Why ‘The Polygeist Job’ is the Most Hilarious Episode of Leverage: Redemption Yet!

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Caution: This discussion reveals plot details from Leverage: Redemption Season 3, Episode 9 titled “The Polygeist Job”. The third season of Leverage: Redemption has been particularly significant for the growth and development of Parker’s character. However, this episode offers a lighter, more humorous take on the storyline, making it even more enjoyable. Unlike previous episodes that primarily focus on specific characters, “The Polygeist Job” showcases the whimsical nature of the exploits involving our criminal protagonists. It feels like one of the classic cons they might have executed in the original Leverage series and provides an entertaining experience overall.

The main crew at Leverage unites to fight for justice on behalf of a group of firefighters whose service was terminated by tech company Futurilogic. This happened when Futurilogic increased rates during peak usage and prevented the firefighters from communicating with civilians to evacuate, which is a clear case of wrongdoing. This type of story about morality fits perfectly with what Leverage usually tackles, but “The Polygeist Job” adds a touch more humor to it rather than being overly sentimental.

It’s fascinating to note that humor doesn’t stem from quick wit or even the bewilderment caused by learning that Futurilogic executives form a polyamorous relationship. Instead, it originates from a more subtle source, reminiscent of the “cabin in the woods” prank – a surprise twist that often leaves people amused.

“The Polygeist Job” Is Great At Leaning Into Its Horror Theme

The Cheesy Slasher Style Hides A Real Threat

Leverage: Redemption” becomes really enjoyable when it emphasizes the humorous aspects of its problematic episodes. Although many of these episodes can be quite serious, “The Polygeist Job” takes a comedic approach while incorporating horror movies as a setting. Only a few shows might pull off that blend like “Psych”, but “Leverage” is not recognized for its pop culture parodies.

The team travels to a campsite where they control the surroundings for Futurilogic’s retreat. In this setup, Breanna (Alyese Shannon) serves as an informant for public relations, while the rest of the group assumes horror movie stereotypes. Parker seems to enjoy it the most, and Riesgraf shines in their role. Christian Kane provides laughter with his performance, despite Eliot not appearing to be sharing Parker’s level of amusement.

The mix of horror themes, such as summer camp slasher tropes, ghostly doll stories, and woodland cult legends, presents a somewhat chaotic narrative structure. This disarray seems to baffle the audience, creating divisions among them, and instead of instilling dread, it leaves me finding humor in their fear.

It’s possible that we might find ourselves more amused than empathetic towards executives Aubrey (Cher Alvarez) and Cassandra (Kayli Tran), given their genuine desire to make a positive impact on the world. However, when they unintentionally fall into their team’s pitfalls, it becomes an entertaining spectacle rather than an opportunity for sympathy.

The actors cleverly balance their performances between being excessively dramatic and subtly charming, which is especially amusing when Parker tries to entice one of the polycule members with her eerie yet flirtatious behavior. Similarly, Parker’s “air dancing” routine after feigning capture in the woods has us in stitches. These scenes serve as a reminder of how enjoyable the convention experience can be. In other words, they know precisely when to exaggerate their roles for comedic effect and when to tone it down, making the transition from horror stereotypes to their real selves somewhat surprising yet effective for the episode.

The North Korean Assassins Feel Unnecessary

They Overcomplicate The Con

In the tradition of Leverage: Redemption, which continues from the initial Leverage series, there’s always a twist during the scam that throws a wrench in the works. This time, it’s a group of North Korean assassins who are causing trouble because Futurilogic’s founder squandered their government’s investment in his company. They disrupt the con to kidnap Aubrey and interrogate her about Matt (Benjamin J. Young). Naturally, Eliot and Parker jump into action to assist Aubrey, making an already complicated situation even more bewildering.

Typically, a plot twist occurring around halfway through an episode catches us off guard, yet it ultimately benefits the overall scheme. I’m intrigued about how the storyline would have unfolded if assassins weren’t involved, as they appear excessive. The “cabin in the woods” setup is evidently designed to scare the executives and prompt them to contact the authorities regarding the unusual occurrences. However, I wonder what the subsequent moves for Aubrey would have been without this dramatic turn of events. Is it possible that the assassins were merely a means to an end?

In a different wording: Cassandra and Sam had left earlier, while Aubrey was abducted by assassins rather than being intimidated by Parker or Eliot. The scene that would unfold for Aubrey resembles a common horror movie plot device. However, considering Aubrey’s compassionate nature, it’s debatable whether such a trope was necessary, as she might not have needed additional coercion to further her mission.

The Polycule Provides A Great Nod To One Of Leverage’s Most Enduring Fan Theories

Though The Polycule Connection Is Underutilized

In the given episode, the concept of the polycule, which could’ve offered fascinating insights into the characters’ relationships, is under-explored. This is due to the swift separation of its members by the Leverage team, leaving little time for viewers to grasp their intricate dynamics. Characters like Sam and Cassandra seem to betray Matt without hesitation, while Aubrey merely refers to them as friends. This suggests that they might not have been as tightly knit as the episode’s initial presentation may imply. However, the polycule still serves as a clever nod to the classic Leverage series.

In her discovery that Futurilogic’s leaders form a polyamorous relationship, Breanna arrives at this understanding after compiling their interactions with the Leverage team over communications. Parker, Sophie (Gina Bellman), and Eliot exhibit similar characteristics as described by Breanna, as they are often seen seated closely together, with Eliot placing a hand on Parker’s shoulder and Sophie playfully fiddling with Parker’s hair. They demonstrate their unity by frequently using “we” when speaking about the team, and the episode concludes with Parker being interrupted before he can ask if they form such a relationship.

It’s well-known that the Leverage team sees each other as family, not participants in a polyamorous relationship, but there’s an older fan speculation that hints at something different.

In the original series, viewers often speculated that Eliot, Hardison (Aldis Hodge), and Parker formed the core romantic relationship of the show. The writers subtly supported this theory by placing the trio in perilous situations without their mentors, which further sparked discussion among fans. Although they never officially confirmed a romantic triangle, the fan theory persists, and the strong bond between the team serves as a tribute to those who held this belief (even though Hardison is not present in this episode of Leverage: Redemption).

In the style of “The Polygeist Job,” skillfully intertwining each primary character’s unique traits, and overcoming an unexpected obstacle that seemed to come out of nowhere, this episode has a distinct feel reminiscent of classic Leverage – more so than any other episode in Leverage: Redemption. It definitely hits the mark as a success.

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2025-05-30 22:48