Leverage

On this holiday evening, we all received a surprise gift in the form of "The Lonely Hearts Job," which reminded us that money can’t buy love, but it does make steak dinners worth betting on.

I’m amazed how far Hardison and Eliot have come in four seasons. I’m going to call it now and say that the steak dinner bet moved their relationship officially into the “bromance” category. Right? Who’s with me?

Speaking of relationships, did Nate and Sophie’s move forward or not? Nate’s admission to Sophie - I picked you -  was an amazing look behind the wall he keeps, but at the same time, the lack of reaction from Sophie made it feel like we had already had this glimpse and I missed it. 

Then again, Nate and Sophie are so good at what they do maybe that was exactly the way they wanted it to appear because Meredith was watching (even if she couldn't hear them). Either way, it was awesome to see some displays of affection between them around the rest of the team. I really hope we get to see more. 

I enjoyed David Ogden Stiers as Walt Whitman Wellsley (the fourth). Given that he now owes Nate a favor, I think we will be seeing him again. The refreshing part of Wellsley is that he seems to be a good guy at heart and, given how often Nate and the team take down corrupt billionaires, it was nice to see that balanced out by helping one.

This job will also go on my list for favorite Parker moments, as she took Nate’s instruction to pick a fight literally, slugging Hardison’s date and turning it into a knock-down-drag-out cat fight. Parker maybe small, but damned if she isn’t scrappy! 

Then again, we know that Parker is not sure how to handle the feelings of jealousy she feels when another woman takes an interest in Hardison, so a right hook may have been just the outlet she needed. She put 110% of her emotions behind that first punch. 

Okay, raise your hand if you suspected Eliot was a romantic. Yeah, I did too! Seeing him order personality appropriate flowers for Parker and Sophie – and not take any credit for it – was awesome. Eliot can cook, fight, knows wines and is a romantic. I take back what I said last week about Shelly; my budding man crush is on Eliot!

And, as if in answer to a TV Fanatic reader’s request, Latimer made a return appearance at the end of the episode. First, I really want to know who he called after Nate refused the job. Second, if the last line of the episode is any indication, the final three episodes of this season are going to be big!

They kick off next week on New Year’s Day night.