As good a show as it’s proven to be for almost two seasons, I think White Collar might want to consider the possibility of exploring a new direction for the show. Instead of taking place after Neal Caffrey’s been caught and released from prison to work with the FBI, I’d say the show holds tremendous promise starring Neal Caffrey the active con man. Because man was last night’s episode awesome.
It was more than a bit too convenient that just about every major player on the show came onto the scene at pretty much the same time, save for Diahann Carroll’s June, whose introduction to the main characters we’ve already seen, and Elizabeth, who was already married to Peter when the story started. But I suppose there’s only so much that the writers can do with so many characters to account for. In fact, it was only Diana and Jonesy popping up at about the same time that bugged me.
I loved how Caffrey and Mozzie met, Caffrey conning the con that Mozzie was working with. I believe Neal’s a better partner, but I’m not sure how much I buy into the idea that Mozzie gave Caffrey the polish that is now such a big part of who Caffrey is. Plus something was off about Mozzie himself, a wrong that didn’t right itself until the scene where Mozzie brought Kate’s location to Neal. Throwing on a toupee and a goatee is one thing — sorry, but I was not a fan of anyone’s early look — but the guy’s mannerisms wouldn’t have changed so much. I like present Mozzie a lot more.
It makes sense that Peter and Neal had a great meeting story, and I love how Peter saved that green lollipop for when he arrested Neal. Peter’s ascension up the FBI ladder happened a little too in-the-dark, but I enjoyed the young Jonesy looking to join the new task force.
The whole thing was great, very much including the character of Vincent Adler played by Andrew McCarthy. I loved how even Alex (Gloria Votsis) got looped into the story — I’d say it’s a bit pathetic that she’s been chasing the music box for so long — but the best surprise was Kate’s (Alexandra Daddario) role. Her turning participant in Neal and Mozzie’s schemes wasn’t believable, but the plot actually establishes a fantastic reason for Kate’s death (assuming that was real), and everything else that’s been aimed at Neal: Vincent Adler’s revenge.
The background story as foundation for everything else that’s happened takes White Collar from a very Burn Notice place — something I complained about just last week — and turns it into a really great revenge tale, one con artist taking it out on another. I really like that direction.
But even as the back story makes this a whole different conversation, there’s something to be said for an entire series about Neal’s early days as a con, being chased by an up-and-coming FBI white collar division led by Peter Burke. There was just something so … so awesome about it. Maybe it’s not original (maybe it is, I don’t know), but it just worked, particularly watching Neal work a guy like Vincent Adler. Everything about the episode was awesome.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jan 26, 2011 @ 14:15 EST5EDT
LOVED IT!!
And I know you won’t care about this… but WOOOW Matt Bomer last night!! He couldn’t have been any sexier *teenage girl moment over*
Something that was not very obvious from the episode, but that was mentioned by Jeff Eastin and other WC writers that made this whole episode much less annoying to me was that the events that took place in the “past” part of that episode took place over a VERY long period of time. After watching the episode again and keeping that in mind, Jones came into the picture long before Diana did. And that Mozzie, Kate, and Alex all entered Neil’s life at different times. The time elapse was not made clear at all. And that would have been my main complaint in the show, as it would have answered all of my annoyances.
Also i totally loved Neil’s “past” look.
*POST AUTHOR*
Interesting about the time line, although Neal met Kate and Alex within a six month span, because it was a six month con. Diana, on the other hand, didn’t come in until later in Peter’s hunt for Neal; thanks!
Good point too about Neal’s polish. We did see Mozzie introducing certain things to Neal — that suit for the dinner, for instance — but it likely was his time with Adler that set him in his ways. Thanks!
I totally just typed a comment and it was eaten.
One thing that wasn’t clear in the episode, but was mentioned by Jeff Easton and other WC writers, was that the events that happened in the “past” part of the episode all happened over a VERY long period of time. So after rewatching the eipsode and keeping that in mind, Jones came some time before Diana. And Mozzie, Kate, and then Alex all came at different times as well.
I also took something different from the eipsode. It wasn’t Mozzie that gave Neil the polish, it was Adler. Mozzie just pushed him into the long con of Adler.
and it totally just showed up again. grr.