Friday, June 10, 2011

What I’m Watching: White Collar (Season Premiere)


White Collar: Season 3, Episode 1 “On Guard” (B)

It’s only been a few months since this show left the airwaves, and having the gang back is a blast. This first episode, however, is a bit of a non-starter, in the sense that it’s just that – an installment designed solely to clean up the messy pieces of last season and kick-start this season’s major arcs. Regardless of how overused the device may be, beginning the episode with Peter and Naomi chasing down Mozzie and Neal about to make their getaway was a fun red herring. What was less exciting was having Peter and Neal at odds with each other, each refusing to trust the other as they both deliberately lied and manipulated. Neal’s visit to Elizabeth in particular felt off, since they usually get along so well without having to resort to any false pretenses. Co-opting June’s granddaughter to help with their operation to switch the pieces of the Chrysler building painting was amusing, and I wonder if she’ll become a regular character since she seems game for a good con. Neal repainting that burnt part reaches a new level of duplicity, and it seems that this season might be heavily focused on the two leads trying to outsmart each other. That cleverly edited final montage was an effective ending scene, and I’m curious about where each of the supporting players, like Jones and Sara, will end up as Peter and Naomi work quietly to track the Nazi art that Mozzie and Neal are going to sell. If nothing else, it should be an entertaining season.

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