S02.E04: The Date Night Job

[tessaray]

Release Date: November 22, 2022

Quote

 While staging a date-night experience for Parker & Hardison at an ultra-secure freeport facility, the team comes across another heist in progress and must stop it to save the life of a 13-year-old boy.

 

[VanillaBear85]

"While staging a date-night experience for Parker & Hardison at an ultra-secure freeport facility, the team comes across another heist in progress and must stop it to save the life of a 13-year-old boy."

I thought this was a strong episode. 

Poor Mason. 

Edited November 23, 2022 by VanillaBear85
Hardison

[Orbert]

Parker & Harrison?

[tessaray]

15 minutes ago, Orbert said:

Parker & Harrison?

Guessing autocorrect?  

[marceline]

Have we ever seen Parker and Hardison kiss? Because I would kiss Hardison all the time if I were her.

[AnimeMania]

[DearEvette]

7 hours ago, VanillaBear85 said:

I thought this was a strong episode.

Agreed. 

I liked the way it unfolded, the structure of it.  The date night that was just so very Parker and then the flashback and we see a replay of the date night but from the rest of the team's perspective. 

I admit, I was sus about the widower-guardian at first, but then he seemed so sincere about the kid so I was a bit blindsided again.  But I it is always about who has the most to gain!

I thought it was a clever  explanation why Emily isn't with Breanna any more.

The kid actor was very good and I am tickled he'll end up with Nana!

[Llywela]

17 hours ago, marceline said:

Have we ever seen Parker and Hardison kiss? Because I would kiss Hardison all the time if I were her.

We sure have seen them kiss, multiple times - as far back as season one, when they kissed a couple of times as a diversion (and Parker brushed it off while Hardison was blown away). They don't often do on-screen romantic kissing as a couple, because that just isn't Parker, but we have seen them kiss.

[PurpleTentacle]

This episode was fun. Parker and Hardison are always gold together.

But a massive air vent in a vault? Really? Kinda defeats the prupose, doesn't it? And negative pressure sealing an air vent cover? Really? It has slits that let air through. That's how it works. There is no preassure differential bewtween both sides that could seal it.

Also nobody can just put Pokemon on a map, but I guess it wasn't Pokemon Go, but some "spirit" game, so I guess it's possible (wouldn't make for a good game though).

These things didn't spoil my fun, which is saying something. Usually my brain can't let go. This episode was so entertaining that it didn't bother me much. But still. This could be better and was, as far as I remember, in the original show. Season 1 of redemption had some equally bad problems.

[moonorchid]

I swear there’s been fanfic of this kind of concept and to see it in action was a lot of fun. 
 

The show does okay without Aldis Hodge but when he’s there’s he brings with it the vibe and energy of the original series and I def miss it when it’s gone. But the fact that AH does this show at all when his career is really shooting off makes my heart grow three sizes. 
 

AH and Beth Reisgraf def still have IT and I love that an entire episode was dedicated to them. Gives the fans the inside look of what their relationship specifically to each other looks like, but I am going to address the elephant in the room. I understand who Parker is, but the fact that they don’t kiss AT ALL is a little Side eye worthy. They allude to them having sex, they talk about how deep their feelings are for each other and how attached they are, they are def attracted to one another…so the fact that they don’t kiss after having an emotional moment at the end causes me to ask some uncomfortable questions. This is the kind of stuff I’d expect in an 80’s to 90’s show when you have a black man and a white woman in a relationship on tv. 

[marceline]

45 minutes ago, moonorchid said:

I understand who Parker is, but the fact that they don’t kiss AT ALL is a little Side eye worthy.

This is what I was asking above. In ep 1 of this season, Hardison returns. Everyone welcomes him and Parker - dressed in a crab costume - gives him a weird dopey hug. We're supposed to believe he's been gone for weeks/months but she doesn't kiss him when he returns? Of course maybe I'm projecting a bit. When I saw Hardison again I wanted to climb Aldis Hodge like a tree. And now we have them both being sexy as hell and still no kiss.

I have to admit that this version of Parker & Hardison reminds me of Nate and Sophie in The Frame-Up Job. They just know each other down to their bones and they have a sweet, weird sort of love.

Edited November 25, 2022 by marceline

[P2C2E]

Yeah, it's weird. They've definitely kissed before but the lack of it now is confusing. They've been together a decade now, where's the quick hello kisses? It feels like a choice was made somewhere, by someone. But I don't know why. It's noticeable. And weird.

[marihunc]

Covid protocols maybe? I really can't think of any other reason.

[Mabinogia]

1 hour ago, marihunc said:

Covid protocols maybe? I really can't think of any other reason.

That actually is a good possibility. Covid has changed a lot of things. I could see either actor, or the show runners, or all of them not thinking it's worth the risk just to have them kiss. I honestly didn't really notice the lack of kissing just because I find them 100% believable as a couple and their chemistry is strong enough for me that I don't need the kissing. I've also never seen them as the passionate, can't keep their hands off each other type couple so much as the I am just happy to be around you because you brighten everything in my life kind of couple, so I'd rather hear them talk to each other than watch them make out. lol

[DoctorAtomic]

I'm not really a kisser, so it doesn't bother me. 

I liked the structure of this episode. I was saying when it started that I didn't want to just have it be Parker and Hardison because I truly enjoy all the teamwork. That's such a strong feature in all the Devlin productions. I liked they flashed back with all "don't tell the others" and then they were all at the kitchen talking about it. 

I've liked this batch of episodes because things haven't always gone to plan, and it shows the team has actual talent beyond just being infinitely rich and all the electronics. They're keeping the stories fresh too. I mean, it's fundamentally taking down a fat cat bad guy, but we had the plastic waste guy, a dictator torturing a journalist. Really good job all around by everyone. 

Wilson's white outfit was very Southernly. I'm still enjoying Wilson and Sophie platonically. She's, here, a mentor of sorts. In the prior episodes, Wilson is a sounding board and can tell her what she needs to hear. 

I also like Wilson listening to her, and saying, "She's a barista because of the shoes", and when she confirmed, he all perked up. 

Licking the TRex. Of course. 

[Mabinogia]

1 hour ago, DoctorAtomic said:

I also like Wilson listening to her, and saying, "She's a barista because of the shoes", and when she confirmed, he all perked up. 

I am loving their mentor mentee relationship. If it ends up going romantic I'm okay with that, though I secretly ship Sophie and Elliot because I have a habit of picking the least likely to actually happen pairings, but I'm fine if Sophie and Harry just stay as they are. The two actors work well off of each other and I could see a true friendship and business partnership growing between them. 

1 hour ago, DoctorAtomic said:

I've liked this batch of episodes because things haven't always gone to plan, and it shows the team has actual talent beyond just being infinitely rich and all the electronics.

While it is super cool to watch them at their best, the end of last season when Sophie sat across from Evil Lady so calm and collected because she knew the team was getting it done was epic, I think they really shine when things don't go to plan and they have to improvise. That is when we really see that these people are the best at what they do. 

[P2C2E]

9 hours ago, Mabinogia said:

 That is when we really see that these people are the best at what they do. 

John Rogers (show runner/writer for the OG) calls it "competence porn" and it's one of the things that makes this show so great. I want to watch people be legends. 

[andromeda331]

This is my favorite episode so far this season. I love Hardison and Parker's idea of a date night. How they just happened to find all the things at the museum for their break in. I love the rest of the team helping them have a perfect date night. Even Eliot sacrificing his tickets. I love when they show how much they all love each other.

I loved Sophie realized there was about to be a robbery and Harry recognized the barista by her shoes.

I'm glad the widower wasn't terrible. I was really worried he was the one after the kid. I'm glad the Leverage team was there to save Mason. 

I'm sorry Breanna broke up with Emily. 

[Llywela]

7 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

I'm glad the widower wasn't terrible. I was really worried he was the one after the kid. I'm glad the Leverage team was there to save Mason.

Um...the widower was terrible - he was after the kid and staged the whole thing as a way of murdering him without it looking like a murder.

[DoctorAtomic]

Early episode detail - Harry was very interested that the game was now on the cell phone. 

[Maelstrom]

Late to the party this time but I really loved this one. There was so much going on I had to watch it twice just to feel like I caught most of it. So many little details and callbacks and twists. 

It goes without saying I'm always thrilled to see Hardison and AH back, and I'm continually impressed by and in love with how easily he slots back into the show like he never left - both Hardison's dynamic with the team and AH's dynamic with the other actors. I continue to love how this reboot has shown how the characters have grown yet still remain at heart the same people. Parker is still weird (licking the t-rex skull) and Hardison is still afraid of vents, heights, and dust mites ("my boyfriend cries in vents too" lol) and yet as a couple they know each other well enough to discuss their issues and fears maturely. They have such fantastic chemistry together, though I agree it seems odd to not have have them give each other a peck on the cheek. I loved Parker's Doctor Who reference at the end ("we're both Doctors, like a Christmas special" awww he turned her into a Who fan too)

I enjoyed Mason's scenes with Eliot and Parker - both have such a wonderful connection with kids. Parker's conversation with Mason about loss and being alone in the world was a wonderful moment.

Nice fakeout with the widower, for a minute there I thought maybe he wasn't the bad guy. But no, turns out he's much worse than anyone would've expected. The sticky note on the door was a nice touch.

Random thoughts:

• Spirits' Ruse has an app now, and Harry is ALL IN.
• Parker and Hardison are banned from the ax-throwing place... somehow I'm not surprised.
• How did Parker conceal a pair of pants under her short leather skirt?
• Hardison's "I'm proud of me" 🤣🥺🤗 awwww
• Eliot: "I'm going to get kicked and punched on your date, aren't I?" and Hardison in a super unconvincing voice: "Noooooo"
• Sophie's breakdown mentioned Grandma's wealth coming from her second husband but the screen said the first
• Harry flinched at the robbers' gunshot but Sophie was cool as a cucumber
• Nice change to have Breanna's date be understanding about her ducking out
• "Tasing is fun"
• "What's awhile of air?"
• Nana!

On 11/25/2022 at 12:59 PM, marceline said:

When I saw Hardison again I wanted to climb Aldis Hodge like a tree.

They just know each other down to their bones and they have a sweet, weird sort of love.

YES. And yes.

20 hours ago, Mabinogia said:

the end of last season when Sophie sat across from Evil Lady so calm and collected because she knew the team was getting it done was epic

That entire scene really was epic, IMO it was one of the single most epic moments of the entire series (old and new) and put many of Nate's epic takedown speeches to shame. And he had some good ones.

[andromeda331]

3 hours ago, Llywela said:

Um...the widower was terrible - he was after the kid and staged the whole thing as a way of murdering him without it looking like a murder.

I re-watched it and your right. I don't know how I missed that!

[Llywela]

53 minutes ago, andromeda331 said:

I re-watched it and your right. I don't know how I missed that!

So much else going on, and they did save the reveal for the very last possible moment.

[MissLucas]

Oh that was soo good! An episode more or less dedicated to Parker and Hardison has to be good. I never noticed the not-kissing (and I really don't mind - I know plenty of loving couples who don't kiss in public). I was probably distracted by the dinosaur skull licking. Such a great detail, LOL! When Parker said 'Sue says hi' I was so confused, only to have the reference explained in a throwaway conversation a bit later - lovely bit of writing.

I also loved the structure of getting us into the middle of a con/heist with lots of tiny things making you wonder - wait, how did that backpack just got there? - to just have it explained in a flashback. Show does that a lot but IIRC not so often this season so far?

Other random things:

• Hardison offering Parker a bowl of pretzels!!! Show did not forget one of my all-time favorite scenes (in a life spent watching way too much tv) *sniff*
• Sophie calling the robbery seconds before it happened.
• Nice collection of red herrings.
• Pink tasers - matching Breanna's outfit (which was actually quite cute).
• Parker and the kid.
• The whole team taking advantage of Eliot's cooking skills.
• Doctor Who reference at the end making me a bit sobby again.

Loved this so much that handwaving Hardison-sized vents in a facility with paranoid security measures is easily done.

[Lugal]

Always fun to see Aldis Hodge.  And for all the (well-deserved) compliments he gets I'll just say that Beth looked great in the black dress and all the other layers.  Parker and Hardison not kissing never bothered me as Parker doesn't seem like the kissing type.  Just remember as of last year, she hadn't stabbed anyone in a really long time, like a month.

On 11/27/2022 at 1:39 PM, MissLucas said:

I was probably distracted by the dinosaur skull licking. Such a great detail, LOL! When Parker said 'Sue says hi' I was so confused, only to have the reference explained in a throwaway conversation a bit later - lovely bit of writing.

I'm a big enough dinosaur nerd I knew exactly who she meant when she said Sue and Sofie's line that Parker licked Sue twice.  It amuses me to think that she uses her ultra-thief skills to break into museums and lick dinosaur skulls.  Is it just T. rexes or is it other dinosaurs too?  Not that I blame her, dinosaur bones are cool (although I have not tasted one, so far as I can recall.)

[Prevailing Wind]

ION TV is showing the original Leverage... and they aired the one with the pretzels conversation.

[kickingnames]

My favorite episode of the season. Loved all the things everyone’s already mentioned about Parker & Hardison and the heist/date night. A side note I also loved was Harry as Elliot’s sous chef -- his slow, little knife cuts (from which he still managed to knick himself) and his repeated “Yes Chef” comments amused me a bunch. I love the way the actors take advantage of background moments.

[tessaray]

We are in the middle of a Classic rewatch and Parker and Hardison just destroyed Damian Moreau's bomb on the train. (The Big Bang Job) As Parker skips off the train, she declares she's in the mood for pretzels. Cue adorable reaction from Hardison. 

I do love continuity. 

[Orbert]

Eliot was frustrated by something Breanna had done and said "Damn it!" followed immediately by "Hardison!" and turning to yell at Hardison about something.  So we got a variation on "Damn it, Hardison!" to fit the circumstances.

[kimaken]

On 11/25/2022 at 1:59 PM, marceline said:

This is what I was asking above. In ep 1 of this season, Hardison returns. Everyone welcomes him and Parker - dressed in a crab costume - gives him a weird dopey hug. We're supposed to believe he's been gone for weeks/months but she doesn't kiss him when he returns?

Perhaps since COVID is still with us, the actors choose not to kiss--especially since this season started we're going winter with Cold, Flu, RSV, plus COVID all on the rise. I read recently that Los Angeles is considering reinstating the mask ban for a while to help deter exposure to, and spread of, these illnesses. Granted, filming was earlier this year, but still, predictions in the spring were that we would most likely have a more active Flu season on top of whatever COVID virus mutations become prevalent.

[blueray]

Another good episode. I loved that Parker and Hardison were on a date. Though I at first thought it was planned that they'd break into the vault and were just playing that they didn't have a plan. But I guess it makes sense that the team was involved.

Anyhow, I was confused by the family relationship for some reason. So the wealthy grandmother married a younger guy (nice twist on the stereotype). Then Mason was her grand kid. What happened to his parents? Anyhow, I didn't see the widower being the one trying to kill him, even it was obvious. Maybe because I thought he was his father...

[Llywela]

7 hours ago, blueray said:

Anyhow, I was confused by the family relationship for some reason. So the wealthy grandmother married a younger guy (nice twist on the stereotype). Then Mason was her grand kid. What happened to his parents? Anyhow, I didn't see the widower being the one trying to kill him, even it was obvious. Maybe because I thought he was his father...

We weren't told what happened to his parents, just that he'd been cared for by his grandmother since he was six. The implication was that they had died.

[Chaos Theory]

Hardison and Parker have never really been touchy feely anyway so I didn’t even notice that they didn’t kiss.     I like their relationship for what it is and don’t need displays of affection.  Having them just “know” what each other likes and having fun together by doing crime is what I watch them for and in the mean time having Parker have to deal with Hardison going away again and bonding with a scared little boy is more important then seeing Hardison and Parker kiss.  

Edited January 1, 2023 by Chaos Theory

[DoctorAtomic]

I'm not really touchy-feely either, so it didn't bother me. 

[LisaM]

Loved this episode. My only quibble was that Mason did not look 13. At first, I thought he was supposed to be 7 or 8. 

[aradia22]

Justin was IMMEDIATELY suspicious from the first scene in the car. No mystery there. The collusion with Farmingworth made it a little more interesting.

I don't think Aldis and Beth quite have the chemistry they used to (it might be the writing as well) but I loved seeing an episode where they tried their best to recapture the magic. It was worth the attempt for the moments that worked.

Parker's outfit looked a little too much like knockoff Fashion Nova to pass at a society event. I'm less harsh on the extras but there have been some really awful costumes across the board this season.

"I'm proud of me. That's all that matters."

I agree that Mason looked very young for 13. Even for a guy who stays short, he was pretty little. The focus on Mason made it feel more like an episode from the original series. 

Glad to get an update on Emily.

Best episode of season 2 so far. 

[aradia22]

Quote

AH and Beth Reisgraf def still have IT and I love that an entire episode was dedicated to them. Gives the fans the inside look of what their relationship specifically to each other looks like, but I am going to address the elephant in the room. I understand who Parker is, but the fact that they don’t kiss AT ALL is a little Side eye worthy. They allude to them having sex, they talk about how deep their feelings are for each other and how attached they are, they are def attracted to one another…so the fact that they don’t kiss after having an emotional moment at the end causes me to ask some uncomfortable questions. This is the kind of stuff I’d expect in an 80’s to 90’s show when you have a black man and a white woman in a relationship on tv. 

I have to agree with this. I don't know the freevee vibe. We have had romantic sideplots for Breanna and Elliot, but maybe freevee is going for a more family friendly vibe that only alludes to intimacy. "Layers." I do think it's a little weird. I liked that Hardison and Parker were more playful this episode because they felt more like their old characters. But even the way they danced down the hallway could have been hotter if they'd choreographed something for the actors. The date night on the roof also lacked romance and intimacy. The direction doesn't help. The camera work isn't doing anything sexy. 

[bunnyface]

Did I miss it here or did nobody notice the vault code?  I had to stop the episode to finish laughing and singing.