- Title: Leverage – The First Contact Job
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To get justice for a scientist (Oren Rehany) whose partner (Neil Hopkins) stole his research and ruined his reputation, the Leverage team sets out to retrieve the files that will show Metz not Kanack is responsible for the revolutionary aircraft engine. However, when Parker (Beth Riesgraf) and Hardison’s (Aldis Hodge) attempt to retrieve the files comes up empty Nate (Timothy Hutton) comes up with a back-up plan – to make the man believe he has made first contact with aliens.
After Hardison fakes a signal from space Elliot (Christian Kane) and Sophie (Gina Bellman) go undercover as a signal expert and code-breaker Kanack hires to help the scientist decode the message from deep space. Hardison and Parker show up as agents from a shady, undisclosed government agency to help sell the con only furthering Kanack’s obsession despite his lawyer’s (Sean O’Bryan) warnings about bringing Federal Agents and nutcases in when the company’s biggest deal is about to be finalized.
Nate is able to finagle $1,000,000 out of the mark by selling airtime on a satellite to send his response but to get what their client is really after (his reputation back) the Leverage crew pulls out all the stops to destroy Kanack’s reputation by driving the scientist insane by making him believe aliens are really after him.
The con aside, which is one of the most impressive the crew has put together, the episode is memorable for some terrific character moments including Hardison and Elliot together in the van, Nate’s insight into listening to his clients, and Parker’s E.T. obsession that manifests with Ell-i-ot. The episode also ends on a high note with Hardison and Parker’s date (teased throughout the episode) as the two find themselves inside, but still alone under the stars.