It’s crazy to think what a week has given us. Last week all we knew of White Collar was season one, heavier on the Kate, lighter on the rest. Still great, but slightly off-balance. But now?
Well, now we’ve had the opportunity to view two unbelievably strong episodes, both of which carried themselves on the backs of one-and-done plot lines, great characters, and lots of laughs. Nothing discernible has really changed, and yet I think there’s been a subtle shift that’s made Neal and Peter just a smidge more front-and-center than before. Good move.
Of course there’s still the question of Fowler, Kate, and the music box. Who thinks that was Neal going to the clandestine meeting with Fowler? Am I the only one raising my hand right now? Who was relieved to discover that Diana had the music box on Peter’s orders, while still being a little disappointed to learn that Peter continues to be wrapped up in this nonsense? I hope I’m not alone raising my hand here either … just let it go already, right?
Because catching the corrupt politician was plenty for one hour. This episode was fantastically strong, from Neal ingratiating himself with the senator’s office, to Mozzie helping Peter out at the storage facility.
I wasn’t wild about the not-so-subtle political statement that the writers were making — that all politicians are corrupt — because it’s just such a stupid, cliched drum to beat. But I loved the naivete that Mozzie displayed when it came to Jennings. First of all, Mozzie can vote? Good job avoiding prison! But I loved that he was enthusiastically participating in the letter writing campaign to stop the “new stadium” from being built. And his line to Peter when asked to help bring down Jennings, “Just note that I’m assisting under extreme duress.” It was an unexpected side of Mozzie, and yet just the right amount of quirky that we’ve come to expect from him.
Why were the pictures of Peter and Diana so potentially damning? And why would Diana going to Peter’s house make Neal suspicious? That’s the “trust” thing that is unsubstantiated, yet completely overused, on this show. Caffrey drops in on Peter all of the time; why can’t someone else?
I loved Peter going to Mozzie for help in getting the money that Diana needed in order to prove that she was a good escort. Mozzie’s list of items that he required was so funny, and it was even funnier to see that all served a purpose — the shoelace, the magnet, a copy of Sports Illustrated (unavailable), a $20 bill (I expected Mozzie to just pocket that), a hammer, a crowbar, and a radio. And the constant stream of quotes that he was throwing at Peter — “All of your quotes are getting on my nerves — Peter Burke.” Good comeback, Peter!
Another super outing. Some other things of note:
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jul 20, 2010 @ 22:00 EST5EDT
The trust issue there was Peter saying he’d be at a stakeout all night but instead meeting with Diana in his apartment.
*POST AUTHOR*
But as “questionable” as it may have been, Peter told Neal that the stakeout was called off and Diana had come over. Why did that get any more than an “Oh, okay” response?
I think Neal (rightly) suspects the meeting with Diana had something to do with Kate’s/ Magic Box case, and he’s not being kept in the loop. Thus the trust issue.
*POST AUTHOR*
I can see that (and it’s easy to feel otherwise as an outsider). But I just think that Neal’s concern at not being kept in the loop is also an issue of trust — he doesn’t trust Peter to investigate Kate’s murder, etc. I understand that there’s some realistic basis to that, I just think that using trust as a plot device for the life of the show is a bad (and boring) idea. Peter and Neal should be growing toward being like those grizzled cop partners, just based on their history. Some basic level of trust should be expected at this point. Even if Kate’s the exception, if Peter said Diana coming over was innocent, that should be the end of it.
The $20 dollar bill was given to the guy at the warehouse. You mentioned that it was pocketed by Mozzie…. it wasn’t. It was a necessity. Cheers.
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks. I was trying to say that I expected Mozzie to pocket the $20 (although he didn’t). It was the fact that he didn’t that caught me by surprise.