what i love so much about leverage (and now redemption), is that the creators and showrunners are so deeply aware of how people in fandom consume and appreciate media. they understand the power of the little in-jokes (the doctor who references alone lol), of genre homages (and turning character blueprints on their heads), of respecting their fans and their theories (see the "are we a poly—" fade to black this season).
they give us those nods, but tptb is still firmly in the drivers' seat, creatively. it's not at all pure fanservice, but it makes for a deeply satisfying "we're in this together" viewing experience that i haven't had with practically any other media.
it's a dialogue! the creators respect the fans and the fans respect the journeys the creators want to go on. and it doesn't hurt that the show is just so goddamn fun.