‘Leverage: Redemption’ Recap – ‘The Date Night Job’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Leverage: Redemption’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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As we continue our journey through season two of the hit Amazon Freevee series, Leverage: Redemption, it is quickly becoming clear that this is going to be a special season of storytelling. Simply because it is obvious now that the writer’s room of this show, is eager to mix things up and try out new stories that not only offer different types of catharsis regarding the ills of the world, but also allow for us to learn more about the characters and watch them grow like never before. As evidenced by Eliot’s push to be the impromptu caretaker for ailing gamers and by exploring Sophie’s past and her transition to leader of the team, and this push to change things up, was further reinforced by the next episode in this dynamic series. 

For ‘The Date Night Job’ opted to explore how heroes in this vein, date and grow in their relationships, but not before… taking the time to offer up another villain and heist for the team to deal with. Since this is a story that saw the team assemble at an off the books gallery to encourage a fun date for Parker and Hardison, only for them to deal with a mission grounded in greed. Since there was an opportunity for a greasy tennis pro named Justin, to go after the life of the heir apparent to the family fortune he married into. Which was… a disgusting act to say the least since Mason, the heir, was but a kid, and well… that’s why it is a wonderful thing that Justin got his just desserts, and he really was a refreshing change for the team to face off against. Since we don’t oft see villains this unintelligent and this gross on the series, and he definitely served as fine practice for these professional do-gooders. 

Not to mention, to really dive into interpersonal relationships and growth, such a villain was quite necessary. Because featuring a villain that is a touch more pedestrian in nature, allows for the heroes to become the focus and that brings us to the dynamic moments with Parker and Hardison featured here, and Breanna for that matter as well. Since they are the folks who explored how love works when you’re a hero that saves lives anonymously, and that examination brought forth some fascinating moments. Wherein we came to learn that in order to find love when this is your career, one would need to date someone who is understanding and open-minded to one being on call. Because this is going to pull one away often and Breanna may have found that kind of partner. Since her date in this story was kind and gentle and truly knew that it was best to flexible when there is a spark. 

Plus, Parker and Hardison made it clear that love in this environment, requires making time for one another and being there to keep the spark alive. Which is imperative to a healthy relationship. Informing us that once the right partner is found in this industry, the regular romantic stuff still needs to happen. But what truly made these explorations worthwhile, was the subplot that motivated Parker and Hardison to go on a date in the first place. Simply because Hardison was heading into space to do some satellite repair work and well… adding that here, and having Parker express her fears and worries about such matters… brought the depth and humanity that we love about this series to the front of the story once more, and just made for a touching and important plotline.

If anything, all of these elements truly made this a different kind of episode of the show, one that really went above and beyond for the fans. Since we love this team and love being privy to special moments in their lives and we got that here in spades, alongside what we crave, and it was all handled in a fun manner as well. Because let’s be honest, who didn’t enjoy a hearty laugh over Parker’s desire to taste every T-Rex skull she comes across? But all that aside, what matters most is that season two of this series is clearly determined to continue to take this saga to new heights and enrich the characters further and it will be wonderful to see what other surprises in this vein await us as season two continues along. Until next time.  

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