Leverage 1x01-1x02, 1x07

[oyceter]

ETA: I didn't realize the episodes were aired out of order, so this review is for The Nigerian Job, The Homecoming Job, and The Two Horse Job.

ranalore recently got hooked on this, and when she introduced it as a caper show with weekly heists, complete with a computer/sf geek black guy and an antisocial woman in the ensemble. Sadly, neither Hardison (aforementioned geek) nor Parker (aforementioned antisocialite) are the leads of the team—the lead, of course, is a white guy—but they are still awesome.

Nathan Ford used to be an investigator for an insurance company, but he quit after his company denied payment for his son's medical treatment and subsequently sank into despair and alcohol. One day, he's given the chance to help someone out while sticking it to his old company, and he takes the offer and heads a team of people he used to try to catch. They consist of Hardison, who does the tech; Parker, who crawls through air ducts, hangs upside down, and blows stuff up; Sophie, who is a bad actress on stage but a great one in scams; and Elliott, who beats people up and is played by Christian Kane.

So far, I am pleased that the muscle is played by the white guy while (eta: see comments re: Christian Kane) the geek role is played by the black guy; that despite being a geek, Hardison is probably among the most well-adjusted of the crew; and that the amoral, money-loving, completely emotionally opaque one is played by the tiny blond woman. Sophie is more the standard femme fatale role, but the show seems to be setting her up with Nathan, and I like that they emphasize that her femininity is a cover and a scam and that they manage to do so without making the camera ogle at her and without putting her in horrible, revealing outfits.

This is probably not going to be the deepest of shows, but it's awesome brain candy. It's relaxing and funny and doesn't require me to keep my brain on for too much, and it does so without being horribly offensive! I realize the last bit sounds like damning with faint praise, but given the state of almost all TV I see, it seems to be much more difficult to achieve than one would think.

Also: capers!

Comments

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

P. and I enjoy Leverage very much. It's a light sorbet between our usual angstfest dramas.

I am not thrilled at the way Sophie uses sex to do everything, but OTOH she's in her 40s, and it's nice to see an older woman being portrayed as a sexual being. And boy can she do accents.

My love for Hardison and Parker is pure. (: They're absolutely my favorite characters.

[oyceter]

It is very fun! Also, it is good to know Sophie can do accents; I have absolutely no ear for them so I can't tell.

I keep feeling like I am damning with faint praise when I say stuff like "At least when she capitalizes on sex, the camera does not leer at her and we cannot see every inch of her body!" And yet, I mean that as honest praise!

And yes, I do like that they're showing an older woman (presumably who has a fair amount of experience?) to be sexy and to also be in control of that sexiness, at least in the three episodes I've seen. I just keep contrasting it to Dollhouse and the little I know of SPN.

So far, Hardison, Parker, and Elliott are my favorites. Especially Parker when she blows stuff up. Or is scared of horses.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Sophie can get over the top with the sex appeal, but in a way it doesn't bother me much because, as you said, she's in control and confident about it. I get a strong vibe from her that she's found a "role" of sexy temptress that works very well and she's got the job perfected by now, so she's going to use it. I like that it's strictly business for her, strictly acting, and she's not overly flirtatious with everyone like most 'femme fatale' conwomen are portrayed to be. Aside from her marks, the only one she really flirts with is Nathan. The sex-temptation thing doesn't bleed into all her relationships and her entire life, it's merely one of her favorite tools for work.

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

I keep feeling like I am damning with faint praise when I say stuff like "At least when she capitalizes on sex, the camera does not leer at her and we cannot see every inch of her body!" And yet, I mean that as honest praise!

I know you do! It's kind of sad to think how low our standards have to be, with network television.

The show is a giant load of fun and I will watch it with you anytime. (: