Leverage

JP Liz · 06-01-2009 4:50pm #1

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1103987/

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

Is this show worth watching? Or is a bad remake of UK show Hustle?

Mr E · 06-01-2009 5:10pm

Its a great show, JP Liz. Definitely similar to hustle, but in no way is it a bad remake - its very entertaining.

Episode 1 was a bit overblown (like they were trying too hard to make it 'cool') but since then its really settled down and its a great little show. The most recent episode in particular (#5 - The Bank Shot Job) was great stuff.

The basic idea behind the series is that 5 people, consisting of thieves, hackers and con artists create a company called Leverage Inc., and help out the innocent who have been robbed/wronged by greedy rich people or corporations.

If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... The A-Team. ... sorry, wrong show. I can see the similarities though!

The script is very sharp, and the characters are well written. Some great zingy one-liners too (usually from Alec).

The payoffs at the end where the villain's realise they've been conned is usually well done, and very rewarding.

Give it a shot.

J-blk · 06-01-2009 5:56pm

Yep, one of my favorite shows this season - doesn't take itself too seriously I think and has fun with the concept. I really like the main cast and like Mr. E said, some great one-liners (which are helped even further by the cast chemistry).

My one fear is that they would have episode after episode of each plan going absolutely flawlessly and the team never comes close to getting caught/screwing up but those concerns were put to rest with the latest episode too. Definitely worth watching and I believe it's only going to be 13 episodes per season, like most US cable shows, so not too huge a commitment to watch it.

It's doing pretty good in the ratings too and a pickup looks very likely.

Ludo · 07-01-2009 12:57pm

I really liked the pilot.
Eps 2 and 3 were a disappointment as it felt all a little too "feel good" 7th heavenish.
Will give eps 4 and 5 a go though in the hope it picks up a bit.

Mr E · 02-02-2009 7:05pm

Renewed for a second season ... delighted! Love this show.

J-blk · 02-02-2009 7:26pm

Excellent stuff

- I've really enjoyed it so far...

Mr E · 21-02-2009 12:26am

The last 20 minutes of episode 12 was the best TV I've seen so far this year.
Felt like a season finale, but its finishing up next week.
Love this show.

Biggins · 21-02-2009 1:08am

Watched this show since the start as I've actually met some of the cast from their days in others shows.
Even if that was not taken into consideration, I have to say, the show is going from strength to strength.

As we near the end (I'm watching the ahead American shows), you will note that there is growing a further story more serious story line what is only going to get better in season two - if there is a season two!

Stick with it - its worth is and you can't say that about a lot of shows.

Mr E · 21-02-2009 2:05am

Season 2 has been confirmed, see earlier in this thread.

J-blk · 21-02-2009 9:17am

Looking forward to the finale - I haven't watched "The First David Job" yet, so I think I'm just going to wait and watch both final episodes together, the titles make it sound like it's a two part-er. It's been great fun so far, it's good it got renewed... The entire cast is so good that it's hard to choose a favorite character, but Hardison has had some great moments especially in the last few episodes

.

Caked Karen · 21-02-2009 11:33am

just started watching it couple weeks ago and im liking it.. easy watch with funny quotes and good story lines.
def one to watch if not too sure!

corblimey · 23-02-2009 11:12am

Just finished watching part 1 of the finale - watched the first season pretty much in one go a couple of weekends ago. Nice show, although Gina Bellman just really annoys me for some reason, her voice grates or something, not sure what it is. The first part was pretty good, and for some reason, Sterling strikes me as a really good 'villain', hope nothing happens to him in part 2

Mr E · 26-02-2009 1:30am

Nice closure for season 1 - some great laughs in this episode too.

I think I preferred the first half of the finale last week. Roll on Season 2....

fugazied · 26-02-2009 3:48am

Ludo wrote: »

I really liked the pilot.
Eps 2 and 3 were a disappointment as it felt all a little too "feel good" 7th heavenish.
Will give eps 4 and 5 a go though in the hope it picks up a bit.

I feel exactly the same way

The pilot was outstanding, I was very keen to see more of the show. Then they had a string of dissapointing episodes, which are just feelgood and have improbable plots. Characters aren't well developed, it's like they fired the writers after the pilot and got some hacks in, instead of the original guys.

J-blk · 26-02-2009 9:55am

Mr E wrote: »

Nice closure for season 1 - some great laughs in this episode too.

I think I preferred the first half of the finale last week. Roll on Season 2....

Yep, "The First David Job" was a stronger episode, probably due to the fact that it didn't go all smoothly and it ended with the team scattered - in a way, it almost would have worked better as the finale (odd that the finale then takes places 3 months later, which is the kind of thing you expect when a show returns from its' break). Perhaps they were not expecting a pickup? If the show had ended, "The Second David Job" provides a lot more closure...

But the finale was very funny in a lot of places and pretty well done. The only thing that really annoyed me was that the whole team moved around so easily, even though they were wanted and their pictures were distributed to everyone apparently...

16-04-2009 3:51am

After stockpiling the series I finially started watching Leverage this evening. A lot of people have compared it to Hustle but in my opinion it's a far more entertaining series. The acting is much better, the characters are far more interesting and well any series/film starring Timmothy Hutton instantly gets a free pass in my books.

Edit: Nearly finished season one and absolutly loving it. It's definetly in my top 5 shows of the past year and I know full well that I will be picking it up on DVD.

Anyone else pick up on the multiple Doctor Who refrences. Nathan using the alias of Tom Baker, Sophie using Sarah Jane, Alec mentions the show in episodes 5 and then there's the passports whichall have the names of avtors who portrayed the Doctor.

Mr E · 16-04-2009 8:01am

Glad you caught up, Darko..... hope it gets an airing over here so everyone can see how much fun it is.

JP Liz · 05-06-2009 1:20pm

On Wednesdays starting July 15, the second season of heist drama "Leverage" will run at 9 p.m.,

Basq · 05-06-2009 1:23pm

Never even watched an episode of this... ah feck..

** adds Leverage - Season 1 to my already packed Summer viewing **

dade · 05-06-2009 1:29pm

saw all of season one, I remember Chis Kane talking about the show when he started doing it and it looked pretty good, nice to see they threw some of his music into it to, EP 3 i think more than i seserve, it's suppose to be his offical debut single on proper label. it's on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43aWSlvgf1s but obviously ignote teh video coz that's soem fame video. . Good actor and great musician (currently working on his third album) if you like country music.

he's got a new movie coming out soon and there's a facebook page for teh show here

JP Liz · 09-07-2009 10:32am

Jeri Ryan is set to recur on TNT's Leverage.

On the sophomore drama about a group of vigilaties in pursuit of bringing down bigwigs, she will play Tara, a smart-ass, street-wise con woman whom Sophie calls on for help and who gets sucked into the Leverage family.

Mr E · 09-07-2009 10:58am

Nice to see Jeri in a role where she can let her hair down. She is a very good actress.

calex71 · 16-07-2009 10:39pm

1st episode of season 2 aired in the US last night, any one see it yet?

A predictable 1st episode to the season in terms of the plot and how the last season finished but very enjoyable and a real sense of if its not broke dont fix it in that its more of the same which is great imo

J-blk · 16-07-2009 10:49pm

Just watched it and yeah, pretty close to the first season format, but like you said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It was just as enjoyable as most of the first season episodes and the humor and cast chemistry is still there. It's good to have it back

.

calex71 · 16-07-2009 11:09pm

Was this ever taken up over here? Shame if it wasn't as would have thought it would have fitted perfectly on sky one, id say rte 2 but generally if it was on there it would be shown at an ungodly hour.

I think this show was expected to flop but they forgot one massive thing............ EVERYONE love a good caper

JP Liz · 19-08-2009 10:46am

TNT just added two more episodes to the show's summer run

Mr E · 28-08-2009 7:39pm

The latest episode (the Two Live Crew Job) was the best one yet (well, its definitely up there with the First David Job from season 1). God I love this show.

Renewed this week for a 3rd season too....

DeWitt · 17-09-2009 12:10pm

I'm up to episode 5 of season one, I enjoy it so far. Reminds me of those Saturday evenings shows you used to watch as a kid. It's all good fun.

Mr E · 17-09-2009 12:35pm

Season 2 finished last week. Fun episode but I was hoping for more of a cliffhanger. I like the new cast addition -- good to see

Jeri Ryan

breaking away from her more po-faced roles.

J-blk · 17-09-2009 12:47pm

Mr E wrote: »

Season 2 finished last week.

It's not finished, just on one of those oddball breaks (like USA does with Burn Notice, etc - seems TNT is following the trend) - there were initially 12 episodes commissioned and only 9 aired. And I remember reading somewhere that they were getting 2-3 extra episodes this season as well. Not too sure when it's back though?

Mr E · 17-09-2009 1:54pm

Good to hear.
The TNT bug on screen last week said that it was the season finale.
Epguides has 3 more episodes listed, but no dates. Looks like an extended break at the very least.

J-blk · 17-09-2009 2:13pm

Mr E wrote: »

The TNT bug on screen last week said that it was the season finale.

I hate it when they do that

. I think USA tends to bill them as season finales too, even though it's only a summer finale kind of thing and the rest of the season is shown later in the year. Sci-Fi (or argh, SyFy) also used to do the same thing with the Stargate shows...

TV.com also lists 3 additional episodes as part of season 2:

http://www.tv.com/leverage/show/75367/episode.html?season=2&tag=list_header;paginator;2

The Wikipedia page seems to list the additional episodes I was referring to (so 15 in total for season 2) and a return date of January 2010:

10 (23) "The Runway Job" January 2010 (2010-01)
11 (24) "The Bottle Job"
12 (25) "The Zanzibar Marketplace Job"
13 (26) "The Future Job"
14 (27) "The Three Strikes Job"
15 (28) "The Maltese Falcon Job"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Leverage_episodes#Season_2_.282009-2010.29

JP Liz · 02-11-2009 5:21pm

so its not back until Jan 2010 i am having withdrawal symptoms

JP Liz · 27-12-2009 6:38pm

Is Sophie back for any of the rest of Season 2? I know the actress who plays her was preggers in real life

Virgin 1 has picked up this show in the UK

paddyismaddy · 14-01-2010 5:32pm

I see this is coming to Bravo soon

Whats it like? Worth a look?

J-blk · 14-01-2010 7:12pm

It's pretty light hearted for the most part, but a very fun show - the cast have great chemistry together and the "con-of-the-week" storylines are pretty good. It's been compared to a modern day A-Team and that's the show it probably can be likened most to (though not as cheesy

) but it also borrows heavily from Ocean's Eleven and similar movies.

I'm biased of course, but I'd say it's totally worth a look

- if you like the pilot episode, the rest of the show follows the same format closely.

JP Liz · 15-01-2010 1:45pm

Leverage showing Wednesday January 20th on Bravo at 9:00pm

I highly recommend it i love the show

Mr E · 15-01-2010 2:00pm

Yep, I agree. Takes a couple of episodes to find its feet though... stick with it, its worth the effort.

paddyismaddy · 15-01-2010 2:35pm

thanks all i needed to new show

JP Liz · 20-01-2010 5:03pm

Starts tonight on Bravo

humanji · 21-01-2010 10:52am

I watched this last night. It's utterly ridiculous, but great fun. It really is a modern A-Team, which I can only see as a good thing. I've already set my sky box to record the season.

Mr E · 20-02-2010 1:24pm

Anyone still watching the newer episodes on TNT?

I thought the season finale was fun, but a bit all over the place. However, the ending will make the start of season 3 very interesting.

I was sure when Eliot

got his count down to 1 that something might have happened to him...

I was trying to figure out if Gina Bellman was still pregnant during her scenes... I don't think they showed any shots below her elbows.

Biggins · 20-02-2010 3:19pm

Mr E wrote: »

Anyone still watching the newer episodes on TNT?

I thought the season finale was fun, but a bit all over the place. However, the ending will make the start of season 3 very interesting.

I was sure when Eliot
got his count down to 1 that something might have happened to him...

I was trying to figure out if Gina Bellman was still pregnant during her scenes... I don't think they showed any shots below her elbows.

Aye, I has expecting something too to be honest.

You just know the rest are not going to abandon him.

Here is hoping it makes it back to another season.
I know its not rocket science of a programme but its good clean fun - and better than some other stuff crossing our screens thinking its better.

Mr E · 20-02-2010 9:14pm

Season 3 was confirmed last October.

humanji · 20-02-2010 10:02pm

Cool. I'm just watching the first season on, I think, Bravo. Glad to know I've a two more seasons to look forward too.

JP Liz V1 · 23-02-2010 5:20pm

I enjoyed the finale and cant wait now for Season 3

It was great seeing Sophie back

JP Liz V1 · 28-05-2010 4:25pm

While speaking on a conference call with the press yesterday, LEVERAGE star Timothy Hutton hinted at some of the things coming up for the third season of the show –which debuts Sunday, June 20 at 9:00 pm.

He teases that we’ll be getting to see more about the pasts of the main characters including Hardison (Aldis Hodge) and Parker (Beth Riesgraf), while Eliot (Christian Kane) will be spotlighted with a Nashville music-set episode featuring former DUKES OF HAZZARD star John Schneider as a shady music industry charlatan.

But it’s the Nate and Sophie (Gina Bellman) relationship that has fans salivating for some sort of resolution – especially after a kiss (and a slap to the face) in last year’s finale.

“Sophie wants to talk about the kiss and Nate wants to talk about the slap and that’s the nature of their relationship right right there,” says Hutton. “They dance around the issue a little bit and there’s some nice moments of them trying to figure out what’s going on between the two of them as Season Three goes on.”

Guest stars will also include Richard Chamberlain, Clancy Brown, Lisa Brenner, Arye Gross, Kari Wuhrer, Michael O'Keefe, Alona Tal and more, but one person that still isn’t guaranteed to come back for Season Three – as of yet – is Mark Sheppard who plays Nate Ford’s nemesis Jim Sterling.

“We'll certainly see Sterling back, I don't know if it will be in the third season or not," says Hutton. "Mark is such a wonderful actor and everybody wants him on their shows. We’re just waiting in line and hoping he has time to do our show. He’s so great on the show and great for the dynamic of the storytelling particularly with Nate and Maggie. The writers love it when Sterling shows up and Nate has a good counter. I'm sure we'll see Sterling again. It's been a real pleasure working with Mark and he brings a lot to the show."

JP Liz V1 · 18-06-2010 1:48pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmQHNFgcbKw

Richard Dower · 21-06-2010 3:40am

Ep. 1 of series 3 now out....don't watch the show myself.

calex71 · 25-06-2010 12:18am

Love this show, based on the 1st 2 episodes s3 shaping up to be better than s2 which was not as good as s1 but still good imo

DeWitt · 27-06-2010 7:45pm

Season3 should be awesome. Hope we get a few surprise guest stars.

Leverage

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