The season finale of USA's White Collar this week was as frustrating as just about anything I've ever watched. USA is known for a certain type of show: procedurals that are a bit better on character development than the average network offering of the genre. I admit, I find about half of USA's shows unwatchable because of how strong the procedural elements are, but White Collar is one of the better ones. Or it usually is. The season finale left me confused and annoyed.
First, let's hit the strong points of the episode. Neal's (Matthew Bomer) growing relationship with Sara (Hilarie Burton, who will be a series regular next year) is sweet. The double date dinner party the two of them have with Peter (Tim DeKay) and Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen) feels right, and appears to open up the possibility of a more domesticated Neal. I would say that's a great example of Peter rubbing off on Neal, except we have seen that Neal is no stranger to the love of one woman before. Elizabeth calming Sara's nerves about jumping into something with a former con man was a high point of the episode.
Neal and Peter's relationship, really the central linchpin of the show, has blossomed into wonderful understanding. While captured by baddie Adler (Andrew McCarthy), the two of them have great banter, and complete faith in each other. They break into an old German sub loaded with massive amounts of treasure. It's the ultimate find that the music box mystery of the past two seasons has been leading them to. Yet, all I can think about is how much I enjoy watching Neal and Peter work together. I could care less about the treasure. It is a mark of how well the characters are written.
Article comments
1 - Suzanne
I believe the guards did point guns at Peter, Neal and Alex when they came up the stairs from the drydock. I just enjoy the interplay between the charachters and of course, looking at Neal for 45 minutes so I am good with the finale. Sorry but I think you are trying to be too technical. Most of us just don't care about that. Ask any of the 4 million women who watched this episode if they care about a plothole. Nice to read your perspective though. Thanks
2 - Michel
This is one of the worst reviews that I've read. How many times did you watch the show? I'd hope that anyone making money from a blog wouldn't phone it in. For example...
1. Adler always had Alex for leverage so there's no question as to why they don't move against him.
2. I didn't see any weaponry inside the sub.
3. They woke up right before the bad guys turned the water on.
3 - Jerome Wetzel
Suzanne - They did point guns, but they didn't run in with guns held aggressively out in front. They entered the room at the same time as Adler, who walked calmly in. Their response just wasn't enough, imo. As for women not caring, I have no complaints if you watch the show for handsome men, the lead is attractive, but writing with just a little more effort would have satisfied fans who actually want to see intelligent TV. And the fact that this show is usually better was a let down. I really like this series, on the whole.
Michel - They did have Alex, but no one was left behind to keep her somewhere she could be used as leverage. They all just sauntered in to confront Neal and Peter. There was no weaponry inside, but all they had to do was pick up something heavy and made of metal, of which there were plenty, stand on either side of the door and whack them on the head. As for you third point, exactly! They obviously were not moved far. The drugs worked longer last time. Why stand around and wait for them to wake up? Why take them away to be drowned at all instead of just putting some bullets in the head? Your criticisms of me do not actually hold up.
4 - Nancy Hecko
Neal has always been shady, and Peter always suspicious. However, Peter is probably jumping the gun this time. Neal clearly did not blow up the warehouse. As for stealing art, the time constraints bother me. At any rate, this series is fun to watch.
5 - Vivek
"There was no weaponry inside, but all they had to do was pick up something heavy and made of metal, of which there were plenty, stand on either side of the door and whack them on the head. As for you third point, exactly! They obviously were not moved far. The drugs worked longer last time. Why stand around and wait for them to wake up? Why take them away to be drowned at all instead of just putting some bullets in the head?"
.
Yeah next time why don't you write the show? I'm sure millions would be watching!
6 - Dee
Seriously...that kiss of Neal and Alex was smoking hot!!! Wish the writers would stop foisting women on Neal who have no chemistry. Dressing Sara in sexy non-professional clothing does not make her "the love interest". Elizabeth, Alex and Diana (I know she plays for the other team) are the only women Neal has shown any real chemistry with. Not Kate, not Sara and definitely not Lauren who the writers last tried as a love interest.
And yes Sharif Atkins would be great as a regular but it is widely known that he was offered it but turned it down for his own reasons.
7 - moz
I disagree with your argument on peter going nuts with the painting. Of course he should always be on his toes, he's a fed. And Neal's a conman. Also I, it aligned perfectly with peter's character on how quickly he recalled the "long con" that Neal told him about.
8 - steph
Just curious: Why do you review a show about the FBI if you don't like "procedural elements"? If you want a relationship drama then go watch Brothers&Sisters or whatever. I love USA shows because they have just the right mixture of great stories and great characters, and the procedural part is pretty important to those storylines...
9 - Jerome Wetzel
It doesn't have to be a relationship drama to be a good show. 24, Prison Break and Alias were great shows, and they dealt with similar themes as White Collar. Even Bones, which is technically procedural, mixes it up enough to be a fantastic series. I do think it's lazy to do procedural shows, and just write the same thing over and over. Also uninteresting after a few episodes. Certain USA shows rise enough above that formula to be interesting, but others don't.