6x01 Borrowed Time - some random thoughts
First of all, I really, really liked this episode, even though some parts did made me hesitate and question.
And now to the ramble.
Wow, this was fantastic. I think I really like where this is going.
So, what IS Neal's plan? He clearly wants to break away from the FBI, and I think that's a good decision. He's been screwed by the Bureau far too many times and he'll never be able to move forward if he stays there - even the people on his team who geniunely like him (Diana, Jones, Peter to a small degree) are constantly questioning his motives in this episode. Which is understandable since Neal is who he is, but it also means he can never stop being a con man.
On the other hand, what are Neal's plans with the Panters?
I'm not sure if I can see Neal joining them. I get a vibe that they're a bit less squemish about shooting someone than Neal'd like. Then again, maybe not. Still, I find the scenarion of Neal talking them down and then taking their place a bit more likely. Unless Neal wants to lead the Pink Panters. If he gave away just the leader and a part of the gang... well, who knows? We'll see.
There's also the part when joining the Panters would be kind of screwing Peter over. I have to feel for him here - he has no clear idea what Neal's planning, and he'll try to be a good friend but he's also an FBI agent.
It is great to see Neal back at the top of his game. Actually, he scares me a bit. Maybe this was the first time I really got it how good and dangerous Neal is as a con man. People have always been hurt around Neal because of who he was, but it was usually past sins coming back to haunt him. Kate got killed, but Adler and the music box were Neal's past. Ellen died, but Neal had no control over that. Peter and El were kidnapped, but again, Keller was a ghost from the past, and even if Neal was involved with the treasure, he was pushed into that situation by Mozzie, and to a lesser degree by Peters accusations (how he handled the cards he was dealt is another thing). Mozzie being shot, Peter's arrest, the deal with Hagen.... all these time, this was Neal reacting to something. Now, for the first time, he is acting compketely on his own free will, completely for his own (selfish?) reasons.
There's no gun to Neal's head this time. Nobody who needs to be saved, no dark secret he didn't ask for that he has to protect. Whatever happens now, it's all on Neal.
So, who is he? Who does he want to be? We've seen so many faces of Neal Caffrey, how is this gonna end?
I loved Rachel's appearance more than I could say. And her speech about borrowed time... chilling. Very chilling. Also, it brings me back to Neal. It feels like the years at prison, but maybe even more his years with the FBI have stripped Neal of a lot of his idealism. The question is, if he's become more more mature and realistic in return, or if his idealism was simply replaced with cynism. The Neal Caffrey I saw in this episode could be an admirable man if he went the right way. He could also be a con man and King of Thieves of rpoportions that I can't even begin to imagine.
So again, who is Neal Caffrey? Consider me deeply intrigued.
As for the other things on the episode:
- Mozzie and Peter - love, check.
- El's pregnancy - I might be in the minority here (or not?), but I like it. Well, I would have been completely content without it, but I don't see what'S the problem here. Hsving a child doesn't make El any less badass than she was before, and I always thought that Peter would make a great dad. So, why not? (Although, it again brings the question where Peter and Neal are heading.)
- Booth - interesting character. I'm looking forward to see more of him. EDIT: Forgot he was arrested. Well, never mind.
-the caper - perfect. Loved it from the beginning to the end.
- and agan, Rachel. I honestly didn't expect her to get shot, but looking back, it made sense. Now, Neal knows that he doesn't want to end like this... Mozzie tell's him it's inevitable, they're on borrowed time, but Neal squashes that idea right away. The question is, does Neal think he can outrun and outcon his troubles, or does he want to face them like a man? At this point, I have to say I'm not exactly optimistic. But maybe he'll surprise me.
Speaking of which, the friendship between Moz and Neal was as awesome as always.
So, what next? Are we really living on Borrowed time, or will there be a happy ending after all? I can't wait to see.
PS: Could Mozzie join the Panters if Neal won't? Just a thought...
And now to the ramble.
Wow, this was fantastic. I think I really like where this is going.
So, what IS Neal's plan? He clearly wants to break away from the FBI, and I think that's a good decision. He's been screwed by the Bureau far too many times and he'll never be able to move forward if he stays there - even the people on his team who geniunely like him (Diana, Jones, Peter to a small degree) are constantly questioning his motives in this episode. Which is understandable since Neal is who he is, but it also means he can never stop being a con man.
On the other hand, what are Neal's plans with the Panters?
I'm not sure if I can see Neal joining them. I get a vibe that they're a bit less squemish about shooting someone than Neal'd like. Then again, maybe not. Still, I find the scenarion of Neal talking them down and then taking their place a bit more likely. Unless Neal wants to lead the Pink Panters. If he gave away just the leader and a part of the gang... well, who knows? We'll see.
There's also the part when joining the Panters would be kind of screwing Peter over. I have to feel for him here - he has no clear idea what Neal's planning, and he'll try to be a good friend but he's also an FBI agent.
It is great to see Neal back at the top of his game. Actually, he scares me a bit. Maybe this was the first time I really got it how good and dangerous Neal is as a con man. People have always been hurt around Neal because of who he was, but it was usually past sins coming back to haunt him. Kate got killed, but Adler and the music box were Neal's past. Ellen died, but Neal had no control over that. Peter and El were kidnapped, but again, Keller was a ghost from the past, and even if Neal was involved with the treasure, he was pushed into that situation by Mozzie, and to a lesser degree by Peters accusations (how he handled the cards he was dealt is another thing). Mozzie being shot, Peter's arrest, the deal with Hagen.... all these time, this was Neal reacting to something. Now, for the first time, he is acting compketely on his own free will, completely for his own (selfish?) reasons.
There's no gun to Neal's head this time. Nobody who needs to be saved, no dark secret he didn't ask for that he has to protect. Whatever happens now, it's all on Neal.
So, who is he? Who does he want to be? We've seen so many faces of Neal Caffrey, how is this gonna end?
I loved Rachel's appearance more than I could say. And her speech about borrowed time... chilling. Very chilling. Also, it brings me back to Neal. It feels like the years at prison, but maybe even more his years with the FBI have stripped Neal of a lot of his idealism. The question is, if he's become more more mature and realistic in return, or if his idealism was simply replaced with cynism. The Neal Caffrey I saw in this episode could be an admirable man if he went the right way. He could also be a con man and King of Thieves of rpoportions that I can't even begin to imagine.
So again, who is Neal Caffrey? Consider me deeply intrigued.
As for the other things on the episode:
- Mozzie and Peter - love, check.
- El's pregnancy - I might be in the minority here (or not?), but I like it. Well, I would have been completely content without it, but I don't see what'S the problem here. Hsving a child doesn't make El any less badass than she was before, and I always thought that Peter would make a great dad. So, why not? (Although, it again brings the question where Peter and Neal are heading.)
- Booth - interesting character. I'm looking forward to see more of him. EDIT: Forgot he was arrested. Well, never mind.
-the caper - perfect. Loved it from the beginning to the end.
- and agan, Rachel. I honestly didn't expect her to get shot, but looking back, it made sense. Now, Neal knows that he doesn't want to end like this... Mozzie tell's him it's inevitable, they're on borrowed time, but Neal squashes that idea right away. The question is, does Neal think he can outrun and outcon his troubles, or does he want to face them like a man? At this point, I have to say I'm not exactly optimistic. But maybe he'll surprise me.
Speaking of which, the friendship between Moz and Neal was as awesome as always.
So, what next? Are we really living on Borrowed time, or will there be a happy ending after all? I can't wait to see.
PS: Could Mozzie join the Panters if Neal won't? Just a thought...