I’m liking this Leverage a bit more each week. The Timothy Hutton-led caper show is hitting its stride in its second season on TNT, with last night’s episode, entitled “The Tap-Out Job,” a strong, funny, smart hour. Hutton’s rob-from-the-rich-give-to-the-poor crew was avenging the injuries of a mixed martial artist as a result of the scheming of a corrupt MMA promoter.
Leverage captured some of the excitement of good MMA bouts, using the series’ strong-man, Christian Kane’s Eliot, as a fighter and Hutton posing as a drawling businessman to lure out the villain. The series did a fine job of making the case for MMA as a sport as legit as any other. (The famous quote of John McCain’s, that this genre amounts to “cockfighting,” was placed in one character’s mouth only to have the charge decisively dismissed.)
For all the meticulous clobbering done in this episode, it was Leverage’s typical lightness of tone that made it entertaining. Hutton seems to be having fun impersonating various shady characters week after week, and his low-key enthusiasm gives Leverage a steady glow.
Have you been watching Leverage? What did you think?
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I agree that Leverage is great fun. I love the characters. And as a huge Eliot fan, I really enjoyed this episode.
But Ken, the “victim” of the week didn’t die. In fact, he was in the last five minutes of the show. Did your DVR cut out?
I loved the episode, it might have been one of my two or three favorite episodes yet in the show’s history.
One thing though, the MMA fighter they were avenging didnt die, he was just beaten up to the point where his doctor’s said he couldn’t fight anymore. He was the young kid at the end of the episode that they gave the keys to, so that he could run the gym with his father.
Never miss a show and absolutely love it. This ep was as good or better then any that have aired–sp?–as of yet this or last season. And Tim Hutton is just like his father, Jim, was–he adds to and betters everything he is in.
Um…the guy didn’t die in the ring. He was in the final scene. Did you watch this episode.
I watched Leverage last season and am really enjoying it this season… i was on the edge of my seat last night
Awesome story line – awesome show.
Love this show. It is a summer favorite.
I absolutely love Leverage. I felt the newest epi was a little too cute with its chicken steaks and pork rinds but it all was erased with Parker choking Hardison, Elliot being badass, and Timothy Hutton blatently looking like hes having fun playing a character.
I have watched “Leverage” from the onset. I love it. It is “smart” television. Love. It.
Great episode! I watched Season One in about two days online and now I’m looking forward to more! I wish it was next Wednesday already!
I loved season one and so far season two has been continuing on with the entertainment. I agree with you but not only Timothy Hutton but they all just look like they are having fun and it makes it fun to watch.
I was fortunate enough to attend a season 2 prescreening and meet the actors. What lovely people they are. I thought “The Tap-Out Job” was exceptional TV. It really gave Christian Kane a chance to shine.
Love the show! First season was great, and the second is off to another great start . . . would all shows be this fun & entertaining!
I really couldn’t wait for the second season to begin. I love the “con” genre — it began with “Hustle” on AMC, continued with Ocean’s movies, also another great movie “Confidence” and this series is so good (IMHO) that TNT has a winner on its hands.
I enjoyed season 1 and am liking this season more and more as well! The only downside is that I’m always looking for the con, so last night I realized that the smackdown (and “Tank’s death”) ended up being part of the deal. I enjoyed it nonetheless!