Leverage: Season 1, Episode 4 - Horses & the Super-Rich (2019)

In the episode "Horses & the Super-Rich," the story begins with the team of thieves led by Nathan Ford, known as Nate, gathering in their hideout. They discuss their next target, a wealthy horse breeder named William "Bill" Hargrove, who is involved in a scheme to defraud a group of investors by selling them a racehorse that he has no intention of delivering. The team is motivated by a desire to help the investors, who are being swindled out of their money.

Nate devises a plan to infiltrate Hargrove's world by using Sophie Devereaux, the team's grifter, who poses as a wealthy horse buyer interested in purchasing Hargrove's prized horse. Sophie, dressed in an elegant outfit, meets Hargrove at his lavish estate, where he shows off his horses. During their conversation, Sophie flirts with Hargrove, trying to gain his trust while subtly gathering information about his operations.

Meanwhile, Eliot Spencer, the team's hitter, and Parker, the thief, work on a separate angle of the plan. Eliot uses his skills to gather intel on Hargrove's security measures, while Parker sneaks around the estate to find evidence of Hargrove's fraudulent activities. They discover that Hargrove has been using fake documents to sell horses that don't exist, which solidifies their case against him.

As Sophie continues to charm Hargrove, she learns about a high-stakes horse race that he is planning to enter with the stolen horse. This race becomes a pivotal point in their scheme, as it presents an opportunity to expose Hargrove's fraud publicly. The team decides to sabotage Hargrove's plans by ensuring that the horse he intends to race is not actually his.

The next phase of the plan involves Nate and the team creating a fake horse that they can present as the real contender. They enlist the help of a local horse trainer who is unaware of their true intentions. The trainer is convinced to help them prepare the horse for the race, believing it to be a legitimate entry.

On the day of the race, tensions rise as the team executes their plan. Sophie continues to play her role, maintaining her cover while keeping an eye on Hargrove. Eliot and Parker work behind the scenes to ensure that everything goes smoothly. As the race begins, the atmosphere is electric, with wealthy spectators and high stakes.

During the race, Hargrove's horse initially takes the lead, but the team has set up a series of obstacles to ensure that it falters. As the race progresses, the fake horse, which has been trained to perform well, begins to catch up. The crowd is captivated, and Hargrove grows increasingly anxious as he realizes something is amiss.

In a climactic moment, the fake horse crosses the finish line first, winning the race. Hargrove is furious and confused, and the team seizes the opportunity to reveal his fraudulent activities to the public. They present evidence of his scams, including the fake documents and testimonies from the investors he defrauded.

The episode concludes with Hargrove being confronted by law enforcement, thanks to the evidence the team has gathered. Nate and his crew watch from a distance, satisfied with their work. They reflect on the success of their con, knowing they have helped the victims while taking down a corrupt figure in the horse racing world. The team shares a moment of camaraderie, celebrating their victory and the justice they have served.

In the ending of "Horses & the Super-Rich," the team successfully exposes the corrupt practices of the wealthy horse owner, who has been cheating the system to profit from the racing industry. They manage to retrieve the stolen horses and ensure justice is served, while also helping the rightful owners reclaim their property. The episode concludes with the team celebrating their victory, reflecting on their mission and the impact they've made.

As the episode nears its conclusion, the tension builds as the team finalizes their plan to take down the corrupt horse owner, who has been exploiting the racing industry for his gain.

Scene 1: The team gathers in their makeshift headquarters, a dimly lit warehouse filled with monitors and equipment. Nate, the leader, lays out the final details of their scheme. He is focused and determined, driven by a sense of justice for the wronged horse owners. Sophie, the grifter, is preparing her disguise, her eyes glinting with excitement and a hint of nervousness. Hardison, the tech expert, is finalizing the digital aspects of their plan, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he ensures everything is in place. Eliot, the muscle, is sharpening his skills, ready to protect the team if things go awry. Parker, the thief, is practicing her acrobatics, eager to showcase her skills.

Scene 2: The team infiltrates the high-stakes horse auction where the corrupt owner is set to sell the stolen horses. The atmosphere is tense, filled with wealthy bidders and the sound of hooves on the ground. Sophie, in her elegant disguise, charms the crowd, drawing attention away from the team's true intentions. Nate watches from a distance, his heart racing as he knows the stakes are high.

Scene 3: As the auction begins, Hardison hacks into the auction's system, feeding false information to the bidders. The tension escalates as the corrupt owner, oblivious to the team's interference, begins to showcase the horses. Eliot and Parker work in tandem, moving stealthily to gather evidence of the owner's illegal activities. The camera captures their synchronized movements, highlighting their trust in one another.

Scene 4: The climax occurs when Nate confronts the corrupt owner directly, revealing the evidence of his wrongdoings to the crowd. The owner's face twists in anger and disbelief as the team's plan unfolds. The crowd gasps, and whispers ripple through the audience as the truth comes to light. The emotional weight of the moment is palpable, as the rightful owners of the horses step forward, reclaiming their stolen property.

Scene 5: In the aftermath, the police arrive, taking the corrupt owner into custody. The team watches from a distance, a mix of relief and satisfaction washing over them. They exchange glances, silently acknowledging the success of their mission.

Scene 6: The episode concludes with the team back at their headquarters, celebrating their victory. Laughter fills the room as they share stories and reflect on the day's events. Nate, feeling a sense of fulfillment, looks around at his team, realizing that they have not only helped others but have also forged a strong bond among themselves. Each character's fate is intertwined with the mission they accomplished, solidifying their roles as a cohesive unit dedicated to fighting for justice.

In this final scene, the camera pans out, capturing the camaraderie and determination of the team, leaving viewers with a sense of hope and the promise of more adventures to come.

In the episode "Horses & the Super-Rich" from season 1 of Leverage, there is no post-credit scene. The episode concludes without any additional scenes or content after the credits roll. The focus remains on the resolution of the main plot and the characters' interactions throughout the episode, leaving no further narrative to explore in a post-credit format.

Sophie uses her acting skills to pose as a wealthy socialite interested in purchasing a racehorse. This allows her to infiltrate the elite circles of the horse racing community and gather crucial information about the corrupt owner.

The team devises a plan to expose the corrupt practices of a wealthy horse owner who is cheating the horse trainer out of his rightful earnings. They aim to gather evidence of the owner's illegal activities and use it to leverage a settlement for the trainer.

Eliot takes on the role of a horse trainer and uses his physical skills to demonstrate the true potential of the horses involved. He also provides protection for the team and ensures that their plan goes smoothly, showcasing his loyalty and combat skills.

Parker uses her acrobatic skills and expertise in security systems to break into the horse owner's private stables. She is tasked with retrieving evidence of the owner's wrongdoing, showcasing her agility and resourcefulness.

Nate grapples with his feelings of guilt and responsibility as he leads the team. He is haunted by his past failures and struggles with the pressure of ensuring the success of their mission, which reflects his desire to redeem himself and help those in need.

In "Horses & the Super-Rich," there are a few elements that may be considered objectionable or upsetting for children or sensitive viewers:

1. Themes of Greed and Corruption: The episode explores the darker side of wealth and the lengths to which people will go for money, which may be unsettling for younger audiences.

2. Emotional Manipulation: Characters experience emotional distress and manipulation, which could be intense for sensitive viewers.

3. Confrontational Scenes: There are moments of conflict and tension between characters that may be intense, including confrontations that could be perceived as threatening.

4. Animal Welfare Concerns: The plot involves horses and their treatment, which may raise concerns about animal welfare that could be upsetting to some viewers.

5. Mild Language: There may be instances of mild profanity or suggestive language that could be inappropriate for younger audiences.

Overall, while the episode contains engaging storytelling and character development, these elements may warrant caution for children or sensitive viewers.