"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 The Complete Third Season a wild ride

USA's White Collar started slow in season one, picked up in the second half of the first year, and then got even better in season two. It should come as no surprise, then, that The Complete Third Season features the best episodes of White Collar ever made - at least until season four premieres!

The premise of White Collar is simple. An FBI man named Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) brings in career criminal Neal Caffey (Matt Bomer) to help him solve cases. At first, it's an unlikely pairing. As the episodes go by, Neal and Peter find a deepening trust and friendship. But season three puts that trust at risk as Neal's still-nefarious buddy, Mozzie (Willie Garson), gets Neal involved in the theft of a very valuable Nazi treasure.

This is a major shakeup for the show. Until now, Neal appears to be on the straight and narrow, and Mozzie is an unthreatening sidekick. But when Mozzie makes this totally unexpected, but should have been seen coming, move, it throws the entire dynamic out of whack. Suddenly, Neal is keeping something from Peter, and Peter knows it, but can't prove it. It's a dangerous cat and mouse game. The stakes grow even higher as Mozzie encourages Neal to run. Neal is torn, not wanting to abandon his new life.

By the middle of season three, things come to a head, and then, somehow, keep building even further! Peter's wife, Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen), is kidnapped by a really nasty guy from Neal's past (Ross McCall) who wants the treasure, forcing the secret out in the open. Following that, Peter's former mentor (Beau Bridges) comes after them, too, planning on using the treasure to blackmail Neal. It's a roller coaster ride of excitement, with viewers not really sure where anything is going until the shocking season three finale, which changes all of the rules once more.

It's impossible to give too many details of this long arc away without spoiling the story, hence the vagueness. Hopefully, it will be enough to know that there is a long arc, which is not typical for many procedural dramas. While White Collar began it's life as a case-of-the-week crime series, and has not strayed too far from those roots, it is also something much more. It is a series full of wonderful, complex characters expertly played by talented performers. This gift is not wasted, but rather, it is honed, stretching the conventions into something worth watching. As someone who cannot stand series that basically play out the same formula week after week, I can vouch that White Collar is not such a time waster, and it is a show I look forward to very much with each installment!

At the heart of White Collar is the relationship between Peter and Neal. While other characters do figure into the show very prominently, these are the two leading men. Their chemistry is absolutely fantastic. Having watched them grow so solid, it is equal parts disturbing and titillating to watch the pair go head to head in season three, especially now that they actually care about one another. Their interaction, more than anything else, is what drives White Collar. It is definitely among the best bromances on television.

Amid all of the chaos and machinations, some wonderful one-shot stories also sneak in, enriching the back story and personalities of the various characters. "Deadline" sees Neal and new girlfriend Sara (Hilarie Burton) on a double date with Diana (Marsha Thomason) and her partner, Christine (Moran Atias). "The Dentist of Detroit" exposes Mozzie's connection with the mob. Mozzie finds a possible romantic partner (Lena Headey, Game of Thrones) in "Taking Account." "As You Were" gives Jones (Sharif Atkins) a little time to shine. Eliza Dushku (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse) guest stars in "On the Fence" as a competitive thief. "Neighborhood Watch" lets Elizabeth get in on the action as she suspects a neighbor (True Blood's Joe Manganiello) of wrong doing. And "Pulling Strings" reveals Peter's relationship with his in-laws (Debra Monk and Tom Skerritt).

If the episodes alone are not enough for you, as hard as that might be to accept, there are also special features on this four disc set. A gag reel, deleted scenes, and a commentary track for the season finale are included. Also present is a trivia challenge known as "Interrogation Room" and a feauturette, "Jeff Eastin: @ddicted."

White Collar The Complete Third Season is on sale now wherever DVDs are sold.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Article first published as White Collar The Complete Third Season a wild ride on TheTVKing.com

White Collar refuses to accept "Checkmate"

    USA's White Collar returns with "Checkmate." Picking up where "Countdown," the mid-season finale, leaves off, Keller (Ross McCall) has Elizabeth Burke (Tiffani Thiessen). Peter (Tim DeKay) demands that Neal (Matt Bomer) hand over the Nazi treasure to Keller, and Neil is willing, but Mozzie (Willie Garson) has already moved it. Neal and Peter locate the in-hiding Mozzie, and try to stall Keller by giving him the treasure, but making sure that police are nearby. Keller, in turn, forces them to help him steal it again, right out from under the cops' noses. All the while, Jones (Sharif Atkins) and Diana (Marsha Thomason) search for Elizabeth.

     So the theft of the treasure, a secret that hangs over Neal and Peter's partnership for the entire summer run of the third season, is now resolved, the items returned to the government. And Peter knows everything. As predicted, he is initially angry at Neal for keeping the secret. But Peter is able to understand the truth as the episode goes on; namely that Neal didn't steal anything, and that he chooses to stay instead of fleeing with the loot. In fact, Neal bluntly tells Peter that Peter is the reason that he doesn't run. That, combined with Neal's efforts to get Peter's wife safely back, and his offer to confess to everything to make sure that Keller goes away and Elizabeth stays safe, seems to allow Peter to forgive Neal by the end of "Checkmate."

     As disappointing as it is that this wonderful story arc comes to an end so neatly, the relationship between Neal and Peter is masterful. DeKay and Bomer really sell these characters, and the affection between them feels anything but forced. Neal shows that he can be a good guy, and Peter relents that sometimes laws must be broken in White Collar. With the status quo restored, and the suspicion, fun as it has been, removed, the duo can now move on.

      What's more, "Checkmate" offers the tantalizing prospect of Neal's freedom. With Keller in custody, the villain tries to salvage some of his reputation by claiming to have been the thief the entire time, making Neal and Mozzie seem innocent. Perhaps Keller also thinks that this will be something that he can hold over Neal. And eventually, it might be. But for now, Neal isn't in any immediate danger of going back to prison. What's more, because of Neal's seemingly heroic actions, and his help in bringing Keller down, the feds are considering commuting his sentence, making him a free man once more. Assumedly, he will get to continue in his current job, since he's been so helpful, possibly even with a real, for the government, salary. But that likely won't happen until at least the end of season three. Still, it would be nice if Neal could stop being seen as a criminal all of the time.

     In the interest of status quo, Mozzie also softens towards Neal, whom he is furious at, in "Checkmate." White Collar has cultivated a fun friendship between Mozzie and Elizabeth, a.k.a. Mrs. Suit. With her life on the line, Mozzie drops everything, hands over his fortune, and goes out of his way to assist in her safe recovery. As I theorized in my previous review, Mozzie has formed an attachment to Mrs. Suit and Peter, as well as Neal. While he is the black sheep at the fringes of the little White Collar family, he is still in that bubble of love. Perhaps, with a little clarity from the crisis, Mozzie will stop bugging Neal about leaving, and settle in more comfortably with the others. And he can thank Neal for that, which could be why Mozzie's anger ebbs.

     Peter is less disappointed and angry at Mozzie, likely because Mozzie's falsehoods aren't a betrayal towards Peter, as Neal's are. Peter knows Mozzie is a criminal, and there is never any trust to lose between them. Peter doesn't mind Mozzie's help when he's useful, but they don't share the same bond that Peter and Neal do. Or that Mozzie and Elizabeth have, for that matter. However, again, because Mozzie helps rescue Elizabeth, Peter forgives him, too.

     Elizabeth, in her own right, rarely gets much to do on White Collar. In "Checkmate," she gets more screen time than usual, and makes many efforts to break away from her captor. She even eventually succeeds, partially, and that allows Jones and Diana to find her. So she's more than a damsel in distress. If only they would allow her to show it a bit more often.

     Watch White Collar Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on USA.

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"Countdown" to White Collar finale

     "Countdown," the summer finale of USA's White Collar, is tense in the best possible way, but doesn't really end in full resolution. This season, Peter (Tim DeKay) searches for evidence to either convict or clear Neal (Matt Bomer) of the theft of a Nazi treasure. In the final episode of the current run, Peter brings in his mentor, art crimes expert Agent Philip Kramer (Beau Bridges, Brothers & Sisters, My Name Is Earl) when a painting from the Nazi manifest surfaces. Neal scrambles to recover the artwork, which Mozzie (Willie Garson) sold. Of course Neal succeeds, but decides to stay with Peter, rather than flee with Mozzie. Unfortunately, old nemesis Keller (Ross McCall) knows Neal and Mozzie have the treasure, and so kidnaps Peter's wife, Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen), to try to force them to hand it over.

     Neal's loyalty is obviously to Peter. Neal, himself, doesn't steal the treasure, or even knows about Mozzie's plans until after the theft is complete. Neal is avoiding leaving New York City and the job he is comfortable in. After all, Peter is very good to him, and they have a satisfying partnership, as well as an ever deepening friendship. However, Keller's kidnapping in "Countdown" will all but confirm to Peter his suspicions that Neal is involved in the crime. With Elizabeth's life on the line, Peter will have no patience to give his partner the benefit of the doubt. The stakes are just too high. Peter will turn on Neal. Keller has managed to do what is been danced around, but dodged, all season: ruin the team.

     Is there any way for Neal to recover from this? Sure. White Collar is a USA show, and as such, highly procedural. The network will not want its formula messed with in an unrepairable way. While White Collar certainly takes more serial liberties than most of the other shows on the network, and the network itself has been steadily moving in a better direction, Neal and Peter's arrangement is the linchpin of the series. Even during the standard case of the week, the chemistry between DeKay and Bomer is extremely enjoyable. While it's hard not to root for the bold decision of Peter spending a season openly hunting Neal down, it is unlikely to happen. USA is just not ready yet for that kind of shakeup.

     Bringing in Beau Bridges is a brilliant move. The television guest star king is always welcome in whatever show he chooses to grace with his presence, and White Collar is no different. Hopefully, Bridges will be recurring, and would be a great asset if Peter crosses the line in his quest to get Neal or save Elizabeth. Agent Kramer's intelligence, as well as his history with Peter, makes him valuable. Not to mention, he brings assistant Melissa, who is played by the delightful star of My Girl, Anna Chlumsky.

     "Countdown" seems to spell the end of Neal and Mozzie's friendship, even while everything about the series screams that the two are not done with each other. Mozzie is very fond of Elizabeth, and so surely will return to help rescue her from Keller, whom he loathes. Mozzie's assistance will probably be enough to convince Peter to save him from criminal from prosecution. But will Mozzie clear Neal's name? Will he be able to forgive Neal for choosing Peter over him? Or will Elizabeth's situation remind Mozzie that Neal is not alone in his affection for the Suit and Mrs. Suit? The next episode is definitely something to look forward to.

     White Collar will be back on USA, though definitely not soon enough.

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Article first published as TV Review: White Collar - "Countdown" on Blogcritics.

White Collar is "On the Fence"

     "On the Fence," is the penultimate of this season's White Collar, which airs on USA. The series is trending somewhat serial this year, and this episode does much to help that along. Neal's (Matt Bomer) old partner, Matthew Keller (Ross McCall), returns. This time, he wants the Nazi treasure, figuring Neal must have it, considering Neal's recent spending spree. The spree in question is from a recent episode where Neal spends a crook's money, not his own, but Keller doesn't know that. The problem is, Keller's arrival interrupts Neal and Peter's (Tim DeKay) attempted take down of artifact smuggler Raquel LaRoque (Eliza Dushku, Dollhouse, Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Add to that, Mozzie (Willie Garson) gets a little jumpy, and fences a piece of the Nazi treasure on the manifest Peter has to pay for an ordered hit on Keller. Keller escapes anyway, and now Neal and Mozzie may be exposed.

     There's a lot going on in this episode. Normally, it would be easy to complain that the case of the week interrupts the much more interesting arcs about Keller, Nazi treasure, Sara (Hilarie Burton) and Neal's relationship issues, and Peter's investigation into the stolen art. But with Dushku, viewers have no grievance, as she delivers her customary grippingly fun performance. Dushku takes what little screen time she gets, and spits out a fantastic, memorable performance. Then her character gets drawn into larger arcs, making her more valuable to the story. Her subsequent arrest, but Neal keeping her stolen item safe for her, opens the door for her return. Plus, with Neal newly single, she steals a steamy kiss right in the FBI office. Wonderful all around.

     Of course, it's hard to root for Neal and Raquel to get too close when Sara is still nearby. Burton's recent upgrade to main character this season means she and Neal cannot be forever over yet. Her doubts about their relationship are not without foundation, but surely, she is figuring out just who Neal is by "On the Fence." At the beginning of this episode, the couple is done. But after talking to Mozzie, Sara knows Neal's feelings for her are real. And she knows Neal has the treasure, but isn't selling it, even when he could be. She is going to realize that Neal doesn't want to leave her or Peter or being a good guy behind. This sets up a reconnection for them, though it may be too late in the summer run for a happy ending by next week.

     A nagging question is whether Neal will choose Peter or Mozzie. It's definitely about the people and the life they represent, not the legality of the choices, that is dogging Neal. As far as Mozzie is concerned, Neal has made his decision, and that's to stay with Peter. Keeping the manifest a secret is a severe betrayal against Mozzie, and the criminal is not happy about Neal's actions. Will this mean the end of their partnership? Might it lead to Peter and Neal hunting down Mozzie? That would be an incredible twist, as long as there is some believable way to keep Mozzie in the fold. The series would be sorely lacking something without Garson's brilliant, surprisingly nuanced, performance.

     "On the Fence" is the first episode in a while where Neal seems to have one over on Peter. After Mozzie steals the art, dragging Neal into a dangerous act that he doesn't want, Neal is watching his back. Peter suspects Neal and Mozzie, and while hoping he's wrong, is keeping a close eye on their activities. This puts Peter in a position of power over his partner, who is playing defense. But in "On the Fence," Neal not only gets to play the Raquel case his way, he also takes the offensive when trying to trap Keller. His decision to keep the manifest a secret gives him renewed confidence, and lets him take control in that area as well. As such, Neal is back in a grand way, rather than hiding scared.

     White Collar's summer season ends next Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on USA.

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Article first published as TV Review: White Collar - "On the Fence" on Blogcritics.