I’ve really been looking forward to Leverage‘s “The Juror #6 Job,” since it’s been hyped as a big Star Trek Reunion. We were delivered a funny, entertaining episode as always, but I was a little disappointed by the reunion angle. I expected to tune in and see the jury box filled with stars from the Star Trek franchise. Wouldn’t that have been fun, to see them all interact as jurors?
Instead, we got an episode directed by Jonathan Frakes (a very, very good thing), a main guest starring role played brilliantly by Brent Spiner (Data from ST: TNG) and a small role as a witness played by Armin Shimerman (yep, Principal Snyder from Buffy) from Deep Space Nine (yep, the Ferengi) — not even the same show as Frakes and Spiner, although he made guest appearances in Voyager and TNG. Oh, and Kitty Swink, who was on a couple of episodes of Deep Space Nine and just happens to be Armin Shimerman’s wife.
Where was Michale Dorn? Marina Sirtis? Wil Wheaton? That would have been a reunion.
Regardless, this was a fun episode that capitalized on Brent Spiner’s talents. He played one of Leverage‘s over-the-top but still believable guest characters: the owner of an herbal supplement company who liked to think of himself as a very earthy guy. He had some of my favorite quotes of the episode too:
One last guest star comment, and this one has nothing to do with Star Trek: What did you think of Lauren Holly? It seems to me that she’s got a little plastic surgery addiction. Once you’ve had one surgery too many, it’s really too late, eh Lauren? Well, someone out there must still recognize you.
In other fun, Parker and Hardison were brilliant, as usual, but I need to shout-out to two things that really caught my attention:
Another great episode. I loved Parker trying to convince Eliot that he wanted the orange and not the apple. She was awesome this week.
Ditto, Merv. “I put a razor blade in that apple!” I like this ep as it re-showed the ‘black king’ trying to push his knave into a knight position.
Other things I liked:
– Sophie and Nate have covertly served as the mom & dad of the show, but they made it more blatant with a wally & beav tribute
– this is the 2nd con where Sophie didn’t just use sex to sell it
– Eliot’s ‘oh no, bubba, you ain’t getting my beer’
While I love the spotlight on Hardison (& am I the only person to notice how built he is?) & Parker, I feel like Eliot’s left out. Also, I’m still concerned about Nate’s drinking which can’t lead anywhere good.
I read on John Rogers blog that this ep and last weeks 12 Step Job ep were switched. So maybe Nate will be clean and sober for the 2 part finale. Or maybe not.