‘Leverage: Redemption' review: Breezy caper series with a moral compass is back for Season 3
Back for a third season on Amazon, the show's swindlers-with-a-moral-compass include Noah Wyle, who joined the ensemble when the series was rebooted in 2021. More recently, Wyle has been giving a wonderfully unfussy performance on the hospital drama 'The Pitt,' which just wrapped its first 15-episode season. But it's fun to see him doing something lighter on 'Leverage.' Though he plays an attorney, his actual purpose within the team has never been clearly spelled out. That's fine, and better than fine when he gets to go undercover in service of the con, whether as an eccentric CEO of a cryonics company or a pool hustler with incredible sideburns, because it's in these moments that Wyle gets to be silly.
That fits the tone of this breezy caper series from John Rogers and Chris Downey, where details and logistics are less important than a jaunty overall approach that gives audiences something that's been in short supply both in fiction and the real world: Consequences for the rich and corrupt.
A man stealing water from an aquifer and then selling it back to the area's residents? A local judge with a taste for gifts rivaling Clarence Thomas's? A company that's more or less a chop shop selling human body parts? The team has found their next project.
They're able to scam the scammers because they have very specialized skills and seemingly unlimited funds. That's not exactly a galvanizing message, but there is one episode that features ordinary people coming together to push out a nasty crook of a mayor, albeit with considerable 'Leverage' shenanigans making it possible. As a series, it has its head screwed on straight. I mean, right now? With everything that's happening? As someone puts it, a con is just a set of artificial circumstances designed to elicit an intended response. It's impossible to hear those words and not think of the stock market in recent weeks.
Aldis Hodge and Aleyse Shannon play the group's hackers (the former is once again largely absent from the season, I'm guessing due to scheduling conflicts with his other Amazon series, 'Cross') and I was bummed at the inclusion of stray bits of dialogue along the lines of 'I can run an AI algorithm.' The team may wink in the face of 'rules,' but their existence is predicated on a clear ethical framework and they'd never be so blithe and cavalier about the many issues surrounding artificial intelligence. These casual references stick out in a bad way.
It's surprising because the show tends to do the little things so well. In one episode, a food bank charity raises money at a gala where the theme is Marie Antoinette. So wrong, so absurd — no notes! In another episode, the team's cat burglar (Beth Riesgraf) and muscle (Christian Kane) impersonate FBI agents in windbreakers, and it works as a legit parody of these kinds of swaggering portrayals. The brains of each operation is the grifter (Gina Bellman) and she's the steadying presence amid the wild card personalities of her compatriots.
Something about the energy and storytelling flags in the final two of the season's 10 episodes, but it's a minor quibble. I can't express how satisfying it is to watch a television show that doesn't pretend we have to accept that systems are permanently rigged and we're all doomed. It's also deeply ironic that this show exists on this streaming platform. Hell, any streaming platform, for that matter. These are not companies particularly interested in notions of 'fairness' or 'balancing the scales,' and yet somehow this show exists. Hustling the hustlers? I'll take it.
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It's the ideal accessory for any daytime itinerary, with a timeless appearance that will make any outfit look sophisticated. The safest way to wear a new trend is to pair it with something tried and true. Plus, you tend to get more wear out of these items since they won't read as dated in a year or two. I'm in love with these flip-flops that pair a cushy brown sole with a crochet upper. These flip-flop sandals will look effortlessly fashionable on the beach or out to dinner, and you can snag them for less than $30 today. This crochet tank looks much more expensive than its $22 price tag. I love the V-neckline and elastic waistband, which create a waist-cinching effect. The knit is slightly sparkly thanks to tiny, discreet sequins that catch the light as you move. Layer this vest over a nude tank and pair it with white linen pants, pleated trousers, or simple denim shorts. A 'little black dress' is a vacation must-pack, and this crochet option puts a unique spin on the classic style. The crochet weave emulates a seashell pattern, making it ideal for an oceanside getaway, and reviewers love the 'retro vibe' of the design. One reviewer, who wore the cover-up in Ibiza, raved about its 'comfy material,' while another described it as 'soft against the skin.' It's rare to find a piece that works just as well for summer vacation as it does in the cooler months, but this versatile sweater vest achieves just that. In the summer, I'd pair it with linen shorts or breezy pants, but it would make an ideal light layer in fall, too. The scalloped crochet trim and gold buttons add a sophisticated element to an otherwise simple tank, and the tighter weave won't allow any undergarments to peek through. When you're limited on packing space, it's best to opt for convertible bags that can be worn for any activity. The Sak's crochet option can be worn as a crossbody, shoulder bag, or clutch. 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