Leverage: The 4th Season

The fourth season of the cable crime drama about a modern Robin Hood crew of colorful thieves—Gina Bellman as con artist Sophie Devereaux, Christian Kane as tough guy Eliot Spencer, Aldis Hodge as computer expert Alec Hardison, and Beth Riesgraf as cat burglar Parker, led by former insurance investigator Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton)—begins with a job that takes the team to Alaska. Actually, the opener was shot on the very photogenic Mt. Hood—one of the benefits of the show's production move to Portland, OR. The high-concept heist/confidence-game series maintains a decent level of quality throughout as the team fends off the surveillance of a mystery man who wants to use their work for his own gain, and things comes to an eventful conclusion that serves as a springboard for a fresh start in season five. Leverage goes for escapism over serious content and delivers action-movie flair, snappy writing, likable (if eccentric) characters, and plenty of cheeky humor. Presenting all 18 episodes from the 2011–12 season, extras include episode commentaries, a parody of the episode “The Office Job,” behind-the-scenes featurettes, and deleted scenes. Hardly essential but definitely fun, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)