White Collar Review

[kriadydragon]

Now that's the White Collar we know and love :D Except for the new beginning. What do you all think? Personally I liked last season's opener much better. The new one is just kind of... meh (and I hate it when shows mess with a show's opening).

But on to the show! So much to love, listed incoherently out of order! Satchmo playing a part in one of Neal's schemes (he does love using dogs as accomplices ;)), Moz blaming poor Satchmo for things going wrong, Satchmo and his big floppy face you just want to moosh, Peter giving Neal free reign to scheme, Neal doing his thing, the book disintegrating but it actually working in their favor, Peter the astronomy nerd with his little sextet El gave him for his birthday. Peter, Neal, El and Mozzie all working together, Neal bugging Peter to come out and play, El asking Peter if he wants to go play with Neal and mirrors (adorable!), El encouraging all the eight-year-old enthusiasm of the boys, things with the loot getting hot, Peter trying to explain Neal's anklet to a little girl, Peter and Neal saving the day... I warned you the squee would be out of order ;)

Fun, fun, fun. Man, I love this show.

I was a little nervous that they were going to have Neal and art detective woman sleep together or something, because any other show that would have been the case within five seconds. Needless to say, my relief was mighty.

The cliffhanger ending was nice and I'm really starting to like where they're taking the treasure arc. You can't help but cheer Neal and Mozzie on, not because you want to see them leave with the treasure, but because you don't want to see things between Neal and Peter become horribly undone. I'm both excited and nervous about how the show will end the treasure arc, because there's so many possibilities.

Comments

[tjs-whatnot.livejournal.com]

!!!

Yes to all of this! I loved it.

Plus I really liked the special guests. The Masterson boys ♥ and Chlumsky (last time I saw her she had me BAWLING!)

Peter and his mirrors and his puzzles and his way with little girls. ♥♥♥

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

That was quite a special-guest palooza :D Although the art detective woman, she looks familiar but I can't place her.

[tjs-whatnot.livejournal.com]

That was Anna Chlumsky. She was a baby last time I saw her in anything...but I'll never forget that face:

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Oh! Okay, now I recognize her. Thanks for this, it was driving me crazy.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

Are you watching Covert Affairs? She guest stared there one episode before the last finale...in a role very similiar to the one in White Collar. Talk aout typecasting. As if she always has to play the basically competent, but overall slightly dizzy and naive woman, simply because her surname sounds similiar to "clumsy".

[(Anonymous)]

I wondered about Neal's comment about picking a new name and how it had to be as comfortable as Neal Caffery. Could be reference to support Caffery as alias theory? But agreed, all round enjoyable episode.

(Side note: When else did Neal use a dog in a scheme?)

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

In Point Blank he put his anklet on June's pug, Bugsy.

I've always gotten the feeling that if Neal's entire name isn't an alias than at least part of his name is, because all things consider it makes sense. His real name would make it too easy to eventually trace his background.

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

I adored this episode but have to go with you on that opening. It was just too cutesy for words.

I loved the reason that Peter said he trusted Neal, rescuing the little girl. I also love how Neal was projecting all his own angst onto others, not that it wasn't true of them but you can tell that he's been thinking about this.

I recall something from an episode in Star Trek (the original series)written by Theodore Sturgeon, when Spock says, "After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting."

That treasure is going to become a lot more trouble than it's worth in fact once both Neal and Mozzie finally come off the high of having more than they ever dreamed of they'll wake up and realize that all that glitter around them is nothing but blood.

But back to this episode, Peter wanting to go out and play treasure hunt with Neal was hysterical and yes, I could see Peter with the sextant and I loved that Peter knew how to use it and the whole thing with the mirrors.

My greatest thrill however was The Planetarium. I love that place and go every time I have a chance.

I really liked the scene when Neal realizes that Mozzie could be selling one of the paintings listed on the manifest. That's so great, that unless Neal somehow gets a hold of the manifest, there is no way they can sell anything.

I don't know but to me, this is Neal's new leash, greed.

Neal never really showed greed before, just a penchant for shiny things, stealing just to prove he could do it but it was never about the money.

So first season, his leash was love.
Second season his leash is revenge and then justice.
Third season his leash is greed.

Neal still is tied by love and I think he's found justice is much better than revenge.

How's this work? Neal realizes that the life Mossie is offering isn't the one he wants either and that the only reason he even started down this path was because he was so hurt by Peter's accusations and he wanted to please Mozzie, be what Mozzie wanted since he had failed to be what Peter wanted?

Okay, enough rambling. Really, really loved this episode.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

I really don't think that Neal's motivation is greed...I don't even think that Mozzie's motivation is greed. Mozzie always wanted the one big score because he thinks that it would be the ultimative freedom. Neal used to want the big score because he thought that would give him his picket fences future, with Kate and children aso.

I think Neal honestly doesn't really know what he wants now. Adler's death gave him the revenge he wanted, so he is basically in a void. Mozzie is really excited about leaving...he is the one who basically takes care of everything. Neal on the other hand goes along with it, but he also stalls at every step on the way. He acts fast as long it's about covering their tracks, but everything related to the flight itself, he is all "we take our time, we do it right", "I haven't decided on a new name yet" aso.

This time it's less about Neal desires and more about the neverending "war" between Mozzie and Peter.

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

Upon my second viewing of the episode I have to agree about Neal delaying. In "On Guard," he definitely was dragging his feet at every juncture. He hasn't been coming up with any of the ideas on this one at all and usually when it's Mozzie's scheme, Neal's a lot more enthusiastic even if he leaves the plans to Moz.

Also, Neal really, really liked getting back to normal with Peter. In fact this is the first time I ever remember him calling Peter in on something because neither he nor Moz could figure out the puzzle themselves. Usually if they had problems they'd think of some illegal way to solve them. But to call Peter to come out and play, that was a first. And Peter was so adorably eager and into it.

I do think that Elizabeth's new job is definitely going to be utilized some way unless it's a big fat red herring.

That treasure-cam got me speculating a lot. Neal hasn't been back to the warehouse to avoid suspicion, and I think we've all learned never to underestimate Mozzie. I think that the view of the treasure is on a repeating loop and that Mozzie is or has moved the Nazi loot because Mozzie doesn't trust Neal to go through with running.

Neal is definitely in Bromance with Peter. He would not have felt so hurt when Peter accused him. He told Mozzie he liked it when they were back to normal.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

El's job will certainly become important later on...I reserve judgement on that, until I see what they have planned. (but I loved her in this scene...she always gets the best lines).

The treasure-cam is for me a sign that deep down Mozzie is aware that Neal is unsure. It's more or less a bait to keep Neal interested.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Also, Neal really, really liked getting back to normal with Peter.

This is what I especially loved about the episode. And not just getting back to normal but, as you pointed out, the two actually quick about working together. I love that despite the issue with the treasure the show continues to develop their friendship.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Adler's death gave him the revenge he wanted, so he is basically in a void. Mozzie is really excited about leaving...he is the one who basically takes care of everything. Neal on the other hand goes along with it, but he also stalls at every step on the way. He acts fast as long it's about covering their tracks, but everything related to the flight itself, he is all "we take our time, we do it right", "I haven't decided on a new name yet" aso.

Excellent observations. I know someone said something somewhere about this years theme being choices and we're really starting to see a lot of that. I love that Neal is so subtly indecisive.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I agree with what Swanpride said, that's it's not "really" about greed, it's more about choices. Greed does play a part since that treasure is the means to the perfect life Neal has always wanted, but without Kate in the picture it probably has a lot less appeal.

I like your theories of Neal dragging his feet. I hadn't even thought of it, but now that you pointed it out there is definitely reluctance on Neal's part.Someone mentioned somewhere about Eastin saying that this year it would be all about choices, and we're definitely starting to see that - not just a choice between Mozzie and Peter, but also between living the life always wanted (even if it will always be incomplete now that Kate is gone) or keeping the life he has now.

How's this work? Neal realizes that the life Mossie is offering isn't the one he wants either and that the only reason he even started down this path was because he was so hurt by Peter's accusations and he wanted to please Mozzie, be what Mozzie wanted since he had failed to be what Peter wanted?

Totally. It's the only explanation as to why Neal was so quick about agreeing to take the treasure and run that makes sense, at least to me. It was a knee-jerk reaction to everything that happened, before, during and after Adler, but reaction that Mozzie continues to stoke.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

The opening...meh! The old one had drive, it sounded like New York, like Neal running with Peter hot on his heels. The new one is a snooze! And I really don't get it...I would have understood if they had put an opening with more melody on it, something which you'll remember long after the show has run it's course, but why putting something at the beginning which is even less memorable?

Loved the episode overall, but there was one thing which really bugged me: The guest characters fell flat. I didn't even know who the guy was who kidnapped Savannah.

And, in a personal note: DeKay suddenly tends to slur his words...a lot. I sometimes have trouble to understand him.

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

The guy who kidnapped Savannah was someone who was hired to keep the security on the homes updated. Savannah was not afraid of him because he told her he was hired to keep her safe, which was the truth.

He didn't want to hurt Savannah at all but he was pissed that when he asked for help, he got advice, actually very good advice but he was desperate and wanted what he wanted, not a means to an end.

I also loved Peter's answer to Savannah about Neal's anklet. It could be understood by her and did not humiliate Neal, even after he only introduced Neal by his first name as if he were a child or a pet or a servant.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

The opening made me cringe. I probably wouldn't have minded it if it didn't look so cheap. It looks like something they threw together last minute on the cheapest budget ever.

I forget who the actor who played the kidnapper's name is but he's been on a ton of shows. He often plays either a bad guy or a jerk, poor guy.

There is something rather slurry about the way Tim talks. Kind of the antithesis of Matt who you can tell is going all out to be as articulate as possible.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

Cheap and uncreative...I've never been a fan of changing the opening theme of a show, but normally I at least understand why they did it. (i.e with Monk, both openings were good in their own way). But this time around...

The music is slow, it's boring, it doesn't stay in the head.
It really looks cheap, and, whats even worse, uncreative. A bad copy of the royal pains opening. (and this stone food with the anklet on it looks creepy).
And the gigantic name of the writer at the end...nothing against crediting, but this looks so inmodest. As if the head writer is more important than everyone else.

He played Valenti in Roswell...part of the reason I had so much trouble getting his role.

Yeah, Tim alway was a little bit slurry, but it has become worse. I never had so many problems to understand what he is about before. Until now, I never had the desire for subtitles.

[serialchick.livejournal.com]

I liked the new opening. It's relative to the show and reminds you of what it's about. I like the fact the last painting is stolen off the wall to reveal Jeff's name.
About the treasure, I don't understand why Mozzie and Neal need to run. Can't they just stay in NY and sell it off piece by piece? I'm sure Alex would help. Why are they making such a big deal about them escaping?
I really liked how Neal got the information out of the special art chick and Peter's explanation of the anklet.

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

It's not so much about escaping as it is about Mozzie's paranoia. He wants out where the conspiracies and the monsters from his paranoia can't get to him. He wants out of the SYSTEM. This big score gives him enough money so that he can accomplish that, not live in fear anymore. Of course, we carry our fears with us and so no matter where he goes or what he does he'll never outrun what he fears the most.

He wants Neal because Neal is really the only one Mozzie really trusts, if he trusts anyone.

Right now, Neal seems just along for the ride. He's not initiating anything and as Swanpride said, is dragging his heels on this.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

Mozzie's paranoia is a good point...I don't really get the rush either, but if Mozzie is convinced that somebody will catch them if they stay too long....but a small discussion about their options would have been nice in the first episode.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I don't think I would have minded the opener if it didn't look like it was something someone whipped up last minute on their basement computer. The graphics were just so... cartoony to me.

I think the reason for not going all out on a fencing spree was explained pretty well below. This is something they have to proceed with carefully. Plus I also agree with what the others have said about Neal dragging his heels. I don't think his heart is really all that in it.

[(Anonymous)]

Possessing this incredible treasure makes Neal and Mozzie vulnerable to dangerous people like Keller or A Future Nemesis to Be Named, too. The underworld grapevine must be abuzz.
For Another World fans, it was great to see Richard Bekins aka Jamie Frame playing the ever so helpful planetarium docent.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Good point. I wouldn't be surprised if there comes an episode where some old enemy uses the treasure against them.

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

Oh, Satchmo - way to steal a scene. *lol*

I loved how when Neal doesn't get an answer from Peter, or the one he wants, he will go to Elizabeth. That is so typical child behavior, no?

And Peter's glee when Elizabeth said yes....

There were some great humorous moments in this ep, but overall - Peter is so reeling Neal in. Slowly, but surely. I figure the DC agent was a plant to get Neal to talk about the treasure and quite possibly reveal that he has it.

I totally agree with what Swanpride and others have said - Neal's not really looking to run now. I think he wants the white picket fence and family, since he didn't really have that much growing up, it seems. If he runs, then it's for all the wrong reasons and I don't think his heart is really into it after seeing what Peter and Elizabeth have.

Neal is the one urging caution, yet Mozzie is the one trying to rush forward. Which, is a very stark contrast from them in the past - usually it's Mozzie telling Neal he needs to be cautious.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Neal is the one urging caution, yet Mozzie is the one trying to rush forward. Which, is a very stark contrast from them in the past - usually it's Mozzie telling Neal he needs to be cautious.

Another excellent observation, and one that I think totally backs up Neal not really wanting to run. It also shows that Neal is changing. I know it's only two eps in but he does seem a lot less impetuous than he used to be.