White Collar Post Ep Dish - 3.01 - On Guard

[elrhiarhodan]

It's almost time - we've been waiting for this moment for months! Well, many of us have - and I hope my new flisties who have discovered White Collar during the hiatus will chime in with their thinky and not so thinky thoughts.

This is a place for the free exchange of ideas - what you like, what you don't like, what you think works, and where you see the season going. But this really isn't a place to bash anyone - characters, actors, actresses. You can express a negative opinion - but please be respectful (that's all I ask)!

Now - you may recall, I have already seen this episode - and I've had a week to process my thoughts - so some of my squeeful commentary may seem a little out there. And for that - I do apologize.

We're about 10 minutes to launch...see you on the other side, my lovelies!

Previously on White Collar!





These are not the droids you're looking for - this scene is a masterful bit of misdirection, worthy of Obi-Wan himself. Or Mozzie.

YAY for purple scarf, vest and pocket watch...you are just a gorgeous bit of manhood aren't you, Mr. Caffrey.

Definitely not the airstrip where Kate went BOOM!

Your eyes are most definitely blue, Mr. Caffrey.

Peter - you're not asking the right questions.

Ooohh, Sara - aren't you looking delicious. And Neal - you're getting some finally! And you can't seem to lie to Sara either.

Does the apartment seem any different to you?

And I was completely blown away that it was Mozzie that took the art. Completely.

Neal, oh Neal - you really don't want to run. How can you leave Peter? He loves you so very much.

The Mets? Oh Peter! Let's make a big deal out of it.

Love that smile, Neal. Or should I say Gary Rydell, world-class fencer and smuggler.

Ahhh - the Federal Reserve - I don't think there's actually cash in the FRB.

If you were one step away from pulling the biggest score in your life, could you let it go?

Oh, Mozzie - something DID survive that fire.

And the Burkes had the fastest kitchen renovation in the history of Brooklyn.

And yes, Peter - you do know him better than anyone else.

Neal goes down, and so does Peter.

YAY El!!!!!! She keeps in touch!

Ooohh - Pretty villain !

And Neal fencing. GAHHHHHHHHHH!

That poor tie! Boy is Neal pissed.

And Diana gives him fashion advice! And Neal has a drawer full of ties.

A souvenir of Neal Caffrey's imperfect moment - PRICELESS!

Cindy!!! Welcome back.

Mozzie and the visual aids! Think of it as a Kardashian!!!!!!

El - don't trust Neal!!!!!

Oh, Mrs. Burke - you are so gorgeous! And so is your new kitchen.

You have the habit of doing the wrong thing for the right reason.

And she's so not buying his bullshit.

Neal knows that Peter is protecting him - and himself.

Mozzie's a little too eager to watch over Elizabeth.

That's a very interesting object lesson.

Are you on the same team, Neal?

Oooh - vintage VW!

Oh sweet Elvis Costello.

But I can't believe that Neal's having this conversation with Moz in the Bureau. Silly boy!

So much art that the Nazis would never have stolen - Dali was considered deviant, so was Picasso.

It's not Schlagle - it's Schalge.

Phoebe Cates?

The Umbrella Scene - definitely a page from the greats!

And that's the same delivery company from Bad Judgment.

Okay - this is a little over the top (snort)

Hmmm - Neal - you sneaky bastard.

And why are you painting with your clothes on? We need nipples.

Oh Neal, you should be so conflicted. And Mozzie - you too - you are such a sneaky bastard - you are going to so regret this.

And again with the ID? "Goodbye, Caffrey." NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Neat trick with the money.

Oh NOES! Agent Jones - you are in danger!

Neal you get in front of that gun - you protect Clinton.

Yes Neal, you do have a plane!

No Suits on the Island!!!!!!!! Best line of the Episode!

I told you this was an epic misdirection, my friends!

Jones - you are a hell of a lot faster with the cuffs than Peter!

Sorry - Amelia! You would look good in aubergine.

Oh, Peter - you are not really going to believe that bit of evidence? Are you feeling bad, Peter? You shouldn't.

Neal - you lying, sneaky bastard.

No Peter, you didn't rush to judgment.

Peter - you shouldn't smile. Good - don't trust him

Patience is definitely your best asset - except if it's sold underground.

What - nothing for next week? WTF????????






Okay, folks - let's have your thoughts!!! Thinky and not so thinky!

Comments

[damietta.livejournal.com]

I am having a hard time processing the episode, actually. Its not that I didn't like it, I just don't want Neal to be the bad guy and Jeff seems to really want that.

[monkeyonthelam.livejournal.com]

I think Jeff wants that for now, because it might be hard to believe that someone like Neal can not be truly "reformed" without a few speedbumps on the way. That seems realistic enough to me, but i am still nervous as to where they are going with it.

[elrhiarhodan]

I know just what you mean. Driving home a week ago Tuesday, and trying to sleep - my brain kept whirling and I was upset.

[monkeyonthelam.livejournal.com]

So mad at Mozzie right now that I can't even put it into words.

Did'nt we just learn that there is no such thing as the last score? I miss Countermeasures.

And to think that El would pick Moz and Neal over Peter? How deluded. I really thought Moz and El were real friends.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mozzie has some jail time in his future.

One hopeful note, Neal threw everything away to save Jones' life, he deserves credit for that at least.

While this episode made me feel a bit queasy, it definitely provided enough storylines to keep the season interesting. Can't wait for next week.

[elrhiarhodan]

You are spot on - this is a huge step backwards for Neal. And Moz definitely needs to be punished.

Maybe finger printed and made to live in the Hoover Building.

[misagoddess.livejournal.com]

I'm not very coherent - Lordy that was worth the wait! I am really glad I stayed unspoiled for the most part, although I did find out about Mozzie yesterday by accident. *shakes fist at careless poster*. Wow, Cindy returns. And Sara was not annoying - if they keep up the 3 minute appearances, I'll admit to liking her. Peter was suspicious but not condescending - I definitely prefer this Peter to most of last season and I hope they keep it up. And Neal. I could just lay one on you (don't I wish!). You smooth, charming, gorgeous lying son-of- a-gun, you. At the end, I was even justifying what he'd done. *shakes head*. And I love that Peter is not completely fooled - just bamboozled a little. He's just waiting for that one fatal mistake...oh I think I am gonna LOVE this season.

[elrhiarhodan]

I am not crazy about Neal the criminal, but I am happy to see that this season is going to have a lot more emotional depth. We were cheated out of that last season.

It's going to be a bumpy ride, that's for certain.

[surreal-44.livejournal.com]

I know a lot of fans are nervous about this development, but I'm delighted with it.

We are finally seeing the devious side of Neal. We've seen him pull light punches with the people in his life, and now we finally get to see what makes him such a great con artist -- the ability to lie to the ones you love without batting an eye.

Even though it's uncomfortable for us, we absolutely must see this side of Neal.

Peter's obvious relief that the painting wasn't Neal's makes all of that so much more heartbreaking. -huggles him-

A few notes:

--I love that Peter's first thought was to protect Neal, and the second thought is to protect himself. It's later mirrored by Neal, who realizes Peter isn't going through the FBI to protect Neal, and then Mozzie, the practical side, points out that Peter is also protecting himself.

--I love that El didn't buy into Neal's BS. Good for her...I know it makes the appearance in fanfiction so much that El usually takes Neal's side in matters, so it was a nice reminder to see that El's first loyalty is always to Peter. She was not nearly as warm as she normally is with Neal, and I loved that!

--Mild Jones whump!!!! Woooooooooooooooo

--Neal's description of his alias. Hehehehehehe.


--Did anyone else notice the subtle shift of Peter's face when he looked at the picture of Adler? Or was that just me hoping we'd get a little more out of the shooting.

Things I Didn't Like:

--I am not loving Neal and Sara (or Sara). Give me something to like, writers, I beg of you.

--I wish we'd gotten a reason or something for the Burke's remodel. It's beautiful but it is a huge, huge change.

--Neal painting a forgery in what...fifteen minutes? Ehhhhhhhh. -attempts to handwave-

--I felt the gratitude Jones displayed to Neal was a little overdone.

--I thought the money in the vents was really silly.

I'm sure I'll have more thoughts after I rewatch the episode.

In all, I enjoyed it, with a few minor issues.

[afiawri.livejournal.com]

Pretty much agree with everything you said.

I wish we'd gotten a reason or something for the Burke's remodel. It's beautiful but it is a huge, huge change.

It's almost like all the real life forced changes are supposed to be ignored. Like, yeah, okay, people, changes were made, we're a tv show you know that happens, just pretend they're not there. You KNOW why Natalie is gone, you don't have to know why Lauren is. The house is better, so... it just is, okay?

Lazy, lazy. :/ Then again, knowing the writers, it would have to be a big deal if they were going to explain it at all.

...so it was a nice reminder to see that El's first loyalty is always to Peter. She was not nearly as warm as she normally is with Neal, and I loved that!

Agreed! That was very very well played. <3 And if Neal/El interaction is always so well done, all I can say is: MORE.

TL;DR THIS.

[aisle-one.livejournal.com]

Hi there, we're new to each other's LJ and am piping in on yours for the first time. *waves*

My thoughts are scattered and incoherent at the moment, especially on 3 hours sleep, BUT here's the thing that I loved most about the episode: the undercurrent of mutual respect and caring between Peter and Neal. The push and pull of their relationship in the context of their contradicting situations was so palpable; I really felt the struggle from both of them as Peter investigated Neal and as Neal considered and began planning his escape. It just made me ache for more Peter/Neal fics or Peter and Neal gen fics - I love both!

Other than that: excellent plot. The action was crisp and loved all the interactions between the characters. LOVED Neal fencing - SO SEXY.

Anyhow, thanks for welcoming these comments. Cheers!

[elrhiarhodan]

Welcome!

I am so glad you've chimed in. The conversation will keep going - so feel free to respond to any comments here that you find interesting.

I love your fic and I am so glad you are such a prolific author.

[phantomminuet.livejournal.com]

I loved it, at first, but now that I've had time to think about it, I find it strangely unsettling. Mostly because I don't want to think that Mozzie and Neal are so mercenary and selfish that they'd have disappeared and left Peter holding the bag.

Of course, uncertainty may turn out to be a good thing for the season, if it means more drama and excitement and surprises.

Constants that we have come to expect: Elizabeth is a wise woman who sees through Neal's bullshit, Jones is a competent agent who has a little of the caped crusader in him, and Sara is best experienced in tiny little doses.

Nicest surprise of the evening: Cindy! I hope we see more of her.

[elrhiarhodan]

I agree with you about Neal and Moz being so, well, mercenary (and I have issues - serious issues with Nazi plunder). I remember Moz saying in Flip of the Coin - it's not about the stuff. So why are they excited about the STUFF.

And yes - I agree that Cindy was a very nice surprise.

[doctor-fangeek.livejournal.com]

Evil LJ just ate several paragraphs of comments! Bah!! Trying again:

First, I'll just say, "Wow!" That was an exciting and well-plotted episode. What a start to the season.

And now, some random observations, in no particular order:

To start, I want to say I'm happy with the writers for explaining the whole warehouse, explosion, Neal's art thing in a way that worked for me. At the end of S2, I was frustrated and confused by that part of the plot. If whoever stole the art was trying to frame Neal, it seemed a risky plan, as there was no way to know for sure that part of one of his paintings would survive and be found. And if they were really on Neal's side, same problem - it seems risky to put Neal's art in there, in case some survived (plus I was wondering why they would do it). The story we got made sense and seemed very in character. So that was good.

I'm in total agreement about the beauty that is Matty in the vest, scarf and pocket watch.

Also, fencing is hot!

After El tried to get Peter to consider that Neal might be innocent, I wanted to smack Neal on the head when he showed up at the Burkes to try to use El to get information about what Peter knows. Oh, Neal!

After Neal wants to talk to June but can't, and then Mozzie leaves, when Neal is just standing there looking around his apartment, my heart was genuinely hurting. Thinking about it now, I realize that one possible future for Neal, even if he ultimately sticks around long enough to finish out his sentence, is that he goes back to his life of crime and looking for that one big score. But I also realize that *I* don't want him to go.

Oh no! The bad guy is going to have Jones killed!! Whatever else he may be, Neal isn't going to let Jones be murdered. And there goes Mozzie's plan, and now Neal has to stick around long enough to think about what he's doing. Welcome to season 3 (the season of, "Choose a side").

But Peter did kind of rush to judgment. The scrap of painting was suspicious, so I get where he was coming from, but Neal didn't actually steal the art, nor was he involved in it's theft, and nor (at the time) did he know who took it. He was, in fact, telling the truth, but Peter had already made up his mind. And btw, Neal, you should be thanking Mozzie for the plausible deniability. :)

Some other things:

Watching Neal & Mozzie work - they're really very good at what they do.

June's granddaughter actually returned and got to do something. That was pretty cool.

I liked how Neal knew Peter must have something other than suspicion, but didn't know what. Also the exchange with Mozzie about why Peter hadn't arrested Neal or even had the painting tested by the FBI.

And I'm really curious how all of this is going to play out over the course or the season, so I guess in that regard what the writers are doing is working.

[lionessvalenti.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, the fencing! I forgot to talk about that. That scene was a bit homoerotic, yes? Do we need to Lawrence/alias!Gary pre-series fic?

[lionessvalenti.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm... I have to say, at the moment, I like this development in Neal and Peter's relationship. I like them a little on the outs, a little more careful with each other. But they can still be a good team. We'll see how it plays out.

But, man, Neal, your supposed to be neutral "I'm not hiding anything" face? It's obvious.

Obviously, Peter finds nothing hotter than Elizabeth having art contacts who can help him with his case, and she knows it. They TOTALLY did it after their first scene together. Nom.

The "Goodbye, Caffrey" might have broken my heart a little. I have to say, I agree with someone else on the uneasiness of how willing Mozzie and especially Neal are to leave Peter hanging out to dry. Neal knows he's Peter's responsibility and if he runs now, that's not just a pile of paperwork (well, it's that too).

I may have enjoyed china_shop's Neal/Jones fic too much because that scene in the fencing club, I was totally reading Neal as "Don't kill my boyfriend". ;)

Potential fic from this episode: I wanted this the first time I saw the clip, but I want dirty interrogation fic. Oh man, Peter so wants to turn Neal over that table and fuck him while Jones watches -- all while continuing to ask him questions.

Sara actually giving Peter all the details of what she and Neal were doing. Peter getting more and more awkward, but wanting to be sure that she isn't just covering for Neal while Sara's getting off on it.

I don't know if this is one I'm going to come back to time and time again to watch, but it was an overall, very good episode. I'm just so damn happy to have my show back!

Downside: I didn't watch it live, opting to watch the baseball game (oh, summer conflict, but next week they'll be on the west coast and the game won't start until 10!), and my DVR cut off the last 15 seconds. I'll have to wait to catch the last few lines.

[rabidchild67.livejournal.com]

Can you please, please, please write this Sara tells Peter about post-dinner party seksi tiems?

[ladydragoness.livejournal.com]

Where to begin?

I will always love the banter between characters. Mozzie really does deliver some of the best one-liners. I foresee future cons that will continue to include Cindy. She did her part flawlessly.

Neal with a sword... (not a foil, but an actual fecking sword)... OMG! *thinks naughty thoughts*

Ahem! Moving on...

The selection of ties in Neal's desk was funny. Peter's comment about the severed tie was "priceless".

The cash in the vents was a bit laughable.

That cargo manifest will be important. What's to say that Neal never sees it? Hopefully before Mozzie gets antsy and fences something.

Mozzie wants to run and hide. Neal wants to wait for the opportune moment. Listen to Neal, Moz!

I just wonder how long before we see Neal wake up next to Sara. They should shoot that before the hair stylist attacks Bomer. Make it a bit more believable.

I'll watch it again tomorrow. Might have more input.

[leonie-alastair.livejournal.com]

I found this episode exhilarating. Allowing for the usual hand waving about painting - (oils actually require time to dry) it was a tightly written and tense caper. We were reminded that Neal and Mozzie are not tame and not always very nice, but at the same time we discovered the limits of Neal's desire for the big score. He'll sacrifice his friendships but not his friends.

They seem to be setting up a triptych where Neal is pulled between Mozzie and Peter. And as much as I love the Peter/Neal dynamic, I think that its excellent to see Mozzie step out of the funny little sidekick role.

I greatly enjoyed all of the secondary characters this week, Elizabeth, Sarah and Diana all had great scenes with Neal.

Finally, I want Elizabeth's kitchen renovation budget!

[photoash.livejournal.com]

I am so ridiculously happy with this episode <3 That Eastin reaffirmed that Mozzie and Neal will always be TOGETHER <3 more so than anyone else (at least with Kate's death!) <3 :D :D :D

I squealed and whooped when I saw it was Mozzie <3 I so called that and I am ridiculously happy about it :D

YES BAD BOY NEAL I LOVE YOU SO MUCH WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!! <3 <3 <3

I want to write Neal/Mozzie celebratory sexytimes after Mozzie's reveal now in the loft <3 <3 <3 !

[surreal-44.livejournal.com]

One other thing I wanted to touch on that you mentioned, Elr, is this:

Peter - you're not asking the right questions.

No, he's not asking the right questions and he's not looking at the tracking data, and I think it's out of his desire for Neal to not have done this thing, or to be involved in it.

Because even though Peter is wrong about how much Neal had to do with stealing the art, Neal is now knee-deep in it, and he could go back to prison for everything he's done.

Also, I kind of noticed how Neal seemed reluctant to leave. Part of him wants to leave, but there's another part that is greatly reluctant. I like seeing both of them struggle with their choices. -hugs them- :D :D

[rabidchild67.livejournal.com]

I think Neal said he was still off the anklet, so Peter wouldn't have tracking data. They must not have put it back on after the kidnapping, and then they kept it off through the case of the week.

[doctor-fangeek.livejournal.com]

So I'm reading the other comments, here and elsewhere, and thought I'd throw out some questions and "what ifs?"

Last season we had Neal telling Peter that when he turned around at the airstrip right before Kate was blown up, he wanted to tell Peter that he didn't want to run anymore. Then we had "Countermeasures," with the cautionary tale of Ford. And I think there are times when Neal *does* get satisfaction from what he does with the FBI. So do people feel that Neal was too quick to be ready to leave? Should he have been more conflicted? I certainly sensed at least some conflict, some reluctance to just pick up and go, and I think it was subtly played by Matt, but was it not enough, just right, or even too much?

Also, a "what if"? What if Peter had been more willing to listen to Neal, or if he had shown him the scrap of painting and asked for his side, or something along those lines. Do you think it would have changed what Neal did? Would he have told Peter about the warehouse? Been less quick to agree to leave? I'm just curious what folks think.

[surreal-44.livejournal.com]

I think if Peter hadn't been so confrontational, Neal wouldn't have been so ready to leave. On the other hand, however, the treasure is huge. GIGANTIC.

It's beautiful, priceless, and stolen -- all things Neal enjoys. The lure of that wealth is pretty strong. I think he would have been preparing to run, but I think he would have been more sober and not as gleeful and cocky.

To your first question: I think Neal was just right. He's had a rough few years. He's on the outs with Peter. I think there are times when he must want to hit the reset button on his life, and with this treasure he can do it. ^^

[afiawri.livejournal.com]

Well, all I can say is this: White Collar knows how to bring in a new season, always has.

Tons and tons of nitpicks, but... they didn't bother me. Maybe because I finally got my fix after months dry.

I expected the fencing scene to be towards the end with a very flimsy excuse building up to it. I expected there to be some kind of stupid cliffhanger (Diana has the music box!) but, no, I liked this one.

Overall, bravo. And Elr has the list of all the best moments, of course, and my I swear it gets longer with every review you do.

[surreal-44.livejournal.com]

I was not a big fan of the fencing. It seemed kind of silly to me. But that's just my thing. :D :D

[daria234.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the ep reaction - loved so many of these moments.

First, I so agree that exchange between Peter and Mozzie from "Amelia" to "Aubergine" was hilarious and so spot-on for those characters. I love Peter-Moz banter.

This ep also made me think that Neal and Moz's easy conning brilliance is an odd kind of domesticity that really works for them. They are so cute. I have no other word. Moz/Neal shippers had a good night.

And Mozzie was great throughout.

"How can you leave Peter? He loves you so very much." I agree with this :) I think this ep is CLEARLY about how Neal is mostly leaving not for the score but because he is in a spat with his bf and decides that if bf doesn't trust him, then he might as well just take the score.

I love that El thinks Peter can't stop chasing. she would know.

And all the I-know-you porn! Peter knows Neal! Neal knows Peter is protecting him! And that Peter will snoop in the paintings lol. And that even with all the exculpatory evidence, Peter knows that Neal is smart enough to have arranged it even if he wants to think Neal is innocent lol.

"And why are you painting with your clothes on?" I love it when you show such good logic, Elr. That is an excellent point. Painting with his clothes on should be considered a major plothole of some sort.

-I take "Bye, Caffrey" as additional confirmation that "Neal Caffrey" is not his real name and that Peter doesn't know his real name.

For ficwriting, I take two/three key points from the tie saving:

-Peter does indeed like to hoard things that have symbolic meaning. This includes the sucker and the tie from Neal (and a tie is phallic - only men wear it, and look where it points).
-Peter does indeed love the thought of imperfect!Neal, thus making canon the thousands of kinkfics in which Peter savors how Neal looks when Peter makes him go undone.
-There is obviously some kind of Freudian reading that could be done for the tie thing. I conclude that it means Peter would like to symbolically castrate Neal (but not for real!) by keeping him in a cock cage and/or physically stopping Neal's orgasms.

So, speculations for how this sets up s3, lol ... who wants to guess that the mid-season finale will be Peter figuring it out and then mistrust leads to danger. Then danger leads to truth about how it happened, and Neal has to choose between stash and Peter's safety/career/love/sexings and Neal chooses his bf (not spoilered, just a guess)

[rabidchild67.livejournal.com]

I take "Bye, Caffrey" as additional confirmation that "Neal Caffrey" is not his real name and that Peter doesn't know his real name.

YES!! Me too.

[mousedm.livejournal.com]

Unlike most people here, I really disliked the ep - because I really disliked Neal in it. Maybe it makes for good drama, but although Neal was a conman, there were certain qualities he seemed to have like loyalty and care for others that were totally blown out of the water here. It was way too easy for him to decide to leave, even though he knows what effect it would have on Peter. His conversation with El, and his final conversation with Peter left me feeling physically ill. I don't think I"ll be able to look at him again in the same way.

[rabidchild67.livejournal.com]

So much here I missed in my own post:

Peter: THE METS? *is crushed*

The utter shock that Moz stole the art: He's SUCH A BADASS!!!

Drawer o' ties! Drawer o' ties! Drawer o' ties!

Marsha's bangs = awesome.

Burke kitchen = I. Wants. It. But they got rid of the door, I see, so clearly the kitchen was an addition over the summer. El must've been so annoyed to have contractors in and out whilst trying to get some afternoon delight with Neal and Sara.

So much for my Five Times 'verse paralleling the show. It's now officially an AU.

Neal saving Jones FTW \o/ (Am I the only one who wanted kissies?)

[elainasaunt.livejournal.com]

Good reaction post for a great season opener. Unlike some commenters, I don't find it OOC that Neal agreed to take the loot and run.* Neal (or whatever his real name is - I agree the "goodbye, Caffrey" indicates it's an alias) is essentially a submissive personality, shaped and led in turn by Mozz, Adler, Peter and now Mozz again. Hence all the D/s themes running through canon (and running amok through fanon). I'll be very happy if this season sets up a tug of war between Peter and Mozzie for Neal's loyalties.

*Except for one thing: in my head canon, even the old, pre-Peter Neal would not have agreed to profit from Nazi theft.

"Choose a side" indeed Peter=Good, Neal/Mozzie=Evil

[kyle kirchhevel (from livejournal.com)]

This was an exciting episode... and I spent much of it wanting to slap Neal and Mozzie until their teeth fell out.

So much for Neal having "a good heart" (sorry Elizabeth.. Neal sold his heart for greed)... he and Mozzie right now are nothing but bloody-handed war profiteers and I have no respect for either of them unless/until they give up the loot. And bonus demerits for shamelessly using Cindy and Elizabeth.. I doubt June would have approved of her granddaughter acting like a poleless stripper in the aid of absonding with Nazi plunder (not that Neal/Mozzie likely told her what she was helping them do).

Loved Peter keeping Neal's tie, and my heart cracked at that he was still trying to protect Neal, and how relieved he was at Neal being apparently innocent. Oh Peter, if you only knew...

Not a good ep for Jones... first shaken off by the "sea of Neals", then spotted and grabbed on his stakeout. Guess that's why they don't let him out of the van 8)

Eastin, despite his lip service to the premise of both the con and the FBI being intelligent, ends up falling into the "brilliant con always ahead of outwitted cop" cliche in nearly every ep he himself writes... which is likely why as much as I love the show, of my 10 favorite eps, none of them are Eastin's solo efforts, and "Forging Bonds is easily my least favorite.

Re: "Choose a side" indeed Peter=Good, Neal/Mozzie=Evil

[surreal-44.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed getting to see why Peter is so suspicious of Neal...this is Neal the criminal, not Neal the forlorn lover or the vengeance-filled boyfriend. This is the guy Peter chased for years, this is who Neal was before he came to New York.

I love and loathe it all at once. And yet, there is hope for him. ^^ I like his internal struggle, his obvious reluctance to run off. And when things fell apart, he did not sell Jones off. Neal is a criminal and is capable of inflicting great emotional pain on people (even the ones he cares about), but he would never allow his desires to compromise their physical safety.

Now Neal just has to learn that the emotional damage is sometimes worse than the physical. That's why it's a story about his growth as a person. ^^

Loved Peter keeping Neal's tie, and my heart cracked at that he was still trying to protect Neal, and how relieved he was at Neal being apparently innocent. Oh Peter, if you only knew...

I know. It hurt a lot. But I like it too. I kind of had a jolt of guilty glee at the subtle cruelty Neal displayed in this episode, especially at the end where he allowed Peter to fumble around with an apology as if he really had no involvement in anything.

Not a good ep for Jones... first shaken off by the "sea of Neals", then spotted and grabbed on his stakeout. Guess that's why they don't let him out of the van 8)

Heee. But also poor Jones. I still love him since he's hot. But I don't blame him totally for getting caught. I think this guy had more manpower than most badguys do. I was surprised at the number of henchmen he had. It's no wonder Jones got spotted.

Eastin, despite his lip service to the premise of both the con and the FBI being intelligent, ends up falling into the "brilliant con always ahead of outwitted cop" cliche in nearly every ep he himself writes... which is likely why as much as I love the show, of my 10 favorite eps, none of them are Eastin's solo efforts, and "Forging Bonds is easily my least favorite.

This, so much.

[doctor-fangeek.livejournal.com]

Just popping by to report on an interesting exchange I saw on Twitter just now. There have been a lot of very strongly worded tweets directed at Jeff, the WCwriters twitter, and individual writers regarding the issue of Neal and Mozzie blithely going off with Nazi plunder.

One of the writers (Jim Campolongo) actually responded. The original tweet was about ignoring families of murdered Holocaust victims for plot reasons.

CampJim: Sorry you were disappointed, but the sub art is from museums, not individuals. The list Diana found at the end implies as much.

The reply to this noted that there was jewelry there too, not just art, and that there's lots of provenance available for Nazi plunder, and thanked Jim for replying.

CampJim: Sure thing. also, rest assured, the origin of the treasure will be addressed later in the season.

Make of it what you will, but given a lot of the episode discussion, I thought it was worth sharing.

[elrhiarhodan]

Thank you so much for this - I don't really feel better about it much - but I do hope that Jim Campolongo is not playing us - or perhaps they never anticipated the backlash and will fix in the second half.

[orphica.livejournal.com]

I'm sort of ok with Neal being deceptive because he kinda lost my sympathy when we learned last season how Kate was trying to get away from him and how he treated her. And I'm glad Peter doubts Neal, not just because his instincts are correct, but because Neal's done a lot of sneaky shit to Peter that he didn't really get called on that much (I mean, attempted murder?)

On the other hand, despite how I didn't like it, Neal did have a blind spot for Kate so his lying was understandable. But this isn't to get a lover back, it's just to be rich, which does largely go against the con artist we've been presented with thus far, in my opinion.