White Collar Season 4 Meme -- Neal's Backstory, Government Corruption, Evidence Box, Lies, & Trust!!
After a great third season I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into the show's fourth season. Season four has to be one of the more personal seasons the series has done since season two. This season not only becomes personal for Neal, but it also becomes quiet personal in regards to Peter, Elizabeth, Mozzie, and the rest of the White Collar department. The season starts off very Neal heavy (as it should considering the emotional season three cliffhanger), but over time it becomes an ensemble season. Season four is about trust, friendship, justice, and doing the right thing at any cost. I found this season to be the most suspenseful season because the villain of season four had the resources to end any of the characters' lives.
Season four combined many elements that I love about this show from illustrating NYC way of life to the father-son-brother dynamic between Peter and Neal. This season also answered a lot of questions in regards to Neal's past. Even though I love each season of White Collar there are some seasons stronger than others. I think this season was definitely one of the show's strongest seasons because it combined everyone's efforts to get the job done.
Favorite Episodes: "Wanted", "Most Wanted", "Parting Shots", "Honor Among Thieves", "Identity Crisis", "Ancient History", "Gloves Off", "Vested Interest", "Family Business", "Brass Tacks", "Empire City", "Shoot the Moon", "The Original", and "In the Wind"
So-So Decent Episodes: "Diminishing Returns" and "Compromising Positions"
Least Favorite Episodes: I don't have any truthfully for this season.
Favorite Storylines: There were several storylines I thoroughly enjoyed....
*Neal & Mozzie's Island Fun -- I simply loved the two episodes that were devoted to Neal and Mozzie's island adventure!! It was great to see Neal and Mozzie interact in a different setting. Plus Matt Bomer looked so yummy in island and facial hair *drools*. I was surprised and excited that Peter joined the fun, or well the fun in trying to get Neal and Mozzie back to the states without too many consequences. Speaking of consequences I liked that this time Peter was punished to the evidence area of the FBI. It made the dynamics a little bit differently, and it was fun to see Peter interact in a place in hated. I loved how Neal teased Peter about it too hehe. What I found the island arc endearing was the boys still longed and missed New York City. Which connects beautifully to Neal's sad reaction to leaving the place he loves in the season three finale.
*Mystery of Ellen's Evidence Box -- The quest to find Ellen's evidence box was fun!! I loved that the characters even acknowledge the parallels to finding the jewelry box and the U-Boat in the previous seasons hehe. I just loved how it connected to Neal's past, and Neal and Peter's future. The writers did a terrific job in the quest to find the box. I loved that the box was in the Empire State Building! Another reason why I loved the mystery evidence box is because you really didn't know who the box incriminated. Was it Neal's dad? Senator Pratt? other corrupt cops? The list goes on. I really loved this personal stake everyone had in this quest. Neal just wanted to know the truth. James and Senator Pratt wanted to protect themselves from further incrimination. Peter wanted to seek justice for corrupt cops and redeem his friend and former boss Reese. The rest of Team White Collar wanted to help Neal, and wanted to the wrong doers to get the justice they deserved. Everyone had a stake and there was no way to know how the mystery would end.
*Neal's Backstory Fully Answered -- Since the "Pilot" episode the writers have been giving small facts and stories about Neal's past, but as viewers we never received any full backstory. In season four all questions are answered in regards to Neal's past, so color me a giddy fangirl!! Anything that had to deal with Neal's past I simply loved seeing and hearing. I loved the flashback episode "Family Business" where we got to see little Neal with his parents and Ellen. To see where Neal grew up and how he interacted with his parents. It just broke my heart to hear that Neal grew up in the secret protective custody while his mother's mental state dwindled away *sniff*. I'm glad Neal had Ellen to help and support him. Neal's backstory made things all the more clear on why went to a life of crime when he found out what became of his father. It was a utter shock to a teenager who looked up to his father. It just really break's your heart.
However, it also made things even more endearing and appreciative that Neal has now found a family he loves, cherishes, and supports. Ellen will always be like a second mother to him. June is like a grandmother or aunt that Neal always wanted. Mozzie and Clinton are like his brothers. Elizabeth and Diana are like his sisters. Lastly, officially Neal sees Peter like a father who has done more for him than James ever did *sniff*. Peter and Neal have that brother dynamic, but they definitely have that father-son dynamic too. It was just sweet to hear once again from Neal throughout the season how much he cherishes the people around him. Hearing it in the season three finale left me tears. Hearing it in season four finale just made me cheer because Neal did it to tell off his father!! My hats off to the writers for connecting Neal's past so perfectly, and how it connects so beautifully to the new family Neal has grown to love and cherish *sniff*.
*Team White Collar vs. Government Corruption -- I simply loved how the Mystery of Ellen's Evidence Box not intertwined Neal's past, but made government corruption a huge focus. To emphasis how dangerous Senator Pratt was. When Ellen got killed, and Peter got hurt in the car accident I had to admit I was scared. I didn't know how Team White Collar was going to get out this dangerous bind. I would say this season had the most terrifying villains of the series thus far!! Senator Pratt had so much control, connections, and pretty much made incidents look like accidents. Furthermore, who knows what other corrupt names could be in the evidence box. I really loved how that our heroes wanted to make sure justice served no matter how far the corruption went. It's a moral theme that I feel is one of many themes that represents this show.
*Peter & Neal's Two-Way Street of Trust -- I feel one of the hardest parts in having a tv series centered on two male characters is not repeating the same storylines involving trust. While I love Supernatural that show has a hard part in making the Winchesters not having their angst centered on trust. So when the storyline comes up it could lead to repeats and regression. I have the same concern when watching White Collar because you have Peter who does on the straight and arrow, and you have Neal that looks to live fancy free. 'Cause there is only so much you can do where it doesn't lead to repeat and regression.
Having that said I felt the writers did an excellent job with Peter and Neal's relationship. The writers did a really good job at bringing the issue of trust. I really enjoyed how trust was brought into this season by having Neal feel offended when Peter didn't keep his promise, or when Neal promised Elizabeth he would lie to keep Peter safe. It made things interesting and very personal this season. Plus the big payoff was when the trust subplot came to an end with warm fuzzies between the boys! Neal finally came to the full realization how much Peter has risked, loved, and supported him even when he was chasing him for years. Neal finally realized how much he loves Peter like a father. In turn, Peter realized how much he loves Neal like a son, and would do anything to protect him from making bad choices. Even if that means looking to James' past and not completely trusting him right away. The writers did a terrific job at the boys' storyline this season. It made me a happy fangirl!!
*Mozzie's Identity Crisis -- Sometimes Mozzie's focused episodes can be hit or miss which is troubling because I just simply love Willie Garson's performances. I've been watching too much Stargate SG-1 this year hehe. I really loved Mozzie's episode "Identity Crisis"!! It not only involved the American Revolution history, a fun treasure hunt, but it had very heartfelt struggle Mozzie was feeling as an orphan child. Mozzie not knowing why and who his parents are, and growing up the way he did affected who he is today. Mozzie and Neal are byproducts of their upbringing. One of the reasons I enjoyed "Identity Crisis" because Mozzie really went to the nitty, gritty on why he goes the conspiracy route for so many things. It gave him hope as a child on who his parents were. It's one of the reasons why I loved Mozzie's puppet show to Neal. You can see how much it was affecting Mozzie even at his age still. Willie Garson did such a terrific job in that scene!! "Identity Crisis" has to be one of the most pivotal episodes in Mozzie's character arc, and how I liked how it tied into Neal allowing himself to finally talk to his father. Plus bonus points for Mozzie referencing the Stargate Program!!
*A New York Kind of Life -- One of the greatest things about White Collar is how the show visualizes parts of the New York City life. Season four was no different and I loved it!! I loved how the show emphasized the boxing, mob, politics, history, and most especially the jazz club scene. One of my favorite episodes this season was "Empire City" because of the whole jazz element to the episode. It totally had the Rat Pack vibe that I just loved!! Plus to hear June sing some amazing beautiful music was breathtaking!! Out of all the episodes "Empire City" exhibits the beauty of New York rather than the negativity of it.
*Love, Support, Secrets, & Discoveries: Peter & Elizabeth -- Sometimes Peter and Elizabeth don't have much angst between them except for an episode here and there throughout the series. This season there was a lot more angst due to how dangerous it was getting to the evidence box. Peter almost lost his life trying to get to stop Senator Pratt, and I found it understandable how it really shook Elizabeth up. Elizabeth had to endure quite a lot due to Peter's job, and seeing him almost die was the straw that broke the camel's back. I know some people didn't like this, but I found it logical and understandable. On top of that Peter hid the fact he was still looking into the evidence box.
I found that there was a huge payoff in the Burkes' secrets in the episode "Shoot the Moon". Elizabeth realized that no matter what they do there will be people that will try to harm them. Peter and her will always be in danger even if they wanted to go out of the city for a weekend. Furthermore, neither Peter or Elizabeth can stop themselves for doing the right thing. This couple has to help others and fight for justice. It's just who they are. Btw, I really loved how the writers continue to incorporate Elizabeth's intelligence and quick wit in helping Peter solving cases. I hope that never ends!! Peter and Elizabeth Burke are still hands down one of my favorite tv couples with angst or no angst!! I'm looking forward to seeing Elizabeth's reaction to Peter's current situation in the next season.
Favorite Couples & Potential Couples: Alex/Neal, Elizabeth/Peter, Sophie/Neal, Abigail/Diana, and Nate/Penny
Favorite Friendships and/or Fremies: Neal/Peter, Peter/Diana, Team White Collar, Reese/Peter, Neal/Mozzie, Alex/Neal, June/Neal, June/Mozzie, Elizabeth/Mozzie, Elizabeth/Neal, Elizabeth/White Collar, and June/Team White Collar
Favorite Main Characters: Neal, Peter, Mozzie, Elizabeth, Diana, Clinton, and June
Mixed Characters: Sara and Amanda Calloway
Can't Stand Characters: None
Favorite Villains: Kyle Collins, Dobbs, James Bennett, Abigail Kincaid, Dennis Flynn Jr., Senator Terrance Pratt, and Jeff Blatnik
Least Favorite Villains: None, really bugged me, but some are pretty forgettable
Most Tragic Deaths or Almost Deaths: Peter Burke's car accident
Favorite Guest Stars: Treat Williams, Mekhi Phifer, Laura Vandervoort, Rebecca Mader, Gloria Votsis, Victor Webster, Titus Welliver, Judith Ivey, Scott Evans, Jackson Rathbone, and Hilarie Burton
What did you think of the season in general? As I already stated before I really enjoyed the season, and I feel it is one of the strongest seasons in the series. Season four was very personal season that included humor, action, mystery, and the themes of family and justice. All the things I love in my entertainment!! I'm looking forward to seeing how the writers conquer the season four cliffhanger from James' running away to Pratt's murder to Peter's arrest. I'm really curious to see how the writers write themselves out of this jam. Bring on season five!!