Did Violence Win Again When Leverage Was Canceled?
As Hollywood promises to take a hard look at violence, TNT cancels Leverage, one of the most non-violent shows on television today.
In the weeks following the Sandy Hook tragedy, we heard a lot about “cutting back” on violent media. Syfy changed the air date of one of it’s episodes because it “depicted scenes of violence at a high school”. Vice President Joe Biden even flew to Los Angeles to talk with Hollywood executives about what they could do to reduce the steady flow of violent images and content on televisions and movie-screens. And yet, in the midst of all this talk, the only show I know of that regularly has a character dismantling guns instead of using them was cut after just five seasons.
Leverage was a one-hour drama that amazingly did not open with a dead body. In fact, they managed to make 77 episodes without ever needing to “get into the mind of the killer”. There were no blood spatter patterns, no bullet trajectories and no autopsies. Instead, the show focused on the value of teamwork and helping those who are not able to help themselves. A breath of fresh air in the middle of an unending stream of “who-dun-its”. We all like solving puzzles, Leverage simply showed us that all puzzles don’t have to involve murder and that all talents don’t have to revolve around an ability to think like a killer.
I sincerely hope that TNT reconsiders it’s decision and that we are treated to a sixth season of this oasis. Otherwise, I’ll be stuck like I was last night, tuning into Castle just in time to hear the words “bound, gagged and beaten”. A lovely end to my day.
13 Responses to Did Violence Win Again When Leverage Was Canceled?
Leave a reply
Fields marked with * are required
Absolutely true. Everyone is concerned, but no one will do anything. Keep up the good work!
TOTALLY AGREE!!! BRING BACK LEVERAGE my FAVORITE and the most original show on tv in a LONG TIME!!! a family the whole family can watch without the fear of nudity or near nudity popping up on the screen and unwarranted violence! They are the best cast and crew tv has to offer… THE FANS HAVE SPOKEN!!! WE STOLE A PCA AWARD ….. DIDN’T WE??? that should say it all!
I agree. Bring back Leverage, a family show.
I think the article put it best: ” There were no blood spatter patterns, no bullet trajectories and no autopsies.” Eliot always took the clips OUT of the guns when a gun was in a scene because he doesn’t like guns!
I am a huge fan of Leverage and love all the characters but Elliot’s character was called the Hitter. He used knives, pots, pans, his fists and any other weapon that he could Hit. I will agree that there was never blood or ‘gross’ but violence of any sort is not a positive action. I am aware that the recent onset of school shootings has made everyone on edge about guns. For myself, I do not think anyone except the police and our armed forces should be allowed to carry guns but I am not refering to gun control. I am concerned about bullying and how it effects our youth. Christian’s character is loved and sort of idolized and violence is not something a role model should be exhibiting. Now the flipside, Elliot evolved over the years and we were able to see the softer side. So, his character is not just a one dimensional hitter, he has layers. More thoughts – I do not believe the violence aspect is what cancelled Leverage; most likely it was the ratings. It may have dipped and it is always a matter of dollar and cents…..
But he never used guns! I vividly recall him saying “I don’t like guns” in more than one episode (including the pilot!)
I agree it’s not good for roll models to “exhibit violence”. However, Eliot – like the police and armed forces you mentioned – is on the team specifically to PROTECT and DEFEND.
Eliot doesn’t initiate violence . . . when he fights, he does so to put himself in the place of someone who doesn’t have the size, skill or experience to defend themselves. He sacrifices himself. (Fortunately for those who care for him and have come to rely on him, Eliot has managed to survive.)
In an IDEAL world, there would be no violence. In the REAL world, there IS violence.
In MY world, the person who defends the weak (without devolving into an aggressor himself over time) IS a role model!! [Please (re-)watch episodes like "The Carnival Job" (S4, Ep6) or "The (Very) Big Bird" (S5, Ep1). Would you really respect Eliot more if he'd refused these physical altercations?]
As for bullying — I too think this is a sensitive topic for which we must be ever mindful of what messages we convey. But, once again, I think Eliot’s behavior has been acceptable. His “bullying” has been limited to taunting and scaring the bad guys who’d INITIATED the aggression (e.g., menacingly whispering “Boo!” in the face of a wannabe bad guy who’s now cowering before him). Yep, I’m good with that.
True, one could say Eliot has “bullied” Cha0s even though the smarmy little weasel hasn’t physically harmed anyone. But given the emotional, technical and financial harm Cha0s HAS inflicted, I’ll gladly give Eliot a pass there too.
I certainly hope you don’t view Eliot as “bullying” Hardison. There’s more love and respect between Eliot and Hardison than there was between Wally and Beaver Cleaver! But just like Wally and The Beave, Eliot and Hardison are simply in different stages of their lives and are helping one another thru the development process. Wally and Eliot – as the older, wiser siblings – consciously help guide their li’l bros over life’s hurdles; meanwhile, Beave and Hardison are such “innocents” that they often don’t realize just how much they’re helping their big bros grow too.
Hardison is the Yin (soft/passive) to Eliot’s Yang (hard/aggressive). Hardison’s Nana did a commendable job raising a thoughtful and compassionate young man. Eliot is now helping him get in touch with his Yang.
We know Eliot once had a softer side (“The Two Horse Job”), but his military commitment to his country (as well as what seems to have been a strained relationship with his father) left him with a pretty thoroughly developed Yang. Hardison is helping Eliot get in touch with his Yin.
Life involves balance, everywhere and in everything. Eliot and Hardison balance one another on the team . . . and each helps the other become a more balanced and complete person within himself.
I don’t like violence. Not one bit. But if Eliot and I were walking down the street and saw a group of big scary thugs trying to beat, rob or rape someone, I wouldn’t ask Eliot to “Please try to reason with them first!”
No, I’d try to comfort the victim . . . sit with her as we watched Eliot do his thing . . .
. . . and I’d sleep just fine that night.
As Eliot would say,”I don’t like guns”, and during one of the episodes he adds”never said I could use one” . He uses what he can find for fighting and only when it’s necessary. Leverage is more about conning the bad guys to give the average Joe the help they need. Often, he apologizes when he must knock someone out, to complete the job. The team works together with little violence if any. No blood and guts. Never have to worry about children wandering into the room. Also, no gratuitous sex or nudity. Even the couples on the show are rarely shown sleeping together or anything more than a peck on the lips or cheek. Too bad more people didn’t know how family friendly Leverage actually is.
My family members always say that I am killing my time
here at web, except I know I am getting familiarity everyday by reading such fastidious
articles or reviews.
Thanks to this blog I broadened horizons.
All I had needed I found here.
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info specially the last part
I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
I just couldn’t depart your website before suggesting that I extremely loved the usual info a person supply for your visitors? Is going to be again often in order to check up on new posts.