Post-Ep Dish - S5.06 - Ice Breaker

[elrhiarhodan]

I am almost completely unspoiled for this ep. Something to do with Russians and ice skating??? Will we get to see Neal in lycra? Or better, Peter in lycra? Or maybe Moz (not in lycra) is making counterfeit vodka? (Yes, yes, I know that good vodka comes from everyplace BUT Russia). Or maybe this episode will bring my SPQR'verse back to life.

Anyways...after four seasons of Dishing, you all know the drill! Play nice and remember ... .

Welcome back, Rebecca, and talk of cutting all the strings.

Oooh, Neal in a white shirt, on a beach. Lovely.

Speaking Russian! I guess that's one of his nine language.

Neal in cuffs, lovely! And Neal is still in cuffs in the back of the car. Or maybe not!

Dom!Peter is delicious.

Doris Day parking??? He's a fan? Huh? Don't get the reference. And Peter is MY age.

Moz is working on the codex - and what?

Peter does the talking. A routine visit??

Peter at ten...sweet. Kidfic anyone?

And yet, Neal does the talking! Neal McCullogh and Peter Nebbins… The Alias Savant strikes again!

Help them harness their own natural talents…

Love how Peter falls into character.

And then not…

No time for Peter to pay dressup.

Agent Goirzner...why do I think that Mozzie is going to don a badge and a Suit? And I'm right. Moz looks pretty good in a suit - a certain sartorial flair.

And Peter's pulling a Neal - becoming an expert figure skating coach. But I love that El and Peter's second date was ice skating - and she can't skate.

June!!!!!!!!! So good to see you, and you're looking so good!

Hughes had a retirement party… Peter did three whole shots! (I'm glad they keep mentioning Hughes...maybe he'll be back?)

Peter having to eat his favorite food… Cavier and pickled mushrooms.

Rutroh!

Hmmm, why keep pulling the con on Rebecca? I have the feeling she'd help out, just because.

Peter looks like he's feeling no pain…

I don't like the silliness with Moz and June...it feels all so unnecessary. I thought we were supposed to be done with the silliness and slapstick comedy routines. Enough already!

Love drunk Peter…"Are you inebriated?" Yes, clearly you are! And tossing Neal the keys again

But clearly you're NOT! Smart peter is smart.



A stack of ASAC files, the size of an oddly shaped files.

El's not happy. She's worried about Peter.

"We good?" She doesn't answer. Interesting. As miri_thompson commented to me, "I saw as a very realistic and genuine bit of conflict between Peter and El--when she expressed how upset she was that his promotion didn't keep him behind a desk and out of fieldwork ."

(Okay - I forgot that Katya knows that Peter is an FBI agent. That's how Peter can make this work.)

Love how freaked out Neal was by the gun.

And of course Peter is a star hockey player. Why not? In White Collar land, there's nothing that Peter or Neal can't do. But Peter does look with a big stick in his hand. *snerk*

And another Rutroh! He almost walked into the guy they snagged in the opening scene...yikes.

Peter never misses… It's canon!

NEAL IN VEST!!!!! Okay, not as great as Neal in the butler's uniform from last week, but still HOT.

I don't like how they are so willing to put a civilian in the line of fire.

Sammy Jordache? Why does that name sound familiar? Maybe too much bad 1980's fashion?

And Jones to the rescue!

And Katya rescues herself - nice! Have to say that they've definitely upped the violence quota this season - that takedown was messy and kind of scary. Peter's pulled his gun in the last three episodes - has that happened before, and not just in the "FBI Freeze" kind of way?

So jones and Peter were able to trace Neal to the chiropractor's office, in midtown manhattan. I love the fantasy geography of the Five Boroughs. A cab from Brighton Beach, Brooklyn to Midtown - that's like a 90-minute trip. Neal should have taken the subway. About a 25 minute train ride. Hmmmm.

Not your type, doesn't want to rob, arrest or charge you with insurance fraud. HAH! But good advice, Moz - keep you're heart off your sleeve. I don't think Neal is listening, though.

Peter sees all! He knows that something's up.

Ahhh - the memorial wall. Peter looks like he's about to cry.

Awww - Neal is falling for Rebecca and she's a (fellow) felon! He's so falling in love. And you know what, I am, too. She's sweet but not cloying - she knows she's out of her depth with Neal, but Neal's falling hard and fast and I think he's going to end up in worse shape that he was after Kate. Mark this thought.

And apparently Mosconi suffered from triskadekaphobia? No chapter 13 anywhere? So what did Hagen have Neal steal?

Awww, Peter's teaching El to skate. It smells like our second date? Huh? But anyway, a sweet and romantic ending.

I think I missed a lot - both in the Ep and on the Dish (trying to watch and type at the same time is hard, I'm not such a good multitasker as Peter) ...forgive me?

Anyway, I'd give this a solid B … the main story was kind of meh, but the side stories were good (except for the slapstick with June and Moz).

Okay, Collars - what do you have to say? Share your thoughts, thinky and not-so-thinky.

Comments

[joy2190.livejournal.com]

I guess one advantage of being hours behind you all is that your commentaries are posted by the time our 10PM broadcast is done.

I share your sentiment that we don't want Moz in Lycra! I'm glad this week's Mozzie outfit was more dressed-up than dress-up. He looked good as an FBI boss.

I like Rebecca a lot. Can't help feeling that this whole scam Neal and Moz are playing on her is a house of cards about to fall at any moment. It looks like it will be heartbreak all around.

And Peter and Jones are getting closer and closer to busting Neal. He must know by now that Peter will get there soon.

Okay, educate me please, what does rutroh mean? I'll get my cringe in now as I'm sure it's obvious!

[elrhiarhodan]

"Rutroh" is a jokey reference to Scooby-Doo, a sort of comment to false tension!

I can't imagine that Neal doesn't realize that Peter's not all that far behind him. I think, maybe, deep down, he's hoping for that.

[meeni (from livejournal.com)]

I'm liking Rebecca but part of me says to be wary of her...Mozzie's paranoia getting to me,LOL

and i agree with you there was no need to con her actually..

i still dont know what the episode was all about..I loved Peter as the coach though( really they do know every field? )

And yes Thankfully Elizabeth said it out loud that she is not comfortbale with him getting out in the field everyday..(otherwise i'd have had to assume it)

Liked the ending though:)

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

It's not just you...I am totally convinced that she is conning Neal and half-way sure that she is the one who killed Siegel.

I get El's worries, but jealous El doesn't work for me at all. I liked it better when she was laughing about Peter's attempts to flirt.

[elrhiarhodan]

I don't know if I can see Rebeccah as a killer, but it might be plausible that she's the one conning Neal.

And his heart will be shattered, I think.

(rubs hands in anticipation of the angst)

[droodlebug.livejournal.com]

I have suspected from the beginning that Rebecca is running her own con. It strikes me as the familiar television device of putting a pair of glasses on a beautiful woman and expecting us to believe that she is plain and awkward. When she whips them off she will reveal herself to be a savvy, gorgeous villain (and break Neal's heart, poor boy).

[elrhiarhodan]

putting a pair of glasses on a beautiful woman and expecting us to believe that she is plain and awkward. When she whips them off she will reveal herself to be a savvy, gorgeous villain

Isn't that the Clark Kent syndrome - a pair of glasses automatically makes you think "dork"?

[droodlebug.livejournal.com]

Exactly. The Clark Kent version has an added element--we're also unable to recognize him when he wears his glasses. Maybe it's just me but I can usually figure out who people are with or without their specs, lol.

[elrhiarhodan]

The case of the week was definitely secondary to all the character goodies...

And I love how realistic the issues between Peter and El were this week. She worries about him, naturally - and she's upset that his promotion, which should have meant that she didn't need to worry so much anymore, didn't change a thing.

And yes, the ending was very sweet.

[kanarek13]

Hmmm... I guess I'm gonna be all incoherent re: this ep. I loved it, didn't care much about the case, the boys were too delicious for that :D

Peter on skates - yes ♥ Also, loved Neal's island outfit in the opening scene... and Peter being a bit reluctant in taking off the cuffs :D (yes, dom!Peter is delicious, indeed ♥) And I have to say that throughout the entire ep Peter was giving Neal these glances, he is clearly intrigued by Neal's shenanigans and he definitely wants to get to the bottom of it, but to me Peter was totally giving off the vibe that instead of arresting Neal he'd much rather give him a solid spanking :P \o/

Also, the evil part of me kinda wants Rebecca to do a number on both Neal and Moz. I don't know, she doesn't bother me, she is easy to like, and yet my brain only seems to want to go in the direction that she is Hagen's girl and they are both playing our boys to the max :P

I'm really looking forward to seeing where it all goes ♥

Squeee, I am so loving this season :D

[sinfulslasher]

but to me Peter was totally giving off the vibe that instead of arresting Neal he'd much rather give him a solid spanking

YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111!!!ELEVENTY-ONE!!!

[elrhiarhodan]

There was a lot of deliciousness here - particularly in the character development department - hints of wee!Peter, courtship backstory, Dom!Peter not taking the cuffs off, mouthy Bottom!Neal doing it for him.

And I do like the idea of Rebecca playing Neal and Moz - I don't know if I can wrap my brain around her being a stalking horse for Hagen, but maybe?

[kanarek13]

Yeah, part of me keeps telling myself that it's kinda a bit too big of a plot for WC, but then again, they do love to drop huge bombs... and then pretend the damage was minimal and doesn't require much follow up :P

Well, if they add any twist to her character, whether she is working for Hagen or maybe she is simply following her own agenda and trying to outsmart Hagen as well - I'm gonna love it to bits \o/ :D

Oh, if any of these scenarios come true, Neal's gonna need a lot of hugs and cuddles ♥

Also, wasn't Matty breathtakingly beautiful when he was laughing during that meeting with Rebecca? *happy sigh*

[kerrylang.livejournal.com]

I comment here because we both are in sinc right now. I loved this ep!!!! :)

It feels so much like season one. Yeah, it's like the music box. Of course, Peter is different but he has all the right to be suspicious. I know I contradict myself here but I got over the "it's not the bromance I loved and miss".

They are like they are in this season, they have their moments and they will be back sooner or later, I'm sure of that, but right now it just fits.

Peter and El were wonderful and I love then being season one, too.

El being upset is understandable, I couldn't be with a man in this job. He last scene was cute.

Now two weeks wait, argh, don't want that.

[sinfulslasher]

I admit, most of this ep confused me. It may be cuz I'm still feeling crappy or because, well, I don't usually pay much attention to the, uh, plot (too much shiny stuff to distract me! *ogles Matty*) but it didn't grab me the way the first 5 eps did.

It wasn't a bad ep, mind you. I just got a bit of whiplash after last week's ep, because this one felt as if it should've happened chronologically before the butler one. I'm all for a little mistrust and cat-and-mouse play between my boys, but all of it was missing last week (which was awesome in its own right) and now it's back full force. *scratches head*

I like Rebeccah for the most part, though I didn't particularly miss her either. Guess they do need to shove a love interest in our faces each season, and I'll gladly take her over Alex. Not to mention Sara!!!

I'm sure people are going to hate El again, though I felt she was very "real" in this ep. I can understand her reluctance and unhappiness. But Peter and El skating at the end was adorable. *smishes them*

I'm really glad they didn't make Neal into a former ice skating prodigy. (Okay, so Matty probably doesn't know how to skate the way Tim does, so there was that.) It's nice to see there's something Neal can't do. LOL!

Was thrilled to see June again (finally!!!) and suit!Moz did look damn fine. Gonna be interesting to find out about this ominous chapter 13...

As for the previews for the next ep...really not sure I'm liking this... :(

[kanarek13]

Oh, Ara and I were just emailing each other about this... They definitely switched the order of the episodes, Master Plan was initally supposed to be episode 5x02, which makes it look like Siegel wasn't about to make an appearance until ep 3 or so... but I guess due to the shortened season and the luck of filming eps out of order, they added the last scene of 5x01 to introduce Siegel already in ep 2, and Master Plan was pushed as post-Siegel ep.

And when we were in NYC, the episode they were filming at that time was supposed to be 5x04 but ended up being 5x02... so basically the chronology is all over the place :D

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Didn't we watched the one ending being episode 3? Since Siegel was shot under that tropical rain on friday while we were stalking Peter?

Also, I don't know what's gonna happen arc-wise in the next episode, but for now I actually feel they should have switched 5 and 6.

[elrhiarhodan]

The plot for the case of the week was actually a little more coherent than last weeks, but it just wasn't one I found myself caring about.

Maybe because of the lack of lycra on either Peter or Neal???

I don't know if people are going to hate on El for this - I think her concerns are very real. She's been through hell the past few years - the kidnappings (all three of them), Peter's accident, his arrest, his suspensions - and now Siegel's murder. I think that it's time for her to show her cracks.

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

I thought this was another winner. This is classic White Collar with Neal and Peter working seamlessly together, well except when Neal is working multi-tasking so to speak.

Yes, Peter is getting closer and closer to pinning something on Neal but the thing is that it's got to come out that if Neal goes to prison the house of cards could collapse and Peter could end up back there as well.

Neal's eight languages are, I think: English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Japanese, Latin and conversational Swahili. I think that he would probably be familiar with Hebrew as well and maybe Arabic, also Chinese. Peter doesn't know everything.

I wasn't a Rebbecca fan at first but I'm beginning to warm to her. She wasn't so taken by Neal that she dismissed his possible culpability.

Also, Neal owes her, big time. She did nothing wrong. It wasn't even carelessness that got her fired, and to be blacklisted as well; her chosen career is over because of Neal's actions.

I have to say, I love the way Neal perked up when she mentioned her night in a jail cell. He really connected on that one.

The Mosconi Codex, I hope that doesn't turn into another amber music box. Mosconi wasn't known for finishing anything from what I read and I was dreading "the greatest wealth in the world." So Masconi could have actually written chapter 13 in the codex alone or it was inserted at a later date, not by Mosconi. If he did write it then there's odds that something is in that chapter. If it was inserted afterwards by someone other than Mosconi then it's another amber music box thing. But, if Mosconi didn't write then the "greatest wealth in the world," is not in chapter 13 but still in the book, hmmmm.

El's disquiet/discomfort/anxiety seems to be growing and she can't blame it all on Peter's involvement in Neal's life anymore. This last was all Peter and she knows it.

Okay, I wonder if Peter gets a warrant to search around the Chiropractor's office and finds that Teddy White is a patient? Hmmmm.

I liked the little memorial to Siegel but I think it would have both strengthened their bonds and stretched their bonds at the same time if Neal was with them.

Peter taking El ice skating on their second date? Wow, brave man, especially when she doesn't know how to skate. I love that he can do that though, ride a horse, evaluate wine, recruited by the Twins, ice skate, dance. That man has so many hidden talents. With Neal you kind of expect him to have all these skills, actually any skill he would have needed to commit his crimes. But Peter never talks about any of his accomplishments, except catching Neal and just to annoy Neal.

Anyway, I loved the episode and just wish Amazon would put it up already so I can rewatch it.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

So that Mosconi thing is real? I tried to google it but couldn't find anything...

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

Mosconi was real, Judah Leon ben Moses Mosconi (born 1328) was a scholar and Talmudist born at Ohrid. He traveled the known world and was deeply into metaphysics. However a lot of his work was left unfinsihed. One of his works may have been a codex but I didn't see anything of the sort. Just like there was an amber room but no amber music box.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :-)

[elrhiarhodan]

Judah Leon ben Moses Mosconi Very interesting, but do you think it's the same Mosconi????

I'm not so sure. I have the feeling that this Mosconi was a modern day eccentric - given the Art Deco feel to his books. And why would a 14th century Talmudist scholar have his works on display in a museum ostensibly dedicated to modern art.

[sinfulslasher]

It's not the same Mosconi. Was it Eastin or one of the writers who said that they had gone through different names but couldn't get a clearance so they finally came up with Mosconi. It never sounded as if they were naming the Codex after an actual person, they were just looking for some name to make it sound interesting, and settled on Mosconi.

I'm now wondering if the "13th" chapter Neal stole is actually the 14th. He did count tabs, after all. Every chapter had a cover sheet, so why not the one Neal stole? MY BRAIN. IT IS CONFUZZLED.

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

When he pushed it out, it did say "13". (It reads a lot dirtier than it did whan I wrote that.)

Well, since its not the Mosconi I thought it was it's even more mysterious. "The greatest wealth" has a plethora of meanings. I'd love it if it wasn't a thing, not anything shiny or man made, but a philosophy or some wisdom. I was even thinking that there could be "see footnote 10 on page (whatever) of chapter 14."

Or what would really be great, "The greatest wealth is a true friend," or some derivation of that. Oh, wouldn't that knock the socks off of Neal, and maybe other articles of clothing as well.

[teaboyfan.livejournal.com]

Tim DeKay can ride and ice-skate! And dance and sing too. Matt's incredible beauty overshadows him a bit, but he could outshine most other actors I can think of. The main impression I took away from this episode was awe at Tim, but I also liked Mozzie as Agent Unpronouceable, and Elizabeth's very plausible distress at Peter's basically unchanged working conditions. And she really can't blame that on Neal any more; it's Peter's choice. And it was great to have June back.

One thing I didn't get: how did Peter and Jones track Neal to that one particular office in that building where someone so conveniently dropped the FBI pen?

[elrhiarhodan]

I think that Jones said he tracked Neal from traffic cameras - he was filmed getting into a taxi on the Coney Island boardwalk and they tracked that cab into Midtown Manhattan.

[teaboyfan.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Then I guess they just went into all the offices in the building until he found the pen so conveniently.

[maiac.livejournal.com]

I'm just boggled that Neal was careless enough to drop the FBI pen, and that he apparently hasn't realized he's lost it. Good grief.

[droodlebug.livejournal.com]

Sort of regarding your dish comment:

"Peter at ten...sweet. Kidfic anyone?"

Got me thinking...I would love a fic where Peter is temporarily physically de-aged but still bosses Neal around as usual, and Neal still has to do as he says even though he finds it a little embarrassing.

[elrhiarhodan]

Sweet idea...and I think the late, great ursula4x might have written that...

And yes, I did find it: When I Was a Child.

I'm pretty sure that this was my introduction to the whole de-aged trope.

[droodlebug.livejournal.com]

I had forgotten about that story. Geez, I miss Ursula and her stories.

Thanks for bringing it back for review. In that one, Neal has the fleeting thought of spanking Peter when he's being difficult but he quickly dismisses the idea. I wouldn't mind the reverse where de-aged Peter has the impulse to give Neal a whack on the ass (and maybe doesn't have the self-control to stifle his impulses).

[doctor-fangeek.livejournal.com]

I liked the episode. It didn't grab me in quite the same way that a few of the others so far have, but it was enjoyable.

Any episode that starts out with Neal getting arrested (fake or otherwise) gets at least one gold star in my book. :-) And I really enjoyed the whole sequence from when Jones hands Neal over to Peter to when Neal hands Peter the cuffs. I will readily admit to having a thing for Neal in handcuffs, but there was also the interesting conversation that ensued, and Neal sort of poking at Peter with the, "She encouraged me to be the man I really am" (the man you also told me I am?). Plus a Charlie Brown reference!

Kid!Peter the hockey player!

Adult!Peter: "A skating coach?!?!?"

El: "Let me get this straight. You need to be an expert figure skating coach. In one day."

On a purely shallow note, I must reiterate one of Elr's points: Neal in a vest! I *love* him in a 3-piece suit. Payback, anyone?

I am thinking that pulling the con on Rebecca, at least in terms of what happens when she shows up at the FBI office, is to keep her away from Peter - the less he knows/hears/thinks about Neal's previous interaction with Rebecca the better. And Neal *is* pretty much responsible for getting her fired, so I suspect he's reluctant to come clean with her.

I literally LOL'd at the Sammy Jordache line (and go, Jones!).

I like Rebecca, and I loved Neal's reaction to her story about having "done time."

I'm actually curious about what's up with the Codex and the mysterious Chapter 13.

Also, Neal in that white shirt. Neal in that white shirt and handcuffs. Neal's eyes when he's talking to Rebecca at the fake office (that blue shirt was a great wardrobe choice). Neal in the vest.

Also, also...Peter in all of the casual outfits, both at home and while he's being a skating coach. This was an aesthetically pleasing episode in that regard. :-)

[elainasaunt.livejournal.com]

Just finished watching it. It made me squirm a little - and mostly not in the good way. I just felt vaguely uncomfortable for most of it, like things aren't right. The only moment where I could really put my finger on the reason was El's jealous comment about the figure skater. I mean, yuck, really?

[elrhiarhodan]

I kind of let El's jealousy slide - more because the issues she brought up afterwards made sense to me.

She's been through a lot - three kidnappings, four suspensions, her own arrest (going all the way back to S1), Peter's "accident", his arrest, Siegel's murder...I'm not surprised she's a little traumatized.

But I do agree, there was a lot of the ep that didn't quite "click" with me.

[maiac.livejournal.com]

Watching El's "jealous scene", I suddenly decided that she's not jealous, she's terrified her husband is going to get killed while working a case, but she expresses it as jealousy because he can sincerely reassure her there's nothing to be jealous about; he can't promise her he'll stay out of the field. So now I'm more sympathetic when she says those silly things.

[elainasaunt.livejournal.com]

Well, when I think about it, that's a very reasonable interpretation of the scene. I might have to watch it again.

[virgo-79.livejournal.com]

I loved how outright "Dad and Kid" Neal were in the shouting match at the beginning. Peter was voicing his suspicions, and Neal just went into full-on "what are you gonna do about it" mode. It's a different kind of tension than I can remember ever seeing between them before. Peter was pissed, but it wasn't FBI pissed -- there was a lot of concern there.

[damietta.livejournal.com]

Did anyone else think Matt's "prison bitch" line as an ad lib? The way he laughed and looked over to the side (like a kid in trouble) was funny.

[meeni (from livejournal.com)]

Yes..I did :D

[sheenianni.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I liked this episode! The opening scene was just perfect and fun :D I even enjoyed the case - we've probably had better ones, but the ice-skating was fun to watch and I liked Katya and her moments with Peter. Although, did you expect like me that Neal would somehow steal some of the "perfect passport" making equipment, or was it just me? Anyway.

Neal really seems to be falling in love again... I just hope it doesn't turn out like his previous romances - with separation as the best case and heartbreak or death as the worst. I do wonder about Rebecca... is she all she seems to be or not? A part of me really thinks that she's running a con on both Neal and Mozzie... The other possibility is that she's exactly what she seems to be - and in that case I have a really bad feeling about this.

There are quite a few parallels between her and Kate, so - will Neal bring Rebecca down to his criminal world, something which (long-term perspective) in the end got Kate killed? Or will she be smart enough to say no - and then what then? Even ignoring the Hagan/Siegel/recent-crimes-committed-by-Neal issue, I don't really see how this can end well - someone's always getting hurt here.

On a somewhat unrelated note - I'm still missing Siegel. It's weird, but I really miss him. Pity there's no way to bring him back (except for zombie!fanfiction).

Also, I've been a tad peeved at how the show treats Mozzie and June lately. It's not all the time, but here and then they just make them into "comic relief" or whatever, and it feels almost insulting to the characters. Although Mozzie playing an FBI agent was great :D

Liked the Peter-El moments here, and it plays well into the characteriastion of El.

And what's with the chapter 13? Hmmmm!!!

[scarym1.livejournal.com]

I like your Kate reference. I had the same thought as I was watching the ep for the 2nd time.

I also have the feeling that she is not as innocent as she appears. That maybe she is pulling a long con and using his guilt to her advantage. Neal did say last week that "emotion is the con man's sweet spot" Despite Mozzie's warning he is wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Either way I don't think it will be a happy ending for her.

[maiac.livejournal.com]

Figure skating!!!!!!!!! ::iz ded:: I loved the skating and the skating babble. I laughed and laughed.

There were some fun moments: Neal slipping off the cuffs. Peter being drunkenly bossier than usual. An appearance by June (not enough of an appearance, but it was still good to see her.) Peter being surprisingly convincing as a skating coaching, and unsurprisingly badass at hockey. Also, Peter knowing just how to push the bad guy's buttons. Mozzie as a Suit. Katya rescuing herself. (I hope she goes on to win a champtionship!) El and Peter figure skating. OMG, El and Peter actually shared a real kiss, not those brief smacking pecks (like earlier in the show) that say "Bye, hon, I'm late for work!" instead of "Let's go find someplace horizontal."

The opening scene with the passport vendor had me wondering. I began to suspect the FBI knew what Neal was up to when I saw the passport was for Nick Halden; he's used that name in FBI operations too often for it to be a useful alias for anything else.

Peter, Peter, Peter. You should know by now that whenever you say, "Let me do the talking," Neal will take over and will put you in an awkward situation. (But clever Peter is clever! He stepped right up to it. I think he enjoys the challenge of being tossed in head-first a little too much.)

I'm still not sure what I think of Rebecca. I wonder how long Neal can keep up the pretense with her. And I really can't decide whether Rebecca herself is Up To Something.

What, indeed, did Neal steal for Hagen? (Neal stole the 13th chapter, which doesn't mean it's numbered 13. Or does it have the number 13 on it, and I just haven't been paying attention?)

And how could Neal drop the FBI pen and not even notice? Does he know by now that he's lost it?

[sahiya.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I appear to be in the minority that I didn't love this episode. It felt like there were a bunch of elements that never quite gelled, and though I love figure skating, that whole thing felt so silly I couldn't get past it. But I've so enjoyed the others this season, maybe it just felt a bit "meh" in comparison. I did like the scene between El and Peter. That felt very real and not at all over the top.

I really, really hope that Rebecca has her own agenda and is conning Neal. Otherwise the whole thing squicks me and I cannot get on board. What I loved about Sara is that they were always equals and she always knew exactly what she was getting into with Neal, and she wasn't afraid to cuff him upside the head when she needed to. Rebecca seems very smart, but so far at least she's way too innocent. It skeeves me out that she's a mark. But you all might be right - she might be playing Neal (either for Hagan or for her own reasons).

[slytheringurrl.livejournal.com]

You are probably one of the few people that still likes Sara :) and I wasn't a huge fan of the ep. either. I felt that it really didn't contribute to some of the stuff that's bigger in the season such as Siegel dying or Hagan. I want to see more of Hagan and how Neal's going to deal with that in the future.

[sahiya.livejournal.com]

I think there are plenty of people who still like Sara! But I'm trying not to get too upset about her not being there or too hopeful that we might get her back. I'm willing to like Rebecca, but I'm just not overly thrilled with how it's being set up.

We'll see, though, how it plays out.

[yumenoko.livejournal.com]

Just jumping in late to say I totally agree. I've been trying to give Rebecca the benefit of the doubt, but unless she's got a con of her own -- or one with Hagen, Keller, etc. -- I'll be really annoyed that Neal supposedly falls so hard for her. You've hit the nail on the head on my opinion of Sara, she had a backbone and didn't let him get away with any sh*t. ;) I just don't see Rebecca as a worthy equal for him on so many levels. Maybe the writers will give her some actual substance, but it has to be soon, as my days on the fence with her are numbered.

[scarym1.livejournal.com]

I love the scene (that I have watched quite a few times already) at the beginning where Peter comments about the missing 2 Million Dollars & that Dr. Summers had "the tendencies to take bad guys who want to be good and turn them into worst guys."

Love the shot where we see Peter's expression in the rear-view mirror. It is like he is really taking a good look at Neal & seeing that there is more going on here than Neal doing cons behind his back.

I have had a bad feeling about Rebecca ever since she first appeared. It would fascinating & angsty to see Neal "conman extraordinaire" Caffery get conned.