In this episode we learn that Peter has been sent to "the cave". No not the Batcave. Peter has been sent to the evidence lockup as punishment and is forced to report to Agent Patterson. Agent Patterson is, to put it nicely, a real jackass. Patterson is played by Brett Cullen and he does an excellent job in making the audience hate him. Unfortunately, the evidence lockup doesn't house the machine from Person of Interest and is very boring. To sum it all up, this is not a very good episode for Peter.
Neal has lunch with Peter in the "prison yard/picnic area" as they call it. Peter pushes Neal to reveal more on his past and tell him some more about his Dad. Neal is fairly forthcoming about it and tells Peter just about everything he knows (You never really know with Neal, but I think he told the whole truth). Unfortunately, I'm not going to be that forthcoming. You'll have to watch the episode to find out more about his Dad!
Back at White Collar division, things are very boring without Peter. Neal reports to Diana and Jones and is seemingly bored with his cases. He discovers a case that Peter was never able to close. The case has no suspects and the criminal only appears every five years. We later find out that the name of the crook is David Cook. Hey the guy from American Idol! No, not that one. Miraculously, Neal finds a lead! The case is particularly bland and is a very procedural case in my opinion. The show is a procedural, but this case is predictable. It goes beyond ridiculousness when Neal teaches Peter subliminal messaging.
Two Hints About the Episode
1. We are going to see a beloved character return to the show.
2. Patterson isn't nice. (This isn't really a hint, more just a fact of life)
To me this was just an OK episode. Not bad, but I've seen a lot better from the White Collar team. The episode is about 95% procedural case and only 5% for anything else like Neal's Dad.
Rating : 7.5/10
White Collar airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on USA Network. Be sure to come back here to let everyone know what you thought.
after 2 great eps to start the season, I guess it's natural to expect an ep to step back and begin setting up for the rest of the season to come.
ReplyDeleteOh please, any episode with Peter is awesome! sounds like it'll be good to me. :)
ReplyDelete1. We know already. He just can't stay away from Neal :P
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the episode although it is back to the case of the week format. The reveal about Neal's early life is awesome and there are a lot of good Peter and Neal scenes for people who watch more for their partnership than the cases. It is also a bit more Peter-centric. Plus we get the two E's - Elizabeth (fantastic as always) and Ellen, who sheds light on Neal's dad for him.
ReplyDeletethis is will be a very boring to much talcking .//BLAH.// episode with some action in following the half hour later...
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned any episode of White Collar is cause for celebration.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Don't get me wrong. I love this show I just think it could have been a little better.
ReplyDeleteWhite Collar isn't about "action" it's about the relationship between Neal and Peter. The fans prefer the episodes with talking, as you call it. That's how we learn more about the characters.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see it. Would love more details about the dad. I hope the conversation between them lasts longer than just a minute. We've been waiting for Neal to reveal his story to Peter for 3 full seasons now :-)
ReplyDeleteYou and me both. Of all the spoilers I heard about this season the best was that they were going to delve into Neal's history. We get a wealth of information in this one and it left me wanting more. I really never suspected some of the info given but it all makes sense now.
ReplyDeleteYou can't make a blanket statement the "the fans" prefer it. I know a lot of fans who don't. In fact I usually prefer action-oriented White Collar to talking-oriented White Collar. Good thing there is a mixture of both in this episode.
ReplyDeleteNelly you know I'm very much an action-oriented viewer but I thought the pace was pretty good in this one. Also very clever. I do miss the setting of your beautiful country though. Still I wouldn't prejudge the episode. You just might find you love it.
ReplyDeleteWhite Collar is a procedural? Since when? Yeah, I know there is the case of the week, but truthfully, it was never about the cases, it was always about giving Peter the opportunity to be clever and Neal the opportunity to wipe out his con man abilities. The cases were always secondary, it's about the characters.
ReplyDeleteDoes the issue of Neal's name get mentioned? You know we've all been wondering if it's his real birth name. Do you think it was answered one way or the other in this episode?
ReplyDeleteYes it definitely is.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dahne. You rock :-) I love reading your reviews, btw.
ReplyDeleteYour absolutely right. It isn't a bad episode. I think I've been spoiled with the first 2 dealing with a serialized part of the show 100% of the time.
ReplyDelete