‘Leverage: Redemption’ Recap – ‘The Bucket Job’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Nine of ‘Leverage: Redemption’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the IMDBtv series, Leverage: Redemption, has done a wonderful job of providing its fans with a satisfying sense of justice, one that sadly… they’re not getting from the everyday world right now. For we live in a society where the rules don’t apply to everyone or are bendable with the right kind of greasy lawyer in one’s back pocket. Which is why it is indeed so satisfying to see the Pharma Bros of the world and the insensitive titans of industry and finance receive their comeuppance at the hands of Team Leverage and well, this formula is working so well for the show and keeping the fans so happy, that there’s simply no reason for the series to shift gears and step away from it. 
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But Dean Devlin and his team, understand what makes good television and regardless of how satisfying those moments are, our brains need variety now and again, and that’s why the show has at times shaken things up just a bit with some quality character studies and examinations on how we can make a difference in this difficult world. So that we get what we need and so the show keeps things fresh, and it just so happens, that Dean and the team, decided to take the shake up to a whole new level for the show’s midseason premiere. For ‘The Bucket Job’ is a story that is basically free of the show’s core format, and it accomplished this feat, by introducing us to a young man named Maurice who knew of someone that was in dire need of something special.

For Maurice spent a lot of time at his local library. Because of how many times Mister Blanche, the librarian, offered Maurice incredible kindness and insight and unfortunately, this gentle man was quite ill, and Maurice was worried that he might pass into the great beyond having never experienced life to its fullest. Since he lived and breathed the librarian life. Which is why he sought out the team and asked them to give Mr. Blanche the best day ever, one filled with incredible memories, so he wouldn’t fade away without a heck of a story to tell, and since it was the holiday season and because Team Leverage is awesome, they agreed to this proposal and put together quite the event. One where Mr. Blanche would find himself involved in a super spy mystery that would allow for him to play the hero and save the world, and for a time, it really seemed as though the plan was going to go off without a hitch.

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But the arrival of RIZ ruined everything and also revealed that Mr. Blanche… actually was a spy. One that went into hiding after getting his hands on a ledger filled with powerful and damning information. Which RIZ wanted, and they were willing to harm Eliot to get it. But thankfully, Blanche’s expertise and some creativity from the team, allowed for RIZ to walk away empty handed and for Mr. Blanche to finally enjoy some peace. Since Team Leverage faked his death and well, all of these elements made for an engaging and entertaining tale. One filled to the brim with incredible action and adventure and laughs and a touch of the show’s trademark character depth. Since Eliot’s past and troubled relationship with his father were also on display here in a bit of a heartbreaking and oddly hopeful manner.
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Because despite the setback he experienced here, he did follow Blanche’s powerful and relevant advice and that does give us hope that maybe Eliot is going to work a little harder to make peace with his past and his demons, to finally find a little quiet in his soul and well… that surprise twist and everything that came before it, really did make this quite the refreshing episode. Because it was just fun through and through and there wasn’t any deeper meaning to be found here, just a team of do-gooders going above and beyond to make a single person feel great about their life and it doesn’t get more uplifting than that.

But also, we would be foolish to not point out the fact, that freakin’ LeVar Burton is in this episode as Mister Blanche and he truly took this episode to new heights. Because he’s a legend, plain and simple and his endless talent was what elevated this tale, and he was so good here, you have to hope he pops up again in the Leverage universe. But all fanboying aside, it really is great to have this show back on the air after its summer break and there is no doubt in this writer’s mind, that it won’t be long before this series dives back into more cerebral territory now that this palate cleansing adventure has come to a close. Until next time.

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