flaws (storylines, agh!).

Oh, well of course it's a silly show. The trick is not to take it seriously. As I said, it's just a fun show and considering that you've been on the verge of dropping it but can't stop watching it's a testament that they're at least delivering in that regard.

But yeah, it can get a bit too silly at times, and some of the plots, as you mention, are downright idiotic. But the strength is indeed in it's characters and the funny dialogue, and it's what makes it worth watching. Beth really needs to get some recognition for her role as Parker. I'm still crossing my fingers that someone would kill Sophie off, most of the idiotic storylines stem from her.

In all it's a show that I can find myself easily in the mood to watch, lay back and enjoy the fun.

I'm with you guys, fun show, I love it.  It's like a funnier Ocean's Eleven.  Just don't think about the plots too much and have fun wit it, it's extremely enjoyable.

I like Sophie though.  Keep her around.

[BudweiserCeltic]

What, you like Sophie? First person that I've seen admitting it. Last episode was a complete tease, just when I thought she was out, she came back to life. Huge mistake.

[indeedproceed]

What, you like Sophie? First person that I've seen admitting it. Last episode was a complete tease, just when I thought she was out, she came back to life. Huge mistake.

when her eyes opened back up, did she say "Just when I thought I was out, they PULL me back in!"

[BudweiserCeltic]

What, you like Sophie? First person that I've seen admitting it. Last episode was a complete tease, just when I thought she was out, she came back to life. Huge mistake.

when her eyes opened back up, did she say "Just when I thought I was out, they PULL me back in!"

No, she made a fool out of me. She knew all along, since she clearly orchestrated this con.

[indeedproceed]

I made it through the first 3 epis of this show and never came back.

I have not missed an episode of "Warehouse 13", "Eureka", or "Raising the Bar", but I can't get into either LEverage or Dark Blue.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I made it through the first 3 epis of this show and never came back.

I have not missed an episode of "Warehouse 13", "Eureka", or "Raising the Bar", but I can't get into either LEverage or Dark Blue.

Warehouse 13, watched 15 minutes and gave up. Highly uncharacteristic of me. Eureka I watch and love. Guess I'll have to start a thread on that. Raising the bar I think is crap. I hate the dialogue and the episodes don't seem to flow well, so I'm not giving that another try. Warehouse 13 I might revist some day.

I would've thought Leverage would've been right up your alley. Dark Blue I'm currently watching, it's alright, I like it since it has a bit of a dark vibe to it.

[bdm860]

What, you like Sophie? First person that I've seen admitting it. Last episode was a complete tease, just when I thought she was out, she came back to life. Huge mistake.

I guess it's not so much that I like her, but that I don't not like her (if that makes any sense).  I don't think she's holding the show back at all.  Personally I like the Parker and Hardison characters the best, followed by Nate Ford, then Sophie, and I probably like Eliot the least.  He just doesn't come off that convincing as this unbeatable tough guy too me.  He's no B.A. Baracus that's for sure 

I guess I think she's a decent actor, and plays the role well enough for me.  And she's cute and I like the accent 

[BudweiserCeltic]

Just watched the summer season finale, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. New cast member joined the show, at least she'll be appearing on all the episodes in the winter portion of the season... Jeri Ryan (Shark, Boston Public, Start Trek: Voyager).

The other good news is that we will be out for Sophie. Wether this is permanent or not, it's yet to be seen... I doubt it. If not mistaken she's out because of maternity leave a the moment.

Anyways, summer portion is over; looking forward to the winter and to see how Jeri Ryan does in her new role.

[bdm860]

Just watched the summer season finale, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. New cast member joined the show, at least she'll be appearing on all the episodes in the winter portion of the season... Jeri Ryan (Shark, Boston Public, Start Trek: Voyager).

The other good news is that we will be out for Sophie. Wether this is permanent or not, it's yet to be seen... I doubt it. If not mistaken she's out because of maternity leave a the moment.

Anyways, summer portion is over; looking forward to the winter and to see how Jeri Ryan does in her new role.

Lol, it's funny, just watched the finale yesterday too (thank you dvr) and the first thing I thought was I bet you're happy Sophie is mostly out, or at least will have a minimal role next season.  So I guess you liked the move, I hated it though.  It's just feel it's so cheap to just replace a team member like that, and it was just so cheesy the way they did it.  Personally I'm against this move and the new character.  Part of what I liked was the chemistry the team had, and I feel that's out the window now.  I hope they continue to use Sophie like they did the last 2 episodes though.

Definitely lacking for a season finale though.  I thought the episode was pretty forgetable (except for the new team member at the the end).  I was disappointed with it.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Just watched the summer season finale, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. New cast member joined the show, at least she'll be appearing on all the episodes in the winter portion of the season... Jeri Ryan (Shark, Boston Public, Start Trek: Voyager).

The other good news is that we will be out for Sophie. Wether this is permanent or not, it's yet to be seen... I doubt it. If not mistaken she's out because of maternity leave a the moment.

Anyways, summer portion is over; looking forward to the winter and to see how Jeri Ryan does in her new role.

Lol, it's funny, just watched the finale yesterday too (thank you dvr) and the first thing I thought was I bet you're happy Sophie is mostly out, or at least will have a minimal role next season.  So I guess you liked the move, I hated it though.  It's just feel it's so cheap to just replace a team member like that, and it was just so cheesy the way they did it.  Personally I'm against this move and the new character.  Part of what I liked was the chemistry the team had, and I feel that's out the window now.  I hope they continue to use Sophie like they did the last 2 episodes though.

Definitely lacking for a season finale though.  I thought the episode was pretty forgetable (except for the new team member at the the end).  I was disappointed with it.

Well. it's really not a season finale since the season is not over. Think of it as the break shows get during November/December till February.

[bdm860]

So TNT has been promoting Leverage's 2 hour season premier since like April, and what do we get?  Not a real 2 hour premier, but two separate one hour episodes, neither of which was anything spectacular (actually I thought they were both kind of weak).  Excited Leverage is back on, but they can do better than that.

On a side note, I really like Aldis Hogde, never noticed him till Leverage, but loved this Taco Bell commercial with him.  Thought his part fit his Leverage personality perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT3dR-O3vPw