White Collar 4x13 Belated Thoughts!
I thought I'd rewatch 4x13 in preparation for the next episode tonight. I heard a lot of people saying they disliked the episode after it aired, but I enjoyed it, aside from one rather glaring issue I had towards the end. I thought most of it was cute and fun though, and definitely lifted my mood after the week before.
...thanks, tumblr :)
- Mozzie was awesome this episode. I got a bit confused at the start, when I thought that Mozzie was driving the taxis to get information about the key for Neal, and I didn't understand what the random copper pipes in a warehouse had to do with anything. And then I got with the programme and realised it was his 'regular' job and usual information-gathering. Which makes sense seeing as way back in 2x04 Peter said Mozzie would only be similar to Gina's boyfriend if he was 'a low end criminal who drove limos for a part time job', and Mozzie looked somewhat uncomfortable! Anyway, yay Moz for his attempt to charge Neal for the taxi ride, his comical lack of being-impressed when Neal mentions tugboats, and his awesome attempt at a citizen's arrest.
- I had to lol at Peter and Jones working at the Burkes. Peter is so giddy and buzzing with excitement and intrigue because he's on Neal's tail again, and is watching his anklet moving around the city. It's almost like a teenager with a crush. Err, almost. And Jones could not be any less interested!
- When El came in and Peter tried to hide their work from her, I thought for a moment we were going to get into a weird situation where they were both deceiving each other, and Peter's lie cancelled out El's. Thankfully it lasted for about ten seconds before El did her unimpressed face and Peter confessed all.
- I loved that Peter brought up the fact that Neal never lies to him, he just avoids the truth, and so there must be a special reason why he lied this time. After last week I thought they might ignore the fact that Peter is super smart and knows Neal well, and have him just focusing on being angry that Neal had lied, but thankfully this seemed more like he was interested in the motive.
- El had a perfect excuse to confess when Peter brings up the issue, and she chose not to. I kind of feel sorry for her now, because the more times you have to confess a lie and don't do so, the worse it is when the truth comes out, and she's got herself into a bad situation. She did come off a bit more sympathetic here than last week, trying to make a real case for why Peter should stay on the sidelines with regards to Neal's personal vendetta and just go after Pratt as an FBI agent. I still don't see why that protects him, but...anyway. I am a bit concerned that she doesn't seem worried for Neal's safety, but I'm going to assume that's because Neal seems invulnerable sometimes, whereas Peter is right there with his arm in a sling.
- Yay for Peter going to rescue Moz from the police! It was really interesting when Neal basically implied Moz had used some of the treasure to buy the taxi license. I think it's the first time they've even slightly brought up the fact that Neal and Moz still have millions of dollars worth of treasure as far as we know, and Peter's brushing it under the carpet. Not that there's really anything he can do about it now. Maybe he's hoping he can one day retire to an exotic island with El and Neal on the money. And Mozzie would come too, probably.
- Diana's reaction when Peter calls the taxi Moz's 'yellow girlfriend' is definitely worth a rewind! 'That makes me uncomfortable!!'
- The scenes at the taxi place were cute. Peter being a dork and practicing with his TLC badge seemed a bit insane, seeing as he's had an FBI badge to practice with forever, but it was adorable so I will let it slide!
- Neal's fake confrontation with Moz was enjoyable! I lol'd at the following moment:
...thanks, tumblr :)
- And then when he went all commanding and demanded 'I'd like a word with you please!', I ...had a different reaction. The rarely spotted but much loved dom!Neal returned for a moment! JOY!
- I enjoyed Peter spotting Neal and Moz getting into the taxi, and watching his face move between resigned annoyance, and his special 'Neal's in trouble' look. Fairly minor trouble though.
- Mozzie walking into the Burkes' and making himself at home whilst Peter looked on in mild horror was awesome :D
- BUT NOT AS AWESOME AS JUNE. She is so beautiful and classy and in charge. I wish I could be her when I grow up. No chance. I admit I kind of hoped it would be Neal singing at the club instead, but then I probably would have heard about that before the episode aired.
- The scenes in the club were mildly entertaining. I wasn't bothered in any way about the outcome of the plot, but Neal looked hot in his suit and June sang nicely and El had a stunning dress, so...that was fine.
- I had a moment of panic when they left the club that Jones was going to take the cigar without paying for it /o\ I was so relieved when he put the cash down. I'm all for Neal and Moz stealing but I hold Clinton to a higher standard!
- GUH. Neal at his apartment, looking ridiculously gorgeous with his ruffled, un-gelled hair, was a treat.
- The last scenes with Peter and Jones were fun too. Peter setting a beeping alert to tell him whenever Neal moved was not helping to hide his very sweet obsession. And the Caffrey box comes out <3
- BUT ARGH. This whole corks by the pier makes no sense at all!!! It supposedly happened when Peter was closing in on Neal and Neal thought he'd be in prison soon, right? BUT. I don't think Neal ever thought he was going to prison - I figured he was confident right til the end. That messes with my head canon. And if he did think he was about to be caught, why not hightail it off to Egypt or somewhere for a bit? More pressingly, if Peter was trying to catch him, and knew about the corks and the river (which he obviously did, seeing as he had the brochure), WHY DIDN'T PETER JUST GO DOWN AND ARREST HIM WHEN HE KNEW HE'D BE THERE, THROWING CORKS AROUND?! Why do the whole using-Kate thing?! Isn't the point that they couldn't find Neal? I don't get that at all. I thought for a moment that perhaps he found out that Neal was doing the corks thing after he'd arrested him, but that doesn't work, because Peter had the brochure in his case box. (Also, I'm concerned that Neal was apparently drinking an entire bottle of wine alone each night.) I really wish the writers would put a timeline of Neal's life, and the chase, on the wall in the writer's room. And refer to it to see if their new events fit in with canon. That wouldn't be hard right?