Are you here to kill me, Ian?
Episode: Leverage 1.13 – “The Second David Job”
Original Air Date: February 24, 2009
The continuation of the last episode occurs three months after it and begins with Blackpoole pulling a gun on Nate. “Are you here to kill me, Ian?” Nate asks, referring back to his own previous antics.
Cut to three days prior: Sterling was made vice president and wants to expand their company into security, cutting out the need for hired help. When he is shown his new corner office, Nate is there telling him and Blackpoole that he’s going to rob the “two Davids” gallery (that also contains other paintings owned by their clients) they plan to open as proof of concept. Blackpoole and Sterling scoff at Nate. Yeah, that’s gonna come back to haunt them.
Turns out Nate isn’t actually working with the rest of the team, however, and we see them all casing the gallery on their own. When their covers are blown, they run, and Nate manages to drive up just in time (of course he know they would be there at that time — he’s the mastermind, even when he’s not working with them!). They are reunited in a new HQ (“I heard this used to be MC Hammer’s place. I guess you can touch this. With a SWAT team and a federal warrant,” Hardison says). There are some issues of trust since Sophie basically conned the team, but it all works out.
Eliot doesn't fully trust Sophie yet
Parker suggests that they involve Nate’s wife, Maggie, as their “inside man.” Eliot approaches her as Professor Sinclair, his role from the previous con that hit it off with her. On their “date,” she goes on and on about how horrible Nate was as a husband as the team listens in (uncomfortably, especially for Nate) on Eliot’s button cam. Turns out Maggie bought Nate that cam three years ago and so recognized it. She’s in, but only after Nate finally tells her that Blackpoole is responsible for their son’s death.
After Nate reveals his plan (which we don’t hear), Maggie thinks it’s crazy. “Incredibly, chance does seem to bend itself to his bizarre machinations,” Sophie says in response to Maggie’s incredulity. “That’s his super power,” Parker whispers, then sniffs Maggie’s shoulder. Maggie just looks at her. As part of the plan, Maggie has to convince Dr. Lloyd, the curator of the museum, to move a sarcophagus to the work room immediately below the Davids’ display case. “Nate, you can’t just make someone do what you want them to do,” Maggie says. “That’s what we do,” Hardison says after everyone has a good chuckle. “You’re adorable,” Parker says, petting Maggie’s hair (and actually looking rather adorable herself). I’m clueless on that one…
Adorableness squared
So the plan actually goes exactly as expected for a change, ending with Nate standing in the gallery with the two Davids still in their display cases — but no other painting around. Blackpoole is now personally responsible for $150 million in stolen paintings, and he knew about it in advance as proven by Nate’s recording of their conversation that he then gives to Sterling. Nate wants Blackpoole’s assets liquidated and for the company to stop automatically denying coverage in return for which he will give the paintings back. Sterling agrees. “Of course you know your entire plan depended on me being a self-serving, utter bastard,” Sterling says. “Mmm, yeah, that’s a stretch,” Nate responds.
As it turns out, the art work was never gone, it was in the basement lab behind the sarcophagus all along. Blackpoole is finished, the paintings are returned, and Nate has had his revenge. Therefore the Leverage team is no longer necessary, so they agree to part ways for the final time. “We made a difference — remember that,” Nate points out. They part in the now familiar five-way split. Close up on everyone’s faces — AND… the end of Season One.
The familiar five-way split of the Leverage team
This was a strong finale to the season, and it would have worked as a series finale as well. I don’t know if that was the intention since I came to the show late and so knew that there would be a second season already. I’m of the opinion that more shows should do this, especially genre shows — but I’ll save that rant for a more appropriate venue.
Much of what I said in the previous review applies here, as well. I love that the names of the episodes relate directly to the actual David statues — but are actually not quite correct (it’s the second David that’s the subject of “The First David Job,” and it’s actually neither David that’s the subject of “The Second David Job,” though they are the inspiration for it). The opening scenes of both episodes parallel each other nicely and set up what will happen. I also like that Maggie, who was an “enemy” in the first episode, turns out to be an ally in this one. What was up with Parker smelling her and calling her adorable, however, I have no clue. Parker does seem a bit clueless (I suspect deliberately so) of Hardison’s attraction to her, but nothing else to me indicates lesbian. Regardless, Hardison still hasn’t quite gotten over that kiss, even three months later. See, themes and motifs from the last episode — I told you they’d be there!
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
