leverage

#Facepalm

Leverage S04E09 The Cross My Heart Job.

An excellent Eliot eyeroll.

Leverage S04E09 The Cross My Heart Job.

"Well, Mr. Ford it seems you've killed me after all."

Leverage S04E09 The Cross My Heart Job.

Out of the whole crew I think Eliot and Parker's friendship- is the most interesting (and the cutest.)

There's a comradery that they have- that none of the others do. Many people have pointed out the scene where Eliot and Parker change in front of each other without blinking. Where Eliot throws an item of clothing at a camera to give them privacy. (The Cross My Heart Job)

Nobody actually really questions it. They just have assumptions. Which is totally fair. They set the scene that way. I think it's their way of saying neither of them are concerned about seeing each other bare. It's a weird metaphor and I don't really know how to explain it.

There's the part where Parker asks Eliot; "What did you do?" And he begs her; "Not to ask me that Parker, because if you do- I'm going to tell you, so please don't ask." And that is a scene that the whole Fandom holds so close to their hearts. (The Big Bang Job)

Every moment where Parker and Eliot defend Hardison from a high chance of a plague. Where she naps with a government official in their space. Where she takes the case and Eliot punches the bad guy. Even when an area is swarming with law officals- she still trusts him. (The Rundown Job.)

And the scenes where they fell into the hole. Parker wants to bring the dead guy with back to the base and Eliot (despite wanting to leave him,) helps her. But the ropes snaps and it becomes more about them getting out- then getting the dead guy out. (The Long Way Down Job)

Not to mention all those scenes were Parker is near Eliot in some case. Whether it's sitting on the arm chair. Or poking him to see if his injuries actually hurt. Or the times in Redemption- where he nudges Parker to convince Sophie to steal something. Or about robot bodies. The Santa hat. Even in a middle of a hurricane- their together and Parker is by his side. (The Hurricane Job)

Some seem them as romantic (this post isn't meant to start arguments.) However- I don't see it that way. They seem more like siblings too me. The way Eliot gets annoyed and huffs and puffs- but still is willing to make sure she gets out. The way Parker snaps back- is more sisterly. Sure for a while Eliot doesn't know how to handle her. He doesn't know how to accept the "crazy," but eventually- somewhere- he sees that she really isn't.

Parker isn't crazy. She just never had anybody to trust before. And not having some one you can turn to- makes people throw caution to the wind sometimes. But when she does starting trust Hardison and Eliot- she becomes a bit more careful. She's still care free. But careful at the same time.

Eliot learns to trust her instinct. And I think that's why- even if he says "No," to her- and she eventually says "Yes," he'll follow her without question.

I think it also helps that Parker doesn't see him as some mercenary. She sees him as someone who deserves Redemption.

"We're gonna need badges. There are three levels. Each successive level gets you better access."

Leverage S04E09 The Cross My Heart Job.

op: #nate gets creepy when he's sober and parker gets an urging to cause bodily harm when she's tired and jetlagged#eliot has some great expressions in this episode but that one after parker suggests breaking his wrist is by far the best

other notable contributions under the cut

leverage is so fucking crazy. "oh, i didnt kill you. God killed you. i just... made sure it took."

Leverage S04E09 The Cross My Heart Job.

"Oh I didn't kill you. God killed you. I just- made sure it took" <- most badass nate line in the whole show

So I’m mid Leverage rewatch - Can we talk about how the boys make such a big deal about looking away from Parker whipping off her clothes towards the beginning of the series, and now here we are in 4.9, “The Cross my Heart Job,” and once again Parker whips her shirt offf. But does Eliot look away? Not at all. He looks at her out of the bottom of his eyes as he takes his jacket off and throws it at the camera, giving them both privacy from the viewer. That is a WHOLE other kinda vibe. That is a new level of comfort with her, interest, even intimacy. I’m not gonna say something has happened between them at this point (though I’m not gonna rule it out). But it is at the very least an option now in a way it never was before. There is a closeness there where he’s maybe allowed to appreciate her, even in a friendly, curious way. — The point is I’m here for it. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.

I also love that scene! My takeaway from it is a different kind of intimacy/comfort, though. I think it’s about comfort and knowing each other.  In the first episode, they turned away because WHOOPS, Parker apparently does NOT have Boundaries about undressing in front of guys but they do, and they’ll respect what they think her boundaries should be for her too. But in The Cross My Heart Job, we have reached the stage of reciprocal casual undressing. Parker’s not going to be creeped out, Eliot’s not going to be freaked out. The job requires a quick costume change so they do it. They even toss each other needed clothes, IIRC. It’s working together.

Also, this would not work with Hardison. He’d politely squeak and look away--or politely look, I don’t remember quite what stage the two of them were at in this episode--but it wouldn’t be this matter-of-fact. That’s something Eliot and Parker have in common: the ability to be businesslike about changing together. And it’s businesslike not because they’re ignoring that it’s a big deal but because for both of them it can be not a big deal. Goal is Steal Heart Back and they’re in work mode, and neither of them has to worry about the other one reacting weird to a costume change.

--Actually, it’s probably something Sophie has in common with both of them too, under the right circumstances . . . . Heh. I would love a missing scene from something where Parker, Eliot, and Sophie are all in one room changing while discussing next steps for a con, and Hardison and Nate (having heard conversation and not realizing various stages of nudity are in progress) enter the room and flip out, to the general “What?” of the others.

--Not to hijack your post....  I like your observations too. They just set off the pinball machine of free association in my head and this came out.

Parker + 4x09

Hardison: So look, I’ll casually mention “Star Trek”. Eliot: Great. ‘cause that comes up a lot. Hardison: It does!

 ↪ LEVERAGE + TV TROPES: Fanservice

Gratuitous display of characters in skimpy clothing, or none at all, under the assumption that it will attract or “reward” viewers. The character is usually female, though fanservice of male characters is far from uncommon.

“The gloat’s an important part. You know, we tease Dean all the time. It was like, one of Dean’s holy trinity of ‘you must have in every episode’, the gloat, and we used to give him shit first season. He’s not wrong. You know what, it’s really a nice scene, it gives everyone a nice attitude at the end, it closes it out.” - John Rogers, The Low Low Price Job DVD Commentary

So I’m mid Leverage rewatch - Can we talk about how the boys make such a big deal about looking away from Parker whipping off her clothes towards the beginning of the series, and now here we are in 4.9, “The Cross my Heart Job,” and once again Parker whips her shirt offf. But does Eliot look away? Not at all. He looks at her out of the bottom of his eyes as he takes his jacket off and throws it at the camera, giving them both privacy from the viewer. That is a WHOLE other kinda vibe. That is a new level of comfort with her, interest, even intimacy. I’m not gonna say something has happened between them at this point (though I’m not gonna rule it out). But it is at the very least an option now in a way it never was before. There is a closeness there where he’s maybe allowed to appreciate her, even in a friendly, curious way. — The point is I’m here for it. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.

[ID: Sketch of Eliot choking a diver out underwater using his own tactical vest, with blood coming from Eliot's right bicep and a laptop sinking in the background. End ID]

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Whumpuary sketch for prompt Running out of Air

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I'm still on a mission to do a sketch per Leverage episode - initially I was going in order, but now it's just as and when inspiration hits/art spirits are kind enough to let something work XD

Here is accompanying sketch for Cross My Heart Job since Eliot says he fought ex-Brazilian Combat Divers with spearguns underwater, and Hardison lost his laptop to the depths.

And it fits as a fill for a Whumpuary prompt.

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