I enjoyed the episode, but it's not going on any "top X favorites" list. And while there is a part of me that wants to see Peter and Neal move past the mistrust, I understand that that isn't going to happen anytime soon - TPTB have made it clear that they see that push-pull as being integral to the show. So yeah, Ellen being killed is a plot device in that regard - Jeff Eastin has said, straight-out, that after what Peter put on the line for Neal at the end of season 3/the beginning of season 4, there would have to be something really big to get Neal to go behind his back, etc. That "something big" is Neal's family. And I think they also killed Ellen because it makes Neal's search for his past something that can be carried on throughout the season. Even if she had to leave because of the whole WitSec thing, she would have given him more information before she left, and they probably could have found a way to communicate.
On to things I liked about this episode:
Neal & Diana - I loved pretty much all of their interactions in this episode, from the back and forth about Rodin in the van, to Neal offering a shoulder and then Diana taking him up on it, to Diana's anger when she thinks Neal was conning them, to their conversation near the end of the ep.
The heist - I really do enjoy watching Neal & Mozzie "do their thing." But I also loved Peter figuring it out and Neal figuring out *how* Peter figured it out.
The Haustenburg is making the rounds of fictitious White Collar art museums! And Neal won't pass up an opportunity to visit the museum...because he's not allowed in without an escort.
Abigail is into *Diana* - This was totally FTW! And when Diana is like, "Damn, she made me," and Neal's all, "She knows you're FBI?"
Neal actually having that moment where he thinks about how much Peter did for him, how he made it possible for him to come back to New York. And the fact that Neal initially turns Abigail down, telling her the cost is too high.
Things I'm conflicted about:
Peter's suspicion of Neal at the end. I completely get his initial anger, especially after what Peter went through to bring Neal home. And I get his overall frustration - as Elr mentioned in an earlier reply, it's his first case back, and Neal is going behind his back and stealing something. Given all of that, I can buy his suspicion. But it's hard to watch, having seen the earlier scenes (to which Peter isn't privy), where Neal initially turns Abigail down (which is the first time he says the cost is too high), and when he doesn't seem at all happy about the success of the heist. Which leads me to...
Things that had me going, "huh?":
It's not out of character for Peter to be suspicious, and I don't know that he's entirely wrong, but I'm a little confused as to how it could have been a "long con." While it's true that Neal would have known that Abigail would have both the drive and the sculpture on her when she was arrested, he'd still be banking on the fact that Peter would make a copy of the drive. And he still could have ended up in jail. Also, Neal couldn't have known that Abigail was going to blackmail him. If he really wanted to play everyone, wouldn't it have made sense to tell Peter about Abigail's offer from the start?
So (going back to my earlier point) while I wouldn't be surprised if Neal realized, as he was scrambling for a way out of the "hole to big to crawl out of," that he might be able not only stay out of jail, but also get the drive, I don't think the plot makes sense as a "long con," and my jury is still out as to if he was manipulating Peter.
The other thing that had me scratching my head was Abigail's reaction to the anklet. In "Stealing Home," it was established that the FBI is helping to maintain an overall cover story that allows Neal to go undercover with suspects (like the master thief in that episode, who's name is currently escaping me) - he got out of prison legitimately and is currently a suspect in a number of cases. In this episode, Abigail I guess sees the anklet, and comments on it. Then later she accuses Neal of working with the Feds, but he convinces her otherwise. So what does she think the anklet is for? And what about Neal's cover story from Stealing Home? Anyone?
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Date: 2012-08-15 03:09 pm (UTC)On to things I liked about this episode:
Neal & Diana - I loved pretty much all of their interactions in this episode, from the back and forth about Rodin in the van, to Neal offering a shoulder and then Diana taking him up on it, to Diana's anger when she thinks Neal was conning them, to their conversation near the end of the ep.
The heist - I really do enjoy watching Neal & Mozzie "do their thing." But I also loved Peter figuring it out and Neal figuring out *how* Peter figured it out.
The Haustenburg is making the rounds of fictitious White Collar art museums! And Neal won't pass up an opportunity to visit the museum...because he's not allowed in without an escort.
Abigail is into *Diana* - This was totally FTW! And when Diana is like, "Damn, she made me," and Neal's all, "She knows you're FBI?"
Neal actually having that moment where he thinks about how much Peter did for him, how he made it possible for him to come back to New York. And the fact that Neal initially turns Abigail down, telling her the cost is too high.
Things I'm conflicted about:
Peter's suspicion of Neal at the end. I completely get his initial anger, especially after what Peter went through to bring Neal home. And I get his overall frustration - as Elr mentioned in an earlier reply, it's his first case back, and Neal is going behind his back and stealing something. Given all of that, I can buy his suspicion. But it's hard to watch, having seen the earlier scenes (to which Peter isn't privy), where Neal initially turns Abigail down (which is the first time he says the cost is too high), and when he doesn't seem at all happy about the success of the heist. Which leads me to...
Things that had me going, "huh?":
It's not out of character for Peter to be suspicious, and I don't know that he's entirely wrong, but I'm a little confused as to how it could have been a "long con." While it's true that Neal would have known that Abigail would have both the drive and the sculpture on her when she was arrested, he'd still be banking on the fact that Peter would make a copy of the drive. And he still could have ended up in jail. Also, Neal couldn't have known that Abigail was going to blackmail him. If he really wanted to play everyone, wouldn't it have made sense to tell Peter about Abigail's offer from the start?
So (going back to my earlier point) while I wouldn't be surprised if Neal realized, as he was scrambling for a way out of the "hole to big to crawl out of," that he might be able not only stay out of jail, but also get the drive, I don't think the plot makes sense as a "long con," and my jury is still out as to if he was manipulating Peter.
The other thing that had me scratching my head was Abigail's reaction to the anklet. In "Stealing Home," it was established that the FBI is helping to maintain an overall cover story that allows Neal to go undercover with suspects (like the master thief in that episode, who's name is currently escaping me) - he got out of prison legitimately and is currently a suspect in a number of cases. In this episode, Abigail I guess sees the anklet, and comments on it. Then later she accuses Neal of working with the Feds, but he convinces her otherwise. So what does she think the anklet is for? And what about Neal's cover story from Stealing Home? Anyone?