What I’m Watching: White Collar

White Collar: Season 2, Episode 8 “Company Man” (B+)

I should be obvious to any regular reader by now that I love any time Peter is forced to go undercover, especially when it also involves Neal going undercover. Add to that Mozzie and Naomi meeting each other and not really hitting it off and you have one fabulous episode. Peter’s stint as an IRS man had to be one of the most pleasant times any kind of person in that profession has ever experienced (or rather, unlike anything like that since this show often indulges in fantasy a little bit). Still, seeing him delight in the size of his office and the arrival of his delectable espresso was fun, and Neal’s jealousy at not being the one to get such lavish treatment was entertaining as well. Neal really is a master manipulator, ensuring that his card wouldn’t get picked from a hat and that the rude guy had to foot the $2000 bill. What this episode offered that this show doesn’t usually was Peter in real danger, poisoned by the same concoction that was meant to poison the boss. Of course, in the style of this show, Peter was never actually going to die, and Neal was all for hopping a turnstile or two to save his good friend from certain death. Peter’s demand to be included in Neal’s investigation was interesting and a sign of the close bond, both professional and personal, between the two men. Naomi’s distaste for all of Mozzie’s antics had to be the comedic highlight of the episode, and I hope to see them working together for a long, long time.