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

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘Leverage: Redemption’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular question that is often on our minds in this day and age, is what does it take to make a hero? And we ponder upon that question because well… the world needs far more of them right now, but also out of pure curiosity. Because obviously, it takes a certain mindset to do what heroes do. Since they often face real danger to their physical and mental well-being in the name of preserving that for others and if we knew the formula… perhaps we could easily see more people inspired to dedicate their lives to heroism and well, this question is top of mind today, simply because it was explored in a supremely unique manner in the next episode of the Amazon Freevee series, Leverage: Redemption.
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But before we dive into that… let’s take a moment and quickly recap the plot of ‘The Fractured Job’. Because it is important to note that Team Leverage went all out in defeating an evil politician that was backing a fracking company to line his pockets, constituents be damned. For that is a plot line that perfectly fits this series, and it took some wonderful work from every member of the team, including a cameo from Hardison, to expose this slimy politician for who he really was and save a supremely important town from destruction. For it is that town that oddly, motivated the exploration of heroism in this tale. For it was more than just an Oklahoma berg that resembled something out of a Norman Rockwell painting, it was in fact… Eliot’s hometown.

The place where he grew up, and it was in this place that he became a hero. For honor and kindness are the edicts that his father lived by during Eliot’s childhood, and in present day as well… and Eliot soaked that up when he was a boy. For he saw the way everyone looked at his father, and he too admired him greatly and wanted nothing more to be like him. And that pushed him hard to be a better man, one that observed the way of the world and how it treated innocent people and that in turn, motivated him to join up and sacrifice so much to help those in need since he saw how the innocent suffered and that is… a simple but incredible way to explain how heroes are made. For all it really takes is a great foundation, one that inspires, and perhaps more kindness in the world would be the equally as simple solution to creating more heroes in these trying times. 

But what made this episode so worth our while, is what it took the time to explore beyond Eliot’s genesis point as a hero. For this story also made it clear that his sacrifice in becoming a hero, was leaving his father and family behind, and denying his father’s wishes to not follow in his military footsteps. Because that in turn, created a rift, one that only grew when his mom died, since Eliot’s time away didn’t allow for him to come home. And the whole of Eliot’s voyage home, was to mend those fences and apologize for his choice and tell his dad… how much he admired and loved him and still looked to him for inspiration every single day. Which added stunning depth to Eliot and this story quite frankly, since this transformed it into a beautiful parable about family, the ties that bind us and how regardless of how they sometimes become strained, they can never… ever… be broken. 

All of which made this… one of the finest episodes to ever grace the franchise. Simply because, this was just a powerful story through and through, one that was sold by two key actors here. Keith David, who played Billy Spencer and Christian Kane. Since they made that connection feel real and offered the perfect balance of emotions here and truly, it is Christian that steals the show in this episode with some of his finest work to date as an actor. For he truly moves us in a realistic manner that we relate to and downright get misty eyed over. If anything, this just goes to show that this series is evolving into something so much more, a powerful character study of sorts, and that is quite wonderful to say the least. For this was a beautiful story through and through, one that truly reminds us to cherish family and never miss the opportunity to tell them how much we love them and how much they mean to us and with that in mind, it’s on to the next wondrous adventure from this magnificent series. Shortly after this writer takes a moment to call his dad and follow his own advice. Until next time.

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