Leverage Returns January 13th On TNT

For the past couple of years my viewing has been drifting over to cable channels, for a variety of reasons you are probably familiar with if you're a regular reader. The one that sticks out most in my mind is simply the comfort that comes from channels that are willing to stick with a show. The main thought floating around my mind when it comes to new shows on the big networks isn't, "What if I don't like it?" At this point, it's gone so far that I have few thoughts other than, "Oh no, what if I do?"

Cable networks are obviously going to pull things if they just aren't working out, but history shows that we can invest from the start, because they're at least going to give it a hell of a shot first.

One of the shows that has really caught my attention is Leverage. Putting Timothy Hutton together with a fine ensemble cast and great writing, the show is an enjoyable mix of characters and fun. Sometimes the plots are a little transparent, but you don't mind, and the mix of guest stars and attention to the progression of the group make the show something to look forward to.

The show is back on the 13th, and Jeri Ryan is continuing her role in a long-term guest spot.

Make sure you tune in at 10pm. Better yet, set your Tivo here. You can also catch up on Netflix instant streaming.

Check out my initial review of the show, the season 2 recap in the player at right, and some clips from the next episode below.

The odd characters and the fact that these reverse caper adventures are delivered in a way that, despite some good turns at actiony moments, are largely dialog driven have thus far really sucked me in.

Television’s coolest gang of thieves, grifters and con artists is ready to put a sizzle in January as TNT’s hit series LEVERAGE returns with six all new episodes. Academy Award^® winner Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People) stars along with Gina Bellman (Coupling), Christian Kane (TNT’s Into the West), Beth Riesgraf (Alvin and the Chipmunks) and Aldis Hodge (Friday Night Lights).  In addition, Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager) will be back as a special guest star in a continuing story arc as a temporary member of the team.  LEVERAGE returns with new episodes Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

As the second season opened this past summer, the LEVERAGE team reunited in Boston to settle more scores against those who use power and wealth to victimize others.  The gang is led by former insurance investigator Nate Ford (Hutton), who first got into the racket after his former employer refused to pay for treatment that could have saved his son’s life.  His highly skilled team includes Sophie Devereaux (Bellman), a grifter who uses her acting skills to corner her marks; Eliot Spencer (Kane), a “retrieval specialist” with bone-crunching fighting skills; Alec Hardison (Hodge), a gadget and technology wizard who keeps the team informed; and Parker (Riesgraf), a slightly off-center thief adept at rappelling off buildings or squeezing into tight places.

By the end of summer, the LEVERAGE team had scammed a hedge-fund manager who happened to be in the custody of U.S. Marshals; used Eliot’s martial arts skills to corner a corrupt fight promoter; and took over a private school to recover millions of dollars lost in a Ponzi scheme.  They also went head-to-head with an almost identical team of grifters to recover a painting that had been stolen by Nazis during World War II.

But for Sophie, something just wasn’t feeling right.  Her conflicted relationship with Nate left her questioning if she wanted to continue working with the team.  She decided to take some much-needed time away, but not before she arranged for a friend and fellow grifter, Tara Cole (Ryan), to fill in for her.  Tara immediately proved her worth by not only helping the team save a client’s estate from a corrupt lawyer, but also fooling everyone into thinking she was the client’s attorney.

In the latest batch of new episodes, the LEVERAGE team will work to take down an oppressive sweatshop owner, run a high-tech version of a classic con on a predatory loan shark and corner a fake psychic out to drain the life savings of his bereaved clients.  They’ll also attempt to free Nate’s ex-wife (guest star Kari Matchett – Invasion) from a Ukrainian jail.

“The Runway Job” – Premieres Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)

In order to take down an oppressive sweatshop owner, the LEVERAGE team infiltrates the fashion world.

Directed by Marc Roskin

Written by Albert Kim

Created by John Rogers & Chris Downey

“The Bottle Job” – Premieres Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)

The LEVERAGE team runs a high-tech version of a classic con on a predatory loan shark in order to save McRory’s bar.

Directed by Jonathan Frakes

Written by Christine Boylan

Created by John Rogers & Chris Downey

“The Zanzibar Marketplace Job” – Premieres Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)

The team is forced to work with their old enemy Sterling in order to free Nate’s ex-wife, Maggie (guest star Kari Matchett) from a Ukrainian jail and clear her name.

Directed by Jeremiah Chechik

Written by Melissa Glenn & Jessica Rieder

Created by John Rogers & Chris Downey

“The Future Job” – Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)

The team goes after a con man masquerading as a psychic medium (guest star Luke Perry) in order to drain the life savings of his bereaved clients.

Directed by Marc Roskin

Written by Amy Berg & Chris Downey

Created by John Rogers & Chris Downey

“The Three Strikes Job” – Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)

While trying to take down a corrupt local mayor exploiting his love of baseball, the LEVERAGE team runs into an unexpected complication.

Directed by Dean Devlin

Written by John Rogers

Created by John Rogers & Chris Downey

“The Maltese Falcon Job” – Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)

Surrounded by FBI, the team decides to hide in plain sight, while continuing to take down the corrupt mayor and his gunrunning partner. Little do they suspect that Nate has a different endgame in mind for them all.

Directed by Dean Devlin

Written by John Rogers

Created by John Rogers & Chris Downey

Special Clip - The Bottle Job - Airing 1/20

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About Marc Eastman

Marc Eastman is the owner and operator of Are You Screening? and has been writing film reviews for over a decade, and several branches of the internet's film review world have seen his name. His reviews have brought him personal praise from the director of a major motion picture, and have been used as required reading in a course at a major University. These priceless rewards, along with just bags of cash, keep him from straying from freelance writing. He is also a member of The Broadcast Film Critics Association and The Broadcast Television Journalists Association.

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