What If Peter Burke Wasn't Peter Burke?

[elrhiarhodan]

I just came across this old article about USA greenlighting the production of the White Collar pilot, back in October, 2008.

"White Collar" is about the unlikely partnership of a con artist and an FBI agent who have been playing cat and mouse for years. Neal Caffrey (Bomer), an incredibly charming criminal mastermind, is finally caught by his nemesis, G-Man extraordinaire Peter Stokes (DeKay). When Neal escapes from a maximum-security prison to find his long-lost love, Peter nabs him once again. "

I know that I still have a bit of trouble with the whole Diana Lancing/Diana Barrigan thing, but the thought of Peter Burke as Peter Stokes is JUST PLAIN WRONG.

And in the comments:

"I would really like to get excited for White Collar. A show with two guys teaming up and fighting bad people? That's something missing from tv for a long time.

But knowing how USA tv works after a few episodes someone will go online, read a few slash fiction, get scared and add a dumb bimbo as a female love interest and screwing the show.

Been there, done that. "

Comments

[lionessvalenti.livejournal.com]

When I read the original pilot script, I was amazed at all the of the changes (the biggest one being how streamlined the final product is in comparison). I mean, that's still when the show was meant to take place in California, and that was bizarre, because the show just needs New York. And yeah, not only Peter's last name, but Elizabeth was "Debbie" and that threw me.

Though, fact is, if they never changed it, we'd never know the difference, and it'd be weird to think of the characters as the names they go by now.

However, the original script is awesome for when Peter to compares Neal's tracking anklet to a wedding ring. They just had to cut that, didn't they? There were several slashy remarks in it that got cut, actually, if I recall correctly.

[suebsg9.livejournal.com]

Burke just seems the right fit; I read stokes in article and I can't imagine Peter saying that when he is questioning suspects. And can't imagine Elizabeth as a Debbie that just does not fit; El works much better and can you imagine Stokes Premiere Events; that is wrong in so many ways; Burke premiere events sounds much better. I like that in the finale we got to see Elizabeths work place; not happy fowler showed up there but nice to see the B on the outside of building. Burke to me fits Peter much much better then stokes. Of course going off topic but always wondered did he help her start that business; and its nice to see its a success; that el doesn't struggle for business. OK off topic see get me talking about Burkes and I do that.

[photoash.livejournal.com]

That's interesting :) I have read the original script too it does have a lot of changes. If you still need a link this evening let me know - I am pretty sure I saved it on my hd - it was a pdf.

PS - Slow day at work? :D Hope you at least have air conditioning even though it's a 'cool' 82 here today!

[gail19.livejournal.com]

Stokes? Nahhhh.

Any truth to the 'someone other than DeKay' was supposed to have been in the original version?