What I’m Watching: White Collar

White Collar: Season 1, Episode 9 “Bad Judgment” (B+)

This episode was a lot of fun partially because it didn’t quite fit the normal format and setup for this series. The foreclosed-on family came to the FBI seeking justice, but the incorporation of Fowler bugging Peter’s phones and trying to take him down amped up the excitement considerably. I’m also incredibly impressed with how Mozzie is being continually incorporated into the story, and how what could have been merely a peripheral, barely recurring character has become such an integral part of the plot while still remaining quite mysterious. The now four-way dynamic between Neal, Peter, Elizabeth, and Mozzie is absolutely irresistible and entertaining, given the fact that none of them really trusts each other but they still manage to function and work together. Mozzie’s questions about the silverware and Neal’s subsequent recommendation that perhaps Elizabeth should keep a close eye on him was quite funny. From my extensive TV and movie watching, I’ve learned that it’s definitely a good idea to inform others, especially your superiors, when you’re undertaking a sting operation to ensure that you’re not the one who takes the fall as the supposedly corrupt party. Despite his poor-looking predicament, it’s nice to see that Peter has many friends in the department, including his little-seen superior played by James Rebhorn and most of the staff, all of who seem willing to come in during the middle of the night to help make sure he’s protected. My favorite line of the episode was delivered by Peter to Neal: “Oh, look at that. Telling the truth – did it hurt?”