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<i>Leverage: Redemption</i> Season 6 Premiere – Spoiler-Free Advance Review.

Air Date: Thursday, July 9, 2021, on IMDb TV

Rating: ★★★★★

“Dammit, Hardison“ – Eliot

After years of ruthless negotiating on behalf of his big business clients, corporate lawyer Harry Wilson (Noah Wyle) finds himself seeking redemption. Determined to find a way to give back to those he hurt, Harry finds himself caught up with a group of individuals, each with a unique skillset and a propensity for helping others. Will they help Harry find a way to clear his conscience or treat him as part of the problem?  

Leverage is one of those shows I never saw during its original run. It wasn’t until after the series had concluded a friend suggested I watch itand I was immediately hooked. I love shows like The A-Team, Burn Notice, and Leverage where the line between right and wrong isbent to help people. 

Even after nine years, it doesn’t take long before Leverage: Redemption slides back into familiar territory. Returning to the series is Gina Bellman as Sophie Devereaux, “The Grifter,” Aldis Hodge as Alec Hardison, “The Hacker,” Christian Kane as Eliot Spencer, “The Hitter,” and Beth Riesgraf as Parker, “The Thief.” 

Also joining the cast is Aleyse Shannon as Hardison’s sister, Breanna Casey. While Hardison is the Hacker in the group, Breanna is referred to as the Maker. The addition of a third female member of the crew allows for some fun girl power moments, including a funny girls centric episode where Breanna, Sophie, and Parker take on a case of their own.

Noticeably absent is Timothy Hutton who played Nathan Ford, the group’s leader. Hutton is facing sexual assault allegations thatcame to light a month before season six was announced. With his absence being the show’s elephant in the room, the writers do an admirable job explaining Ford’s absence and quickly moving the story on. 

With the cast reunited and the audience caught up, Leverage: Redemption takes off running and never looks back. The way Harry meets the Leverage crew isone of my favorite moments of the premiere. The scene represents everything fun about the original show and sets up a very entertaining and action-packed season. 

With the last original episode airing December 25, 2012, IMDb TV is hopeful the famous proverb “absence makes the heart grow fonder” helps bring back the show’s fans while picking up new ones. WithHutton’s absence and the addition of Wyle and Aleyse, Leverage: Redemption doesn’t bring anything newto shake up the series. A new viewer can watch season five and jump into season six and not realize how many years have passed. As a critic who is a fan of the show, I applaud the writers for not feeling the need to fix the formula of a show that wasn’t broken. 

Not only did the main cast return but the creative minds behind the original series are also back. Dean Devlin, who served as the original series executive producer and director, is leading the series continuation, while the Leverage creators John Rogers and Chris Downey have returned as consulting producers.  

My only gripe about the series is it’s sometimes too predictable with some of its setups. It’s like aJames Bond film when 007 is introduced to a gadget that you know will be pivotal for the exact situation he will find himself in later in the film. Things casually mentioned, which, at the time, seem like they have no significance, end up paying off.

Leverage: Redemption is a warm security blanket on a cold rainy day. Catching up with old friends makesit feellike hardly any time has passed. While there may be new stories and a couple of new characters, the tone and feel are very familiar and will leave fans wanting more. 

Let me know what you think of Leverage: Redemption. 

Leave your comments below or tweet me @StaffaRoadTrip.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.