Timothy Hutton in "Leverage"
courtesy of TNT
“Leverage” (TNT)

There are certain TV series that start off slowly but then get better with time. Such a show is “Leverage” which is seen on TNT. In the beginning all this series had going for it was the casting of Oscar winner Timothy Hutton in the lead role. But during the course of a year or so the supporting cast has coalesced into a charming unit that is every bit as much of a draw as Hutton.

There were a few people (myself included) who thought the show could not possibly live up to its potential without the presence of Gina Bellman as the ubiquitous Sophie. Bellman’s screen time has been limited due to her pregnancy but she still manages to make a small impact each week. Plus they have brought in Jeri Ryan as a woman of skill named Tara to fill in with the gang until Sophie returns.

In the first episode of the new season Ryan is center stage. The group, which consists of Nate (Hutton), Eliot (Christian Kane), Alec (Aldis Hodge) and Parker (Beth Riesgraf) are a little leery of Tara but she begins winning them over one by one with her unique personality and her skills as a “grifter.”

All of the actors have grown in their roles but none more so than Riesgraf. She has made Parker one of the most enjoyable and watchable members of the cast. As written, this character is quirky and brainy at the same time. Her interaction with the other characters is the best in the bunch.

Still “Leverage” would not be the show it is without Hutton. He is the core of the show and the central figure that keeps it all grounded. There seems to be something developing between his character Nate and Bellman’s Sophie but that is all subject to change as Nate and Tara become more reliant on each other.

This year it seems the plots of the “cons” will be pretty simple. The good guys always win and the bad guys always do something stupid. It is pretty run of the mill but in the hands of a talented cast it still entertains.

“Leverage” returns with all new episodes Wednesday, January 13 at 10PM on TNT.
 

 

 

 

 

©2010 Jackie K. Cooper

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