Post Ep Dish - S6.01 - Borrowed Time

[elrhiarhodan]

I have such terrible and mixed feelings about this. I keep thinking, if I don’t watch it, it’s not happening.

But it is happening, this is the premier episode of the final and all-too-short season. The series is in the can and the cast has scattered to the four corners of the earth. Or at least, California. I guess the only thing I can hope for is that the friendship that had seemed so palpable since Pilot - between the characters and between the actors themselves - endures.



Well, this is a little better than expected. Given last season’s premier, I figured Neal would be rescued before the opening credits.

I’m not surprised that Peter thought Neal ran and given that Moz is in the conference room, not the interrogation room, it’s clear that Peter’s not convinced of that, either.

Matt’s gotten good at looking terrified. But he’s even better at talking his way out of a bad situation

“You chose Neal over your wife.”

“Both of us would do what ever it takes… for the people we love.” Peter’s pause there - so telling.

But Neal is making me angry. I know Neal is pissed, but this is actually worse than S3 and the treasure. He’s actively working with the bad guy (at least it seems that way)? I knew this was going to piss me off.

Okay - so he’s really NOT working with Cowboy Boots. A/k/a Booth.

Love how the Harvard Crew looks down the table at Moz… “This is where Neal would say something…”

Love love love how Peter goes medieval on Mozzie - who has a long history of going subby to Peter. And their scenes together - simple comic brilliance. “I know why Neal likes working for you…”

“Maybe I should put an anklet on you.” “I’d gnaw my leg off.”

And the scene with Fat Charlie - Peter is such a fucking BOSS.

But the best, so far, has to be when Peter opens the door. In his tee shirt (okay, let the ovaries explode).

Although I am kind of surprised at his annoyance, since he did leave a clue for Peter. Maybe he wasn’t expecting Peter - but just the FBI in general?

Aww - pinky swear Mozzie getting one over on Jones.

Okay - so Neal was relieved to see Peter. The vibe felt wrong when Peter appeared. Neal had looked … annoyed. But not - he’s playing ALL of the angles.

And I’m wrong - the best scene (so far) is Mozzie bringing Peter dinner. And Peter asking Moz to stay. Sort of feels like Rick and Inspector Renyard in Casablanca. Even more than Peter and Neal - that’s what their scenes together feel like.

… … …

Okay - I sort of lost the thread of the Dish when watching the story and right now, I’m not inclined to go back at pick up those threads. Instead, I’ll just put down a few thoughts.

1 - Like I said above, the best parts of the episode were the scenes between Peter and Mozzie. They have a very special chemistry here.

2 - Rebecca’s farewell speech. I had seen some spoilery pics of the actress with a GSW, so I knew that was coming. But her goodbye to Neal was definitely moving.

3 - The caper was probably the best premier episode caper since “Withdrawal” - and may just rank as the best season premier ever. Except for…

4 - El’s announcement. Yuck, but not unforeseen. I have loved the Burkes as a happily married and childfree couple, but I also kind of think that since the series is ending, this is okay. I can’t explain why I’m not ragefacing over it - maybe because it’s over and done with and if Neal leaves New York for good, Peter’s going to need someone else to watch over. I don’t know. I’ll need to think about it some more.

5 - Neal and Mozzie at the end. Mozzie’s sympathy for Neal’s entanglement in the Bureau was very reminiscent of his speech at the end of Dentist of Detroit. Neal’s gameplan, though - I can’t see where he’s going with this. Maybe that’s the beauty of it.

And that, folks, is the first Post Ep Dish of the last season of White Collar. Your thoughts, thinky, not so thinky?

Comments

[princessofgeeks]

I loved the complication of the pregnancy. What if the baby is not Peter's? Hmmm.

I hated it that Rachel got suicide by cop. HATED IT. After Kate? OVERKILL. Thank goodness Sarah and Alex survived.

The rest of the ep was pitch perfect. Mozzie, Diana, Clinton, Peter -- all the face-acting was particularly fine. We got to watch Neal experience his options in real time.

It was wonderful except for the dead girl, IMHO. That was just overkill. Literally. Can't wait for next week.

[tjs-whatnot.livejournal.com]

I think Neal is just playing ALL the angles so for him, it's all win/win. The FBI does what it says, he's free. They don't, he's free as a member of the Pink Panther. Which, IDK, that seemed like a pretty easy organization to infiltrate all things considered.

Still...

When Peter showed up as Fat Charley my heart exploded. When he said, "Hello Neal." I legit danced around my room like a baby seal. It was embarrassing. Only not. IT WAS PERFECTION! I didn't really get Neal's annoyance at that scene. Hmmmm...

The Peter and Mozz show in this episode was BEAUTIFUL! ♥ ♥

[reve-silencieux.livejournal.com]

My first thought? I need a rewind button. Stupid hotel.

But I had the same feelings before watching it as you - if I didn't watch, it wouldn't be over.

Seriously though, I swear I blinked and laughed and outright flailed when Peter opened the door on Neal - that's what I need to rewatch again. I didn't quite catch the annoyance.

Peter and Mozzie - simply perfect. From the first scene with Mozzie bringing in the dummy - which I MUST KNOW WHAT HE WAS PLANNING!!!! (someone has to write that!) I really loved how Mozzie and Peter... bonded, if you can call it that amidst all the threatening and yelling and huffing and puffing. And that Mozzie understood why Neal liked working there. I just get frustrated by his repeated 'we're conmen' speech. Maybe because I want Neal to turn straight and have a good life... where he can still be friends with Peter and everything.

*sigh* I guess we'll see, right?

Overall, it was a fun episode, if a bit too easy and clean. I know we'll never get the level of whump that we want, but couldn't we have gotten something??

I have too many thoughts otherwise... must dwell. And go to bed. (HA! like sleep is going to come)

[mysticlady3.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I have no idea what to think. I missed most of the beginning cause I was dealing with some stuff and so I will have to re-watch it later.

I figured that El will have the announcement sooner or later. Maybe it will affect how Neal and Mozzie will do by the final episode. Maybe not. I'm horrible at predicting things like that.

Peter and Mozzie's scenes were the best.

[tjs-whatnot.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, and the baby thing?

Whatev.

I think it's only because it's over that I could care less. I've heard both Tim and Tiffany say that they like that the characters are childless so I just sort of think it wouldn't have had happened if the show was going on. As long as it's not used in gross ways. We'll see.

[winterstar95.livejournal.com]

If Neal takes down the panthers there will be a power vacuum and he will be able to nicely move into it once he leaves the FBI. King of the Con men.

I thought the episode was good, but I was a little miffed that they would question Neal's motives after he gave them the pink panthers in his note. I mean why would he give that a way! Seriously, dude! But it was good just not cheeky.

[pooh-collector.livejournal.com]

"If Neal takes down the panthers there will be a power vacuum and he will be able to nicely move into it once he leaves the FBI. King of the Con men."


Ohhhhh! I like that idea!

[winterstar95.livejournal.com]

Oh and here's my idea for the reason El is pregnant....

No spoilers because I haven't read any - just speculation...

In order to take over as King of the Con Men - Neal will fake his death. It will be very dramatic and very clearly absolute.

This will be at the end of the last episode. Then you see the many months go by and Peter is welcoming his baby son or daughter...doesn't matter. And surprisingly he gets a hand made card in the mail saying Congratulations --- beautiful art no signature.

Well that's what I would do if I was writing it. ;)

[pooh-collector.livejournal.com]

I like it!

Part of me wants a very open-ended conclusion to give us fic writers room to venture when the show ends. Part of me really wants Neal to get free of the anklet and then decide to stay and keep working with Peter and for their partnership to go on...

I guess we'll see in just a few short weeks.

[eldorah.livejournal.com]

This episode made me laugh and flail and cry and rage. All of the emotions. I guess that's a good thing?

I totally agree with your first thought - twas nice to see this extended for at least an entire episode. I was afraid there would be a quick fix.

Peter and Mozzie. The dinner scene might have been one of my most favorite scenes of all time. That was gold. I definitely was moved by Rebecca's farewell and cried when Neal found her. I knew it was coming, I guess I didn't expect it to come so soon? She was an excellent villain. And that was very well done.

I really, really love your statement: "Peter’s going to need someone else to watch over," because I was definitely ragefacing by the end of that scene. But your perspective gives me a whole new way to think about it. It makes it a little better.

But seriously, Peter and Mozzie FTW. <3

[angelita26]

OMG! Neal looked so hot. That outfit is amazing, and his hair. Yum. I want to jump him like never before.

I liked the Pink Panthers plot, and I liked Neal working all the angles. That was fun.

I liked the Peter and Moz stuff, but I don't get the same thrill from it as I do the Peter and Neal scenes, so I hope we get back to those asap.

And I'm not upset by the pregnancy. I like the idea of Peter being a papa, and awkwardly feeling out that situation until he becomes absolutely badass at it.

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

Really liked this episode. Wow, that scared look was amazing. Neal's feet were taped to the chair, and I loved his hair all mussed up like that.

Booth just didn't do it for me as a character. There's a lot there that just didn't add up for me. The point was to show the Pink Panthers that he was a world class thief but even if his plan worked out, all he would have proved was that he couldn't keep control of a captive and that Neal is THE world class thief. Even the plan to get the diamond would have been a bust because by kidnapping Neal Booth made it at least three times as hard for Neal to get the diamond, even if he knew where it was. He might have some ideas but I don't think he'd actually know.

This show always throws so many red herrings at us and so many of them give me agana that I can't even speculate on what precisely it is that is making me uneasy.

But I loved it.

I love the Peter-Mozzie scenes. They are terrific together.

[meeni (from livejournal.com)]

I guess I'm in the minority..Didn't like the episode much..and i can't even say why..Things didn't add up for me

and yes Neal is definitely ANNOYED..at FBI in general

I'll need a re-watch probably.

Loved Peter and Mozzie scenes. and Peter in white t-shirt was delightful and the only highlight for me..

I have always pegged Neal as Never suicidal types..this episode proved that...There's always what's next for him and i admire/envy that.

[joy2190.livejournal.com]

Okay, for the record, my money is on George as the baby's name. Although as soon as El made the announcement I thought, "oh no, they're going to kill off Neal in the final season, but baby Neal Burke will live on!" Hope I'm completely wrong on that score.

Mozzie resting his head on the mannequin, best moment ever!

And Peter's 'who we love' comment? Definitely purposefully ambiguous, nice shout out to the WC fan fiction base!

[sapphire2309]

Neal's thank yous were THE BEST. And Booth - Not this again! I loved it!

Mozzie and Peter, OMG SO ADORBS.

I am not happy about Peter and El's baby, but damn, they look so happy about it, and the show's been so awesome, I think I can live with it.

Poor Jones! The pinky swear was the best, tho.

Peter's Fat Charlie accent was a little annoying, but, you know, TDK in a shirt does a lot to make up for it.

Mozzie SO rocked this episode.

So basically the show is doing some things to annoy me, but covering REALLY DAMN WELL.

I don't want this to be over! :(

ETA - OMG HOW DID I NOT MENTION NEAL'S BED HAIR. So adorable!!!

[paganlowroader.livejournal.com]

I'm savoring every minute and my mind snagged on: the fact that the various interrogations took place in the conference room and not the more claustrophobic blue/gray chamber, that beloved Satchmo is officially indifferent, that in the face of 75 hurt comfort fics Neal's pompadour sustained the brunt of his kidnapping trauma, that damn, but Peter aka Fat Charlie was really ready with his weapon, that Jones now needs a daily antacid following his lost bet with Mozz, that Rebecca seemed disappointing subdued during her last moments with Neal, that all the death references will make me require a daily antacid, that it was hysterical to cut from the Burke's joyous baby celebration to Neal's birthing position in that recliner. Thank you, Joe Henderson. You really brought the entertainment.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

I don't mind the child thing...mostly because El and Peter never obsessed over it. They built up their life and now that it happened, they are happy about it, but it doesn't rule their life. Plus, a baby is a way better reason to get Elizabeth back than a "I missed you too much" or a "Yeah, I failed at my job".

Sad that Rebecca died. And sad in general. I will miss the show soooooo much.....

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

I can see Peter deciding to retire from the F.B.I. because he wants to be there for his child and also, not have his child's life in danger. He's been kidnapped, El's been kidnapped, both of their lives have been in danger a number of times because of his work. It's not above the realm of possibility that some scum bag would kidnap the child in order to get to Peter.

It's just a thought.

[pooh-collector.livejournal.com]

I'm still processing. But, I'm definitely with the not happy about the baby camp. Though ang does have a good point about Peter being uncomfortable until he goes all badass about it. That I would like to see.

Overall I enjoyed the ep. The Peter and Mozzie scenes were awesome and Willie was at his best.

I also like the idea that Neal is playing both sides against the middle right now, until he can ensure his freedom and maybe a pocket money for the road.

It was a fun ep and a quality season premier.

[kanarek13]

Ah, the post-ep dish is here again :)

I love people leaving comments here :D

I loved the premiere, I need to rewatch it again tomorrow, but all in all, it was such a treat. I don't mind the baby part, it's not like we're gonna see the kid anyway.

Moz and Peter - OMG :D

And wasn't Neal particularly beautiful today? Maybe it's because I haven't seen him for a while :D :D :D

[jo1968.livejournal.com]

And wasn't Neal particularly beautiful today?

Oh yes! The last thing I saw Matt in was "The Normal Heart, so it was good to see him looking like Neal again. Peter in that t-shirt was quite nice too.

[countess-k.livejournal.com]

Late as always but I'm so so glad you're keeping these up. I was worried everyone had given up on this wonderful show and it was going to go out on a whimper and be forgotten.

I had the same mixed feelings as you going into the episode. Knowing there were only 6 to come I didn't want to dive into it, fearing the end would be unsatisfying.

I'm going to stay positive though. True Detective only had 8 episodes. On top of that it was a new show and it did great both story and quality wise. Children of Earth, Torchwood's third season had six, and it is still considered its best, most masterful season. Having only 6 episodes this season might translate into a tighter, more refined show. We'll have to see.

Is it my shipper goggles or did Peter in this episode flat out admit he loved Neal? And not just "love like my partner/CI." He compared his love for him to Rebecca's, which we know is romantic, and sited his choosing him over El. That's powerful stuff. Fanservice? The truth? Guess we'll never know.

Rebecca, so sad. I don't know how Matt does it but the moment he walked into that room I wanted to wrap him in a blanket and give him hot cocoa. Poor boy was so so hurt by her, more so than he was by Kate. It got worse by her suicide, which I thought was a tad bit cliche and unnecessary.

And ditto on El being pregnant. God forbid there's a happy, functioning couple on TV without babies bouncing around. The American Media's conviction that no human being could live happily unless they pass on their genes is really annoying and baseless. But I could see it as an excuse to bring her back to New York. Question is, why did they send her off to DC in the first place.

Looking forward to the rest of season's dish. It's good to know I still have this place to give people virtual hugs when the time truly comes to say goodbye to the show.

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

After watching this a few dozen times already I'm puzzled about something. Why did the pulley break? I don't think Fat Charlie would remain in business very long, or actually alive considering his customers, if he didn't check the equipment he prior to selling and also when receiving it back if he rented it. That's what every rental company I've ever dealt with does. I can't believe Peter wouldn't have checked equipment he handed to Neal. Neal was surprised that it broke and Booth thought he would be the one using it so I don't think he would have sabotaged the pulley.

Yeah, it added some drama to the situation but it just made no sense to me.

[countess-k.livejournal.com]

I saw it as Peter neither being an expert in handling such equipment, nor having his head in the right place to check them seeing as he was busier with silently communicating with Neal. It could also be that he avoided dealing with the equipment in general out of fear that he may show his lack of expertise while doing so and tip off Booth.

[ultracape.livejournal.com]

I agree with you about Peter but then it just leaves me with the question about Fat Charlie. It's obvious that both Mozzie and Neal trust him implicidly to provide equipment to them that does not fail because their lives depend on that. The only thing I can come up with is that Fat Charlie just got the pulley returned and had not checked it out yet so perhaps it was lying around and Peter grabbed it.

[ladyrose42.livejournal.com]

Late to the comment party, but out of town for weekend. Anticipation and expectations run high for theses final 6.
I'll just tag along other comments. Somehow Booth in person doesn't seem enough of a villian even for Rebecca to hire. He was better as an unknown. Others have commented about Neal being annoyed at Peter as Fat Charlie. Part of me thinks he's trying to hide his relief at actually seeing Peter and not give anything away. Obvious Rebecca didn't share any information (wouldn't he had known Peter was FBI from tailing hime?) Satchmo's back, and his tail wags!
Part of me thought Neal didn't like to open safes with help, he wants to use the old ways (Robin Hoodie episode).
Something that just annoyed just me, Rebecca's hair has to be a wig. NickPicky, I know.
The baby issue, the old plot device. But most FBI agents are about 25 when hired and retire after 25 years or about. So Peter would be the right age to be retiring or doing the desk job, etc. El's job at National Gallery, if kept, should have better hours than her Premier Events. So in theory it would the right "time". But yeah I still love the idea of a childless couple. Now Neal, on the other hand, as a daddy or uncle, Oh Yea.

[ladyrose42.livejournal.com]

New brand of cereal, no prize. Joke ref: "Lucky Charms"
And I just realized that the traveler breaking and using his belt, would be more friction and could have light the wire.

[maiac.livejournal.com]

Peter as Fat Charlie was my favorite scene. He has way too much fun playacting.

I love Mozzie's reasoning for why he believed Neal didn't run. Of course, it's all about Mozzie. And Mozzie bringing Peter dinner! <3 <3 <3

I'm seriously annoyed that Rachel died. There really was no point.

I'm not quite so annoyed that El came home because she's pregnant. But there are other possible reasons she left her job -- She hated DC, she missed New York, the dream job turned out to be a nightmare, she missed being her own boss. Oh well. It means she'll be in more episodes. I was afraid she'd be written out.

Where'd Neal get the passports he left in the safe? It's not like Booth would have let him out of his sight for a second.

I am delighted by how Neal has turned his kidnapping into an Opportunity. I look forward to more shenanigans.

[scarym1.livejournal.com]

I am glad to see that the Post Ep Dish is back. :)

I love Mozzie but he also frustrates me so much. He says he can see the positive aspect of working for the FBI & Peter but then he is goes back to saying (even after everything that has happened & the friends he has made El & Diana/Theo) that there is no happy ending for guys like them.

I doubt if we will get it but I would like to see some sort of epiphany for Mozzie - that maybe this life semi-straight life is not so bad and that he & Neal can have a happy ending and have it on their own terms.