White Collar Returns - Withdrawal Is Over

[elrhiarhodan]

I don't ever remember being quite so invested in a television show.  I remember anticipating the return of the early seasons of ER, the season premiers of the various Star Trek franchises, and eagerly awaiting Farscape, but I cannot recall anything that gave me the butterflies as much as the season premier of White Collar.  I can't tell you how afraid I was that it was going to suck AND blow. 

BUT GUESS WHAT - IT DIDN'T.  It was so far beyond awesome, I am still flailing.  I'm going to watch it again tonight, but I wanted to get some thoughts down.


1 - The opening scene with the review board.  Peter was amazing.  He was both nervous and confident.  AND ANGRY.  Love me ANGRY PETER BURKE BIG TIME.  You can see how this is going to affect him downstream - in fact, you can tell from his remarks with El about going on unemployment - there's a real "fuck you" attitude there. 

2 - The meeting in jail.  Neal looks just a little too good (I am not complaining) - and I guess that's all part of the way the story is pushing the character.  And it does seem that Neal spent at least two months in prison - one of the WCWriter tweets clarified this - that the paperwork alone would take two months.

3 - Neal in the bank.  HE OWNED IT.  Like he was the damn president of the place.  Need to rewatch to catch exactly what he said to the branch manager when he leaned in to lift her badge.

4 - The banter - OH THE BANTER.  From the first moment "It's Good to Be Back" to the rooftop shootout to the climax in the vault, there was so much joy to be had.  I can't wait for the transcript to go up. 

5 - Diana and Neal in the office.  I just KNEW those two would hit it off.  BIG TIME. (More about the music box below).  I loved the fist bump and then when Peter tried for it and neither of them responded, and he was just left there flailing.  OOOOOHHH, that needs to be fic'd SO HARD. (And I just realized something Diana and Neal - Diane Neal - Agent Rice.  Coincidences abound).

6 - The Architect business card.  This is what makes the show so SMART.  They talk about FONTS.  Freakin' type face.  And then they get to play with ART.  And Russian artists.  And signatures.  And Neal gets to do some sketching.

7 - Which brings me to the hand shaking.  OMG OMG OMG.  Just when you think, he's strangely OK...you see just how fragile he actually is.  And Peter, looking on, worried. 

8 - Peter and Mozzie.  OMG to the 10 millionth power.  The warchalking, the voice modulator, the newspaper, Mozzie's paranoia.  The absolute RESPECT these guys have for each other.  Neal/Peter/Moz - the new OT3.

9 - The Lunch Scene - Setting aside the horrid greenscreening, I loved this conversation.  It's like the OT3 is now completely in the canon.

10 - The Living Room Scene.  Neal admitting to Peter that he didn't want to run, and he did want this life.  Yes.  YES.  YES.  It's all over but the fade to black.

11 - Tim Matheson.  Director and BAD GUY.  Gotta love him.  And Neal's reaction - he's pissed that this guy, from the very first moment, has gotten the better of him.

12 - The Wine Bar scene.  So perfectly Neal "Social Engineer" Caffrey.  And the way he ended it...with the anklet...one of the best moments of the episode.

13 - The bank heist and Peter and Neal "breaking in" - Awesome doesn't begin to describe this.  Peter looks like he's having so much fun, and Neal...get's to play fast and loose legally.  One thing I did notice, and this is where the rewatch is imperative, but it looked like Peter had one eye closed when shooting the walkie-talkie out of the bad guy's hand.  That seems strange...if any markswomen are reading this - can you confirm that you should not close one eye when shooting.

14 - Again with the banter.  The rescue set up, with the phones and how they just clicked.  Neal didn't go off the reservation, didn't pull a fast one, he followed Peter's lead and Peter listened to him.

15 - The argument in the safety deposit box room.  WORDS FAIL.  JUST FAIL.

16 - Diana and THE MUSIC BOX.  Now, the first thought was HOLY FUCKING CRAP.  NOT AGAIN.  Then the brain kicked back in.  Remember the web chat, and Tim saying that Peter's got a history with the box.  I think he was the one who arranged for it to disappear from the evidence locker, and they are working to protect Neal.  Neal of course, when he finds out/finds it...will freak.  Or not.  I definitely see more Bad!Diana and Bad!Peter fic in the works.

It's going to be a long day until I get home and can D/L and rewatch again and again and again.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHT, BBs?

Comments

[surreal-44.livejournal.com]

~flail~

More later when the fever breaks. :-(

[elrhiarhodan]

Sending you healing thoughts...and joining you in your flail.

[suebsg9.livejournal.com]

Exactly 16 reasons why I enjoyed heck certain scenes I could watch again and again like the fight in the vault room was priceless love both being on same page when Neal was putting the money in bag; and also how Peter was he would know; he knows that. But you hit on every reason why I enjoyed it but liked when I got on the computer to find out why Diana had it and never thought of it being Peter to intercept and realize now why and I like the reason to protect Neal from doing something stupid and also from finding out more about who wants it?? GOTTA LOVE SMART PETER! Great review!!

[elrhiarhodan]

Thank you!

There were so many more things worth pointing out...but these are the ones that have struck me right away.

[sonia6349.livejournal.com]

Every word you wrote is buzzing in my addled brain right now. I didn't think I could love Peter anymore that I did. Then he goes and meets Mozzie in the park. It's the second conversation that FLOORED me. When he went all DOM!Peter on Moz, "Look at me. He's my friend too". My freaking TOES curled. All I can think about is the Lunch Scene. Neal bascially told Peter he loved him. He didn't stay for ANYONE else but him. OMFG *sigh* I can't be at work today. I just can't.

[elrhiarhodan]

Yeah - I so want to go home RIGHT NOW.

Dom!Peter tops Mozzie. The new OT3 - Peter/Moz/Neal.

Yeah - the lunch scene. I need to get that committed to memory.

[asimaiyat.livejournal.com]

I kept thinking of you during this one. Mostly because of the ridiculous amount of Peter hotness. DID YOU GET (even) SEXIER ON HIATUS, TIM? WHAT ARE YOUR SECRETS?

[elrhiarhodan]

Thank you!

Yeah...Peter is like so much HOTTER. It's not just the new and harder body. It's the intensity. It's everything I hoped for, and then some.

[elainasaunt.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a very long day. But first viewing was deeply, deeply satisfying.

Maddy Prior rocked. Hard.

Euh, she may still do. But I don't know for sure.

[elrhiarhodan]

It's 11:55 and I can't wait to go home.

And yes, Maddy is still rockin' the folk world...she rejoined Steeleye Span about 8 years ago.

[doctor-fangeek.livejournal.com]

Here because I sort of stalk your blog for fic. :-) I really should actually a) use my lj for some of my own posts, and b) start friending people.

Anyway, I read your comment about having butterflies, and I have to say...I was a bit like that too. Which is odd, because I didn't really think that I was worried it would suck, but I was more keyed up for an episode of a tv show than I can really remember being before. Huh.

And then the episode was awesome. And you've covered just about everything so wonderfully in your post that I feel like there's not much to add. So, some random thoughts:

1. Yes, yes, yes on the banter. Especially that amazing argument in the safety deposit box room.

2. I was also thinking that Neal seemed to be too "okay" when Peter goes to see him in jail. I mean, that had to be quite soon after the explosion.

3. But then...the shaking, and Peter talking to both Mozzie and El about his concerns about Neal. I think it actually worked really well that the show went with a more subtle approach with Neal. He's "okay" on the surface, but he's not, really. And Peter's concern - so well played.

4. Speaking of Peter's concern, his line to Mozzie, "I'm his friend too." Love.

5. Neal playing the part with the assistant, being all like, "Oh, yeah, I'm awkwardly revealing to you that I have a GPS on my ankle." Nicely done, Neal.

6. I totally agree with you re: Diana and the box. I had heard that there was supposed to be some big twist/reveal/final scene. When it happened, though, my reaction was more, "Geez, Jeff Eastin, do you have to keep goading us like this?!?" I mean, I may end up really shocked down the road, but my first thought was that we know that the box got switched before OPR could get it, and Peter and Diana are working together on the whole Mentor investigation, so probably this is part of that. Like you, I'm thinking they are the ones who switched it, and that it's part of the whole protect Neal/figure out who the "big bad" thing.

7. There really isn't a number 7...just...big cheer that WC is back and it rocks.

[elrhiarhodan]

You're the kind of stalker I love to have.

I still can't get over how much this episode rocked. I'm playing parts of it over and over and over in my head. Want to buy it now on my iPad and watch it during lunch, but there's no wifi I can legally jack into here. Grrrr.

[doctor-fangeek.livejournal.com]

Stalking in a good way. :-)

I'm at work, but am also downloading from iTunes on my home computer (which has cable internet, but just the cheapest/entry level speed, so it takes a while). May watch online over lunch, as my work LAN line is very high speed. :)

[ursula4x.livejournal.com]

That the only thing that could have been added was Satchmo!

It was not on demand this morning so I was pissed. I don't have DVR yet. I had to drive a couple hundred miles to bring a child to a relative for an emergency placement and almost did not make it home in time. I slid in the door with fifteen minutes to spare to feed the dogs and turn on the TV.

I would have been furious if I missed it.

[elrhiarhodan]

Yeah, I did notice that Satchmo was absent, but for me, that's the only thing that I found lacking. On the other hand, there was so much awesome, I can't fault them for not including the dog.

Glad that you were able to watch it on time.

[phantomminuet.livejournal.com]

5 - Diana and Neal in the office. I just KNEW those two would hit it off. BIG TIME. (More about the music box below). I loved the fist bump and then when Peter tried for it and neither of them responded, and he was just left there flailing. OOOOOHHH, that needs to be fic'd SO HARD. (And I just realized something Diana and Neal - Diane Neal - Agent Rice. Coincidences abound).

Oh, nice catch. I wonder if it was a coincidence.

The fist bump was made of awesome. And I wonder if Peter realizes that he surrounds himself with clever, highly competent people who are also remarkably beautiful. He may love smart, but he has a weakness for pretty. :-)

15 - The argument in the safety deposit box room. WORDS FAIL. JUST FAIL.

That was hilarious. "Hold on", in unison!

ETA: It wouldn't surprise me, at all, if Diana has appropriated the box on Peter's orders. I'm just sayin'.

[elrhiarhodan]

Yeah...Peter has a way of collecting the pretty, and he doesn't even know it.

Diana-Neal/Diane Neal has a coincidence, since Diana wasn't a character back when Front Man was shot. BUT...JE knew, by that time, that Natalie Morales was out, and in casting Diane Neal.

Hmmm...Sneaky Showrunner is Sneaky. Gonna ask WCWriters on twitter about this.

[photoash.livejournal.com]

:) I agree with all of yoru points -- that's why I liked it too!!

I also really liked Neal being angry/dark in June's place while Mozzie tried to pull him back and be a good friend <3 go Mozzie!

I was glad to see that Mozzie was visiting Neal in prison - I was also EXTREMELY happy to see that Mozzie said Neal could buy his way out of prison :) but it'd take all of his reserves. Thank you Jeff Eastin for addressing corruption <3 and $ since we see that kind of thing happening every week for the bad guys <3

I was very very shocked that Neal revealed what he was thinking when he turned back to Peter, I figured we'd never know or it'd be a long time! I almost wish we didn't but it was :) awesome and it explains why he didn't just buy his way out.

:) i'm excited to watch it again too - i dl'd it last night after I got home from my friends house!

[elrhiarhodan]

I've asked the writers about Moz's status as a lawyer, and I do hope they answer...that he is one. Because that would be just the most awesomest thing.

I confess to being a little disturbed by Neal's ability to get hands on money. I may be paraphrasing, but "Getting cash isn't a problem" kind of scares me. I so hope he's talking about tapping into legitimate sources of income...maybe a trust fund or structured settlement (>>wink<<).

So much to reabsorb in the rewatch...the dialog, the banter, can't wait to get home.

[photoash.livejournal.com]

Awesome I hope they answer <3

I just assumed he meant he could tap his stash of less liquid assets (i've always thought that Mozzie means his overseas accounts and that his stash of actual items would be much less liquid since it takes time to sell them and that's not where any of this $ comes from)... or that of course Neal could just go do what he does best and have more $ easily. I mean we saw how easily he robbed a bank though I doubt he'd do something so high profile.

I like to believe that Neal is not really totally reformed :D personally!

[shelley6441.livejournal.com]

Suck and Blow. hehehe!

Yes, my borrowed cat and I were counting down the seconds until the start, but what the hell happened to the 'less commercial interruptions' USA? Seemed to be just as many, if not more, you bastards.

The opening scene with Peter being questioned by the FBI drones. Let me state for the record that NO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE HAS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE VIEW! I DON'T CARE HOW MANY MILLIONS THE FBI HAS AT THEIR DISPOSAL. Most viewers probably know this, but as you said in a previous post, NYC plays a silent character in WC, and even though I've only visited once, it is definitely a beautiful place. And it makes an incredibe backdrop.

2. I've always assumed that Neal was in a federal prison. If so, he'd have an easier time being locked up. However, if he's in a state institution, he wouldn't look so great after two days, let alone two months.

3. Neal told her that she had a bit of lint on her jacket, then he leaned in and pinched her badge.

5. LOL! Peter left hanging with the fist bump.

6. I've drawn As like that before and didn't even know it was Russian-influenced. Love it whenever Neal has work spread out around him, and he's all intense and eager to show Peter what he's got. *whimpers*

7. Love, love, love worried, protective Peter. And yes, Neal with the hand tremors. And his playing it off like it's nothing. I see this (and more) becoming problematic for Neal down the road.

8. Mozzie. He wants The Suit to think well of him. If I was Peter I'd make Moz my CI and have him look into Fowler's disappearance. After all, Peter's no dummy.

9. Like Gillian Anderson in The X-Files, you can see the pregnancy in Tiffani's face. Love the flower placement.

10. Scenes like this help to balance out the banter. I knew Neal felt good about himself through his work with Peter. That's why he was torn between leaving with Kate, or staying with his man!

11. Yes, Tim Matheson was the uber creeptastic bastid. I wanted to chuck his smug ass into the river.

13. I am not a trained firearms marksperson, but I work with people who are. Given the target size and distance, you may want to, or need to, close one eye before squeezing the trigger. You do so if using a scope. Attempting to hit a small target over distance with a pistol, it probably makes sense because one eye is usually more dominant (or forward) than the other. Also, because our eyes are set horizonally in our faces rather than vertically, the dominant eye works with the brain to focus on the target, and allows it to be struck with accuracy. But I'm sure Peter set up his shot with both eyes wide open.
*I don't mean to sound like a know-it-all because I am certainly NOT when it comes to firearms* But you can't work at DOJ and not learn a few things....

14. I'm glad that Peter realized the good idea of breaking into the bank some other way. Loved all the action, and running, and hiding.

16. Ever since Peter shot Fowler, and Diana saw the music box in the back of the car, I was hoping, hoping, hoping that she would take it personally and keep it safe and secret. Thank goodness she did. Hooray for breaking protocol! But now I'm wondering. What the heck is Peter's connection to this box?

Btw, have you noticed while you're out and about, an increase in the number of men wearing what I call, The Caffrey Hat? I was in Macys yesterday and passed by the men's department, and a mannequin dressed casually was wearing The Hat. Hm.

Thank you, dear. I'm glad to share in your analysis of Withdrawal.

*hugs*

[phantomminuet.livejournal.com]

I have noticed a few more men wearing hats. Not many, but a few. I always compliment them, if I get a chance, because it's a trend that I would like to see continue.

[elrhiarhodan]

Yes, definitely more men in hats. Noticed it in some of the recent news articles on men's fashion. A lot of that is more attributable to the fashion ideas that have trickled out from Mad Men than from White Collar.

I missed the hat for most of the ep., but it really didn't play with his role in the beginning, and would have been a distraction in the break in and vault scene.

[whitecollarfan.livejournal.com]

AWESOME EPISODE IS AWESOME! :) I have to write my review soon!

[damietta.livejournal.com]

I found myself holding my breath throughout the episode (I mean I haven't been this excited about a series in a very long time). It is even better on a second watching because you can just watch it and not anticipate anything. I thought it started out stilted on first watch, but didn't see it at all on the second.

You and others have mentioned a lot of great points. Here are a few more:

1. I loved Mozzie calling Neal "mon frere". It was an eloquently intimate moment.

2. Matt and Tim played their roles very well; poignant, vulnerable, brave, wounded, smart.

3. Putting on the trilby at the end was a great way of saying "I'm back".

4. "It matters to you" Elizabeth is such a wise woman. Can't wait for Tiffani to come back.

5. The addition of Marsha brings a weight to the show that was lacking. Her moment with Neal basically saying Peter trusted you and now we are in trouble was very well done.

6. Peter saying "this is not good" a number of times made me laugh.

I hope USA gives it more time to find an audience this year. It pains me that it didn't do as well as they obviously hoped it would.

[rain-dancer84.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear that everyone else was so excited about the premiere. I had an afternoon appointment in another town and the whole way back home while driving through very busy country roads, I was telling myself not to have an accident because I had to watch the premiere. This (knock on wood), despite the fact that I've never had an accident in 30+ years of driving! I also refused to stop at the drugstore because it increased the possibility of an accident. Dear God, someone please save me from my obsession with this show.

We are lucky on the West Coast. USA sends us the HD feeds at the same time as the show airs on the East Coast, so I saw WC at 6:00 and rewatched it several times before I went to bed. I really loved the episode for many of the reasons discussed above. I wished there had been more fill between the time of the explosion and Neal's release from prison, but I know that I will soon be reading great fanfiction that explains what happened during the gap. I also believe that Diana is in cahoots with Peter concerning the music box. I'm not sure that I liked the fact that Neal told Peter what he had started to say before the plane exploded. I liked the mystery of not knowing for sure. I can't wait to see where this season leads.