Series: Leverage

Fun fact for that series finale, it is fortunately the finale that they always planned to have. They weren't certain whether or not this would be the final season, so they decided to just go with the ending they had in mind since the beginning and figured that they'd go from there if they were renewed.

Also, the show is really fascinating from a subtle level really. Listening to the commentary made me realize all kinds of touches I didn't even notice in the past, like how The Broken Wing Job is tons of foreshadowing and more show of Parker growing into the role of The Mastermind. For instance, the way she kept turning to others for advice throughout it or how she more adapted elements of each crewmate progressively into her approach that one, as a mastermind should with taken into account each facet of their team. Also, one of the reasons why they wanted her injured in that one was to force Parker to not be able to rely on physical skills and force into a situation where she had to depend on her wits more than anything else.

Actually, another good example of little touches, let's bounce back to Season 2. Remember that courthouse that the guy was able to sneak a gun into? Curious as to why he was able to pull that off? That's foreshadowing to the Season 2 finale! His embezzlement made it so they couldn't update some of the stuff there.

edited 17th Mar '15 7:03:11 PM by Prime_of_Perfection

I love stuff like that and yes, my family and I actually worked it out that THAT's what the stuff where we see visual representations of Parker's mind at work was for. We saw something similar for Hardison in season 4 as well. That entire season was about getting "the kids" (what I call Hardison, Parker and Eliot) ready to fly on their own without Nate and Sophie. I'd have liked an insight into how Eliot breaks down a fight. That might have been interesting.

Though I was a bit confused when Parker assumed Nate's job because earlier on the show they gave me the impression the best planner of them was Elliot. Namely in that episode Nate, his ex-wife and Sterling are in the clutches of some villain and Elliot is the one who counter-plans against the villain and ultimately wins.

I wouldn't necessarily give it to Eliot since being the mastermind requires more than just having a plan. That having been said, I do feel Hardison overall had a far better build into a potential Mastermind role than Parker personally. Especially since the Leverage crew literally cannot operate without Hardison doing all he does.

So, started to watch season 4 (you guys go ahead and talk without spoilering; it doesn't matter to me one bit anyway).

The season premiere was utterly boring. Maybe it's because I find mountains utterly boring.

Eliot had shoddy acting for first few episodes, methinks.

Also, now Hardison got buff enough to easily be convinced as a muscle of the group. It seems that the ship tease between him and...wow, I can't even remember the blonde girl's name, and I don't think I particularly care anyway.

Hardison aleady has too much on his plate as hacker, but there's one episode whose name escapes me dedicated to showing why Hardison can't be a mastermind. It's an episode where he literally takes over Nate's role for a con and runs it with his own methodology, which ends ruining the entire thing because he, while clever, is ultimately unable to predict correctly human reactions.

Elliot though is never portrayed as having the same problem. Like I said, his stint as the mastermind went off smoothly.

Watched ep 6.

I really love it when Elliot goes all big brother. It's just so sweet.

Oh I do remember that episode, though really, a majority of the stuff Hardison does as is falls into stuff that keeps them functioning. Still, the fact that he has tons on his plate as is is a good reason. Though I never took that one as reason why he shouldn't be a mastermind. More I took it as a good learning lesson and show that while he has potential, there was still things for him to learn.

I suppose part of the reason Parker may have been chosen is precisely because Elliot and Hardison are too crucial. Hardison's hacking enables most of their cons, and without Elliot they're practically defenseless against brute strength. If he fails to do his job properly, someone is going to die. Elliot and Hardison could be charitably described as the people who cannot ever fail in the team, while Parker, Sophie and Nate have more room for error.

Well, we do have outright Word of God reason that Parker's reason is because she's able to adapt everything.

To note, none of them technically can fail the team or ideally can. We've seen points where they mess up, but still. Especially though in Nate's role as being mastermind. The mastermind has to integrate everything when it comes down to it.

To quote from Leverage RPG on what The Mastermind does...

"So you want to be a Mastermind. You’ve a gift for seizing opportunities. You make critical decisions quickly. You know how to work a team of highly skilled individuals. It’s not about nagging a member of the Crew or being bossy. It’s about trusting that they’re gonna go along with the game plan. Each member of your Crew might be used to doing their own thing, running their own capers their way. It’s your job to get them working together, to be den mother as you build rapport among them and to trust in you.

Masterminds tend to be quiet and reserved. We’re mysterious, brooding types. While we might seem buttoned-up or like wallflowers, we’ve got a lot going on under the surface. Our minds are always racing, always turning over possibilities and spinning scenarios. Like artists, musicians, or writers, we live in our own heads. We work every angle and anticipate every contingency, because we have to.

Few folks in this line of work have long Hallmark card lists of folks they keep in contact with. Masterminds are no different, preferring a few close friends rather than a large circle of acquaintances. Our role’s to focus on the big picture and future possibilities, sometimes at the expense of personal or social considerations. That can make us come off looking like bastards and maybe even ruthless sons of bitches. But that’s because we have to be careful; relationships are often our undoing.

You need to be the spider at the center of the web. Each strand is an aspect of your machination. Part philosopher, part abstract thinker, we Masterminds work long and hard, dedicated in pursuit of our goals. We won’t spare our time, or that of our Crews, frivolously. We’re goal driven, and love solving problems or disentangling systems. We keep our eye on the ball, run the Crew, and set the rules. It’s our job.

In order to represent those who are powerless and can’t represent themselves, each Job gets broken down the same way:

Who’s the Mark? Who are they? Where did they come from? How did they gain their money? Where do they keep it?

Next, what’s the Mark’s situation? How do they have their business set up? How do they exercise their power? What and where are all the pies they have their grubby little hands in?

Since the Mark’s victimized someone, it’s necessary to break down the nature of the original scam. How did they manipulate or handle the Client? This tells us how he thinks, what he looks for, and the tools he uses. In other words, it gives us the backdrop to the rules of the game he’s used to playing. All of this background is the Hacker’s domain, so you need to make good use of him.

The next step is to find the way in. Who are the players around him? Does he have friends, family, or colleagues? Is he tied to the mob, tycoons, or politicians? Does he have the local police in his pockets? Most importantly, what does the Mark want? For this part of the plan, you rely heavily on your Grifter as this is her area of expertise.

Get the lay of the land. Using your Hitter and Thief, you need to assess the strengths and weaknesses of his security. Figure out details like the surveillance, the guards, and the response time of authorities.

Once you have all the pieces, you can put together the plan. This is the hard work of the Mastermind. It doesn’t matter how complex the operation; like the journey of a thousand miles, it begins with a single step. Whether it’s the most elegant or outrageous of plans, it all comes down to efficiency—putting right gifted people in right place and at the right time. The plan revolves around the misdirect so the Mark doesn’t see the Crew coming…or leaving.

That last bit is really important. The plan is not just about retrieving something. It’s about getting in and getting out unseen and untraced (unless, of course, part of your plan involves being seen or traced). And you always need at least a Plan B, if not Plans C through Z.

Now, maybe one percent of the population would be able to do what we Masterminds do. Oh, there are those who think they are or act like they are. But it takes a special mindset to be the nerve center of the operation. We coordinate the many moving parts: the Hacker, the Hitter, the Grifter, and the Thief. Each part is every bit as sharp and capable, but one person has the vision to get those parts not only to work together but also moving toward the true goal. We’re the eyes of the group. We keep their eyes on the big picture, on the prize.

Being the leader of this Crew is about teaching a skilled set of individuals how to help people. Vision. Purpose. That’s what the Mastermind does. The Job is a means to an end."

That's all from the opening section on The Mastermind before things like examples, Masterminds through the ages, different kinds of masterminds, master class, etc.

Just got into Leverage; I looooove this show and all it’s Eat the Rich glory. Also shipping Parker/Hardison/Eliot so hard. That’s a quality OT3 right there.

It's a very distinct ship.

And a damn good ship.

Leverage will return. Without Tim Hutton and with minimal involvement from Aldis Hodge, it seems.

But the OT3 lives!!! Canon confirmation

Rewatching Leverage. It is still a delight.

If you wanted the team to take on a group of previous villains, who would you have liked it to be?

Edited by windleopard on May 16th 2021 at 4:10:16 AM

I'm working on a TLP called Corrupted Contingency. Basically this is when contingencies or security measures either backfire out of the creator's control or are hijacked by someone else. Can anyone think of any examples from Leverage?

Season 2 Trailer dropped!