"Au Revoir" WHITE COLLAR

Article first published as TV Review: 'White Collar' - 'Au Revoir' (Series Finale) on Blogcritics.

To me, White Collar represents a turning point for USA. It straddles the line between light-hearted procedural, which is the old style of show USA used to make a la Monk and Psych, and the character-driven, higher-concept stuff currently ruling the network, like Suits and Graceland. I almost gave up on it in its early days, but was hooked just enough to give it a chance to grow, and was rewarded for my effort. The sixth and final season, which consisted of a mere six episodes, ended this week with “Au Revoir” and, unfortunately, White Collar did not sprint through to the end.

In the past, the show has developed some really cool arcs, such as pitting Neal (Matt Bomer) against Peter (Tim DeKay) as the former considered returning to his criminal lifestyle. In the final year, the show returns to case-of-the week installments, mostly, with the final story, which spanned a few episodes, feeling like a longer version of the same. Neal and Peter go undercover to take down what is supposed to be one of the best illegal groups of all time, the Pink Panthers, but instead of this being a huge capper to their career together, the case unfolds the same as always and the good guys win as easily as ever.

There are signs that White Collar could go in a better direction. Long-time foe Keller (Ross McCall) gets involved. Instead of seeing Neal and Peter wrestle with what he’s done to them in the past, though, his part is glossed over and he’s just someone they work with. Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen) worries about Peter staying in the field now that they are expecting a baby, leading one to believe a major life decision will be made. But instead, Peter just jumps into danger as willingly as ever, and there’s never even a chance for Neal to save him, as I expected to happen.

As “Au Revoir” draws to a close, the script gets really messy. Neal faking his own death, I sort of get, especially because he does let Peter know he’s OK. But Neal built a family here, so why would he abandon them? Why does White Collar hint Neal may have (or may not have) gone back to being a criminal without letting us know if his growth has paid off? Why doesn’t Peter try to arrest Mozzie (Willie Garson), whom he knows stole money? There is a bond of mutual respect between Neal, Peter, and Mozzie that allows them to work together, but Peter would never sit idly by and let the other two get away with anything as he appears to do here, nor would Neal be so heartless as to abandon everyone he cares about and wait an entire year to clue them in.

It’s just not good storytelling. One expects a show, in its final episode, to give some sort of pay-off to what’s come before it. Tiny bits of the epilogue do this for some of the supporting characters, but not in any way that matters so much. The core players, though, aren’t well served at all. Instead, they appear inconsistent and shy away from the personalities they’ve developed. Though I do admit that DeKay and Garson do get some juicy emotional bits to prove their range.

I mention supporting players, and “Au Revoir” does make time for Jones (Sharif Atkins), Diana (Marsha Thomason), and June (Diahann Carroll), as it should. Unfortunately, June’s role is basically a cameo, and the other two get happy endings without being shown to do anything special at the end to earn them, made even less satisfying by the time jump.

White Collar was very good at times. Sadly, its finale was not one of them. It will be missed, but if this is the direction the show was heading in anyway, I’m glad it’s gone before it completely tarnishes what it did when it was at its best.

White Collar faces "Judgment Day"

USA's White Collar completes its third season with "Judgment Day." A wrench is thrown into Neal's (Matthew Bomer) commutation hearing when Agent Kramer (Beau Bridges) begins a campaign to ruin Neal. The goal is to get Neal's sentence extended, and transfer him to Kramer's supervision in DC. That way, Kramer gets to use Neal for his own purposes, indefinitely. Peter (Tim DeKay) and Neal's other friends help him try to outwit Kramer, but to no avail. In the end, Peter gives Neal a signal, and Neal flees the country with Mozzie (Willie Garson).

"Judgment Day" represents a major game change for White Collar. With Neal cutting his ankle monitor and running, what will season four be about? Now Neal is a wanted man, having to stay out of the eyes of the law. His partnership with Peter is effectively over. Neal abandons his life in New York City. The other option would have been to get in more trouble and be stuck with Kramer. But it's still not a decision Neal should make lightly.

Nor should Peter. Peter sticks his neck out for Neal repeatedly. Peter does everything he can to help and reform Neal. More than that, Peter is his friend. What's more, until Kramer interferes, it works. Neal is changed. It puts Peter's own reputation and career at risk to stand up for Neal, and allow him to escape. There will surely be negative consequences for Peter that stem from these events. But Peter gives Neal a signal to run anyway, because it's what it best for Neal at present. That's real friendship.

And Peter is not Neal's only friend. Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen) gets him two cakes, one for each expected outcome. Mozzie and Sarah (Hilarie Burton) help Neal go around Kramer's back. Diana (Marsha Thomason) assists Neal in escaping Kramer's agents. June (Diahann Carroll) gives testimony in Neal's favor. Even Jones (Sharif Atkins), despite recommending Neal stay in custody, cares about him, and shows it. Neal has to give up this entire life, and the family he has built around him, to flee.

In fact, this might be a repeat for Neal. Not a lot is known about Neal's past, but in "Judgment Day," Neal visits a woman (Judith Ivey) he knew long ago. This woman talks about the day that a teenage Neal ran away, and the lack of contact both have had with Neal's parents. So it seems Neal has faced giving up everything before. Last time, it led him to a life of crime. This time, with Mozzie by his side, it would not be surprising if that happens again.

How can Peter bring Neal in from the cold and restore some balance to his life? That will surely be the focus of the beginning of season four, likely for only one episode, though hopefully for several. White Collar will surely figure out some way to accomplish a restoration of its format during the break. The series takes chances, but throwing out their entire plot structure is unlikely to happen. That's too bad, because this is a heck of a story that could be played out for some time before going back to the regular formula. In fact, White Collar would make an excellent serial, if the network would only consider changing direction.

Awesome season finale, White Collar! The series will return this summer to USA.

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