
Consider me in complete denial that Leverage is a thing of the past. But, if this has to be a show’s series finale, then this is the way to go out — with elaborate lies, a ginormous caper, some great team moments, Sophie on stage (and she didn’t chew the scenery), and the opportunity to one up Sterling one last time. Plus, the series ended the way it began…with one big twist of course.
It’s always good to see Mark Sheppard (Battlestar Galactica, Supernatural, Doctor Who, Firefly, Dollhouse) reprise his role as Jim Sterling. Sterling’s rapport with Nate is so much fun. Another guest star on board for this finale: Catherine Dent (The Shield) as an Interpol agent interrogating Nate over his team’s “death.”
I’m not going to lie. While I didn’t think that anything would actually happen to the team like Parker getting shot; Hardison falling down the elevator embankment and breaking his leg; and Eliot getting shot in brutal fashion — I did get worried there for a while. So glad that what we were initially seeing wasn’t what ended up happening. Nobody died. Thankfully. Although, for a moment there, I really enjoyed how frickin’ dark the episode got. But that’s not really Leverage‘s tone is it? Nope. And that’s why us fans love the show so much.
My five Moments of Goodness from this series finale:
1. Nate and Parker on the roof of the building. Nate’s working out how Parker’s going to zipline from the theatre roof to the roof of Highpoint Tower. She wants to know why he’s letting her in on this part of the operation. In fact, she wants to know why, lately, he’s let her in on the planning of the cons too. He usually does all that masterminding on his own. Nate lets Parker know he trusts her judgment. What he’s really doing is making sure she’s ready when he passes the torch to her.

2. Nate tells Interpol Agent Casey how he knows he isn’t in a hospital. Nate isn’t the brains of the Leverage group for no reason. The guy is super smart and super observant. And he’s usually five steps ahead of everyone else even though it doesn’t always seem that way. While in custody, he’s exhibited a lot of emotion answering Casey’s questions. He has to make it look like his team actually did die. The agent is on to him. And she knows he’s on to her. She asks him how he was able to tell he wasn’t really being held in a hospital:
“Well, hospitals — take it from me, I’ve been in quite a few — they’re loud places. Since I’ve been here I haven’t heard any announcements, no alarms, no ‘ding.’ Those files that you, um, read from earlier…are supposed to be from Portland Police, but they all had Interpol coding. When you stand you adjust your little jacket. You give it a little tug to hide the gun that ordinarily would be in your holster. You’re not Portland or State Police. FBI — they like to flash their badges. And besides, I’ve been in the uh, Portland offices of the FBI. Like most Americans, you reach for your cell phone, an average of every 94 seconds. But you…you stop yourself. Your head — you give a little tell, a shake. You know it’s to remind yourself that your cell phone doesn’t work here. And that leaves only one law enforcement agency in an understaffed, barely used office in a building where cell phones don’t work. So I am in the provisional Interpol offices in the Highpoint Tower, Agent Casey.”
Brilliant, Nate.
3. The Not Death scene in the van. So this wasn’t real, but nevertheless, it was touching. That is, after Parker was shot; Hardison fell down the elevator shaft and was suffering from a broken leg and various internal injuries; and Eliot was shot running towards the van and away from the building. The three friends were in the back of the van with Nate and Sophie in the front driver and passenger seats. Hardison wanted to know if Eliot made it. They were both spitting up blood. The two started holding hands and then Parker held Eliot’s free hand. And it was awful and awesome at the same time. I just like the visual of the three holding hands at the end there. But, let me say again, I’m so thankful that this isn’t what actually happened.
4. Nate asks Sophie to marry him. The real reason Nate brought them all to Portland was outed — they were there to get the score of a lifetime — the Black Book that contained the names of all the rich men that made off with their money after the financial system crashed a few years back.
Hardison: “There it is, man, the Holy Grail.”
Parker: “A thousand bad guys.”
Eliot: “A lot of revenge in there, just waiting on a righteous man to take a swing.”
Nate: “Yeah, that man’s not gonna be me. We’re out. Done.”
Sophie: “We?”
Yes, Nate gives Eliot, Parker and Hardison the file and then proceeds to get out of the Leverage business. But not before proposing to “Laura” aka Sophie.
Nate: “For five years, I’ve been…I’ve been…”
Hardison: “Drunk.”
Parker: “Lying.”
Eliot: “An ornery bastard…”
Nate: “Yeah, all that. All that. But you — you have always had my back. Now…be on my side.” (he gives her the ring)
Sophie: “Did you steal it?”
Nate: “No.”
Sophie: “Cause…that would have been more romantic. Right, Parker?”
Nate: “I’ll uh…I’ll steal the, um, first anniversary ring. Now can I get up?”
Parker: “No, you’ve gotta say it.”
Nate: “What?”
Parker” “Say the thing.”
Nate: “What thing?” (Parker gives a look) “Oh the thing. Oh, yeah. Will you marry me, Laura?”
Sophie: “Yes. Yes.” (Nate and Sophie kiss)
By the way, Sophie’s real name isn’t Laura either or so she says. The proposal was such a nice, satisfying moment. A perfect moment for the final episode.
5. Eliot, Parker and Hardison take over Leverage. Nate not only passed the torch to the trio of awesomeness that is Eliot, Parker and Hardison, it seems that Parker’s the one that’s taking over the brains of the operation. With the Black Book in hand, Hardison suggests they take their company global and go all Leverage International on everyone. The very final scene has the three tackling a case and listening to a distraught couple much like Nate did at the end of the pilot. This time, Parker is the one sitting sleek-like in a chair saying the words Nate made famous in the series premiere that became the crux of this entire series:
“People like that, corporations like that, they have all the money, they have all the power and they use it to make people like you go away. Right now, you’re suffering under an enormous weight. We provide…Leverage.”
And so everything came full circle. I was very happy with the series finale. What I’m not happy with is the fact that this is the end of the road for Leverage. Thanks to the cast and everyone behind the scenes for the wonderful rollercoaster ride that was this show. But, there’s one thing I can’t help thinking now. Spinoff, anyone?
Related posts
16 Comments
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Classics
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk the From Season 2 finale
[Warning: Spoilers for the season finale.] How’s everyone doing after that finale? While we wait and wonder and hope for a third season announcement, soon, here’s what Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders had to say about their parts of the finale, and where they hope they get to go next….
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk From Season 2 + A Season Finale Preview
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] It all comes down this, #FROMily. As Sunday’s episode wraps up Season 2, we begin with the aftermath of the terrifying onset of seemingly simultaneous attacks on Julie, Marielle, and Randall, which accelerate the “We gotta get out of this place” of it all. Sara comes…
Alison Sweeney Talks About What’s Next for Hannah and Mike After Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
[Warning: Spoilers for Carrot Cake Murder.] Everybody OK after that Hannah Swensen Mystery twist? Thankfully, our favorite crime-solving couple is still on speaking term, even if they’re on a break (hopefully not that kind of break). Most importantly, we already know this isn’t the last film in the series. No…
Counting Down to From Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] We’re just shy of two weeks away from Season 2 of last spring’s obsession, From, which premieres at 9 pm/8c, Sunday, April 23rd, on MGM+ (formerly EPIX). If you never picked it up last year, now’s your chance, and you can do it for free, catching…
Thank Me Later: Will Trent
[Warning: spoilers ahead.] I’m on record as loving and losing shows over at ABC so I’m usually very reticent to pick something up on the network until it’s been renewed, and I seriously hope I’m not jinxing it, but I took a chance on the deeply odd and very sweet…
Dennis Heaton Talks The Imperfects
Longtime readers at TV Goodness will know that Motive is one of my ride-or-die series, and as such, I am fiercely loyal to its creator, Dennis Heaton. He followed up that fantastic reverse procedural with Netflix’s The Order and is back on our streaming screens with The Imperfects, which dropped…
Kelly McCormack Talks Favorite Moments in A League of Their Own
[Warning: Mild spoilers for season 1.] Now that you’ve had a chance to watch A League of Their Own, here’s the rest of my chat with Kelly McCormack about her favorite moments of the season. Seeing the iconic Peaches uniforms for the first time wasn’t just a goosebump moment for…
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People [streaming on Global TV in Canada and Roku…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…
loved it!the best con ever! love my #Leverage!
Agreed!
Spinoff yes! I want to see Leverage International!
Spinoff, more seasons, a movie… I don’t care as long as there will be more Leverage! I’m still in denial that the show ended, too. I still have hope that this is not the end after all…
Thanks to the Leverage Team for a fantastic finale. I loved all of Tina’s “Moments of Goodness.” Leverage draws fans into the Leverage world and friendships in some astounding way that makes it difficult to accept that it can be over. I won’t be alone in continuing to hope that it won’t be. Spin off? Please!
I have got to say that my favorite thing about the last episode was all the similarities, quotes, etc to the pilot. “20lbs of crazy in a 5 lb bag” is my favorite leverage quote.
I personally would love a spin off with the three amigos taking on the bad guys. They could always bring in 2 other people to either stay with the team OR have different ones every week to help them out. And I’m sure if it was a really hard one Nate & Sophie would help them out.
The thing I don’t wanna see (sorry Nate & Sophie Fans) is the the Nate & Sophie show, while I liked them, I much prefered Parker, Hardison and Eliot. I hope that the network, or even a different one picks up on how awesome this show is, and says to Dean Devlin, hey we stole a season 6, now get on it!!
no spin-off leverage is with TIM AND GINA keep it that way
The finale was simply awesome! But I would love to see more Leverage. I can’t believe it’s over! We need to see that wedding and first year anniv gift stealing.
I would definately watch a spin off, I never missed an episode, not one! Thanks for the Best Show, with the Best Cast, Best Crew, Best writers,Directors and Producers. It was a wonderful show, and an amazing Finale. I will miss it greatly.
Loved the show. Would love a spinoff.
To me the best part was the note from Sterling, letting Nate know that he was on to him all along, and yet is still letting him go, basically in the name of justice.
LOVE LEVERAGE!! I still watch it all the time. It would be great if they brought it back. Spice it up a bit and you’d get great ratings. You cant beat the underdogs saving average joe with style!!
I know I’m a little late but I just finished watching leverage on Netflix and I know the show ended on 2012 And it’s 2016 now but you have no idea how much I would love more leverage a show with Parker eliot and hardison and I’m pretty sure lots of more people too.. soo get on it, leverage international
Again LOLOLOL more leverageeeeee I miss it already and I just watched the last episode 20 minutes ago idk what do with myself now ? do everyone a favor and make what’s so over due “leverage international”
Why didn’t Hardison take over as the new “mastermind” and leader? Parker is not as intelligent and is not adept at big-picture planning and whatnot. In addition, she’s more than a little crazy at times. Hardison appeared to be the heir-apparent of Nate well before the events of the series finale.