The Structure of Leverage
By: Marlee Hargis We call a show procedural when a problem is introduced, investigated, and solved all within one episode. Some could call them “monster of the week” or “crime of the week”/ “case of the week” shows. These include shows like House, Grey’s Anatomy, 9-1-1, CSI, SVU; any show that contains the whole adventure in one episode (not counting those dramatic two-part season finales of course). I love these shows; they are great for a relaxing evening where you don’t want to put too much thought into tracking every little easter egg and you can just enjoy it. One of my favorites is Leverage. This is not your typical procedural show. A group of criminals led by an ex-insurance investigator go around taking clients that have been wronged by large corporations and gives them the justice that the legal system has not been able to. Among the crew there is a hitter, a grifter, a thief, a hacker, and a mastermind. Every week they take on a new client and enact a personalized heist ...
