White Collar 4x12 Episode Thoughts!
I finally watched White Collar 4x12. Yay, right?
Um, no.
There were some really great moments, but overall, this was the first episode of WC that I actively disliked and that upset me. So fair warning, this entry will have some less-than-positive thoughts alongside the mini-squees. I don’t want to harsh anyone’s vibe so if you loved the ep, this ( Read more... )
Um, no.
There were some really great moments, but overall, this was the first episode of WC that I actively disliked and that upset me. So fair warning, this entry will have some less-than-positive thoughts alongside the mini-squees. I don’t want to harsh anyone’s vibe so if you loved the ep, this ( Read more... )
Some of what you said really resonated with me, and I wanted to throw a couple of thoughts out there. After watching this episode, I found myself thinking that it maybe works better on paper than it ended up working as it was ultimately executed. I think the *idea* of having El be so distraught b/c of Peter's accident that she tries to get Neal to keep Peter out of some part of the investigation could work. No, it's not logical (he didn't get hurt because of the key, but because he was investigating Pratt in the first place, and Elizabeth readily admits that Peter won’t stop that investigation), but in the heat of the moment, when we are really scared, we don't always think logically. And having a way to bump up the ever-present trust issues that isn't due to something Neal (or Peter) did/instigated is theoretically a good thing.
However…the accident itself (as filmed) didn't look that scary, Peter's injuries are serious but not life-threatening, and neither Diana nor Neal seems overly worried once they get to the hospital. Also, while I love Tiffani, I didn't find her totally convincing in the hospital scene. So I think, for me at least, the whole situation didn’t play out as scary enough to warrant Elizabeth’s reaction/behavior (especially since she didn’t seem to blame Neal for either Peter’s kidnapping or her own). For some additional context, I totally bought both previous occasions when Elizabeth asked/told Neal to do something that was dangerous to himself in order to help Peter (steal the tape from the corrupt judge, go against the FBI to save Peter from Keller).
So in the end, for me, I guess I felt like I understood what they were trying to do, but it didn’t really work.
Regarding Neal antagonizing Pratt, I read a really great episode tag fic in which Mozzie confronts Elizabeth about what happened, and the author’s take is that Neal is basically waving a flag at the bull to make himself a target to try to protect Peter for Elizabeth. IDK if that’s what the writers were going for, but I can see it as a possible explanation. :-)
Reply
Yeah, I think in theory this definitely could have worked, and would have been an interesting way to put pressure on the boys' relationship. If she'd requested something that made more sense it would have been better, but even without that it still could have worked, like you say, if it had been done better. And I don't really understand why it wasn't done better, because the writers have been so good previously. Even with average writers, it's surely not that hard to film a scary-looking accident and make the worried wife - who we all already love - appear sympathetic? Lesser shows do it all the time, so I don't know what happened here /o\
Ooh yes, I take it that's florastuart's fic? I've just read it, it's awesome :) And I agree that's the only reasonable explanation for what Neal did with Pratt - but it's still highly stupid on Neal's part. Because if I was an evil villain (I'm not, just for the record!) and Neal Caffrey came and antagonized me to go after him, I'd take one look at the intel I had on him and decide one of the best ways to get to him was through Peter!! So, err, I really don't think that helps, lol! Ah well, his heart's in the right place. *pets Neal*
Reply
And yes, that's the fic (by florastuart) that I meant - I thought it was awesome as well.
Also, I have just added you as a friend. :-)
Reply
And yay, thanks! :)
Reply
Leave a comment