History Recap / LeverageS03E16TheSanLorenzoJob

* DistinctionWithoutADifference: His engagement isn't a lie, it's a campaign promise, he makes it, and then doesn't do it.

* HonorBeforeReasons: Flores refuses to be broken out of his prison when Eliot and Parker come for him, because his men are also in captivity and he can't leave them behind.

* KarmaHoudini: Ribera. The man is a corrupt politician who, in order: falsely imprisons his opponents, steals their assets, plans to murder said opponents (routinely does this if the last act is to be believed), and lets an international crime lord run and control the laws. In the end he gets to retire scot-free in a nice villa with all of Moreau's assets.[[note]]FridgeLogic sets in, however, in that despite getting away scot-free, he will be looked down upon as a pariah by the people of San Lorenzo, and the people who he has wronged will be after his neck (plus he's no longer president, so he has zero protection), so there is some solace to this.[[/note]] However even that is in question as it's implied that Parker stole all of Moreau's hard assets.

* KarmaHoudini: Ribera. The man is a corrupt politician who in order; falsely imprisons his opponents, steals their assets, plans to murder said opponents (routinely does this if the last act is to be believed). Lets an international crime lord run and control the laws. In the end he gets to retire scot-free in a nice villa with all of Moreau's assets.[[note]]FridgeLogic sets in, however, in that despite getting away scot-free, he will be looked down upon as a pariah by the people of San Lorenzo, and the people who he has wronged will be after his neck (plus he's no longer president, so he has zero protection), so there is some solace to this.[[/note]] However even that is in question as it's implied that Parker stole all of Moreau's hard assets.

First thing they do is hold a press conference giving Vittoria a bunch of feel-good, typical politician talk and throwing him in front of the cameras. The press conference is a stall while Eliot tries to find Flores, but he’s in an underground prison where they can’t get to him without a whole lot of trouble. Meanwhile, Vittori finishes his speech, and runs over to Nate and Sophie as the reporters start asking questions. They calm him down, Sophie putting her hand on his face, which is caught on camera, and he returns to give answers.

'''Nate''': You know, I’m ok with that.

The debate goes forward, Ribera getting softball questions, while Vittoris gets obscure, trivial questions. Ribera starts looking really nervous and drinking a lot of water, since they put nicotine cream on the back of his wristwatch, which makes it look like he’s been drinking.
The debate goes in Vittori’s favor, and Moreau is not pleased. On the eve of the election, it’s pretty much a tossup.

Sophie intercepts Vittori and knocks out the guards, then drags him into the crowd, where they run into a reporter. She says a few words, then sees someone about to shoot Vittori, and she moves in from of him, [[TakingTheBullet taking the shots herself]]. Vittori catches her as she falls, all of it live on the news. Ribera now has the world set against him, and really wants to kill Nate. [[INeedAFreakingDrink Nate wants a drink]]. He then pulls out a warrant for Moreau’s arrest and tells Ribera that he’s going to sign it, as word comes in on the crowd celebrating Vittori’s victory. Hardison sent a mass email from the government with the news. Adding insult to injury, Flores is still alive and commenting on TV.

In the president’s office, Nate explains that Ribera could prove that he did win, but people will always think it was fixed, and running a hostile country would become more trouble than it’s worth. Or he could allow Vittori to have it, and he could retire someplace nice…like Moreau’s estate because of a law he passed which allows the Government to seize property of criminals. Ribera signs the warrant and the guards drag Moreau away, kicking and screaming. Moments later, Vittori and Flores come in and Ribera lets them have the office. Moreau is dragged down to the cells where Flores was kept and the Italian locks him in. Then she and Nate turn and walk away, leaving him there. And he will stay there because [[MeaningfulEcho San Lorenzo has no extradition treaties]].

* BulletproofHumanShield: Sophie jumps in front of Vittori to stop assassins' bullets. Of course, they were blanks and she was rigged with squibs...[[note]]As Elliot is on coms with Sophie when he and Ribera appear, she knows it is them and not enemy forces in that full armor.[[/note]]

* ClicheStorm: [[invoked]] What the team puts into Vittori's first press conference speech. While it is cliche, Moreau notes that it is actually very well made and draws his attention.

* KarmaHoudini: Ribera. The man is a corrupt politician who in order; falsely imprisons his opponents, steals their assets, plans to murder said opponents (routinely does this if the last act is to be believed). Let’s an international crime lord run and control the laws. In the end he gets to retire scot-free in a nice villa with all of Moreau’s assets.[[note]]FridgeLogic sets in, however, in that despite getting away scot-free, he will be looked down upon as a pariah by the people of San Lorenzo, and the people who he has wronged will be after his neck (plus he’s no longer president, so he has zero protection), so there is some solace to this.[[/note]] However even that is in question as it's implied that Parker stole all of Moreau's hard assets.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: A twofer: Moreau was only able to find Flores when the team contacted him, and the software he needed to do it only came into possession [[Recap/LeverageS03E02TheReunionJob because of the team's previous actions]].

** It is subtle, but Moreau is holding back a smile when he sees the news report featuring Elliott smearing Ribera as running a dog fighting ring. He acknowledges it as an effective strike.
** Nate initially believes Hardison went overboard on his political attack ad against Rivera, claiming things like against fire safety, for guns, and for child labor. They hear Ribera entering the building and a child pulls away from shaking his hand and screams in fear. Nate just nods and admits he is wrong.

* BulletproofHumanShield: Sophie jumps in front of Vittori to stop assassins' bullets. Of course, they were blanks and she was rigged with squibs...[[note]]But Eliot and Hardison were both wearing full-face helmets, and she had to trust that it was actually ''them'' who were shooting at her.[[/note]]

* ClicheStorm: [[invoked]] What the team puts into Vittori's first press conference speech.

* KarmaHoudini: Ribera. The man is a corrupt politician who in order; falsely imprisons his opponents, steals their assets, plans to murder said opponents (routinely does this if the last act is to be believed). Let’s an international crime lord run and control the laws. In the end he gets to retire scot-free in a nice villa with all of Moreau’s assets.[[note]]FridgeLogic sets in, however, in that despite getting away scot-free, he will be looked down upon as a pariah by the people of San Lorenzo, and the people who he has wronged will be after his neck (plus he’s no longer president, so he has zero protection), so there is some solace to this.[[/note]]
** Also, in a quick aside...it's revealed that Parker stole all of Moreau's hard assets, so...

* {{Touche}}: It is subtle, but Moreau is holding back a smile when he sees the news report featuring Elliott smearing Ribera as running a dog fighting ring. He acknowledges it as an effective strike.

* BulletproofHumanShield: Sophie jumps in front of Vittori to stop assassins' bullets. Of course, they were blanks and she was rigged with squibs...

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Moreau was only able to find Flores when the team contacted him.

First thing they do is hold a press conference giving Vittoria bunch of feel-good, typical politician talk and throwing him in front of the cameras. The press conference is a stall while Eliot tries to find Flores, but he’s in an underground prison where they can’t get to him without a whole lot of trouble. Meanwhile, Vittori finishes his speech, and runs over to Nate and Sophie as the reporters start asking questions. They calm him down, Sophie putting her hand on his face, which is caught on camera, and he returns to give answers.

* OutrightLie: Much of what Nate does as Vittori's campaign consultant.

[[HardWorkMontage The team goes to work]], putting Vittori’s image everywhere, sending out ads about Ribera being for child labor, and gleefully sabotaging the president’s campaign, culminating with Eliot going on TV with allegations of dogfighting in the presidential palace. [[OutrightLie None of it’s true, of course]].

They need to be smart about this, because if they come at him with something he’ll see through, the con will be over, and most likely their lives with it. Eliot, however, has a contact, General Flores. Flores calls over a secure link and explains how [[ManBehindTheMan Moreau was able to secure the current president]], Edwin Ribera, and keep him in power. Flores is running against him, which means he needs to stay in hiding until the election. That plan is shot as a bunch of guys run in and grab him as the team watches. Then Moreau appears onscreen and mockingly [[NiceJobBreakingItHero thanks them for allowing him to find Flores]]. Flores won’t be killed…yet. He’ll be kept locked up until the election’s over and then have a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident car accident]]. Nate calls the Italian to arrange a way into the country. She provides new identities and work visas for them, though she doubts it will work. At the parliament building, Nate walks into the campaign room for Flores and introduces himself as James Draper, election consultant, and is met by Michael Vittori. Nate says he’s perfect.

* {{Touche}}: It is subtle, but Monroe is holding back a smile when he sees the news report featuring Elliott smearing Ribera as running a dog fighting ring. He acknowledges it as an effective strike.

* KarmaHoudini: Ribera. The man is a corrupt politician who in order; falsely imprisons his opponents, steals there assets, plans to murder said opponents (routinely does this if the last act is to be believed). Let’s an international crime lord run and control the laws. In the end he gets to retire Scott free in a nice villa with all of Moreau’s assets.[[note]]FridgeLogic sets in, however, in that despite getting away scot-free, he will be looked down upon as a pariah by the people of San Lorenzo, and the people who he has wronged will be after his neck (plus he’s no longer president, so he has zero protection), so there is some solace to this.[[/note]]

They need to be smart about this, because if they come at him with something he’ll see through, the con will be over, and most likely their lives with it. Eliot, however, has a contact, General Flores. Flores calls over a secure link and explains how [[ManBehindTheMan Moreau was able to secure the current president]], Edwin Ribera, and keep him in power. Flores is running against him, which means he needs to stay in hiding until the election. That plan is shot as a bunch of guys run in and grab him as the team watches. Then Moreau appears onscreen and mockingly [[NiceJobBreakingItHero thanks them for allowing him to find Flores]]. Flores won’t be killed…yet. He’ll be kept locked up until the election’s over and then have a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident car accident]].
Nate calls the Italian to arrange a way into the country. She provides new identities and work visas for them, though she doubts it will work. At the parliament building, Nate walks into the campaign room for Flores and introduces himself as James Draper, election consultant, and is met by Michael Vittori. Nate says he’s perfect.

* KarmaHoudini: Ribera. The man is a corrupt politician who in order; falsely imprisons his opponents, steals there assets, plans to murder said opponents (routinely does this if the last act is to be believed). Let’s an international crime lord run and control the laws. In the end he gets to retire Scott free in a nice villa with all of Moreau’s assets.[[note]]FridgeBrilliance sets in, however, in that despite getting away scot-free, he will be looked down upon as a pariah by the people of San Lorenzo, and the people who he has wronged will be after his neck (plus he’s no longer president, so he has zero protection), so there is some solace to this.[[/note]]

* KarmaHoudini: Ribera. The man is a corrupt politician who in order; falsely imprisons his opponents, steals there assets, plans to murder said opponents (routinely does this if the last act is to be believed). Let’s an international crime lord run and control the laws. In the end he gets to retire Scott free in a nice villa with all of Moreau’s assets.[[note]]FridgeBrilliance sets in, however, in that despite getting away scot-free, he will be looked upon as a pariah by the people of San Lorenzo, and the people who he has wronged will be after his neck (plus he’s no longer president, so he has zero protection), so there is some solace to this.[[/note]]

* KarmaHoudini: Ribera. The man is a corrupt politician who in order; falsely imprisons his opponents, steals there assets, plans to murder said opponents (routinely does this if the last act is to be believed). Let’s an international crime lord run and control the laws. In the end he gets to retire Scott free in a nice villa with all of Moreau’s assets.