olivermoss | Finished my Leverage re-watch

Leverage is one of my favorite shows and yet I did not remember most of season 5. I know I watched it all. I definitely remember the DB Cooper episode, mostly because it makes me shake my head a lot. The way he was brought to justice was cute, but ... no ... It makes me want to do a write up on the case and it's historical context. I can't be mad at an episode with a 70s version of Eliot sliding across the hood of a car, but ... the episode ignored the facts, context and details that Leverage usually leans into. They usually do a good job on that and they happened to wiff when dealing with a case I know a fair bit about.

I've been fannish about Leverage since it started, so it's weird how little I absorbed of the final season. Something must've nerfing my attention around that time. I mean, I see random things and think Leverage Vibes.

Like this pile of safety deposit boxes arranged to be a Christmas tree:

But then, nothing could be more Parker than a Christmas tree made of safety deposit boxes. The same event had the bank vault as a coat check and, yes, very Parker:

I should draw her just because of how good a background that would make.

If you haven't been following cast stuff, this video clip is about Almost Paradise but Christian's mug, that makes sure to show both sides of, is important.

* What is going to the explanation for no Nate? Him being dead or them being broken up would both be downers.

What I hope is that he's a house husband. They had a kid, Nate stays at a very non-disclosed location with the kid when Sophie is out on 'business trips'. I doubt this will be what they go with, but I like it as it makes sense and is a good reason for the show to not dwell on it. It can't be talked about much because pretending they don't even exist is part of how they keep them off the radar. I want Nate's absence to be as low-impact as possible.

* The relationship of The Trio. The necklace speculation is fun, but Eliot already wore a necklace with that sort of chain in OG Leverage. All 3 having some sort of chain doesn't necessarily mean anything, but I really hope it does. Only the Parker/Hardison relationship was ever textually part of the show. Them as a poly trio is based on a very small amount of subtext and post-finale Word of God*. I watched season 5 looking for relationship hints because I was always an Eliot/Hardison shipper. Outside of the finale, and the symbolism in the pandemic episode, I just can't find any scraps. Considering that Trio fans I know point to that one scene in the pandemic episode and also the finale I don't think I am way off base here. (If I am, feel free to point out how. I welcome Trio metas.) Is the whole Trio thing actually a romantic relationship? If it is, what is the actual form?

( *What even was the WOG on this? I've been hearing 'It's canon poly!' for years, but I don't remember what statement it was based on. John Rogers has said not to worry about the Trio in the new season but ... I just have a hard time imagining the show is going to open with an established m/f/m couple. If it actually does I'll be impressed and admit everywhere that I was a doubting Thomas. I will find a true believer and buy them a beverage of their choice.)

And how much time do I have to finish my Eliot/Hardison fics before we get new canon? I have some great dialogue that just needs plot to justify it.

* Will they bring back Hugh Whitman as a villain? At the time I remember people saying 'businessman funding a militia' was a surreal and unbelievable plot. I remember people saying they didn't think militias existed. I remember explaining to people that yes, they do exist. Some people didn't believe me.

This is just wishful thinking on my part, but I would find it super satisfying if they did a victory lap on that plot by bringing him back ... Also he's played by Clancy Brown :)

* The data from The Black Book in the finale. What happened to it? How was the data used?

* How have the crew dealt with the world getting worse in the last decade? The show is overall upbeat and fun, not super dark so I don't expect them to get too much into the angst of working to make the world better while it just falls more and more apart. But if they do go there it would be interesting. I'd find that vibe very relatable.