Post Ep Dish - S4.13 - Empire City

[elrhiarhodan]

And it's time for another episode of the White Collar Post-Ep Dish. This week, we've got Empire City, directed by our very own Tim DeKay, who hit it out of the park with last year's Stealing Home (sorry about the pun).

There's supposed to be a lot to love about this episode, but for the spoiler-phobes out there, you'll have to click through...



Our story this week opens with the discovery that Mozzie's actually got a job. He drives a NYC taxi cab, which he calls (and this is apparently legit cabbie lingo) his "yellow girlfriend." He apparently is "bleeding fares for info." One guesses for future felonious activities. I was ready to take a drink and consign my liver to doom every time "copper pipe" was mentioned.

There was a cute moment - which was spoiled for those who watch the official clips - when Moz takes Neal on a wild ride through Brooklyn (and charges him full fare), to find the right vantage point for the skyline in the key. Moz goes a little crazy when he oh-so-coincidentally sees another yellow cab with the same medallion number and Peter gets called in. To be honest, at first I found it an incredible stretch that the FBI would claim jurisdiction on this, but then I remembered that the Feds (Rudy Guiliani was the US Attorney who did the prosecuting) were the ones who prosecuted all of the corrupt NYC Parking officials during the late Ed Koch's third term (conveniently timed research, I'd say).

To be honest, I found the caper plot for this episode completely incomprehensible. Something with a taxi company selling bogus medallions??? Not sure how they got to the taxi company owner, then to the Cotton Club. But are we really supposed to care?

But rather than focus on what I didn't like about this episode (and there was a lot), let's just take a look at what I loved:

Well, hello casually clothed Agent Clinton Jones. Could you be any yummier? And what's with the incidental touching of Mrs. Burke's boobs? I do like that the writers have given Jones the role of confidante to Peter for this part of the mythology - that's usually Diana's role.

Hal Hoover! Where does Mozzie come up with these names? Apparently he's legitimately the owner of a NYC taxi medallion, and those things aren't cheap. Moz claims to have paid "a rock," which, according to Peter-as-exposition-monkey, means one million dollars. I always suspected that Moz had gelt. Or maybe he used some of the cash he got from selling the Degas to fund the failed hit on Keller (six million, if I recall correctly).

Peter really getting into his undercover roles. It was cute how Neal tried to school him about the limitations of his TLC authority, but he was definitely digging it. Peter clearly needs to get out of the office more!

And even better than his sting at the taxi garage was how well he rolled with Neal at The Cotton Club. They were in good form - perfectly in sync - as record label execs (though I might think that Peter, in his off-the-rack Brooks Brother suit, might raise some eyebrows in the music industry). And as an aside, I wonder how the White Collar production team got the rights to use the iconic Cotton Club name for this story. And the logo is right out of the Martin Scorsese movie… Which is the logo for the current iteration of the club. And let's handwave the fact that the original Cotton Club shut down in the the 1940s (El waxes nostalgic about going there in her early days in New York, and so does the club owner - for when he was a small boy) and its current iteration is more about gospel than jazz.

And the cigar smoking? Come on … it's been almost a decade since Mayor Bloomberg got smoking banned in bars and restaurants. And it's pretty unlikely that a putative jazz club got a "cigar bar" designation. (Tip of the hat to my friend jrosemary for bringing this to my attention). Not to mention that the owner is a recently released felon, which would automatically disqualify him from getting a liquor license, too.

(Sorry - let's just continue with the handwaving).

Anyway, having the caper mostly set in a jazz club gives us the opportunity for some lovely set pieces.

El as Grand Master Event Planner gets to decipher the old-fashioned ledger entries. (Who uses a paper account ledger anymore?)

Which brings me to June. Really, this whole episode was just an excuse to have the utterly wonderful, extraordinarily talented Miss Diahann Carroll sing, and sing and sing some more. You know, for many of her appearances in S3, I wondered if she was unwell. Her brief appearance in the second worst episode of the entire WC canon, Pulling Strings, made me wonder if she was downright ill, she looked so frail. But the actress who all but stole Pilot was back tonight, in full force. She looked magnificent and sounded even better.

An aside about the recording session - will someone confirm that they set up the recording studio in Neal's apartment? Mozzie welds in there, Neal uses a blow torch to char the inside of an oak barrel, and now it's a recording studio? Apparently the fourth floor of the Ellington Mansion is really a Requirements Room.

And then there's Diana as Cigar Girl. Who wouldn't appreciate her in the blonde wig, corset, fishnet stocking and high heels? And she smokes cigars? I did love her scene with the club owner and how they wax rhapsodic over music. It was good enough to quell my minor outrage over Diana once again being put into a sexualized role (she's been a prostitute and a runway model).

I suppose I should count Mozzie's shenanigans as some of the better moments of this ep - like how he just walks right into Chez Burke, his motor-mouth stunt in the taxi garage, the convenient way he gives a ride to the villain of the week. But honestly, he just annoyed me this week, and that's a shame.

A few words about the less-than-stellar moments of Empire City.

Elizabeth failed to come clean about getting Neal to lie to Peter. She sees how hurt her husband is, why isn't she making things right? She's got to know that Peter's not going to give up on this - not now. And Peter, someone needs to hit that man with a clue-by-four. El says she's happy that Neal lied to him - don't you at least ask her why?

And the last scene, where Neal discovers where the key leads to. Mozzie takes him to Queens. Which is miles and miles beyond Neal's two-mile radius. I guess, by this point, the tracker is just to track his movements? And doesn't Neal realize this? Guys - come on - there's so much handwaving going on with this ep that I'm going to need an MRI on both wrists.

Okay, Collars - what are your thoughts on tonight's episode? The thinky ones, the not-so-thinky ones, too. Do you find this episode as enjoyable as Tim's outing last year, or were you just meh about it?

Comments

[daria234.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed it.

Plotholes schmotholes lol, there are always plots and coincidences that don't make sense on this show ;)

I thought the ep was lovely and wonderful.

I also loved the scene with Diana and the club owner - Diana was smart, the 'bad guy' is not such a bad guy, and the conversation was snappy and succinct and revealing. I like that Diana played the 'cigarette girl' as bold and passionate and a lot like Diana (though I too am sick of them looking for excuses for Diana to be in sexy outfits). I love El, Diana, and Jones all working perfectly together to ask June to dedicate the song. I love all the jazz-love, Peter offering Jones Irish coffee, Neal swiping a cigar (Jones doing the same but leaving money), June telling Mozzie that she will never need his help to class it up, etc. I enjoyed Moz, especially when he and Neal had their perfectly in-sync fake fight to get the cab key. And Peter's impression of Moz' gesticulations. And of course the singing.

So basically TONS of little details that I found delightful.

But... Neal's lying to Peter, Peter's asking Jones to help him keep this secret from El, El's keeping a big relevant secret from Peter.... tangled webs.

[elrhiarhodan]

There were a lot of details I did love - about the cigars (Neal stealing, but Jones paying for one), everything with June, the bad guy not being so bad.

This one I need to rewatch - I'm not at my best at 10 pm anymore, so maybe my opinion of the ep will improve when I watch it at a more reasonable hour.

[meeni (from livejournal.com)]

everybody is keeping a secret and Elizabeth has joined the party....
Can i squee that Peter thinks Neal has a reason for lying to him? <3 Peter.
and tbh i wasn't thinking that this lying part will be extended..
other than that i enjoyed the episode..

even i thought that maybe June was ill and thanks TPTB to bring her back in her full form..

[elrhiarhodan]

The ep was enjoyable, just a little confusing at times. But that could be me, too - since I was very tired last night.

[tuppence1.livejournal.com]

I think they got from the dude at the taxi HQS to the Cotton Club by requesting the fake cab's genuine ledger, then having Mozzie note when the fares were no longer his, and then pulling up each stop by GPS. The club was the 3rd one or so. (I didn't know that about the Feds & parking tickets under Koch - thanks for the background.)

I am *loving* the nice screentime distribution for everybody in these past few episodes. We've had more El than we've had in quite some time, and we got some great Jones this evening (and yes he looks fabulous in casual clothes.) Diana got one of the bigger characterization conversations. All this and June.

Oh I love June. :) Another slight suspension of disbelief - was the vinyl record supposed to be a recording of 1960s June singing? Because if so....okay, Diahann Carroll is still flat out fucking amazing, and a better singer than 95% of the world, but the voice wears out over the years. From singing, from talking, if she ever smoked which was *far* more common in the 1960s. A June in her 70s is not going to sound like a June in her 30s. Granted, maybe some of the difference could be passed onto recording quality of the vinyl, and musicality, acting ability, and stage presence don't age. But I have a Diahann Carroll album from the 1950s, and one from the 1990s, and I can easily tell the difference.

(Diahann Carroll in the 50s...wow. One of the best singers I've ever heard. There is a REASON she got her professional breakthrough at the age of 18.)

In the category of "really Tuppence, this is just you" - was anyone else reminded slightly of the "Crystal Blue Persuasion" montage from Breaking Bad during the recording scene in Neal's apartment? (Well it was uptempo! And they were making stuff.) That was nicely directed by Tim D. He had a nice, consistent tone throughout (and no Yankee hagiography, which spoiled most of "Stealing Home" for me.) Tim did nice work with the guest stars too, and Angelo and Delmon had more character development than usual for guest characters.

This was a very quippy episode - more than usual. The opening scene, the jokes were flying back and forth. The episode as a whole felt very light (in a positive way.)

Yeah, the 2 mile radius is getting absolutely ridiculous. You'd think the Marshalls would complain, if nothing else. I guess Peter and Neal have enough cred with the authorities (at the moment) for Peter to say "he needs free run of the city for an investigation" or something like that.

So just to sum up: Neal's the wine maven, Peter's the beer maven (although he knows his wines too,) Jones is the whiskey AND cigar maven, El and Neal are fond of their rum, June likes her mimosas, and Mozzie will drink anything that doesn't drink him first....I vote Diana is the tequila expert. Sara can be the vodka expert. Alex can drink Absinthe in her villa.

[elrhiarhodan]

All good points, particularly about June's voice.

I've often thought that Neal's the Mary Sue's Mary Sue, but in truth, it's Moz that is the ultimate Mary Sue - there's nothing he can't do.

(And I love the idea of Diana as tequila expert - I want fic of her testing Mozzie's forged efforts. And getting drunk).

[sapphire2309]

I loved that the cityscapes aren't as repetitive as they usually are. Refreshing compared to the usual seen that =)
I wasn't sure about where the medallions were coming from either, who was behind it (aside from one of the brothers, i didn't get their names straight).
Little moments here and there made this episode for me -
Loved Peter flashing his TLC badge to get Neal and Moz out of the taxi. And Neal saying 'God bless the government' And Moz. Oh, just everything about that little scene!
I was wondering the same thing as tuppence1. I've read that the voice changes over time, which is why some voice trainers don't accept students under 14 or 18, one of the two. I probably can't spot that many potholes because I'm not american/living in america, but this one i did.
More later, maybe

[elrhiarhodan]

I think I read somewhere that they jazzed up the B-roll for this episode.

I do agree that it was the little moments, the non-plot points that made the episode, because the overall story was way too complicated. Too much depended on coincidence.

[winterstar95.livejournal.com]

Truth be told, the incomprehensible plot and pace really had me irked at this episode. It was so poorly written and so slow on its feel that I kept looking at the clock. Plus, I'd read in interviews with TDK that his character was lite in this episode due to his directing duties. Nope, I thought Neal was lite in the episode. I find any time they make an episode where Neal is in the background, I'm bored. At least he had good hair.

Only thing I liked about the episode was June. Everything else disappointed me. I actually sat there worried about the ratings and looking at the Suits previews thinking that show must be so much better. That is terrible of me and I apologize for saying it here. It just hurts that I haven't really enjoyed an episode yet during the winter airing.

Oh and I know why El doesn't come clean. But it is my theory and I will leave it at that.

Next show in two weeks looks like another repeat of kidnapping scenario, perhaps we need to put trackers on those two?

I am so sad about the show, I am not changing my icon. :(

[elrhiarhodan]

I am sorry you didn't like it at all. I did think that it's was a little Neal-light, but since I love the entire cast, that didn't bother me as much.

FWIW, I loathe Suits.

[sahiya.livejournal.com]

I watched a season of Suits and the gender dynamics were so gross I couldn't keep going. It glorifies a really destructive form of masculinity. Made me love WC even more.

[ladyrose42.livejournal.com]

First impression, if Neal was checking the view from Ellen's first apartment (assuming Roosevelt Island), isn't that out of his radius? Tho I do remember something about if he's working (?mon-fri) they don't worrry about, after hours 2 hour radius. Later, late to work.

[elrhiarhodan]

I always thought he needed to be with Peter or another agent to clear his radius, but maybe not.

Interesting.

[sarcasticcheese.livejournal.com]

I thought it was kinda MEH.

There were things I loved, most of which you already covered.

But as a whole, the episode was weak and not my favorite.

My favorite part of the episode or thing about the episode that it was one where EVERYONE is working together - El, Peter, Neal, Moz, Clinton, Diana and June. I love when that happens.

[elrhiarhodan]

I think this ep needs a rewatch - there are so many good points that it won't be too painful (unlike Brass Tacks).

[doctor-fangeek.livejournal.com]

While it won't make any top episodes lists for me, I basically just had a really fun time watching it. I liked the Neal & Mozzie bit at the beginning, and Jones getting to work with Peter, and, as another commenter wrote, the bit with Diana and the club owner (where she got to be smart and think on her feet and we got insight into the maybe bad guy). June was terrific. Neal & Mozzie's fake fight was a lot of fun (as was Peter pulling his TLC badge and ordering them out of the car).

I'm not so sure what to make of Elizabeth's strategy/behavior at this point, but I've got a few thoughts. Maybe she thinks that Peter will be more likely to take the danger to himself seriously if it's Neal trying to protect him than if it's her worries? And maybe she's let it go this far and just doesn't know how to tell Peter at this point. Perhaps, as someone suggested after the last episode, Elizabeth didn't really think of Neal lying to Peter as being such a big deal, since she wasn't aware of the line the two of them seem to have regarding Neal telling a "direct" lie? And that makes it harder to come clean?

In any case, I do like that Peter knows that something is up, and that he's concerned about it but has concluded that Neal must have some reason/logic behind what he's doing. And that they have acknowledged that Neal lying to Peter directly is significant. Tim said in a recent interview that this plot point will play out over the rest of the season, so we'll have to wait and see how that goes, I guess.

The one plot hole that actually is now bothering me is the radius thing, which I'm surprised I didn't notice during the show. I've been less bothered than some when they've been a little fuzzy about just what is in Neal's radius and what isn't, but this seems like a pretty big breach - as another commenter mentioned, we learned in an earlier episode that Ellen's place on Roosevelt Island is outside his radius, and in this episode he goes to Brooklyn *and* Queens looking for the skyline from the key. If he and Peter were still on the same page re: the key investigation, I could see Peter telling the Marshals that Neal was working a case and just to monitor, but they're not. If it's during regular work hours, I think they just monitor, but both times Neal is jaunting around town Peter and Jones are at the Burke's in casual clothes, so I presume it's the weekend. I could see Peter agreeing to let Neal out of his radius with the ulterior motive of following his movements because he knows Neal is investigating the key, but where's the part where Neal a) has a convincing story for Peter to sell the idea, and b) Peter sells agreeing reluctantly so that Neal isn't suspicious of *him*? Okay, my brain hurts now. :-)

So...final verdict...fun, mostly light episode with a lot of good ensemble work and what actually turned out to be some possibly good follow-up on the El tells Neal to lie to Peter sub-plot, but also with a plot hole that is now really bugging me.

[elrhiarhodan]

I think, after a good night's sleep, I really need to rewatch - if just to see the episode without making notes for the Dish.

I did a little research on Google Maps and got some interesting information.

We're now expected to believe that June's place is somewhere in Midtown, near Tudor City (and the Chrysler Building, natch). If that is true, then Neal's trip to the Queens Ferry terminal is actually just within his radius (it's 1.9 miles). If June's mansion is on Riverside Drive, it's five miles, and he's busted.

But that being said - why doesn't he think that Peter's not tracking him?

Sigh. Show, you have more plotholes than Blackburn, Lancastershire (pardon the overused Beatles reference)

[surreal-44.livejournal.com]

I liked it. I don't know that it'll ever be in my top ten, but I definitely look forward to watching it again. The plots of the show have always been weak, and this is one of the worst cases I've ever seen.

Fortunately, I loved all the character interactions, so that made up for a lot of things.

Everyone was in top form. I loved all the little moments of character interaction, from Mozzie and Neal in the taxi all the way to Diana and the bad guy.

June was amazing. Just beautiful and gorgeous, and I think Peter, Neal and Moz are all just a little in love with her.

I loved Peter and El in this episode. Unlike many fans, I enjoyed El's petty display last episode, and I am enjoying the fact that she still isn't able to come clean, and that she quite clearly doesn't know what to do now.

Peter is always at his best when he's 'competing' against Neal. It's wonderful to see that despite his knowledge that Neal is lying to him, there is no real anger. He's puzzled, but he's determined to help Neal see things through, even if Neal is trying to shut him out. He's not stupid; I'm going to bet that he's figured out his accident is playing a huge role in Neal's sudden desire to keep him out of the loop. He just hasn't quite connected that El may be the reason why Neal lied in the first place.

This episode has had some of the best one-liners since...well forever. "Three in the hand is better than none in the bush" almost killed me, as did Neal's response to it.

"Stay here, and don't get into trouble", followed by "I don't know why you even bother trying" also made me laugh. Poor Peter, always so hopeful that someone will listen to him.

And although the plot was twisty and kind of dull, I did love Tim's directing of this episode. Overall, I liked it.

[elrhiarhodan]

I think my initial dislike of the episode has more to do with the fact that I was really tired and was trying to make Dish notes instead of paying attention. Now, I still think the plot was way too Byzantine for 42 minutes, but there were a lot of truly wonderful bits.

Maybe on rewatch, Moz will be 100% less annoying.

[teaboyfan.livejournal.com]

You're not the only one who was confused about the medallion business; I still don't understand what was going on and why they had to make the melty one. And I watch White Collar mostly for Peter and Neal; a whole episode that was mostly Peter & Jones, and Neal & Mozzie, just isn't very interesting. And I will continue to be angry with Elizabeth until she tells Peter the truth.

On a much more positive note, I will re-watch this for June over and over. Diahann Carroll is such an icon. She is our equivalent of Japan's Living National Treasures, and I'd love to see such recognition for her.

All in all, not one of my favorite episodes, but White Collar is still better than 99% of current programming, so I'll shut up and enjoy it.

[elrhiarhodan]

Yeah - as meh as this ep seemed, it was still much better than so much of the rest of television.

And yeah, Diahann Carroll is an icon, a living national treasure.

[monkeyonthelam.livejournal.com]

Late to the party, but I didn't see this mentioned so I was wondering if anyone was thinking the same thing.

I liked that Peter knew enough about Neal's habits to know that there was a reason he lied in this fashion. I'm glad that Elizabeth didn't throw Neal completely under the bus during the conversation. I was worried that she was going to disavow Neal completely and tell Peter that she was upset that he lied. She even reasoned with Peter as to why Neal would lie about this and I think that this will make things easier for their reconciliation in the long run. Yes, I think Elizabeth had an error of judgement, but it was a human thing to do and at least she is consistent. I love that their marriage is so perfect, but to make it more realistic there has to be a crack somewhere. I just hope that crack doesn't become too big and that Peter and Elizabeth will be on the same page soon. Judging from next week's trailer they are going too have a lot of quality together time.

[elrhiarhodan]

All good points, and you're never too late to join the party.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

Not sure if you are interested, but it worked this way: Baby brother worked for the TLC. He took already registered taxi number from drivers who were unlikely to complain and sold them to the guy with the taxi service. So baby brother got the money normally the TLC would get, the guy with the taxi service got an official looking number which would even withstand cursoratory investigation for cheap (compared to what he would have to pay officially) and made his money by renting them out. The clup was just a drop - point....big brother didn't even know what was in the suitcases.

And as far as I understand, baby brother was the official owner of the club, so no problems with the alcohol licence...and I can believe that they somehow got the permission for the cigars. "historical important place" and all that. As far as I know, exceptions are possible if you know the right people.

The only thing which really bothered me was Neal extended radius...perhaps he was officially "on the clock"? He is free to go whereever he wants when he works, right?

I don't mind Diana as the Cigar Girl (or any other sexist rule), because they normally don't make the mistake of sexualizing her...sexy outfit or not, she normally plays her roles very matter of fact, without any encouraging sexual gestures, and the people who overlook her as important because she is just a pretty face, are the ones who look stupid in the end. As long as they don't put "Agent Diana" in a sexy outfit, they can do with "undercover Diana" whatever they want as long as she looks competent.

Not top ten material, but a really delightful ep. Even though I'm not a jazz fan.

[leonie-alastair.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed this episode. I even liked the medallion plot (the scene between Neal and Peter about the ice diamond for the czarina with Neal saying 'no' while nodding yes was great).

You are, of course, correct about Neal's apartment - that it is the room of requirement is the only explanation. I particularly like the way the mirror over the fire place is either one way glass or completely see through depending on the need of the occupants.

I've given up on the two mile radius. It's only important when the writers need a leash on Neal.

I'm pretty sure it is possible to get a liquor license after a felony conviction - I remember reading about it a million years ago when Steve Rubell got out of prison and opened The Palladium.

My single complaint had to do with how caucasian the taxi drivers all appeared. NY cabbies are almost all immigrants (around 90%), almost 40% are from Indian subcontinent and in my experience they're mostly sikhs. So what was with all the white guys standing around the garage and not a dastar in sight?

[elrhiarhodan]

Good point about the lack of racial accuracy! Perhaps the producers didn't want to stereotype?

Perhaps the laws have changed since the go-go disco era, and perhaps Rubell didn't own the license? The NYS Dept of Corrections website says:

3. FROM WHAT LICENSES AND EMPLOYMENT ARE OFFENDERS BARRED?

Legal bars to licenses and employment are contained in various laws enacted by the State Legislature. Some examples include ... licenses to sell liquor wholesale or retail ... This is not a complete list.

And I do agree, the two-mile radius is just a convenient plot point these days.

[damietta.livejournal.com]

I really like this episode. It was nice to get away from the father/son drama and just for the most part have a caper. I adore the character of June and it was nice to see Diahann a lot in this episode.

I am constantly amused at the many uses for Neal's apartment (although you really can turn a closet into a recording studio....I've done that in younger days). Not for a vinyl record, however!

Mozzie as a cab driver was funny and somehow of all the things he has been, that one makes sense.

Neal's tracker radius is a problem and just one sentence would have explained it. And, the deeper El goes into not telling Peter the more interesting it will be when she does reveal it.

Most of all I enjoyed this because everyone had a part to play!

[elrhiarhodan]

I do need to rewatch it. In my head, it was much better than it was when I first saw it.

I do agree that Moz is the perfect NYC cabbie - verbose and just a touch weird.

[kerrylang.livejournal.com]

Without reading any comment I want to say that I'm really annoyed about the anklet-thing. The very best scenes in season one and two were for me those scenes in which Peter threatens Neal to go back to jail if he does something stupid or if a case won't be solved with his help. And the best scenes were when Neal got a red light on his anklet and had to step back so he was again inside his radius. When did Neal become a "normal" citizen who can go wherever he wants? The fun of Neal's parole-rules is deminished and that I don't like.

I was bored by the case of the week, though I enjoyed some scenes but all in all it was nothing more than a filler. The best scenes were thoses of the hunt for the right building the key is supposed to fit. Neal was adoreable sitting in Mozzie's cab complaining over the taxameter and the dialogue was great as always but this ep didn't do it for me.

They all did their job well and Tim directed it great, although I don't see the excitement in that, because what is so special about who is directing an ep? If I was the director of that ep my first complain would have been: There is no smoking in clubs anymore! And as you said, Elr, there was so much off in that ep, it really is important not to think about it, or I would be really sad about what the show has become in this fourth season.

Don't get me wrong, I still love this show - dearly - but there really is a reason I re-watch season one and two so often! Please show go back to that light humor, charm and cases that involve fun and funny shenanigans. Sometimes I wish some kind of music box back!

That said, I'm looking forward to the last three eps, but maybe only to wrap this season up and looking forward to season five and hoping that Jeff Eastin takes a little more care of his baby. Maybe he is too much sidetracked with his new show. I really was afraid of that when I heard about "Graceland" being picked up. I really miss his writing.

What I want back as well, is cases Neal and Peter do their magic alone, like they did in so many cases in season one and two. It is too much, when the whole team and Mozzie and El are on the screen. It was okay when El was in the scene with the whiskey testing in 4x11, but she doesn't have to be in every case now. That annoys even me, although I'm fond of El.

Peter and Neal on the case, and Jones and Diana in the van, that was always fun and the bromance was deep but right now I'm not feeling any bromance and this has nothing to do with the story around the key or Neal having to lie to Peter. I'm missing scenes like in 2x01 and in 3x04 (only to mention two) when Peter and Neal do something totally awesome and funny to get to the criminal.

Show get back on track or we won't have you around either for a full fifth season or a sixth season.

That's my opinion and I'm sorry if I see it a little dark right now.

[elrhiarhodan]

Something I found out AFTER posting my Dish.

We are supposed to believe that Neal lives near the Chrysler Building, near Tudor City, not on the Upper West Side as stated in Pilot. If that is true, then his jaunt to the Queens Ferry Terminal in Long Island City is still within his radius - just barely.

But that doesn't solve the overall problem of Neal travelling to Brooklyn in Mozzie's cab.

Perhaps Neal isn't on alert during the daytime? On weekdays?

But I do agree with you that this is no the Peter and Neal show that I fell in love with - way too much Neal-Moz. But given that Tim was behind the camera for most of the episode, it doesn't surprise me.

Which means that every season now will have two weak eps - the one where Tim is AWOL for his prep and the other where he's directing. Oh, well.

I do have to disagree with you about Elizabeth - she was too absent in much of the first half. I like her involvement as long as it doesn't stretch the bounds of credulity (a la Neighborhood Watch) - and it doesn't.

Yes, I want my Peter-Neal Show back. NOW!!!!

[maiac.livejournal.com]

this whole episode was just an excuse to have the utterly wonderful, extraordinarily talented Miss Diahann Carroll sing, and sing and sing some more

Definitely the best part of the episode. June singing Billie Holliday! Huzzah!

I like the fact that everybody had an active role, not just an appearance. Although it annoys me that most of Diana's undercover roles make her a sex object, but I snickered when she said she had to "reload" her cigar tray. No matter how she's dressed, her mind's never far from guns.

I think maybe the club's ownership is in the name of the honest brother, and there was no reason to deny Honest Brother a liquor license. But yeah, we got our weekly quota of White Collar Handwaving.

The big, "Wait, what?!?" for me is that the key's skyline was something from Neal's adult life. Didn't Ellen tell him about The Clue In The Locket in the videotape she recorded when he was still a wee child? Are we supposed to assume that she changed The Clue every year on his birthday, or something?

[lokifan]

There were parts I loved. I really, really hated the "a GYPSY" line from Mozzie. Not okay.

[virgo-79.livejournal.com]

This ep was actually my favorite of the last three. The previous two I found pretty boring. This one I enjoyed. I'll agree I didn't quite get the whole medallion thing, but TBH, I often don't really get the intricacies of the cases on this show -- white collar crime gets convoluted, IMO -- but that isn't what I watch for, so it's cool.

What I loved about this week's ep, that doesn't often happen, is that I could really get into the story of the two brothers. Del was a very sympathetic character, and for the most part, the antagonists on this show are pretty generic. I loved his scene with Diana.

I liked the ensemble action in this ep. Everyone got to have a moment. And there was a lot of humor in this one -- something else that's been lacking since we came back from the break.

I'm still pissed about what, in my opinion, is the total train wreck that's been made of Elizabeth's character, but I'm just doing my best to watch the show around her now, and in spite of that little thorn, I really liked this ep.