Post Ep Dish - S5.10 - Live Feed
Jan. 9th, 2014 10:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
This is the ep I've been longing for and dreading in equal amounts. My heart has been aching since the end of No Good Deed, and watching the promos and sneak peeks has made the pain all that much worse.
I didn't know how they'd repair the damage after El had been kidnapped, how they were able to reunite after Judgment Day, but the hurt and distress I've been experiencing these last few weeks tells me that I'm way too invested in White Collar. That's not to say I'm not loving the angst, but I need it fixed NOW, STAT.
(And news about renewal/non-renewal will really help, too).
That being said, I've decided not to do a live squee-type dish. There's too much at stake to miss even a word (which does happen frequently when I'm distracted).
So - I'll be doing more of a best moments (and a bit of a rant) wrap up...it will likely be short and I hope, coherent.
1 - One of the things that has always been lacking has been any sustained light on the characters' inner thoughts, especially the darker ones. Peter's pain, his confusion, his dilemma as we're watching him in that jogging scene was a payoff for everything I've missed for the past five years. Of course, the sweat and chest porn doesn't hurt.

2 - The Moz-Hagen exchanges. "I thought you'd be shorter." Shades of Peter's first meeting with Mozzie in Flip of the Coin. And the second conversation between Hagen and Moz is even better. The seemingly random comment about tigerfish eating alligators is brilliant. We always focus on Tim and Matt's acting, forgetting for a moment just how brilliant an actor Willie is. His loathing and contempt for Hagen is chilling. Yes, Sheppard plays the villain perfectly, but Moz's outrage makes you remember that this it the guy took out a contract on Matthew Keller. And the gun slap on those Columbian drug dealers. And who stood down Frank DeLuca Jr. He's a hell of a lot more than just the quirky friend.
3. The anger and pain between Peter and Neal is stunning. Peter is trying so hard not to remember why he loves this man (and in this context, as a friend). Neal so desperately wants to repair what is broken.
4. Peter talking to Jones about Neal. I never thought I'd say this - but Peter's really, really, really hurting me. His words to Jones - about Neal being the next ASAC's problem, telling Jones not to take Neal on - that's really cutting it close. I still understand his pain, but this level of cruelty is dismaying. Of course, Neal really pushed at Peter's buttons earlier, and Peter's still grieving for the death of his integrity, but still...
And for those who are thinking/saying that Jones is behaving out of character, I disagree. Jones' first loyalty is towards the Bureau and his oath. Coming up a very close second is his loyalty to Peter. He's been watching Peter mop up after Neal for years, and he's finally fed up with it. I don't blame him.

5. I know that the show has played fast and loose with NYC geography for years, but when they pull up a map of lower Manhattan and expect us to think it's Brooklyn is a bit too much. Plus Neal and Moz getting from Riverside to Brooklyn in ten minutes is simply nuts. NUTS!
6. Hagen and Peter - that scene was superlative. Peter's barely contained anger, Hagen's smug contempt. Neal's terror at his sudden exposure. (Oh, wait - you thought I was talking about the interrogation room scene). And then...
BANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very high bodycount this season. Don't know how I feel about that.
7. Which leads me to Rebecca. From almost the moment of her introduction, I felt like she'd been tailor made to appeal to Neal. I really, really, really didn't think I was quite THAT right. Since her volte-face after Neal confessed to her, I was convinced that she was working with Hagen. Others, though, have said that Hagen was working for her. I wasn't so sure about that - but now...the evidence is crystal clear.
And whoever she is, she's pretty damn good. She fooled Neal, and more importantly, she fooled Mozzie.
Now - we need to resolve Peter and Neal, get them back on the same page. Neal has to confess to what he did with Hagen, Peter has to accept that his friend saved his ass at the cost of his father. He also has to tell Bruce he's not going to DC. And it has to be because he wants to stay in NY.
And we need Diana, STAT. Please.
Overall, this was a stellar episode, despite the pain between the boys. It was tight and gripping (and I will be venturing into pornographic territory if I continue) and had me on edge for every moment. Maybe tomorrow I'll have some more coherent thoughts. Right now, I'm in sort of a daze.
Okay, folks...you know the drill. Thinky, not-so-thinky, no bashing (even though I share some pain with you over Peter's words).
Three more eps. Hopefully not the last three eps ever. *sob*
I didn't know how they'd repair the damage after El had been kidnapped, how they were able to reunite after Judgment Day, but the hurt and distress I've been experiencing these last few weeks tells me that I'm way too invested in White Collar. That's not to say I'm not loving the angst, but I need it fixed NOW, STAT.
(And news about renewal/non-renewal will really help, too).
That being said, I've decided not to do a live squee-type dish. There's too much at stake to miss even a word (which does happen frequently when I'm distracted).
So - I'll be doing more of a best moments (and a bit of a rant) wrap up...it will likely be short and I hope, coherent.
1 - One of the things that has always been lacking has been any sustained light on the characters' inner thoughts, especially the darker ones. Peter's pain, his confusion, his dilemma as we're watching him in that jogging scene was a payoff for everything I've missed for the past five years. Of course, the sweat and chest porn doesn't hurt.

2 - The Moz-Hagen exchanges. "I thought you'd be shorter." Shades of Peter's first meeting with Mozzie in Flip of the Coin. And the second conversation between Hagen and Moz is even better. The seemingly random comment about tigerfish eating alligators is brilliant. We always focus on Tim and Matt's acting, forgetting for a moment just how brilliant an actor Willie is. His loathing and contempt for Hagen is chilling. Yes, Sheppard plays the villain perfectly, but Moz's outrage makes you remember that this it the guy took out a contract on Matthew Keller. And the gun slap on those Columbian drug dealers. And who stood down Frank DeLuca Jr. He's a hell of a lot more than just the quirky friend.
3. The anger and pain between Peter and Neal is stunning. Peter is trying so hard not to remember why he loves this man (and in this context, as a friend). Neal so desperately wants to repair what is broken.
4. Peter talking to Jones about Neal. I never thought I'd say this - but Peter's really, really, really hurting me. His words to Jones - about Neal being the next ASAC's problem, telling Jones not to take Neal on - that's really cutting it close. I still understand his pain, but this level of cruelty is dismaying. Of course, Neal really pushed at Peter's buttons earlier, and Peter's still grieving for the death of his integrity, but still...
And for those who are thinking/saying that Jones is behaving out of character, I disagree. Jones' first loyalty is towards the Bureau and his oath. Coming up a very close second is his loyalty to Peter. He's been watching Peter mop up after Neal for years, and he's finally fed up with it. I don't blame him.

5. I know that the show has played fast and loose with NYC geography for years, but when they pull up a map of lower Manhattan and expect us to think it's Brooklyn is a bit too much. Plus Neal and Moz getting from Riverside to Brooklyn in ten minutes is simply nuts. NUTS!
6. Hagen and Peter - that scene was superlative. Peter's barely contained anger, Hagen's smug contempt. Neal's terror at his sudden exposure. (Oh, wait - you thought I was talking about the interrogation room scene). And then...
BANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very high bodycount this season. Don't know how I feel about that.
7. Which leads me to Rebecca. From almost the moment of her introduction, I felt like she'd been tailor made to appeal to Neal. I really, really, really didn't think I was quite THAT right. Since her volte-face after Neal confessed to her, I was convinced that she was working with Hagen. Others, though, have said that Hagen was working for her. I wasn't so sure about that - but now...the evidence is crystal clear.
And whoever she is, she's pretty damn good. She fooled Neal, and more importantly, she fooled Mozzie.
Now - we need to resolve Peter and Neal, get them back on the same page. Neal has to confess to what he did with Hagen, Peter has to accept that his friend saved his ass at the cost of his father. He also has to tell Bruce he's not going to DC. And it has to be because he wants to stay in NY.
And we need Diana, STAT. Please.
Overall, this was a stellar episode, despite the pain between the boys. It was tight and gripping (and I will be venturing into pornographic territory if I continue) and had me on edge for every moment. Maybe tomorrow I'll have some more coherent thoughts. Right now, I'm in sort of a daze.
Okay, folks...you know the drill. Thinky, not-so-thinky, no bashing (even though I share some pain with you over Peter's words).
Three more eps. Hopefully not the last three eps ever. *sob*