Leverage

Leverage presents a detailed look at what it takes to excel at either football or gymnastics. The scenes on the field and in the gym are especially  realistic and well described.

Both Danny and Kurt demonstrate that outward appearances can be deceptive. Small and less developed than his peers, Danny has a core of emotional strength that eventually allows him to stand up for himself and others. With his facial scar and debilitating stutter, Kurt might seem like a menacing dumb jock, but inside he is vulnerable and empathetic.

The inner circle of football players in Leverage treats girls, especially the cheerleaders, purely as sex objects. In one party scene, it is implied that Kurt hooks up with one young woman, who is never mentioned again. The only female character with much depth is Tina, the tough-but-good-hearted audio-visual expert who seems to have the beginnings of a crush on Kurt.