Doing What’s Wrong For All the Right Reasons
Leverage stars Timothy Hutton, Gina Bellman, Aldis Hodge, Christian Kane, and Beth Riesgraf. Together, this team use their criminalistic knowledge to help those average citizens in need; those people who have been betrayed by corporate America, for example, and who have nowhere to turn. The first episode is The Nigerian Job, and all episodes following it share a similar naming scheme. In this first job, we get to meet the team members, starting with the discouraged and bitter Nate Ford (Hutton), a former insurance investigator whose life has been soured by his son’s death. His son died in the hospital when an insurance company refused to assist. A contact of his wants him to take command of a team of criminals for a heist job. Each member has a special skill, but none of them are really capable of operating outside of their specialites, or with others. It’s up to Hutton to get this team coordinated and working together for this assignment, whose payoff was to be large enough that each member could immediately retire and go their own way.
As it turns out, the team has been tricked by episode’s end. They get back at the con man and all decide that ‘hey, working together wasn’t too bad.’ The team decides to do another job, but Ford, who’s conscience is still more on the other side of the law, says he will continue so long as all the jobs the team does is for the good of people who cannot help themselves against corporations and other large entities.
And so over the course of another twelve episodes, the team takes on other jobs that have them using their highly specialized abilities to basically steal from the rich or corrupt and give to those that truly need it, those who have been mistreated by these corrupt organizations. Eliot’s combat proficiency, Aldis’ tech knowledge, Parker’s thieving ability, and Sophie’s knack for acting/spying with Nate’s focused demenaor makes for a very effect and entertaining bunch.
Leverage is very well written and acted, and all of the jobs have a satisfying end to them. Many of these stories are heartwarming and will put a smile on your face, and that’s a great quality for a show.
Leverage on DVD
Season 1 is nicely packed in standard sized DVD case that contains four discs in a page-like format. Each disc contains the same basic, but very functional menu. Presentation quality is on par with what you would expect for a modern day TV show on DVD — a good quality picture with Dolby Surround sound. I also liked that the cover art insert was double sided. Through the clear plastic casing, you can easily read the contents of each disc, including the episode summaries. This can help you quickly find a favorite episodes.
There are several extra features too. The commentary tracks are included on the disc which has the corresponding episode, but disc four contains the other features:
-Audio Commentary for all thirteen episodes
–Leverage: Behind the Scenes – An enjoyable twelve and a half minute feature where the cast and crew talk about the show and each other across different interviews, mostly on set. Lots of behind the scenes and production footage is shown. Executive Producer Dean Devlin speaks, as does show consultant Apollo Robbins, who is skilled and knowledgeable with various cons and diversion tactics.
-Anatomy of a Stunt Fight – This is a three and a half minute feature where Eliot’s character is involved in a fight at an airport. This feature is really just a behind the scenes look at the filming of this scene.
-The Cameras of Leverage – A two minute collection of footage of different cameras and camera positions used during filming. This feature is set to music and includes no interviews, etc.
–Leverage Gets Renewed – This nearly three minute piece was fun to watch. Dean Devlin had the team fooled into thinking they were getting ready to participate in a Q&A session, but instead, he uses the opportunity to let an executive of programming at TNT announce to them via webcam that the show has been renewed. Much excitement ensues; what a cool feature for a fan of the show.
-Beth Riesgraf’s Crazy Actress Spoof – The actress who plays Parker is featured in this five minute extra. This feature is pretty silly and has little to do with the show.
-Deleted Scenes – A handful of deleted scenes for most episodes.
To the summary…