LEVERAGE: The Girls’ Night Out Job

Unlike last week, I feel the need to apologize for how stream-of-conscious this recap is. Sadly, life is a little busy now, and without letting everyone miss out on the fun, this recap is a little frantic (just like the episode!). I’m also fairly sure that I’ve been clamoring for this episode for a season and a half now, but that point is neither here nor there.

So Leverage this week starts out with a chase outside of some swanky party. I like that it feels like a Bond movie, though the guy riding on the car by the window is just a bit much, maybe?

Hardison got he and Parker tickets to see fighting robots? That’s oddly cute, but I can totally see that Parker isn’t into this.

I find it funny that everyone else is setting up Nate for this night in with poker. The girls are going out (Parker has a friend!) and the guys are staying in to play poker. Parker being in charge of scoping out someone’s blind date is hilarious.

The man in the bowtie is here now. I find this all very interesting. The fact that Parker is thinking on her night off is also more than little adorable.

Tara! I’ve missed you so much. The fact that the girls are going to take this guy down is about to warm my heart. I’ve been waiting for this episode far too long.

This guy is scaring me more than is necessary. No cat lover would look that much like James Bond. Showing Peggy the creepy old man is a nice move, though, Parker. I’m sure Sophie would be impressed.

Speaking of Sophie (and Tara) they’ve gone to snoop in Bond’s hotel room. Differing opinions on how to search a room are more than little problematic–I suppose that Sophie and Tara don’t know as much about each other as they thought before. Or that idea of two grifters in the same crew not working out well is right.

I now feel bad for Peggy who’s been kept from her catering job because of Parker, but I really don’t because this guy is not someone I want left unguarded.

In yet another example of how different Sophie and Tara are, I do love their techniques for getting into the party. Lamenting being a grifter with all your lies, ladies. That’s a hard life.

Bond has a deal with someone, and I don’t like the sound of it at all.

Peggy, Alice didn’t really steal your hot guy–he’s just evil and not worth your time.

Bond guy is selling something to one of three men, which in Leverage land, is never good.

Each of these women working together never fails to crack me up. Microexpressions versus clothing: another way that Sophie and Tara are polar opposites.

While that’s going on, Parker makes an excellent drunk girl to distract Bond.

This professor is all wrong for the con–he won’t have gotten anywhere.

What in the hell are Hardison and Eliot doing in some Mexican Gang bar? I don’t think I want to know, actually.

Why is Parker actually helping Bond do his dirty work? There’s nothing good to come from helping the evil man of evil.

If cats are actually going to play into this con, Parker is really out of luck.

Ack! Bond has figured out Parker!

One buyer down, though I don’t think anything good is going to come from a bait and switch. Though, now that Tara is about to seduce her way into the cartel’s heart, I think my respect for her just went up a few notches. That was excellent work, Sophie. Really excellent work.

If Parker can actually get Bond to be on the right side of the law, I’d be happy. Though, do not tell him your real name!

All hell is breaking loose here–there are two thumb drives and the wrong briefcases. All before we get to watch the evil plan unfold in real time.

Oh, so the real bidder turned out to be locked away, this cartel man is just bad. Threatening a man who works for a drug cartel is never wise, Bond.

Dropping that thumb drive into champagne was an interesting move. Bombs in the mix now, well, that’s just even worse. Bond now looks like an idiot, of course. Oh goodness, the bad waiter is not a good sign for anyone.

Once the girls have found the bomb, they only have two minutes to defuse it. I don’t know if any of them can actually pull that off. Quick thinking by Parker to get the room cleared, but will it work in time?

Again, I don’t know why Hardison is stuck with dogs. Did he lose badly at the poker game?

They clearly didn’t have time to get the bomb to not go off, but sending it out the window is a pretty good idea. Also, pretend fireworks! Viva Venezuela!

Parker, you do play by a different set of rules now–and I totally love you for it. No longer stealing for personal gain, but for others.

Alice having to pretend to be a spy to Peggy makes me want to smile. Peggy, you didn’t meet a good guy, but you did stop a bomb. That is a good night.

OH MY PARKER!!! You realize that you like Hardison because you’re both into different things. One step closer to making out for real.

Now, ending with Tara and Bond (yes, he has a name, but it’s not too important) making out as Sophie talks about the things we all do for friends that is a sign of their respect for each other.

For the girls doing most of the work, I’m pretty happy. Though, still a bit confused in places. But when Leverage does leave me confused, it’s for a good reason. Next week, we find out what the boys were up to while the girls were protecting the people of Venezuela (and cat lovers).