Now for actually talking about your write-up =P
Leverage is amazing. It's only so low on my list because I had maybe only seen about eight episodes, probably less, by the write-up. In addition, it had been months since I started binging on it the previous summer and the only new episode I remembered was the one with Luka Kovac from ER and Christian Kane in that warehouse combat scene. My most recent memory of it was that the initial charm was lost and that it was kind of hokey.
Now with new episodes again, how wrong was I? The show is still immensely entertaining and probably the only new show I actively seek out in the summer (I've got Alphas DVR'ed but I completely forget it exists for days.... and I'm not counting Gokaiger because it's not on American television... even though I definitely look forward to the weekends just for new episodes). Leverage is awesome. It has great guest stars, the team is a joy to watch, the episodes are crafted beautifully, and the twist endings about how they really caught the bad guys never get old.
And you really got it right pointing out the strength of Eliot, Hardison, and Parker. They're a huge part of why the show is so entertaining and successful.