White Collar Episode Review

[kriadydragon]

Okay, I have definitely got a privacy/barging-in-on-people squick, because it always makes me squirm whenever Peter does that to Neal. I know that they had to get started on the case but it rather irked me that Peter not only barged in but barged in on Neal and Sara, and rather than step out and give the two a private good-bye he stood there, teasing Neal. You know, Peter, if you want Neal on the straight and narrow it would go a long way to have a little respect for his love life.

Neal talked the kid into giving himself up a little too quickly and easily, I think. It could be I was just greedy and wanted something more heart to heart and revealing. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get more insight into what's going on in Neal's head, but after giving it some thought I came to realize that, actually, we did. It's all a matter of how you look at it. We may not have Neal really opening up, but we do have Neal all for talking the kid out of a life of crime. Not only talking him out of a life of crime but talking him into giving himself up. And Mozzie, of course, all for the kid continuing his life of crime.

Now, did I like the episode? It didn't exactly fill me with a ton of squee, but it was cute, and the above issues aside, fun as always. I loved that Neal and Mozzie helped the kid out, loved that we got Neal doing what he does best and proving that old school is awesome for a reason. I liked that we finally got Sara helping out. Neal's knew alias has the same last name as Kate's? Hmmmm. Does this mean something or, as Mozzie said, it's just fate? Hard to say with this show. Peter stepping back and letting Neal do his thing. I think Peter's barging in on Neal had soured me a little toward Peter for this ep, but Peter helping out totally redeemed him for me. I like that Neal didn't go entirely behind Peter's back, and that Peter trusted Neal enough to allow him to do things his way and make it all right. This is what I'm always talking about - Peter has his way, Neal has his way, and I love that they understand that about each other. they don't always like it, but they understand it and know when to step aside and let the other do their thing.

And Sara now knows something is up - whooo, boy! I'm thinking tonight's episode only the start of the show really diving into the emotional side of the treasure dilemma, and that we're going to see a lot more of it from here on in.

Finally, some Neal/Sara thoughts. I really wished Neal had reacted more to Sara tripping all over herself trying to push on everyone what their relationship is and isn't, because right now I have no idea where he stands. I feel like their relationship is more than just Neal going along with it for the sake of sex or he wouldn't have gotten all flustered over the fact that he and Sara had never had a real date. But does he want a relationship or doesn't he? That's what I want to know.

This, too, is why I wish we would get more insight into what Neal's thinking. My personal theory is that Neal is living in the moment, refusing to really think about the future and that includes finally escaping with all the treasure. He's letting Mozzie do all the work, and Neal little more than a yes man except should any part of the plan squick him morally (not wanting to use the death certificates of dead babies, for example). As for him and Sara, I'm thinking it's more complicated - at least for him. Sara I think is being weird about it because she's dating a con, a con she's been chasing, and doesn't know how to deal with that. For Neal, he's lost Kate, he's had his heart broken, but being the romantic that he is he's all for falling in love again. I think he's letting things play out as is, testing the waters by going with the flow, thinking himself distanced just enough not to have his heart broken all over again should the relationship not work out, but involved enough, attentive enough, to allow the relationship to grow and become something more. I think he would actually love it to become something more, but it smart enough not to get his hopes up.

But that's just my theory.

Comments

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

It could have been a great episode, if not for a couple of things:
1. I really getting annoyed with all those people who don't care about Neal's privacy (Peter, Mozzie, Sara...), too.
2. Scott fell flat. Why did he get a name in the first place if they knew his name from the beginning? All this talk about his abilities and then Neal has to hold his hand the whole time? And giving himself up was way too much - it would have been more realistical if he simply had send some of the stuff he has stolen back.
3. That was a butt ugly bustier! (and Sara is now Neal's moral compass? Oh show...)

The good parts: Squeel! Peter conned Neal into thinking the list is gone although it was in his office the whole time! We finally adress some of Neal's issues, but still in the very simplified way of "homely life vs rich life" - there is really more to this decision than that. And Neal's talents got a workout!

[ladyrose42.livejournal.com]

The reason for the nickname is that the public responds better to aid in the apprehension of said offender. This is particularly true in our area for local bank robbers. And hey I liked Neal's joke/pun of Robin Hoodie.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but what's the point of all of this disguises when he is so easily fingered nevertheless? And if they knew his name, shouldn't they have a picture of him too?

[ladyrose42.livejournal.com]

Maybe. Didn't they know Nick Halden as a name even if an alias before they had a real picture of him-just a sketch? Have ro rewatch beginning of episode for details and case file. Just remember security camera photo..

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

They didn't. They thought that Neal created Nick Halden for an canary island scam he run later, but they never fingered him for his time with Adler before Peter found this old picture, and we don't really know when they discovered Neal's real name.

[ladyrose42.livejournal.com]

OK, I'm canon confused. In this episode Neal says NH alias discovered after 2 months. In flashback epi, it was created for LONG con on Aldler (4-5mos), and in 1st season , Neal tried to deny existence of NH, and Peter says "Cut the crap" we, the FBI, know about Nick etc. Help!

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

Don't think about it. Just don't.

[radioshack84.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with you on the privacy issue. I think they wrote Peter a bit out-of-character for that scene. Generally, he doesn't seem quite that disrespectful of Neal's privacy. It was just teasing at first, but by the end when Sara walked out, to me it just came off as deliberately nasty...with no apparent reason or explanation for Peter's actions.

Sara finding the passport definitely provides fuel for later on, and I really don't think that Neal's new identity having Kate's last name is an accident. If he does end up running and uses it though, I could see Peter catching him easier because of it. Can't wait to see what happens with that! And "Robin Hoodie" totally had me cracking up. :)

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the privacy thing really bugs me. I'm a little more lenient with Mozzie because that's just who he is - the guy isn't exactly Mr. Social Norm. But with Peter I think it pushes his control over Neal in a way that can't be helping the side of Neal that wants to stay any. Plus I felt it wasn't all that fair to Sara. The least Peter could have done was step outside for a small moment so Neal and Sara could say their see-you-laters. That Peter just stood there smiling away as Sara hurried off flustered and embarrassed annoyed me.

but, yes, to finally addressing Neal's issues and double yes to all the twists at the end. We're finally starting to get really into this arc and I'm so happy about that :D

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

Yeah but next week we are back to Insurance Investigator Barbie and Con Man Ken (with slickd back heir...*shudder*). It's like they try to put me off the show on purpose. Really, if I hadn't the fic exchange lined up, I would seriously consider to stop watching and write my future stories as AU to the show.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Peter often barges in on Neal so I didn't think it "too" out of character, but I did think he was being really inconsiderate this time (see my response to Swanpride for details).

I really hope Neal's alias means something more. I'm not holding my breath about it since this show does have a way of making you think something more is going on when it's really not. But I'm hopeful.

[wildcat88.livejournal.com]

Thank goodness! I couldn't figure out the significance of "Victor Moreau" until you mentioned Kate. I had totally forgotten that was her last name.

Technically, Peter didn't barge in on Neal. He knocked and Neal answered the door. Neal could have cracked the door, told Peter he had company, and asked him to wait or to come back later. Instead, Neal opened the door, ushered Peter in, and then made a crack about Peter's detecting skills when Peter mentions two breakfast plates. Sara could have remained hidden (in the fabulous speak-easy backroom/closet we saw last week) until Neal got dressed and left, and then let herself out. Instead she walked out and reclaimed her handcuffs.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it took me a while to figure out as well and to recall what Kate's last name was.

I still stand by that Peter could have stepped out and given them a private moment of good-bye at least. I think it's something anyone else would have done once they put two and two together (he was willing to leave and give Neal some privacy in Home Invasion when he saw Alex on the bed). But Peter just kept standing there. Plus, in a way, I don't think Neal has much of a choice when it comes to letting Peter in. To not let him in would make Peter suspicious and in turn Peter would have forced his way in, anyway. The crack about detective skills was, I believe, Neal's sarcastic way of saying "can't you tell I have something going on and that maybe you should leave?" And I think once Sara figured the jig was up that there was no point to hiding.

But, like I said, I have a bit of a privacy squick.

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

I'm curious about the alias too - I figure anything with the name Moreau and matching Neal's description will be raising red flags with Peter.

I'm waiting for Sara's reaction too, however, I think I know what that will be for now. Which, I feel is a shame. :( I like Sara and Neal now... unconventional, but it seems to be working. (Now, if only the two would quit dancing around the fact that yes, they are in a relationship! :-p)

Neal & Sara - they're both still tiptoeing around the word "commitment" and while I can see why they're both so skittish, Peter isn't helping with his giving Neal a hard time about it. It's easy to sit back & want to smack the two people involved upside the head & tell them that they need to admit that it's more than what they're pretending it isn't.

Neal has every reason to keep his door locked when he's got company of the female persuasion and Peter should have realized that from the get go. (However, we know he's sometimes a bit dense on the whole relationship angle... ;) )

I liked Neal being the one to crack the safe, however, Sarah's bustier? What was up with that thing? It looked like the top of it was trying to fly/crawl away... :-p

I did read a spoiler (Check out Jeff Eastin's twitpic account if you want to see) about Neal getting called on his thinking he's got less than he actually does and I was SO cheering on the person who called him on it.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I'm not a big pairing fan yet I like Sara and Neal as well. I still stand by that she isn't really the right one for the settling down life Neal wants, but they are cute none the less.

Sara seems to come off as the skittish one to me, while Neal just seems to be going with the flow. I think he's open for it to be whatever it ends up being - whether something deeper or gradually petering off. Also, considering the things Neal's been through (with Kate) and what he's going through (the treasure), and also considering that Sara is supposed to be after Neal, not dating him, I can understand all the hesitation. Unlike most reluctant relationships in most shows, their reluctance actually strikes be as believable, therefore making it tolerable.

I did read a spoiler (Check out Jeff Eastin's twitpic account if you want to see) about Neal getting called on his thinking he's got less than he actually does and I was SO cheering on the person who called him on it.

I hope this means he finally opens up to someone. One of the things I'm worried about is the show trying to chalk Neal's decision up to wrong on plain old greed. I want it to be more complicated than that. I want Neal to make the right decision on his own rather than people talking him into it(well, yes, I do expect some words of wisdom and some chewing out, I just don't want that to be only means by which Neal changes his mind... if that makes sense).