Is Leverage worth watching? – Quibbling Siblings

Bob:

I loved the first season of Leverage, but since then, I think the show has simply run out of steam. I really can’t blame the writers — it’s got to be hard to think of fun and clever cons every week. For some reason, and I think part of it was the crappy scheduling, I lost touch with the show and finally called it quits. I know that you still watch and I wanted to get your opinion. Is it worth my time to catch up in time for the beginning of the new season next month? Did things take a turn for the better during the fourth season?

Debbie:

I’m so glad you asked, because I really enjoyed most of the fourth season, much more than the last two. They not only stepped it up a bit with the character growth from the get-go, and story arc toward the end of the season, but they also went out on a limb, Community-style, and took some risks that paid off in a big way. You don’t have to care about Nate and Sophie’s will-they-or-won’t-they dance because it doesn’t take center stage and Eliot definitely has more to do (though there is never enough Eliot!).

To save you some time, I’ll tell you my six favorite episodes of the season (technically eight) and why you should watch them … am I a great sister, or what?

• S04E01 “The Long Way Down Job” — for Parker and Eliot’s scenes together and Eric Stoltz’s stellar guest performance.
• S04E02 “The 10 Li’l Grifters Job” — for any fan of Agatha Christie or the mystery genre in any way, shape or form, this one was a winner.
• S04E04 “The Van Gogh Job” — Aldis Hodge and Beth Riesgraf’s performances were breathtaking, as was Danny Glover’s guest spot.
• S04E12 “The Office Job” — for any fans of The Office, this homage is played to perfection.
• S04E13 “The Girls’ Night Out Job”
• S04E14 “The Boys’ Night Out Job” — These cleverly pair together and show you one night, first from the girls’ POV (with Jeri Ryan back guest-starring) and then from the boys’.
• S04E17 “The Radio Job”
• S04E18 “The Last Dam Job” — This is really like a two-part season finale, and it was damn near perfect, hearkening back to the first season in more ways than one.

As I was watching, I remember the second half of the season really seeming to bring it for all it was worth … still not season one, but probably the best one since then.

Bob:

Hmm … See, I saw a lot of those early season four episodes, and I think if they’re on your list, I’m a little skeptical. Though, as you say, the later part of the season was much better.

There was so much to like about the first season of the show. I loved it so much, the characters, the cons — it was fun without being dumbed-down. Maybe I’m talking myself into giving it another chance at this point!

Debbie:

Just watch the second half. Not every episode is a winner, but overall, it was strong and the episodes I named were so much fun. Even if you just watch the two-part finale to convince youreslf, then go back and watch the other episodes once you fall in love all over again.

Clacked by Bob Degon
on Jun 07, 2012 @ 10:00 EST5EDT