Sunday, July 25, 2010

LEVERAGE #307 "The Gone Fishin' Job" Question Post

I'll try to bank an answer post up later this afternoon for ... wow, I am behind. Anyway, toss your questions into the Comments here once you've absorbed an hour of Clancy Brown, ass-kicking, kitten screensavers and a giant, giant burrito of bromance.

211 comments:

1 – 200 of 211   Newer›   Newest»
Red said...

A bromance burrito? Will we finally see some Eliot/Hardison action?

YEKIMI said...

that's gonna give me brogas

SueN. said...

Okay, my 13-YO daughter just accused me of being a "teeny." You people have broken me. I hope you're happy.

Still … bromance … squee!!!

Red said...

ha! Kane just tweeted "Don't forget to watch #leverage. Won't dissapoint. If you are a Hardison/Eliot fan, Well, I'll just say ur in for a treat!!! Hahaaaa"

so it *is* an Eliot/Hardison burrito. Rwowr

Anonymous said...

Did someone say, earlier, that there's an homage to "The Defiant Ones" in this ep? Does CK channel Tony Curtis via B.A. Barracus: "Yondah lies da castle of my faddah da Caliph. I pity the fool who goes there"? Or is he Sydney Poitier?

Rev Trask

Sammie323 said...

Can't watch in real time, but I'm recording it for later. Now Eliot/Hardison burrito makes me feel even worse for missing it.

Thanks!

Sarah W said...

I'm so looking forward to this episode.

Not for the bromance (though thank you, and I mean that), but for the simple reason that I could listen to Clancy Brown recite the phone book for eight hours straight . . . and return the next day to record his transcript reading of the hearing before the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment (of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure) on the Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act.

Bit of a fan, me.

He even made Blue Steel enjoyable, almost. Well, no, I'm lying. . . but that's how much of a fan I am.

Jon Gallagher said...

There were major "Where the hell is Rogers, HE could answer that question" responses, and straight up shout outs to you at the Leverage panel at Comic-Con yesterday.

And after the clip played, while there was a lot of joking about banjo playing, not a single "Defiant Ones" reference. You been lax in edumacatin' your associates!

Finally, Clancy Brown. Brother Justin Crowe still haunts me.

Jon S. said...

Greetings, sir,

I've just brought a season two DVD for "Leverage" and I notice that, unlike the season one DVD, it does not have any deleted scenes. It does, however, have a gag reel. I'd rather have both of 'em instead of either one on a season's DVD. I'm assuming deleted scenes wasn't included due to limitations on DVD?

Also, as a young deaf man from Kentucky, I'm very pleased to see that both season's DVDs has included closed captioning for all of its special features besides the usual for episodes. Now, that is something I don't often see with DVDs for other television shows and films and I would like to thank whoever made the decision to include it for special features. I hope this continues for future seasons on DVDs.

As usual, good work with "Leverage". God bless you and everyone involved in "Leverage".

-Jon S.

Liz said...

Clancy Brown! You know, I actually have the Earth 2 DVD. :-)

Miranda said...

I looked Clancy Brown up on IMDB. He was in an episode of the Dukes of Hazzard. First Bo Duke, now Clancy Brown. It's only a matter of time before Tom Wopat shows up. I hope.

Anonymous said...

Love the shout out to Lethal Weapon, "We're gonna get bloody on this one," especially since on the DVD commetary, JR has referred to Eliot and Hardison as Rigs and Murtaugh!

Anonymous said...

Great call back to the rock, paper, scissors "tell" from the Snow Job.

Anonymous said...

Love all the concern and worry Nate, Parker and Sophie show when Eliot and Hardison aren't accounted for. I always love when it shows them as a strong, caring "family".

Anonymous said...

Did Hardison just kill a guy?

Havenward said...

"Giant burrito of bromance" is a phrase that's gonna stick with me. :cracks up: I also love that you brought the tell for rock-paper-scissors back.

I did wonder why it was no one noticed they weren't having to hear Eliot and Hardison in their ears - especially since you've stated Hardison keeps his earpiece in all the time. Since they're *usually* not out of range, are there a lot of off-screen jobs that would have shown them not living with chatter in their ear?

And... was that an XKCD reference? "Science, it works bitches"??? XD

Vanessa (fighting cook) said...

Love the pinata props

Sweet ride for the boys

Nice accent Eliot

Parker's a funny bike bunny.

Uh oh, the boys are in BIG trouble.

Rock paper scissors for the win!!!

It's great to get a closer look into Eliot's military experience.

Hardison's hissy fit is hilarious!

The guys are doing great fighting together & Hardison setting up Eliot's moves...nicely done!

Whoa....Hardison pulled a Parker.

CWA...WOO!!

Eliot's choke was scary.

Love the stick move from Hardison.

How did the explosion get rigged?

Great Eliot speech about real soldiers & patriotism.

Love the last scene w/ video fishing. Priceless!

Unknown said...

Incredible episode. You're probably going to get flamed by teabaggers for this one, but it's easily one of my top 3.

I'm really enjoying the Lex Luthor-esque villains we're getting in S3 so far (like this one, or the one in the Monsanto episode).

Anonymous said...

What were we suppose to assume was Parker's motivation to hanging up with the one guy and deleting his, and what appeared to be several other, files? What happened in her past or was it just her feeling sorry for these people? Cause we don't usually see Parker doing that kind of thing - except w/ children.

Anonymous said...

Seriously considering watching all over again at midnight. DAMN that was fun!

Anonymous said...

Another little detail from the art department, the Molasses boxes the Militia douchebags were loading were marked "Lillian Foods" from the Top Hat Job.

I love Continuity.

msd said...

"Oh I have fear....and doubt. And really serious regrets, I should be fine." LOVE THAT! I think I also know that feeling!

I also loved Eliot's speech about the difference between the militia guys and a real soldier. It was excellent!

I still miss the living room. It's not the same icing boo-boos at that table.

Anonymous said...

Ok, so I've always see the team in a family dynamic as follows: Nate is the single man who ends up guardian/parent for three troubled children (Parker, Eliot and Hardison) who he is proud of for becoming good people and protective of when they are in danger. He can't handle it all on his own, especially when it comes to the emotional/personal aspects, so he brings in a "nanny/surogate mother" who isn't completely matured and grown herself. There is an obvious unspoken love between the two parentals, and the "mom" starts being able to read the kids feelings and care for their well-being. Eliot is the oldest brother who has authority and control issues and becomes more of an equal to the dad. Parker is the middle sister - rebellous, a loner, and has troubled emotional issues. Hardison is the youngest brother who is fighting for attention from all of they above, is sometimes irresponsible, and somewhat under-estimated by the others.

For this reason, I would be able to accept an actual romance between Nate and Sophie, eventually. But I do not like the idea of coupling everyone up - especially not the "kids". (Sterling is the mean uncle - brother to dad - that no one likes or trusts, and always shows up uninvited. Hope he's back soon.)

Anyway, great ep tonight - Riggs and Murtaugh! Love all the references to older eps lately. And love how the team is showing their concern for one another, on a personal level.

Codger said...

Great episode, but I'll admit I would have loved it more if Taggart and McSweeten had shown up at the end leading the FBI crew.

Word Verification: Vitanize
Maybe it's an energy drink?

Christina Lollobrigida said...

Now, I've been on set. I know that the exterior to McRory's isn't a physical location. I actually had to go back, pause and compare to my set-photos to see if I could figure it out myself.

So - how'd you work that amazing lighting trick/building thing for the exteriors toward the end?

I'm guessing that you just moved a portion of the exterior set to an actual location? If not, how'd you pull it off?

James Kiley said...

I'm pretty sure that my favorite moment in tonight's episode was the sheer joy and satisfaction in the voice of the rail transit authority woman as she got multiple confirmations of rocks on the tracks. By god, this was an issue and she was going to get it resolved. It implied an enormous amount about her! Great acting / direction on such a tiny little point!

Jen_Ann_W said...

@Anonymous - I think we're seeing Parker take the jobs more personally, especially since The Stork Job and The Future Job when she connected more with the clients. I think she's starting to understand just how messed up the world really is, and taking the opportunity to help a few more people when she can shows that she's starting to feel some empathy. I loved this bit - as much as I like 'Insane Parker', I like seeing her grow.

@msd I also loved Elliot's bit about *real* soldiers. High five for morale!

IMHO, I would have pegged Elliot for a fly-fisherman rather than bait - more of a zen experience than a kick-back-with-a-cooler type.

Can you tell us the location that was used for the militia camp? Ya'll picked a beautiful area - I'm guessing closer to the coast, Tillamook or Clatsop? Makes me want to go camping. :-)

LawMonkey said...

Okay. I get that Hardison set them up the bomb with the matches. And I get that he got the matches from when the mook dropped them.

But how/when did Hardison set them up the bomb?

SueN. said...

Oh, man, I loved this! Such a fun ride!

"What's that smell?" "Fresh air." "I hate it." lol!

Is it wrong that I loved watching Eliot rip the head off the pinata? *g* And Parker's horrified reaction was priceless. "We can fix this."

And that sets up my next point of love: Parker unable to squeeze the money from the cancer patient, and then deleting all those records. Our crooks really have gotten into the good guy thing, haven't they? Love the growth on her part.

Nate and Sophie are still clicking nicely, which is fun to see. And we seem to be getting past the bitter vibe from earlier eps, which is nice.

But I adored Eliot and Hardison in the woods. Pure gold! The return to Hardison's rock-paper-scissors tell was hilarious.

And thank you for the take down of militias. Eliot's explanation of the difference between real soldiers and these … people … was wonderful. And so true. I may have cheered a bit. *g*

My only question (so far) has already been asked – when did Hardison set that bomb?

whimseyrhodes said...

I loved the Gone Fishin' Job: great work, and a shout out to Clancy, one of my favorite actors, since way back to the Highlander days. Loved the banter between Hardison and Eliot, will we be seeing more throughout the season?

Also, I want to say thank you for providing us, your fans, such intimate access to you and the cast through your blogs, twitter and twitpics/twitvids. How much of the chatter on twitter do you pay attention to in regards to episode tweaks, ideas and so forth? Does the cast actually read any of our posts?

Stacy said...

Once again another great episode. Please give Nadine Haders a big hug and kiss for putting Hardison in tight white jeans and then having him run through the woods getting all dirrrrty. Loved every second of it.

Really loved Eliot and Hardison being chained together. No real question, but I was hoping you could narrate on the genesis of the idea of Eliot/Hardision being chained up and forced to work together like this. Did it grow out of the original bill collector/militia bad guy story, or was it a separate idea floating around that just worked for this episode?

Just a side note, Gina looks absolutely incredible this year, but not liking the heavier makeup on Parker so much.

Stacy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Wait...at the bank, did Eliot introduce himself and Hardison as Agts Brody and "Quint"? It was hard to make out the second name. I may not have heard him correctly but a "Jaws" reference would have fit: after all, when their fishing expedition went so horribly awry, they were "gonna need a bigger boat". *g*

Unknown said...

This episode finally won me over near the end - the precise spot was when Clancy Brown started fiddling with his car remote - but up to then, I was concerned that the level of reality that used to be in the best episodes of the first two seasons has been lost, this year, to some extent.

By this time, the team's been through so much that I can't really picture that Parker WOULDN'T be aware that someone could be monitoring her call phone. I think that no matter how much fun the bickering is between Eliot and Hardison, by this time in their history they'd be acting more professionally on a job.

I'm not trying to be a wet blanket here. I'm just worried that as the show gets more outlandish, it will lose its grounding and eventually turn into a live-action cartoon.

And the gloat at the end is getting really dangerous. There really HAS to be an episode (or more than one) where some of the marks go after the team that they clearly saw. Since they have a home base at the bar, they can't be THAT hard to find. (How do their clients all find them?)

I'm sorry if I seem too negative. I just fell in love (a few weeks ago!) with the first two seasons on DVD, and I want the third to live up to the fulfilled promise of the show. Please continue to put the love and care into the series that I know you all do. Have a virtual high-five for morale!

Anonymous said...

Y'know, I'm a little surprised that Hardiphone 3.0 doesn't have Caller ID spoofing built in to each and every member of the team's smartphones. I mean, I even knew a person that actually had that in their Blackberry, and I know I've heard you say Apollo has done that to you a couple of times.

Denita said...

Loved the episode, from Eliot ripping off the pinata head to the Eliot/Hardison banter.

Was there a specific reason Parker reacted that way to a cancer patient? It felt like it was something personal from her reaction.

I was kind of expecting Taggart and McSweeten to show up again. I was wondering how Sophie and Parker managed to fool real FBI agents (not goofballs like Taggart and McSweeten) like that?

The last scene was awesome. Eliot pouting while wearing his fishing hat was priceless.

Cam_Banks said...

I think this has got to have been the best episode yet this season. Loved it, loved it.

Calla said...

Fun episode! My first thought, when I saw the previews, was "I wonder if they ever thought of handcuffing Sophie and Parker together" - of course, I can see now why that wouldn't have worked for this episode, but...locking them in a room together, having them need to rely only on each other could be interesting.

It was funny to see Eliot and Hardison play video fishing at the end, though I was expecting to see Eliot cooking up some catfish and Hardison grudgingly admitting it was worth braving the mosquitos for such a meal.

Anyway, my actual question in regards to this episode is: Why was it Hardison who stops them from getting on the train, when it was Eliot who'd sussed out the bomb earlier on and knew the militia would be using it very soon. It seems like Eliot should have been the one to make them go back rather than having Hardison need to convince him.

It came off a bit like Eliot cared more about getting himself to safety than he did about saving civilians from a bomb - and, given what we know about him, coupled with his speech about how real soldiers act - that seems contrary to his character.

gwangung said...

It came off a bit like Eliot cared more about getting himself to safety than he did about saving civilians from a bomb -

Yeah, it did, but I think it's because Eliot was thinking of HARDISON as a civilian.

Sean Fagan said...

Well, that was quite interesting.

First, Clancy Brown is not aging well for an immortal. Either that, or his makeup is fantastic! (Well, the other image I have for him is as Lex Luthor.)

Second, I have to congratulate you for the domestic terrorism plot, and Eliot's scathing insult of the "soldiers." And you did it in such a way that I don't think you'll get too many complaints, which impressed me a lot.

So, there. No questions this week. Just impressed.

Rebecca said...

No real question here. Or, at least, not one which hasn't been touched on before. You can just read the praise or, if pressed for time, just move on.

Loved the bromance. Just absolutely loved it.

I, too, wondered about the logistics/timing of that whole bomb thing. I think that, if there was an explanatory flashback that got cut due to time, you should have cut the one of Parker switching out the cases instead. Because as soon as he put down the case, I knew it was going to get switched. Although, I guess you kinda had to show that one too. Shoot. There's just not enough time for all the goodness that you guys write.

Unknown said...

Sorry as much as i enjoyed the episode, there's a plot holethat just kills it for me.

How did Hardison set up the bomb. I was waiting for the flashback for that and you gave me Hardison stealing the matches, that's fine, but he was nowhere near the propane tank.

For me it sits like rocks on the track derailing the fun train.

That's a huge plot hole there.

Anonymous said...

I'd kind of like to know how Hardison set them up the bomb. And I have to say that I'm really worried that the gloat is going to come back to bite them in the ass, hard.

...but that's minor stuff, because Giant Burrito of Bromance FTW!

Anonymous said...

My creative-arts-maker wife squeed and rewound to freeze frame for a good long while on the crow image on Hardison's sweatshirt.

She would *REALLY* like to know more about the image, if possible.

Unknown said...

I rewatched it to see if I had just missed something and honestly Rogers I love the show, but from pure plotting standpoint, this is the worst episode by far in three seasons. It just completely falls apart for me if I think about it at all.

Some examples.

1) Charlie. My first reaction was Charlie's a girl. (I'd have to go back and check, but I'm pretty sure Clancy didn't specify gender.) Really there were so many ways that could have been a test, and Nate gets lucky. If Sophie had made that call on her own, I'd be more willing to buy it because she can read his face and better judge if Clancy's giving her a fake name or a real one, but Nate to make a lucky guess over the com annoyed me.

2) The bookshelf door. Could you make it more obvious where the handle is? I'm going to have a secret room, I'm going to make the book that's the secret handle stick out a bit from the books beside it that look exactly alike because I'm clearly an idiot and will always forget where it is without a clue to remind me.

I understand they had to make it so Parker could find it quickly, and that most people wouldn't ever bother to look for a secret room in a CEO's office, but they could have fixed that with Parker using a doodad or having her just checking the bookcase at random and finding it on her own, because having a secret room with a trigger that stands out in anyway is just stupid.

3) After flunky calls Clancy to tell him they've been set up, he's standing there at the cubicle doing nothing until he notices that Parker is spooked. If he knows she's a problem wouldn't he be grabbing her the instant he's off the phone with his boss?

4) The Hounds. Granted I've seen the Mythbusters episode that proves it's almost impossible to beat a tracking dog with anything you could find lying around, so maybe it didn't bother anyone else, but I'm still trying to figure out why they even have tracking hounds. Guard dogs sure but why tracking hounds? Does this militia often bring people to their camp and hunt them? They seemed so unnecessary, except to give Eliot and Hardison something to bicker about.

Just this militia in general. If you were going to execute them why would you not have a shoot on sight order after they get away? Eliot and Hardison were taking a huge chance that the Militia guys weren't going to just kill them when they started taking out their guys.

Also Eliot and Hardison shake off the bomb's effects before everyone else? The other were guys maybe 3 feet away from them and apparently no one was further away from the bomb then they were, very convenient. This is of course on top of the how was that bomb even set up in the first place confusion I posted about earlier.

to be cont

Unknown said...

5) The Hummer. Clancy goes to open the door to find that it's locked, so either Clancy didn't bother to lock the door on his Hummer and Parker locks it on him so he has to get his keys out. Or Clancy forgot he locked the door. Neither of which seems likely, but it's a good thing he did because otherwise there is no way for Parker to switch the briefcase. also a bit lucky Clancy didn't put the briefcase on top of the Hummer. (Though the height of the car makes it unlikely, Clancy's tall enough that it's not outside the realm of possibility.)

It's also lucky that he didn't seem to notice any change in weight. I have to imagine that a briefcase full of bills weighs more than an empty one. (Yes, yes he's in a hurry, but you know what? when I put down a soda can that is maybe 3/4 full and I accidentally pick up the one I finished earlier and haven't recycled yet? My arm jerks because of the difference in force I was expecting to use.)

6) Nate being able to get the FBI out in full force in apparently the time it takes for them to drive to the camp talk for 5 minutes and drive back. The same group that forgets the ATF is actually supposed to be surrounding them as they speak.

That's not even getting into the points about Nate knowing where to find schedules and routes for trains in a matter of minutes not to mention one traveling approx 5 miles an hour so they can jump on to it.

Or the sheer idiocy of the client. How on earth did these guys manage to get that many people to fall for something like that? A guy shows up at your house in the middle of the night flashes a badge you wouldn't be able to tell is authentic because you never see them, demands a credit card or he's going to get your house locked up. Sorry, even if you think the guy is for real you have to know there's something fishy in the way he's pulling money from you. How do you not call someone or call his bluff. (It's so easy to fix too. You have someone in a sheriff's outfit waiting outside for him to point to. At least that might scare people into not thinking that this is a scam.)

I love the show, but I really disliked this episode.

It's about smart people outsmarting other smart people with a bit of luck.

This episode seemed like the bad guys were especially dumb and crew were just lucky because so much was beyond their control and could have blown the whole thing if it went slightly differently.

Jon S. said...

Mr. Rogers, great work on last night's episode, as usual. There was some criticism on TNT forum regarding so-called "anti-militia" slant of this episode, though. I felt compelled to defend your writers by saying it was not their intent to establish a political stance for the show. I pointed out to them that the purpose of this show was to have fun watching team take down big, bad guys.

I also pointed out that the team has had taken down some corrupt federal officials before like a Congressman in "The Homecoming Job" and have also forced FBI to arrest their protected witness, the mayor, and his associates in "The Maltese Falcon Job". They're equal-opportunity, after all. They take down people on either sides that takes advantages of others. I don't think Leverage would've intervened in the militia were it not for one of them preying on innocent taxpayers who have nothing to do with their so-called "war" and would rather not be involved in.

On another totally unrelated topic, I really think Parker and Hardison make an adorable couple, as I've said on TNT forums for so many times that I've lost count of (lol), and I've like to see more development on their relationship further as the show progresses. They're really adorable.

Thanks, John and the whole Leverage production for making Leverage such a great show as usual. Good work.

-Jon S.

SueN. said...

@Calla, I took Eliot's hesitation to go back as a nod to the odds. There were two of them vs. an entire camp of very heavily armed pseudo-soldiers. And, as much as I love Hardison, he's not necessarily the guy I'd like beside me that kind of fight. I think Eliot was merely being the practical, tactically-inclined guy he always is, with the additional factor of having to consider Hardison's safety, and just realized the odds were not at all in their favor.

Now, if he'd been alone, he might have thought differently. Because, clearly, taking on guys like this is not at all outside his realm of experience.

Jen_Ann_W said...

@Marquis, ya know, it's called the Fun Train for a reason... and while I do agree with you that the secret room in Clancy's office could have been better hidden, and that the whole "Charlie's dead" thing was kind of a given, the rest is just nitpicking.

@markz, I agree that the gloat is probably going to bite them later - they make it so obvious to the mark that they've been taken for a ride. I think this opens the door to some interesting stories later though.

Regarding the bomb, I thought it was pretty obvious that Hardison palmed the cigarette & matches to delay the bad guys when they were first captured, then when they went back to the camp he set the bomb in the midst of setting booby-traps & taking out bad guys. I don't understand why folks are considering this such a huge plot hole - it's what makes sense.

24jg13 said...

Okay before I even read anything I have to know was Christian doing his own stunt in 308 when he gets hit by the car in the coming attractions????

rebekah said...

@Anonymous, Jenn_Ann_W is right--Parker realized the guy she was calling collections on had cancer. I think if you're surprised at this point that she would delete the rest of his overdue accounts, you've been watching a different show!

@Rogers--everyone is driving Mercedes and shit this season. I guess the deal with Hyundai is over? Too bad, I liked those tiny shout-outs.

PhantomMinuet said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Oona said...

There's something wrong with being anti-militia? If that's so wrong, I guess I don't want to be right. :/

I didn't think Nate's guess on Charlie being dead was all that much of a flaw in the script - its pretty consistent for Nate to rely on intuition and the odds and usually get things right. The mark was an older guy, had worked in the IRS, chances are that his contact was someone similarly situated, so either he retired or quit or was dead - Nate chose the one that seemed most likely to him and got it right.

I was seriously bugged by the client, though, letting some creepy dude into her home after dark who flashed an ID at her too quickly for her to be able to read it?!?! That BS would NEVER EVER freaking happen at my house, and I have a hard time believing any mom would do that. Step outside and talk to the dude on the stoop, but to let some big guy you don't know in your house at night when you and your small child are alone there?!?! A stretch.

The other thing that bugged me was the blocking on the explosion that showed Eliot getting lifted up and thrown back while the guys in front of him who were much closer to the blast didn't move at all until the cut away to the next scene. That was a bit sloppy - either better blocking or a springboard under the guys feet so they go flying too would have made that scene look a lot better.

I did enjoy the banter between Hardison and Eliot, though. "Oh I have fear....and doubt. And really serious regrets, I should be fine." That was awesome. I thought Aldis was especially good in this episode - he really varied his performance to give the character some good nuance.

Also liked the shared look between Nate and Sophie when they realized the boys were in trouble and the pacing with the guys in the forest and Nate/Sophie/Parker in the office building was great - very tense. LOVED the train hijacking!

A question:

Sophie seemed to almost lose character at a couple tense moments, and she has seemed more emotionally affected during cons this season. Is this something that will be developed throughout the course of the season?

Anonymous said...

@ rebekah - I believe the referrences to Parker's actions are more about her Reactions/facial expression, and hanging up ("getting disconnected") on the guy. From the look on her face it wasn't just about the client, but something personal from her past that was brought to mind.

StacyB said...

Everybody knows that when someone tries to test a stranger's claim to being from X agency, they ask about someone who worked there who's dead. Come on, people! Don't you watch TV?! This one is even in Ocean's Eleven. What's a minor plot "eh?" is that Sophie had to have Nate tell her that.

I think the fact that they're getting a little too comfortable with each other and letting emotions interfere a bit is due to their closer status as a family. And that's what this season is supposedly about - the family.

SueN. said...

@Anonymous (and other folks? gah, I need to pay more attention!) re: Parker's reaction to the cancer patient.

I don't think it necessarily had to be anything personal from her past. I think it's as simple as Parker realizing the guy she was calling to press for money was a cancer patient.

At the beginning of the scene, she's not really looking at the screen, doesn't seem to know who she's calling or for what bill. She looks at the screen, sees it's for an oncology clinic, and realizes she's shaking down a cancer patient. It's just a moment of Parker realizing that evil guy of evil is evil, and this is what he's doing to people who are suffering. I never took it to mean that Parker lost someone to cancer I just took it to be another sign that Parker is developing true sympathy for people who have been victimized.

Speaking of victims …

Rogers, I have to admit, the client in this one had me a bit … ambivalent. Handing her credit card to a so-called IRS guy who shows up at night? *wince* Part of me can understand. We've had IRS troubles before, and I know the kind of exhaustion and, yes, fear, dealing with them can induce. You never realize just how powerful, and how terrifying, the IRS can be until you've stumbled into their sights. So I could understand how she would have given up that card so easily if the guy had come during the day. But for him to have shown up at night, alone, not so much. So I wasn't completely sold. She struck me as the kind of marks I hear about on the local news, who get hit up for some scam in the grocery store parking lot. My sympathy is tinged with a heavy dose of, "Dude, seriously?"

But I think watching Nate steal a train, on the fly, made up for it. That man's brain is a thing of beauty. *g*

24jg13 said...

Loved the episode as always.

As for Eliot wanting to get on the train, I think after they were safely back in town, Eliot would have found a way to return and upset the plans for the bomb on his own, because that's the way he would do it. He is for sure thinking that Hardison wouldn't want to get his hands dirty by going back and fighting.


Eliot sneaking up on the militia guys was so "Rambo".

Loved seeing Parker and Nate working the tech side to find and divert a train. Seems the team have been sharing lots of secrets with each.

Only question is when do we see the tie in with the Italian and Moreau?

Anonymous said...

Hi there.
First I want to say:
What a great show! I loved this ep!
Had to watch it twice *g*
Great that Aldis could show us a little of his stick fighting skills. Sow us more! :-)

Just one question:
How did they put the matches on the gas(?) tanks?

Mapeel said...

A question about the FBI. Your guys impersonate those guys quite a bit. How do they feel about it? Have you heard from the Bureau at all? Are any of your fans agents?

Liked "The Defiant Ones" homage a lot, and so glad you had your own train idea. (I hate "Von Ryan's Express" scenes. Just too stressful to watch.)

PhantomMinuet said...

I'm really surprised that you didn't go with Cullen and Jackson as the IRS aliases for Hardison and Eliot, since this episode was obviously a fond paean to "The Defiant Ones". Still, Brody and Quint were fun choices.

Were the actors who played Taggart and McSweeten not available? I ask, because the ending of this one seemed tailor-made for a return of our favorite Fibbies.

Odie said...

Seriously? It's unseemly how excited I get when you answer my questions. I'm enjoying the 'team' vibe of the two most recent episodes. Thought it was interesting that Nate and Sophie just had to share a look and were able to work off each other so well when they went into the 'buy American' shtick.

On to my questions:
What happened in Juarez?
How long do the people Eliot hits stay down?
How did Hardison and Eliot climb the tree while handcuffed?

Erin said...

Ditto, basically, to all the compliments on this episode. It was awesome! And I have to say, as much as I loved the hilarious Eliot/Hardison bromance, I think my favorite parts where actually the more serious moments between them - where they make the decision to stay, and the pre-fight discussion of fear. Small moments, but so perfectly in character, and that lent real weight to their situation.

I have to wince at the suggestions that the debt collectors wouldn't behave in a manner that was THAT evil/bold/blatantly illegal, or the mom wouldn't let THAT skeezy guy into her house and hand over a credit card. People, this is another case of Leverage showing a LESS evil version of the Evil Corporation of Evil than exists in the real world. You cannot believe the lengths these guys will go to, and how frightened and intimidated people become in the face of such aggressive tactics (particularly because almost nobody knows their rights when it comes to debt collection). It's enough to make your blood boil.

I assumed Hardison sneaked into the camp and set the bomb while the militia guys were distracted by forest!ninja!Eliot, then the boys allowed themselves to be captured. I didn't think it even needed explanation, but maybe I've just become too accustomed to my comfy seat on the Fun Train :)

Exit question: how many piñatas were harmed in the making of this episode?

woodburner said...

To the folks expressing disbelief that this woman would let the guy in her house and take her card - srsly guys, people will do this. It is not at all a stretch. Is it very stupid? Yes. Is it unrealistic? No. And I mean, just because you're not the brightest or you're very gullible or you just had an incredible lapse of judgment due to fear doesn't mean you deserve what you get, so it seems a reasonable case for the Leverage team.

I do wonder, however, how these guys were swindling all those people in the same way without getting caught. I'm sure some of the folks they were swindling would have been suspicious and called the police or something. (I know, I know, don't over-estimate the police, but still...)

Nina May said...

@Calla (and others):
It seems like Eliot should have been the one to make them go back rather than having Hardison need to convince him.

I thought it was simpler than Eliot not wanting to involve Hardison; it's just about who they are, and what they are inured to. Hardison is idealistic. Eliot is pragmatic. Hardison doesn't have a real understanding of what he's proposing. Eliot does. And especially, Hardison makes emotional, conscience-driven decisions; he views the situation like an action hero. Eliot has probably lost count of the number of times he's had to walk away from a similar bad situation while following orders; he views it like an actual, real soldier. Unless an alluring southern blonde is involved, when have we ever seen Eliot go off-mission?

SueN. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SueN. said...

Blogger, really, NO edit function???

Take 2 …

@Erin and woodburner, oh, I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that a debt collection agency, even a legitimate one, will use any and every skeevy method possible to squeeze money from people. I once had a medical debt collection agency call my *parents*. (Note: on medical forms, when they ask for an "alternate number" or "emergency contact," they're not asking for an emergency contact. They want to know who else to call if you fall behind in payments.) There is *no* depth to which I don't think they'll sink.

My "meh" moment came with the client, especially since she's worked with the IRS before (she had a payment plan). IRS agents don't show up at your door at night and demand a credit card.

However, as I said before, I can understand the fear that makes her vulnerable to that kind of scam, because, after a while, you start to believe there is nothing the IRS can't or won't do. And if you are out of work, the fear has to be that much more pervasive. And smothering.

But I think I still would've been more … not sympathetic, because I was (no one, I don't care how gullible or simple, deserves to be scammed like that) … maybe more emotionally invested if the faux agent had come during the day.

Then again, single mom alone at night with her daughter does increase the predator quotient …

Liz said...

"Dammit Hardison!" "Dammit Eliot!"

I just enjoy the hell out of Hardison and Eliot as a team, and have been waiting since Twelve Step Job to see the two of them get into trouble again. So I just loved this episode, not only the comedy but the serious beats between them.

Was the structure for this episode the same you guys usually follow, in terms of what happens in Act 1, 2, 3, etc.? It felt very different to me. But I could be wrong.

Jason said...

Couple of things:

- Where did they find Hardison's shirt. My friend Jon wants one.

- When did Hardison plant the cigarette fuse on the propane can? I saw the flashback to him grabbing the cigarette and the leaves, but not when he snuck over to light it.

- Not a question, but early in the episode, I made the observation "Hardison can't hack a forest". Later in the episode, when Hardison is stripping the bark from a branch, my friend Jon says "Hardison is hacking the forest". I was sad the rest of the episode, because I didn't think of it first.

sienamystic said...

The guy showing up at night and demanding a credit card really popped my suspension of disbelief. It's not that I don't think debt collectors would be shady - I know they are, to truly scummy depths. But this guy was posing as IRS, and the scenario looked more like a mob enforcer collecting a gambling debt. Plus, if you're getting payments from a person, how does it make sense to "stop payment" and then demand a credit card that's probably charged up to the limit? I couldn't buy the woman getting fooled like that.

On the other hand, I adored the dispatcher who handled the railway routing. There was an emergency and she was by god gonna handle it!

msd said...

@ Oona - I have to agree with you, the explosion scene (while excellent as explosions go) did seem a little off on the timing. I'm guessing maybe doing it a 2nd time wasn't an option. I'm also thinking that I read Dean Devlin was off to film in the woods so maybe he filmed this explosion?

I also don't remember Nate referring to Eliot and Hardison as "the boys" before. It seemed to add another little family element.

I agree with those who found the woman a little too gullible but people who are being badgered by bill collectors could be more sensitive to intimidation. I think my "whaa" moment was that she had a credit card with a limit to cover the debt. I am also thinking that when Ms. Kirsch wrote this there was probably stories of unscrupulous bill collectors that made this guy seem like the Good Humor man.

Loved the shout out to "Lethal Weapon" on "..we are going to get bloody on this one..." but really - not so much.

Tori Angeli said...

I think the woman would do whatever it took to get the creepy man out of her house, whether or not she believed him. With a kid, she'd be right to do so.

As for Parker and the cancer patient, I was once calling and asking for donations from people all around the U.S. during the fall. After a few calls, I realized I'd gotten a list of people from North Carolina right after they'd had a devastating hurricane. I've never been through a hurricane or any other situation where I lost everything, but I remember feeling so sick with myself for asking these people for money. You don't have to experience something first-hand in order to react the way Parker did. It just speaks to her capacity for compassion.

I absolutely love how these characters have gone from "hey, doing the right thing feels good!" to "we have to do the right thing even if it means risking our lives." What a journey these guys have been on, and are still going on.

Anonymous said...

Jon, you are a god among writers and don't let anyone tell you differently. Is the minuetman a reference to Christian Kane's movie? And Hardison's line "Science.....It works" is that a shout out to Amy Berg for the shirt she wore on the Eureka set?

Ryuu said...

I don't know if this was intentional set design, but considering the villain's coded "welfare cheats and border jumpers" racism, I thought it was interesting that the client had a very obvious rainbow flag on her front lawn. Was there an intention to have the baddie make some sort of comment about taking money from people who are "un-American" that never made it into the show, or was I just reading into that?

(I'll admit, I was sort of hoping for a gay client when the show opened with that flag, though. Any chance we'll see that sort of issue crop up in the show at some point?)

Anonymous said...

I watched "The Defiant Ones" in order to prep for this episode and it was beyond awesome.

Loved Eliot as the white version of Cullen, and the two of them taking on the militia. Somehow I just knew they weren't getting on that train to safety ... although they never departed from the fun train.

No questions, just wanted to bask in the glory that is Leverage and let you know that you are without a doubt, one of the most awesome men one earth.

Oh! Wait ... one question: Did you seriously just give us the two main ingredients in a very effective bomb? Shame, shame.

Loved Eliot upside down in the tree, by the by. And the Wii Fishing. He's right, it's not the same.

And whose idea were the pinatas? Parker's reaction to Eliot ripping off the head of the donkey was just perfect.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand why everyone is going crazy over eliot's "Real soldier" line. It's jingoistic bravado and nothing more.

You know who else were "real soldiers" by that definition? The Nazis, the USSR and the Viet Cong.

SueN. said...

@Anonymous right above, you're adorable.

Anonymous said...

And how am I wrong? Every soldier since the invention of nationalist propaganda has believed they were "willing to die for others' rights." It's not true, of course, but you're willing to believe it because you believe you're on the side of the "good guys."

Tell me, what rights are our "real soldiers" fighting for in the boondoggle that is afghanistan? Or are they just righting for neocolonialism and corporate mining interests? Hint: you're an gullible idiot if you believe it's anything but the latter.

Stacy said...

@ anonymous (most recent)

No one said you were wrong, she said you were adorable . **pat, pat**

Anonymous said...

Nations, nay, *empires* have been built on jingoism! And rhetoric. And Little Debbie snack cakes. Napoleon Bonaparte was partial to Raisin Creme Pies...easily the weakest item in the Little Debbie product line.

It explains so much.

Seriously, Eliot strikes me as an unlikely jingoist. A "jingle-writer", maybe...

Jay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SueN. said...

I think Eliot's much more into jiggle than jingle.

Jay said...

What happened in Juarez?

Rogers has stated that we don't see every job that the crew pulls.

If were meant to know, we'll find out...

Denita said...

@SueN: My question about Parker's reaction to the cancer patient had nothing to do with whether or not I think she's grown into someone who's able to show compassion. It's been very clear for some time that she is.

My question was prompted by her very visible reaction as she read the words "oncology clinic" aloud.

Parker is a very smart woman; she's brilliant in her area of expertise. But we've seen her lack of knowledge about things pertaining to medicine not once but several times.

Now, if she had read something that specifically used the word "cancer" or "cancer treatment clinic", I wouldn't have posed the question.

But "oncology" is a specialty that deals with cancer and it's a medical term that I don't think Parker would be all that familiar with, given her background....

Unless perhaps she'd known someone who had had cancer.

David T.G. Riches said...

Longtime fan, third time poster.
Love the show and I hope they get it into Canada soon other than DVD.

Anyways I understand the Hardison and Elliott handcuffed and on the run is a sort of tribute to The Defiant Ones but I sort of don't buy into it since they have palled around in so many scenes in the past Hardison just seems to be griping for no reason. It does seem a little out of character for the pair who would have fun making Japanese commercials together or going out for a coffee?

While I miss the make the propane bomb sequence the flashback to the trigger components fills in the gaps for some but not those not familiar with Stalag 17 so I hope that is at least filled in as one of those things cut for time that show up on the DVD?

The call center has someone monitor from a desk which I thought has to be a call coach or supervisor however if it's your first day on the job they usually have some one in another room who is tied into your computer screen and the call coach is Y-Corded with you at your desk to make sure you follow all the ques from the lead. This looks like a faux paux since for Parker to do what she did patching in the calls the supervisor or call coach would immediately see this and wonder what was going on? On top of that about ten year ago the industry started fazing in digital capture to make sure that clients agree can not be disputed later on so all those calls Parker patched would be recorded wouldn't the gang be worried that it could be used as evidence of a set up? At the very least we have tampering of the railways which is a federal crime to compound against them. Yes I know they are criminals but the point is to stay out of jail while bringing down the big bad.

The T-Shirt that Hardison is wearing is that a way of saying with subtle way "John Crow" not bring about bad feelings though for all I know it's a souvenir o the Edgar Allen Poe Museum?
Am I right or did the Leverage firm give the client a job at the end? How did this woman find them?

The elevator counting up while going down the access should be on the other side of that elevator.

Why would someone have a secret room at their office and keep a crate of weapons there? seems like a very awkward place to store such things.

Thanks again for a great show and I am sorry that you get slammed by True Blood, Mad Men, and The Glades but I am sure you can do better in the long run! Keep up the good work.

Jay said...

The guy showing up at night and demanding a credit card really popped my suspension of disbelief. It's not that I don't think debt collectors would be shady - I know they are, to truly scummy depths. But this guy was posing as IRS, and the scenario looked more like a mob enforcer collecting a gambling debt. Plus, if you're getting payments from a person, how does it make sense to "stop payment" and then demand a credit card that's probably charged up to the limit? I couldn't buy the woman getting fooled like that.

In the real world, people have fallen for much worse. Rogers has highlighted a few such stories.

Part of the thing we have to remember is, we know that there is something hinky going on because we are the audience; we're looking for the flaws in the facade.

I think Nate even says in an episode that "citizens" are used to following the rules because they have an inherent belief in the system -- something that Clancy Brown's character even makes reference to in the "taxpayers are sheep" line.

So some guy knocks on the door claiming to be from the IRS and asks for her credit card. It's late, the client is probably tired and not thinking clearly.

Even if she thought it through that far, she'd better hope he is who he says he is, because if he's not then she's just potentially dangerous stranger into her house with her and her daughter. The client is better off giving him what he wants and hoping he goes away, because the alternatives could be so much worse...

Jay said...

But "oncology" is a specialty that deals with cancer and it's a medical term that I don't think Parker would be all that familiar with, given her background...

Have you forgotten the episode where she plays a patient with an inoperable brain tumor in The Snow Job?

msd said...

@SueN and @Stacy - well done! (clap, clap)

Oona said...

Well, yeah, some people are gullible, but this is a TV show that has to strike a balance - sometimes even if things have a basis in fact, when they're written into a script they end up being so extreme that they shock the viewer out of the scene. That's going to be a subjective test, but for me, it definitely took me out of the scene.

Someone else pointed out that this guy was posing as IRS, which may be part of my issue. The IRS does not show up at your house at night and if she had enough dealings with them to work out a payment plan, she would probably know that. Maybe if she owed money on her mortgage or was maxed on credit card debt and the guy was posing as a private debt collector - that would have been more believable for me. But as written, it was like that idiot in the slasher flicks who goes into the unlit basement and you're yelling WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU at the screen.

Overall, though, really good ep - the pacing reminded me a lot of the Inside Job.

xjill said...

Loved how WRONG Hardison saying "Dammit Eliot!" was. I am totally stealing the "we've got a plan - it's C.W.A." line.

Enjoyed the episode - the bromance was epically awesome. How long in real time were Christian and Aldis handcuffed?

Clancy will always be Brother Justin to me and god love him for it.

Virtual high five for morale!

Brooke said...

It was a fun episode with some great moments (Eliot upside down!)... but I have to concur that there were some things that really stretched my willing suspension of disbelief.

Chief among them was giving a credit card to the IRS. Even overlooking the flashed badge and late hour...would the IRS ever ask for a CREDIT CARD? I mean, a credit card payment, sure, but what are they going to do with a credit card... charge a plasma TV for themselves? Who would believe that anyone legit would take a cc in payment?

I also, and I may be alone in this, found the militia to be so unrealistic that it took me out of the story every time one of them was onscreen. Not that I have ever known anyone like that IRL... but what was jarring to me was that they were presented both as young, inept, cigarette-bumblers, and also as badasses that could capture Eliot twice and scare Clancy Brown's character. Which were they?

I did love Nate's line: 'Eliot, I just stole a train for you. Have a little faith' (paraphrasing).

Denita said...

@Jay

Yeah, I did. *sigh*

I hate failure when there's no one else to blame it on.

Going to have to go re-watch "The Snow Job" now.

SueN. said...

@msd, I would've leaned in to sniff him/her, but I think Stacy covered it with the petting.

@ David T.G. Riches said since they have palled around in so many scenes in the past Hardison just seems to be griping for no reason.

Um, Hardison, who obviously does not do woods, was handcuffed to Eliot and running through the woods from militia people who were trying to kill him with assault weapons. And Eliot cut his hand to smear blood on a tree. ("Gangrene! Gangrene!" I loved that. *g*) I'd say that's reason for griping.

Besides, these two bitch at each other all the time. It's how they relate to each other.

SueN. said...

Brooke's dissatisfaction with the portrayal of the militia types reminded me of a question (instead of me hanging about and nosing into other people's posts while waiting for my caffeine buzz to die).

As she said, it was a bit hinky for these guys to have captured Eliot (and Hardison) a second time. But the guys needed to get to the camp to blow up the bomb. So, was the second capture part of the plan, or was it evidence that even Eliot/Deep-Woods Batman is fallible?

js3 said...

Before I sober up: that was one of the most enjoyable hours of television I've spent in a long time. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

@Brooke, the IRS definitely takes credit cards. I pay my taxes with one every year!

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but wasn't the whole point at the end that Eliot distracted the militia while Hardison planted the bomb, and then they let themselves get caught so that all the militiamen would come back to the camp in time for the bomb to go off? It doesn't do much good if the bomb goes off while everybody's outside of camp chasing Hardison and Eliot, right? Although it seemed liked Eliot might've removed at least one militia guy permanently, aside from those the bomb took out . . .

Denita said...

@Anonymous

I don't think anyone got killed.

Megs said...

Not that I'm complaining at having Eliot and Hardison cuffed to each other but... well... why didn't they just pick it?

Anonymous said...

Eliot hates beets? Is Eliot - the guy who grows and cooks his own food unable to appreciate the texture, flavor and color of one of Earth's most versatile edible roots? I had to pause the DVR for a moment to shudder at the thought. Beet-hater. Brrrrr. I suppose it is possible that he has the palate of a child. Or is it the color? What other purple foods does Eliot despise?

Erin said...

@Brooke

I actually didn't get the impression the militia men were particularly badass. Brandon seemed to be the resident fumbler ("For God's sake, Brandon!") but really they all seemed to have more bravado than actual skill. In fact, I thought they were a pretty chilling reminder that the bad guys don't always have to be brilliant, or brave, or even particularly competent to cause a lot of damage. Hate, money, and dumb luck can get them a depressingly long way, which seems like a big part of the reason Eliot has such disdain for guys who hide behind guns.

In terms of capturing Eliot - well, even with the element of surprise and lots of guns on their side, I can't imagine they would have gotten him into the van in the first place if Hardison hadn't been with him. And I'm pretty sure the boys allowed themselves to be captured the second time, so that the militia guys would all be in camp when the bomb went off.

Anonymous said...

Parker pulled out a sweet from her piñata during the target briefing and blurted "We steal the list." And she was right (and not for the first time, either.) It was said list in the briefcase whcih Parker switched for the money and thence handed over to the feds that put the bad guys away. I don't really have a question, but I hope to see Parker get some positive feedback from her family of cohorts for her insights. I realize that once the love for Parker starts flowing, she will change. But even socialized (however long that takes,) she will always be Parker.

LarryFleming said...

The team seems to be getting caught more and more. Are they rushing in too fast or is Nate struggling/drinking too much. It shows how well they adapt on the fly and that is good (and fun), but we don't like to see our hero's fail. Great show, had me on the edge of the seat a number of times.

Anonymous said...

I think a lot of you take things way way too seriously. It's show for God's sake, do we have to analyze every single aspect of it. Let's just finally enjoy good tv for a change and hope they are on for many seasons to come. Keep up the bitchin and they might not be. Just sayin..it's an amazing cast and nothing is better then weekly CK.....

Anonymous said...

I hope to see Parker get some positive feedback from her family of cohorts for her insights.

Actually, I have been enjoying the Nate/Parker scenes where they are planning or discussing things because you can see how much he respects her expertise and he shows that to her.

Denita said...

@Anonymous

Beets might be a versatile edible root veggie and a valuable source of sugar but they have a very distinctive flavor: they taste like dirt.

El Cid said...

Thanks for taking on the anti-gubmit anti-IRS 'patriot' cosplay paranoids.

SueN. said...

@Anonymous (up a few), Rogers has asked for our questions and comments, and even invites our snark, which he returns in full measure. It's part of the Leverage ritual. And I thnk you'll find there are as many "OMG, I love you guys, that was awesome!" posts as there are "What the hell was that?" ones.

Clearly, his ego is big enough to handle the "WTF?" stuff, or he wouldn't have invited a bunch of nitpicking, screen-pausing geeks into his (virtual) living room.

StacyB said...

I did think of a question: Is the fitness center / money laundering cover company thing real or inspired by something specific in the news?

Might I propose handcuffed outtakes for the DVD?

Robin said...

Another fantastic episode, John. Can't really go wrong with Clancy Brown as your bad guy of the week (And, damn, has he aged well.), and the dynamic duo being chased through the woods.

Is "What's that smell?" "Fresh air." "I hate it." an intentional Torchwood reference or just coincidence?

@Liz -- "You know, I actually have the Earth 2 DVD."

Me too. :D

@Calla -- "Why was it Hardison who stops them from getting on the train, when it was Eliot who'd sussed out the bomb..."

I agree that in that instance, Eliot was more concerned with getting Hardison away from the bomb than getting the bomb away from the militiamen. If they hadn't been cuffed together, he probably would've gotten Hardison on the train and then gone back on his own to deal with it.

I'll probably be back with more after I rewatch. :)

briddie said...

Eliot's complaint about just getting back from ten days in Juarez and now having another job makes me wonder - who's going to explode from the stress first? Or is this another way of showing drunk Nate is a mean bastard?

Video Beagle said...

On taking things too seriously. This isn't Two and Half Men. It's a show that does an unbelievable amount of research, and puts an unbelievable amount of detail (I was listening to the Zanzibar Job commentary, and they talk about the peeling paint in the office)in each episode. They invite such discussion..and even expect it.

on the Militia Men. Such groups are not known for their high Mensa recruitment.

On the handcuffs - why didn't they pick them...with what? A pine needle?

What happened in Juarez?
We can read all about it in Leverage: Book 1: The Juarez Job coming to a book store or comic store in the near future....I'm guessing.*

While I was lying on a slab getting my foot mri'd today, my mind drifted and came up with a question for a previous episode.

Nate said, "I love it when a plan comes together."

Was Nate referencing the A-Team?

Now, the show was referencing the A-Team, and Hardison did so in S2, but would Nate be doing it? Would Nate have watched the A-Team?



*on the possible future comic...I'd like to mention that while the vogue for adaptations is to go for realistic artists (see most things put out by IDW)..the best selling comic adaptation of something..Marvel's Star Wars had Carmine Infantino and Walt Simonson and Chaykin and Cynthia Martin...very non-realism based artists, but who know how to tell the story.

Also on comics...Christian Kane should play Wolverine when Jackman steps down.

SueN. said...

Wjat happened in Juarez?

What happens in Juarez stays in Juarez.

(Okay, now we need "What happened in Juarez?" and "High five for morale" t-shirts.)

Dawn/StL-MO said...

@Nina May –
Unless an alluring southern blonde is involved, when have we ever seen Eliot go off-mission?

One that immediately pops to mind -When there’s a young child involved (Order #23)

@David T.G. Riches said...
Longtime fan, third time poster.

Shout out to “Three Strikes” – ‘Longtime listener, first time caller’ line?

@Sue N
...And Eliot cut his hand to smear blood on a tree...

As macho as he is I was surprised Eliot didn’t cut his OWN hand for blood!

@ Megs
Not that I'm complaining at having Eliot and Hardison cuffed to each other but... well... why didn't they just pick it?

Don’t think Parker taught them that trick yet!


QUESTIONS for MR ROGERS – A while back CK did a Top 5 - Things u may not know about the Leverage cast...He revealed - Beth: drives like a madwoman! Has everyone experienced a ride with her? One of the reasons it was included in an episode? And in the SAME Top 5- CK revealed he actually has Arachnophobia. Planning on bringing that into an episode? Would be a riot if ‘Eliot’ jumped at the sight of a spider considering MOST things don’t seem to phase him.

Another GREAT episode! LOVED: Rock, paper, scissors repeat, the ‘CWA’ approach, the “Defiant Ones” & “Lethal Weapon” references, having the voice of Mr. Krabs (Spongebob) be the villain & the ‘video’ fishing (to name a FEW good moments)

Dawn/StL-MO

Jon S. said...

I don't think Eliot has an arachnophobia. It's most likely he perceive them as annoying pest, nothing big. Hell, I think of all insects as annoying pests, frankly. There's way too many of them and some of them are breaking into our houses unwelcome (and uninvited, of course).

-Jon S.
Mosquitoes ought to be exterminated to extinction...

Anonymous said...

I worked at a state agency in the tax dept. And I have gone to homes and collected debts. I would never go to a person's house at night but anytime from 8am to 5pm. People would pay in check or cash. We didn't accept credit cards because we didn't have the functionality. But the only thing I would do is show my badge or a business card and people would give me a payment. I just wanted to post this to give people a point of reality for reference on the initial scene. I want to also say that states vary in their methods and the IRS is a totally different animal, so expect some differences.

Sam73 said...

well since all my Q are already out here, just sayin' great show....
...and I think I met that mosquito, the one with the beak, just yesterday in my backyard...


and to everyone who is yelling at that stupid mom, well, let's face it. There are indeed people out there that are a bit...well naive, or how do you think all the bad guys out there get there money from, hm?
Guess if a few of them would watch Leverage instead of ...well don't know...crocodile hunter( and I'm not saying that there is s.th. wrong with that, so please don't shoot me) I'm pretty sure a few of those bad guys would run out of money,right?


Also agree with SueN and others...
*pat,pat* *clap,clap*

loved the scene when Eliot rips of the donkey's head and how Parker reacted on it ...
and rock paper scissors was back, nice.
thanks for another great ep, Mr Rogers ( and of course everyone else who is working on it)

Anonymous said...

Yet another wonderful episode: thanks to everyone involved.

Re the client and the credit card, I too had to make a distinct effort to suspend disbelief at that point, until I realised that this chap turned up with an ID badge and *knowing that she owed back taxes*. We know, because we were looking for it, that he didn't show the ID badge clearly or for long, but how many people can actually tell a well-forged one from a real one even if they scrutinise it?

Asking for a credit card should have raised alarms but, as Jay pointed out, by that time she'd let him into the house. Personally I would have given him the credit card to get him the hell out of there, then phoned the bank to stop the card and the police to report the incident, but I'm guessing she was still panicked by the threat of losing their home; I have the luxury of sitting and watching it while pre-warned that something dubious is about to happen, rather than have a man who knows details of my financial affairs showing up and making threats.

There's also the very good point Nate made in another episode that many of us simply trust "the authorities", in whatever guise, to behave properly. If they did of course there would be a lot less need for the Leverage team.

Sam

Nina May said...

@Dawn/StL-MO
One that immediately pops to mind -When there’s a young child involved (Order #23)

Ah, yes. I figured I was forgetting something, and that the hive-memory would catch it for me! Thanks. But still, that also proves that off-mission Eliot is very much the exception, not the rule. It still takes a very compelling victim, physically in front of him, hitting his specific issues, to make him deviate from the plan.

As macho as he is I was surprised Eliot didn’t cut his OWN hand for blood!

Cutting Hardison's is: a) funnier; b) more satisfying; c) gets him more into the "outdoors" swing of things; d) tactically more efficient, in not impairing the epically-more-effective fighter. And, e) funnier. I don't see Eliot as particularly macho, but I definietly see him as appreciative of the funny, especially when he can make it happen to Hardison. :)

wv: ramanes. ... What happens in Juarez, stays in Juarez. We don't speak of this again.

Video Beagle said...

Just saw this headline: "Canadian actor Maury Chaykin dies at age 61"

That's upsetting...He was a great actor, and I was really hoping he'd show up on Leverage as Nate's former mentor.

Tori Angeli said...

When Hardison speaks of "serious regrets," was he referring to anything specific or was that line written for the lulz?

msd said...

@Anonymous 2:53 a.m. - "...but I hope to see Parker get some positive feedback from her family of cohorts for her insights."

I think Nate does compliment her - S1 "The Miracle Job" they are discussing Andrew Grant..
Parker: "Use his own publicity to wreck his project."
Nate: "It's elegant."
Parker just beamed at that comment. I always loved that part of the scene...although the whole thing was great.

(yes, I have the DVDs and yes, I did re-watch it to find it!)

Dawn/StL-MO said...

@Nina May
Cutting Hardison's is: a) funnier; b) more satisfying; c) gets him more into the "outdoors" swing of things; d) tactically more efficient, in not impairing the epically-more-effective fighter. And, e) funnier. I don't see Eliot as particularly macho, but I definietly see him as appreciative of the funny, especially when he can make it happen to Hardison. :)

Didn’t mean it wasn’t funny(thought the gangrene line was hysterical). Also, Eliot LOVES annoying Hardison & I enjoy watching it as much as I *love* seeing Eliot get annoyed by something. Just felt since they were handcuffed with no idea how long they’d remain that way - Why give Hardison something to complain about when you couldn’t easily get away from him?

Dawn/StL-MO

babysmoke said...

@Video Beagle: Interestingly enough, Tim Hutton was the first, or one of the first people, in Twitter-world to tweet about Maury Chaykin's passing.

Gotta say that I absolutely adore the interaction between Hardison and Eliot. Aldis/CK combos tend to yield some very memorable lines/line reads.

When watching this ep with a friend, he, too, was cursing at the naive mom. I had to pause it to let him get it off his chest, then repeat what some of the other commenters here have said. THEN he calmed down and we could continue watching. But yeah. As viewers, it's easy to say "c'mon! you can't be that stupid!!", but when faced with threats against people and things you hold dear, it's all too easy to fall prey to unscrupulous a-holes.

Just out of curiosity. Does that beanie hold special significance to Eliot? He seemed very aware of it slipping or possibly slipping.

Nina May said...

@Dawn/StL-MO

Oh, I'm pretty sure we're on the same page with the funny. Hooray for annoyed boys \o/

As to giving Hardison things to complain about when Eliot can't get away from him, I don't think it's ever stopped him before. The example that comes to mind is throwing the garbage at him in Juror #6, while they had a long afternoon of working together still to go. At a guess, Eliot would figure Hardison's always going to complain about something, so why not get his fun out of it, too? It's not like not doing anything to him is going to stop him from complaining. (And speaking as an older sibling, the short-term lulz invariably outweigh the long-term consequences.)

Either way, annoyed!boys. \o/

Brooke said...

First off, beets are evil...so while I did pause at Eliot the food-grower hating them, I sympathized.

Actually - Question: Is Eliot a vegan then? (Asks this vegan Eliot-fan.)

One of the Anonymouses (Anonymi?) said: @Brooke, the IRS definitely takes credit cards. I pay my taxes with one every year! Sorry I wasn't clear -I know the IRS takes cc payments... but since when do they take your physical card? They can't (legally) pay themselves with your credit card - YOU have to authorize a payment.

Regarding the boys allowing themselves to be caught...I hadn't thought of that. Good call, everyone who suggested that.

Regarding militia types not being Mensa candidates (hee) -- agree... but I was taking issue with how inept they seemed in one way, yet how scared the Big Bad was of them at the end...if that makes sense.

gwangung said...

Regarding militia types not being Mensa candidates (hee) -- agree... but I was taking issue with how inept they seemed in one way, yet how scared the Big Bad was of them at the end...if that makes sense.

Outnumbered. Outgunned (as in, many to none).

Even Einstein and Hawking would be scared if faced with idiots in that situation.

CindyD said...

For those of you questioning the victim's action, I found it credible and I should know. I spent many years representing or counseling consumers in financial trouble and it is amazing what people will do under such stress and what some debt collectors will say to make them do it. Smart, no, but facing that kind of extreme stress, literally in terror at times, their brains are not functioning normally. Like a deer in headlights.

I've had them call me at night hysterical, believing the ass that told them the sheriff was coming to arrest them right then (apparently to cart them off to the nonexistent debtors prison). Add to that it's the IRS, a single Mother, it involves her child and home, then without a lawyer present, many would have given him anything he required.

Anonymous said...

what happened to the guy at the bank that tipped mr. whitman off?

ShazzaTW said...

Hi Jon. UK fan here, fairly new to Leverage world but have managed to catch up on all 3 Seasons and it's now pretty much my favourite programme - until Fringe comes back!

Comments: As a UK viewer, I did think this would be a bit of a rip-off of Hustle (which wasnt all that great after S1 to be honest), but have to say, Leverage is much more satisfying and entertaining to watch, and I think that the whole family dynamic that the cast and crew seem to have together off screen (from what I've seen, heard & read) really shows on screen. So great job! Loved the Hardison/Eliot brilliance this week, these two are great together on screen.

Questions: I've been reading Twitter posts from yourself and the cast/crew and you're all working hard on the S3 finale....have you had word yet about a Season 4? I've just caught up on all things Leverage & would hate for there not to be any more.

Also, how much of the characters personality traits are written and how much are the actors input/own personalities? In particular, I'd love to know how much of their own personalites Aldis and Beth put into Parker/Hardison.

And speaking of which, please tell us there'll be more of these two before season 3 ends? The pretzel episode was the most adorable thing I've seen on TV in a long while, and I'm not a 'shipper' on any show. But I just love these two.

Finally - will Season 3 end on a cliffhanger or will you tie up some loose ends in case, God forbid, the powers that be dont give you a fourth Season?

Thanks for your time, keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

I don't think the woman handing over the credit card is so hard to believe. We're sitting here safe and sound, but were the single women among us to find ourselves in that situation, confronted by two men, at night, and the only line of protection for an adolescent child, who knows what we might do that we wouldn't do in the cold light of day.

Dawn/StL-MO said...

@Nina May
Hooray for annoyed boys \o/ & (And speaking as an older sibling, the short-term lulz invariably outweigh the long-term consequences.) & Either way, annoyed!boys. \o/

Definitely agree about the "Cheers for the Annoyed Boys" \o/\o/\o/.

Love you, but sorry to hear you’re ‘an older sibling.’ I’m the 2nd of 4 - 3 others are males! I was a tomboy when young, but *always* the shortest. My brothers picked on me endlessly until I stopped editing things in my head first (never wanted to offend/hurt them). Once I started replying sans editing, they quickly decided to pick on somebody else & they’ve *never* picked on me since!

@ Brooke
Regarding militia types not being Mensa candidates (hee) -- agree... but I was taking issue with how inept they seemed in one way, yet how scared the Big Bad was of them at the end...if that makes sense.

NOT ARGUING, but thought I read something (probably in 1993 or 1994) where David Koresh &/or one or more of the Branch Davidian followers in Waco, TX were Mensa members. It’s been 16-17 years, so I could be REALLY wrong on this. My point - Just because someone’s intelligent does NOT mean they have *good* common sense.

@ShazzaTW – UK viewer
....have you had word yet about a Season 4?

Heard Leverage HAS been renewed for a 4th season, but it won’t be ‘officially announced’ until the end of August. Right John? Or is that still on the down low?

Dawn/StL-MO

Dawn/StL-MO said...

FOUND A POSSIBLE MOREAU CONNECTION: In 'Reunion Job', when Hardison finally identifies Nikki,the cheerleader, as a hired gun; he mentions she's connected to the Russian mob, the Italian mob & the New Zealand mob!

Dawn/StL-MO

StacyB said...

It is easy for people who have not been faced with pushy, often verbally abusive, and always threatening debt collectors who act like they have the right to do x, y, and z to you when most people have no idea of their rights to dismiss this victim's reaction as naive or unrealistic. You owe a lot of money, someone comes to your home knowing this, with a "badge," and says that he'll call the sheriff and have you evicted that night. You are inclined to believe him because you've been on this debt merry-go-round for years, all you want to do is get these people off your back, and he is acting as a figure of authority - and claims he will call in the police. You are terrified of being homeless. You are terrified of getting in trouble with the law. Your life is one big "How the hell are we going to get through this?" right now. You're desperate. You're exhausted. You have no options. You're more than likely going to believe this guy, at least until you've had a chance to sleep on it, and you're more than likely going to do what he tells you to do.

It is not at all unbelievable. This is reality. It may be hard for people who haven't been there to understand the psychology, but debt collectors understand it incredibly well, and they use it to the fullest possible extent, very effectively. The biggest key to their approach is that most people have no clue of their rights and no money for a lawyer and no knowledge of the available legal resources out there.

Maybe the episode could have been written so that more people with no experience with this could better accept the reality, but it is absolutely reality.

--I have worked with many disadvantaged people desperately seeking the help of non-profits.

ChelseaNH said...

Well, I wrote my recap last night and it's full of editorial comments. Not up to the usual crisp plotting standards.

Also, the militia guys needed more zealotry. These are people who are beleaguered and betrayed by daily life, who see themselves as the last bastion of sanity in a world gone mad. So they're a little emotional.

Jon S. said...

Well, honestly, I haven't dealt with these kind of debt collectors or anyone who has those experiences with debt collectors like one shown in beginning of this week's episode, but I really felt it's believable. I feel that it's not a stretch to think that these kinds of experiences could have happened before in real life world. It's sad.

But you're right, many people who doesn't have experience like that will find it hard to believe. Many times, reality are not what you think is. Reality never conforms to a wishful thinking. It's a mean-street reality out there. Just be careful, everyone.

-Jon S.
Money don't buy the happiness...

Oona said...

I know that debt collectors can be vicious and I understand the psychology of being desparate in THAT situation but as I pointed out up - post, this is not THAT situation.

Her debt is with the IRS - NOT a private debt collector. This is a tax debt she had a payment plan on. Someone will have to refresh my recollection on whether she said she had other debt was being pursued by other debt collectors and therefore may have been under the weight of paranoia and fear from private debt collectors' intimidations?

But the government does not send people to your homes at night to take your credit cards. And if that was the only debt she was dealing with, then it was EXTREMELY gullible to let some skeevy dude into her house at night.

StacyB said...

Google "IRS horror stories." In addition to the stories of people who owe no taxes having their assets mistakenly seized and auctioned off to pay their supposed tax debt, the agents IRS debtors deal with are not always that nice. And not only "government agents" have been involved in tax debt collection. Private collectors (used to?) get around 25% of every debt they collected. But the horror stories extend to IRS employed agents as well.

(I don't mean to imply that all debt collectors or IRS agents are so evil, though. Not everyone has the really awful experiences you hear about.)

ChelseaNH said...

Here's my take on the "IRS" collector thing: Yes, there are all sorts of flags that he's running a bluff. But in order to call his bluff, you're going to have to go ALL IN. Can you do that?

If you lose, your house is gone. If you win, you still have a strange and unprincipled man in your house at night. So maybe handing over a credit card and hoping he goes away is not the worst option.

Anonymous said...

I always wonder how two people handcuffed together can run through the woods without ending up on opposites sides of a tree. Especially when one is clearly panicked.

Also, while it isn't very "macho", why didn't they just hold hands? No, I'm not into the "shippy" shtick, lol, it just seems that Eliot would have known that it would save wear and tear on their wrists. And it could have been kinda funny.

bourgon said...

What was it like working with Rawhide?! And why _were_ the watermelons square?

Okay, seriously - any cool stories from the original Mister Genre? He's been in dozens of genre TV things, everything from Buckaroo Banzai, Highlander, Cast a Deadly Spell, Starship Troopers, Fallout, voice acted on dozens of TV shows - dude's my hero. And he'll always be Rawhide.

Tyler said...

My only question is, How awesome is Clancy Brown for real?

'Cause I bet he's really awesome.

ShazzaTW said...

@Dawn/StL-MO:

Thanks so much for replying, appreciate it. Glad things are looking good for a Season 4. And loving the S3 finale image of Hardison/Parker Jon tweeted this morning. We are very grateful to you Sir.

Quick reminder to any UK fans, Season 2 started on Bravo yesterday - watch it!

EmanG said...

At what point can you start messing with the length of the opening title sequence and why does it happen?

sienamystic said...

It is easy for people who have not been faced with pushy, often verbally abusive, and always threatening debt collectors who act like they have the right to do x, y, and z to you when most people have no idea of their rights to dismiss this victim's reaction as naive or unrealistic.

Yes, but see, I have had (several, bad) experience with those types of debt collectors, and with the IRS (friendly, helpful, and easy to set up a payment plan, after which we only needed to communicate via letter), and I still was thrown out of my suspension of disbelief.

Oona said...

Well, I am officially educated on the IRS thing StacyB. I have a friend who negotiates payment plans and works with the IRS a third party intermediary, and he thought the idea that a guy would storm is was pretty implausible. Like sienamystic, his experiences have been far from what the skeevy impersonator portrayed. But I guess these things do happen.

It goes back, though, to whether its a good idea even if it has some basis in fact. It can be true but if it takes the viewer out of the scene, it still may be a bad idea from a writing standpoint. I've seen more criticism of that scene than anything else in that ep (with the exception of stuff from some wingnut militia apologists), here and on twitter and other boards.

I know its tough, because you've got to cram your set up into a very small window and you don't have a lot of time to work with. I still think the scene could have been tweaked a little to client look less like an idiot.

In any event, I really did enjoy the episode as a whole - it was just that scene and the explosion blocking in the end that took me out of the "moment" so to speak. Can't wait to see this weekend's show and Bill Engvall and fast cars being driven real fast!

Maria said...

Sorry, because I LOVE you and I LOVE this show. BTW, great tweet reply to that nimrod that called you a socialist. But I digress. Marquis is so hard core right...on every point. Don't get me wrong, some things ALL shows do--like have the FBI travel at impossible warp speeds to locations. But we can presume that some enforcement agency already had an eye on this group. But the other stuff--a smart enough guy to run this scam and be untouchable considers giving all his money to a Jersey Shore style Curves gym owner within a matter of hours of meeting him? And this is after within minutes of meeting him he engages in that way TMI conversation. And the train thing especially. I mean if Hardison had hacked in and found the routes...but Nate? I totally just sat back and said, "Whatever. Man Hardison and Eliot are on it tonight. God I love this show." But my roommate, a Lev virgin until that night kept saying, "Umm...is it just me?" It was still a great ep and I guess my main question is, why did you add some parts while condensing the time span for others? And I really mean it--from a creative perspective, what was the drive? The train thing wasn't necessary was it? After they came in to range and Eliot communicated where they were... and yet Sophie usually spends some time building a relationship, why did it have to be THAT day? Don't crazy militia people keep more stuff at home than the office, but Parker, Nate, and Sophie all seem to need to be in the same place for some reason? Again, I finished this ep with a smile on my face and felt the need to tweet back at that nimrod myself. But the pace felt...well, how come?

Anonymous said...

Everyone's gotta have a "first". While there may be some issues with the details of the plot, the fact that it's triggered both lively debate and general praise would seem to reflect well on the writer of this episode.

One would assume, naturally, that Mr. Rogers was exempt from this "rule" and produced scripted gems from the onset of his career.

*The preceding sucking-up was brought to you by The Coalition to Curry Favor With John Rogers (Rev. Trask, Pres) and Little Debbie Snack Cakes. *g*

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure if you answered this question already...

But I've been getting a LOT of questions lately about what's the song called in the "Definitions" commercial. Seriously. People wanna know.

Is it Joseph LoDuca at his best? Or what?? Pretty please with cherry on top! :D

StacyB said...

Oona, I have to agree that it could have been better scripted because it even took me out of the Leverage-verse for a moment. While it's reality, it doesn't have to be portrayed that way in a scripted episode. I just wanted to make sure people understood that it's plausible.

Perhaps there's a reason why it was written this way. No TV episode will ever be perfect.

MacSTL said...

I have watched this several times for 'fun' and then a couple for questions...

Love this episode.

Most have already been asked. But the one thing I had the most problem with was how LOUD Eliot & Hardison were while on the run in the woods. I mean SERIOUSLY? I know it is tv and you can't have them not say anything - but they were YELLING at each other.

briddie said...

TNT News just announced a renewal. John, we know you're exhausted right about now, but congratulations! You get to do it all again!

LOL wv: mesicks I hope Dean's feeling better.

msd said...

Just read in TV Guide that Tom Skerritt is going to portray Jimmy Ford in about 3 weeks! Excellent choice. I'm so impressed with the caliber of guest stars this year. Is it you fishing for them or them offering to be on the show??

Gina said...

Are we going to eventually see that any of the jobs the team has worked so far have actually been bringing them a step closer to Moreau?

Oh, and I don't suppose there will ever be a chance for those of us on the east coast to get our hands on the Leverage t-shirts at Comic Con? Pretty please?

Jon S. said...

I am very pleased to hear that LEVERAGE has been renewed for fourth season. Congratulations, sir. Well done.

-Jon S.
Con pulled on TNT execs to renew LEVERAGE worked, apparently...

SueN. said...

Huge congrats for a season 4!! (Not that we ever doubted.)

And I'm sure you realize there's a ginormous oil company just *begging* for the Leverage treatment. ;-)

Kim Henry said...

So, not about 307- more about comic con. It seems you're going to damage Eliot's warmer and fuzzier exterior. Can you promise us that we won't go screaming into the night? And how long will we have to wait?

Dawn/StL-MO said...

John Congratulations to you, Dean, Chris, the entire cast & crew on the 4th season! 60% increase in viewers?!? WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!Couldn’t think of a nicer, more deserving group of people!

Dawn/StL-MO

Anna said...

Yay for bromance! :D Fave exchange? "What's that smell?" "It's fresh air." "I don't like it!"

Will Hardison be tweaking the comms now after this incident? Also, now that they've stolen a train, will they also steal an airplane or (yay, gasp!) a space shuttle? I am so not joking about that latter one.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say congrats on Season 4! I both blame and thank the mad pulp bastard for my current state of Leverage addiction....which I have no intention of seeking 12 step program to cure. BC (as he was known back in college days) got me watching and I was hooked from the first ep.
Thanks for such an intelligently written, exceptionally well cast, wonderfully produced and directed show. And to all of the crew people that we never see - a big thanks! Let the fun train roll!

As an added thought.....no one has commented on the yellow square Hummer used for Clancy Brown's character? Seroiusly? Have they been living in a pineapple under the sea?

DaveMB said...

Just saw this ep on-line a week late and have a question. Was there an intentional hat tip to "Mission: Impossible" with the gloat sequence at the end, when the mark discovers that all the people he's encountered are part of the con?

Actually the personnel of Leverage and later-seasons MI match up, except for Parker: mastermind, female grifter, black tech guy, and muscle man...

Jonathan Andrew Sheen said...

Oregon doesn't quite look like central Massachusetts, but I give you props for using real central MA towns for the train theft sequence, and double down on the props for the accurate MassDOT logo. I live in the area, and seeing the electronic map zooming in past Lunenburg to focus on Fitchburg was a lovely nod at reality, and now doubt thrilled my neighbors as much as it did me.

LarryFleming said...

Well, I'm late posting my questions and they have been asked already. So, I'll just say Hi and in true "Airplane" style: "I just want to tell you good luck. We're all counting on you."

Kim H said...

This is actually a question from my husband. He is wondering if there is a reason why the team doesn't use guns. Clearly, the don't want to kill people and Eliot has an as of yet to be explained adversity for them, but they face off so often against people who get the drop on them that it's becoming almost silly that they don't get shot. For example, in this show, if any of those guys had their fingers on the trigger of their rifles when the bomb blew, it's highly likely they would have shot as they got blown forward. Would Eliot or Hardison been shot as a result? Maybe or maybe not. The same holds true for The Boost Job. Does TNT have a political bent against guns? Because if Eliot is ex-military and is as good as he is, he would certainly KNOW how to use a gun and probably how to use one without killing people if necessary. And clearly both Nate and Sophie have a history of carrying when necessary. After your questions about racism and rape last season, please know that neither of us mean any disrespect. We LOVE the show.

Beth Pettit said...

This is kind of a general comment/thank you. Going back to the Scheherazade Job I was sooo thrilled to see Giancarlo Esposito. Do you watch Breaking Bad? He's BEYOND amazing in that. He can look deadpan at the camera and not move a muscle in his face and is still able to conjure up this terrifying presence that makes you want to pee your pants and scream like a girl. It's great to see him on other things flexing his gigantic acting muscles with another character.

Which brings me to my next point, your casting department deserves raises for the guest stars they get for this show. Almost every episode there is an actor/actress that have done one-ofs or short guest runs on other shows and knocked it out of the park and made me want to see them more and they ALL turn up on Leverage at some point. From Mark Sheppard to Gaincarlo Esposito to Kari Matchett to Richard Kind to Richard fucking Chamberlain (WHAT!)I'm always just as excited to see the guest stars on an episode as I am the main cast. Now if you can get Garret Dillahunt (Terminator: SCC, Burn Notice, Lie to Me, White Collar, Damages) then I think you'll have hit just about every amazing actor that I know that deserves more screen time. Side from them, you've introduced me to more actors I've fallen in love with.

Also, does your costuming lady have a blog or something? If not, you should suggest it. They do an amazing job helping the characters come to life (especially Parkers Bjork costume) and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is interested in hearing what goes on behind the scenes in her domain.

Thank you for making every show a grand adventure! =)

Kate said...

May I say that I absolutely loved the ending of this ep. Kudos to whoever came up with it: I go with Hardison, less bugs with fishing on the Wii. But I'm one of those "keep out of direct sunlight" geeks.

Two questions really, first being part of an observation. It seemed to me like Parker was a little bit... different, in this ep, not un-Parker-y, but there was something going on. And then a theory that fits scarily well popped up from our group of watchers. Was she channeling Hardison? Since he was gone or just to experiment with acting like him? Because that's what me and my friends suspected.

And secondly, I would like to know if it's a card in the writing room for the Leverage cast to steal a Convention of some kind. Because making any of them dress up for a cover(Thank you for the duck dress in The Studio Job) would be soooo much fun. And we can't get enough of Hardison geeking out.

Anonymous said...

I've just been re-re-re-rewatching this episode, and am still loving it! One thing that niggles me each time, however, is the way Eliot and Hardison are dressed when they turn up at the bank. I know they're supposed to be in the boondies but their choice of clothing, while probably perfect for the fishing that Eliot has planned, seems quite extraordinary wear for IRS employees. Or does the fact they're from the criminal investigation part of the IRS excuse their fashion choices as "undercover"?

Just to say, yet again, thank you for opening up your blog to us all and for the time you take to answer our many questions.

Christina Lollobrigida said...

I'm following up my question here, because I asked it originally in this episode. Granted, in The 3-Card-Monte we saw the FULL glory of the McRory's Pub set, but I now know that the exteriors are the corner of Morrison and 16th. Google-StreetView has come to the rescue at the intersection. Not on the actual street, because the paint is different.

However, is this a new location? Or is that just a "newer-updated" set in that one warehouse you guys have. Because, it's IMPRESSIVE either way. I just want to know, because if I come out there for ConCon 2.0 I'd like to be able to visit McRory's and if it's out there, somewhere, then that'd be awesome.

(If you answer this one here, then you can just ignore my question about it on 309)

Anonymous said...

Always great to see brother Justin get his evil on. You mentioned some schedule shuffle to accommodate mr. Brown - is that standard industry stuff, or is he a fan who wanted to fit Leverage into an otherwise booked schedule?

The milita leader didn't ring true for me, but maybe MA militia types are more regular army in disposition than MO or KY guys. The rest of the unit worked, hitting a mix of ragtag, fanatical, eager.

Finally, idoes anyone else think this ep is going to play into the sneaking up on Moreau plot pretty heavily? The victim could have fixed this problem by reporting her card as stolen, but Nate sought her out for a crack @ a former corrupt former govt official w/ domestic terror ties? I've gotta think he suspected something more than just personal profit as the motive, though maybe militia rather than regular organized crime was a loop.

Finally, I wwas surprised Hardison didn't arm himself early on. He was willing to shoot somebody to get his payday in the pilot, but hasn't been much of a threat since then. Has he become a less effective bluffer since then, or has that level of resolve been intentionally dialed back?

Thanks again

Anonymous said...

Finally, a show about how murdering tea baggers get what they deserve. Long live the IRS and entitlements.

Anonymous said...

Loved this Ep!! The Eliot and Alec moments were perfect. Parkers reaction to Eliot pulling the head off the donkey. The team's concern when they realized they hadn't heard from the boy's.

I'm starting to think the only thing you have left to do to prove them a family is have nate threaten to turn the car around an go home if the kids don't stop fussing in the back seat. :)


Loveed Eliot checking in on what alec is feeling before they take on the baddies. I'm guessing this is what Eliot feels everytime he's gone into battle. Maybe a way of checking that he's doing it for the right reasons and not the thrill of the fight.

Question: Eliot seems to favor/ice that shoulder alot over the last two seasons... with all the leathel weapon movie moments I'm still waiting for him to have to pop it back in place. Any chance that could be coming or is the icing just a show that he does get scuffed.

Fan girl Leverage/Highlander wish list:
Eliot saying... There can be only one.
Eliot doing the sword balance test CB did in the Movie..so hot.
And last but not least.

Would have loved to have a Christian and Clancy Brown scene just to get growly voices in stereo :)

critterdoc said...

OK, on the Q&A for the Studio Job, at the end you made the comment that it was too bad Psych had referred to Leverage as a TV show, since Eliot definitely has an Uncle Henry!!! I picked up on the Spencer connection along time ago!!

I am more than willing to pretend that didn't happen, to get a "Dammit Shawn" from Eliot!!! Shawn would annoy the hell out of cousin? Eliot, and what great fun both shows could have with a few well placed references. Any chance of that happening?? (fingers crossed!!)

Leverage and Psych make summer TV watchable!!

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Pengobatan Bisul Kutil Kelamin
Obat Jengger Ayam Paling Ampuh
Obat Kutil Kemaluan

Anonymous said...

Obat Kutil Kelamin Ampuh
Obat Kutil Kelamin Tanpa Operasi
Cara Mengobati Kutil Kelamin
Obat Kutil Kelamin Untuk Wanita
Obat Kutil Kelamin Untuk Pria
Cara Menyembuhkan Kutil Kelamin
Cara Mengatasi Kutil Kelamin
Obat Kutil Kelamin Wanita
Cara Mengobati Kutil Kelamin
Penyebab Sipilis
Cara Mengobati Sipilis
Obat Kutil Kelamin
Obat Wasir Ampuh
Obat Wasir Herbal
Obat Sipilis Tradisional
Obat Sipilis Pada Pria
Obat Kanker Payudara
Obat Sipilis Raja Singa
Obat Wasir Luar
Obat Penyakit Kutil Kelamin
Obat Sipilis
Ciri Penyakit Sipilis
Tanda - Tanda Penyakit Sipilis
Obat Kutil Kelamin Pria
Obat Kutil Kelamin Wanita
Jual Obat Wasir atau Ambeien Pada Pria Dan Wanita
Obat Ambeien
Obat Kencing Nanah
Gejala Penyakit Sipilis
Penyakit Kutil Kelamin
Obat Kutil Kelamin Alami
Obat Kutil Kelamin Herbal
Pengobatan Kutil Kelamin
Cara Mengobati Kutil Kelamin
Obat Kencing Nanah
Obat Gonore
Obat Raja Singa Ampuh

Unknown said...

obat sipilis
obat kutil kelamin
obat herbal untuk kencing nanah, gonore, raja singa dan sipilis
obat kencing nanah manjur
obat gonore ampuh
obat sipilis gang jie dan gho siah
obat kencing nanah
obat infeksi kencing nanah
obat kencing nanah
obat alami kencing nanah atau gonore
obat herbal penyakit gonore atau sipilis
obat gonore herbal manjur
obat raja singa dan sipilis
macam macam obat gonore
pengobatan manjur penyakit gonore
obat gonore
obat gonore tanpa efek samping
obat untuk sakit gonore
obat wasir de nature stadium 4 ampuh
cara mengobati wasir aman tanpa operasi
pengobatan wasir manjur
obat ambeien yang ampuh
ciri ciri penyakit wasir
mengobati wasir tanpa efek samping
obat wasir
Obat wasir tiongkok

Anonymous said...

Penyakit ini umumnya muncul karena penderita mengejan terlalu keras pada saat buang air besar. Dengan mengejan terlalu keras, maka pembuluh darah di sekitar anus dapat melebar dan pecah menimbulkan infeksi dan pembengkakan yang berakhir pada masalah wasir atau ambeien tersebut.

Unknown said...

Penderita Penyakit kondiloma atau Kutil Kelamin yang telah terinveksi disarankan untuk segera melakukan pengobatan secepat mungkin sebelum Virus HPV penyebab kutil kelamin makin banyak berkembang biak di dalam sel darah makin lama dibiarkan akan memperparah kondisi organ vital karena kutil kelamin akan terus membesar sehingga terlihat seperti jengger ayam untuk penderita yang baru tertular kurang dari satu bulan biasanya akan lebih cepat ditanggulangi obat kutil kelamin Paling ampuh dari De Nature dan terbaik ada hanya di http://obatkutildikemaluan.blogdetik.com/ untuk mendapatkan informasi yang lebih jelas mengenai pengobatan kutil pada kelamin silahkan kontak langsung di nomer 0852 808 77 999 atau 0859 7373 5656 Bagaimana mengobati Ambeien itu sendiri. pengobatan yang terbaik untuk Ambeien adalah dari luar dan dalam sehingga Ambeien benar benar tuntas dan tidak akan kambuh lagi. obat Ambeien terbaik "Ambeclear dari De Nature" AlamiAdalah obat Ambeien herbal yang memang terbaik untuk mengobati Ambeien, dan sudah terdaftar di badan obat dan makanan (BPOM) dengan nomer registrasi POM TR: 133 374 041. terbuat dari bahan alami antara lain terdiri Daung Ungu, Mahkota Dewa dan Kunyit Putih.

Unknown said...

cara mengobati kutil kelamin pada wanita tanpa harus menggunakan operasi cukup dengan menggunakan obat khusus kutil kelamin paling manjur dari klinik de nature manjurserta sangat aman untuk ibu hamil

Unknown said...

Apabila anda sedang mencari pengobatan kutil kelamin untuk pria maupun wanita segera kunjungi kami http://obatkutilkelaminwanita.blogdetik.com cara mengobati kutil kelamin pada wanita tanpa harus menggunakan operasi cukup dengan menggunakan obat khusus kutil kelamin paling manjur dari klinik de nature manjurserta sangat aman untuk ibu hamil

Unknown said...

Penyakit kencing nanah bisa disebabkan oleh beberapa faktor seperti seks bebas, penularan, virus hpv, lingkungan, gaya hidup dan lainnya, Maka dari itu kita harus waspada dengan penyakit kencing nanah ini, karena penyakit kencing nanah sangatlah berbahaya, Namun untuk anda yang menderita penyakit kencing nanah, maka anda tidak perlu khawatir,

Unknown said...

Bagi anda yang sedang mencari obat herbal buat kencing nanah atau gonore, kami sarankan untuk memilih obat herba dari De Nature dengan nama Gang jie dan Gho Siah sebagai pengobatan alternatif tradisional alami untuk kencing nanah atau gonore.

Unknown said...

Kencing nanah atau gonore (dari gonorrhoia Latin Akhir mana gonos berarti “benih” dan rhoe berarti “mengalir”) adalah infeksi bakteri menular seksual yang cenderung menyerang selaput lendir tubuh.

Silahkan Hubungi Kami dan Konsultasikan Masalah penyakit kencing nanah  yang anda derita,kontak kami 0812-2854-1999 atau   Pin BB 53E87F23

Unknown said...

Berapa Harga untuk Obat Wasir Ambeien alami daun ungu AmbeclearAmbeien adalah gangguan atau penyakit yang terjadi pada saluran pencernaan manusia

Unknown said...

Cara yang sering di lakukan untuk menghilangkan kutil kelamin adalah dengan cara pembedahah atau operasi, cara ini tentu memerlukan dana yang tidak sedikit. metode Pilihan pembedahan yang dapat Anda lakukan

Unknown said...

Kenali penyebab penyakit kencing bernanah sehingga cara mengobati
penyakit kencing nanah dan infeksi saluran kencing nanah dapat dilakukan
dengan benar.

Unknown said...

Kadang disertai
dengan sakit saat kencing, perih, organ intim terasa panas menyiksa,
gatal,..

Unknown said...

Sekitar Vagina Tumbuh Daging, Berbahayakah? Kutil Pada Kepala Penis mirip bunga kol atau jengger ayam, Merupakan Penyakit Yang diakibatkan Oleh Virus.Kutil kelamin, atau disebut juga condyloma acuminata, adalah kutil atau daging berwarna kulit atau keabuan yang tumbuh di sekitar alat kelamin dan

Unknown said...

penyakit yang ditularkan melalui hubungan seks : vaginal, oral dan anal. Juga dapat menular melalui persentuhan kulit dengan daerah yang terinfeksi.

Unknown said...

Obat Ambeien Resep Dokter Ambeclear dari De Nature Ampuh Tuntaskan Ambeien Sampai Tuntas

Unknown said...

Sebelum kita membahas tentang pengobatan ambeien, dalam kesempatan ini
saya ingin menjelaskan sekilas tentang ambeien, agar kita semua bisa
memahami benar apa itu penyakit ambeien

Unknown said...

obat wasir, Adalah  Obat alami berkhasiat dalam bentuk kapsul yang berasal dari tanaman herbal seperti daun ungu, mahkota dewa dan kunyit putih, diberikan pada penderita jika penyakit masih dalam tingkatan stadium ringan

Unknown said...

manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur manjur

obar herbal manjur alami said...

alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami alami

Anonymous said...

Wasir atau dikenal juga dengan ambeien merupakan salah satu jenis penyakit

Anonymous said...

Wasir atau dikenal juga dengan ambeien merupakan salah satu jenis penyakit

Anonymous said...

yang sangat mengganggu. Ambeien atau wasir ini muncul..

Anonymous said...

yang sangat mengganggu. Ambeien atau wasir ini muncul..

Unknown said...

شركة رش مبيدات بالدمام

شركة مكافحة حشرات بالدمام

شركة مكافحة الصراصير ببقيق

شركة مكافحة الصراصير بعنك

شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالجبيل

شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالقطيف

شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالظهران

شركة مكافحة الصراصير براس تنورة

شركة مكافحة الصراصير بسيهات

شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالخبر

شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالدمام

Anonymous said...

Assalamualaikum wr.wb, Salam Sehat semuanya. numpang komen ya gan.

Anonymous said...

Penyakit kulit adalah penyakit infeksi yang umum, terjadi pada orang orang dari segala usia. Gangguan pada kulit sering terjadi karena ada
faktor peyebabnya, Antara lain yaitu iklim, lingkungan, tempat tinggal,

Anonymous said...

Penyakit kulit adalah penyakit infeksi yang umum, terjadi pada orang orang dari segala usia. Gangguan pada kulit sering terjadi karena ada
faktor peyebabnya, Antara lain yaitu iklim, lingkungan, tempat tinggal,

Unknown said...

Orang yang mampu belajar dari kegagalan adalah pemenang, namun orang yang selalu menutupi kegagalan adalah pecundang

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