The Tap-Out Job

I hated this episode for one reason: they made people from Omaha look like stupid hicks. One line in particular was so condescending that I almost puked. Eliot said something like, "The farms are drying up and Omaha is nothing but strip joints and pawn shops. these boys have nothing else to do." Give me a break! Have you been to Omaha? I don't think the writers of an otherwise outstanding show have ever set foot in the middle of the country. Get out of LA for once and then you'll see that Nebraskans aren't idiots. They also don't have southern accents. Next time you want to produce a show that takes place other than LA, NY, or Boston, perhaps you should check out the location first.

I think what they did for Nebraska in this episode should be rewarded mightily. As a matter of fact, they probably oversold how smart & wealthy people of Nebraska are. Ever heard of Larry The Cable Guy? That "N" wrapped around his neck doesn't stand for "neurosurgeon", folks. Shockingly, I'm sure, it stands for Nebraska. They are amazing people. Look at Warren Buffet. Or is it "Booooofaaaaay"? I think it's Buffet, just like the incredibly tasty breakfasts at the Holiday Inns across the world - well, at least on this continent.

Thx,

Mr. Omaha, 2012 Stuart A. Absents

Episode must be from an alternative timeline. Omaha has a population over 475,000 and Lincoln's pop is around 283,000. Neither is a struggling little town. Also football, not wrestling, is king. I think this episode's inaccuracies irreparablely tarnish it At least for people who have lived there at some point.

I have to agree with some of the other reviewers. It does show a basic disregard for reality. Nebraska is a state with a smaller population, but it's two major cities are quite wonderful. They are like any other cities of size. The main characters walk around with that superior attitude because they come from a place far above the lowly midwest.

That aside, I thought this was the weakest of all the episodes I've watched. The whole thing tries hard to be somewhat believable (although most episodes struggle to do that), but when you look at the setup and the way it all plays out, it's silly and demeaning.

"I don't even know what a cornhusker is," is a comment that shows how weak minded some of our boys are.

Scene of Parker beating up Alec wasn't funny MMA

Aside from stopping by Alliance, Nebraska to vist 'Carhenge' (a Stonehenge-like site made with old cars), I've had little reason to visit Nebraska. Well, I doubt if "The Tap-Out Job" will encourage folks to visit the state! In the episode, they make the locals look a bit...well...awful.

The show begins in Nebraska at an MMA-style event. As two guys are beating the snot out of each other, one is clearly about to win...when the drug he was slipped begins to make its effect. As a result, he not only loses the fight but ends up being nearly killed in the process. The Leverage team wants to make things right but infiltrating this fight club-like league and making evil Jed Rucker pay for his infamy.

To me, this is an episode you'll either love or like. Now I noticed some Nebraskans HATED it because they felt the show paints the state in an unfair light. I can't say this is really the case for folks outside the state...as the show didn't make me care much about the state one way or the other. But what I assume is more people will dislike it IF they hate MMA-style fighting. For me, it's not something I want to see, though if the fighters want to kill each other, so be it...just don't make me watch it!

Overall, a decent enough episode but one which I would definitely say is in the 'skip it if you want' category.