White Collar – 3x08 "As You Were"

[tj_teejay]

With the current LJ DDoS attack, who knows when I can post this. I wrote it Wednesday night, right after I watched the episode. And my first reaction was...

Aaaangst! God, I love angst! I had all kinds of angsty knots in my stomach during this whole episode. In the grand scheme of season three, let me assure you, that's a good thing. Still, I can't really say I'm squeeing all over the place. But at least it feels more like the show is back on the right track. (Please tell me I'm not wrong. Please.)

So let's look at the specifics.

1. Okay, so this is the Neal/Sara break-up. I was spoiled about it already a while back. And even despite the spoiler, it wasn't like we couldn't see it coming. Right? At least it felt natural and not terribly plot-devicey.
   
   
2. Yes, I understand Sara's motivation. A) What she saw was another reminder that Neal will always be a conman at heart with little sense of consequence. B) She realized that this is bigger than she can or wants to handle. While she was clearly distraught to leave Neal, it was probably the right move. (And I'm not saying that because I'm not a Neal/Sara shipper.)
   
   
3. Loved the emotions that played on Hilarie's face as she was looking at the Treasure Cam. You could see that she realized just how deeply this goes. And that unless there was a small miracle, it would end badly either way. I was right there with her. Angsty knots of angstiness in the vicinity of my stomach. Thank you, Mr. Negrete and Ms. Burton.
   
   
4. The break-up scene. Angsty knots of angstiness intensify. I know this sounds kind of wrong, but I loved everything about it. You know, in a Neal-projecting sadist kind of way. Like I said, I soak up angst. This was perfect, and perfectly played. Sara's subdued sorrow over the decision she made, the distance she put between her and Neal, the tears she carefully tried to keep in check, the goodbye kiss. "Caffrey, please take care of yourself." Damn near broke my heart. (Not so much Neal's, eh?)
   
   
5. Talking about which, is Neal just really good at bottling up his emotions, or did he really care so little? He's supposed to be this hopeless romantic, and Sara leaving him seemed kinda like a bitter afterthought to him, at least from what we saw. I didn't quite expect him to break down in a sobbing heap of tears, but to me it all felt kinda cold. Well, maybe I'm projecting too much. But, oh, the angst potential! I'm like an addict, and they got me hooked. More angsty knots of angstiness, more, more more! Do want! (As if the episode didn't already have enough.)
   
   
6. Did Neal realize Sara had seen the treasure? I mean, he took that knowing look at the laptop on his table. Is he suspecting? And if so, is he just letting it go, trusting Sara not to use it against him in the end?
   
   
7. And looky here, Sara lives on West 69th street. Near Central Park and not too far from June's house. Sweet.
   
   
8. The Clinton-heavy A-plot. I kinda wanted to get it out of the way so we could get to all the wonderful, personal Neal-dilemma stuff. It wasn't so bad, but to me it distracted from what I really wanted to see. But, hey, I get that they need a main procedural plot that they can intersperse the personal stuff with. Can't say I was too terribly excited about the A-plot, though.
   
   
9. But, yay, they gave Jones a bit of a backstory. What did we learn? He used to be in the Navy. He was engaged to a beautiful woman who got married to one of his best friends. That's a bummer. And it happened because CJ (hee!) chose his career over his personal life. Did I miss anything? Oh, he lives in an apartment under the stairs. (The Cupboard Under The Stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey)
   
   
10. Jones can kick some serious hand-to-hand combat ass. Go Clinton!
    
    
11. Neal introduced himself as "Agent Burke's CI". When has he ever done that? He usually feels too self-conscious to admit he's "just" a CI. I will take it as a sign that he's becoming more comfortable with this role in his anklet-restricted life. Just another indication that he's not as ready to leave it behind as he might have thought.
    
    
12. "Promise me you'll never speak at my funeral." Have I mentioned I love the Neal/Mozzie banter?
    
    
13. Okay, so is it weird that Peter doesn't ask Neal why he's coming back to the office after hours? "We're good at this." – "We are." Score one more for the Neal dilemma. Come on, Neal, you know you have a good thing going there. You don't want to betray Peter, don't want to run and leave all of that behind. Do you?
    
    
14. Okay, so it seems Peter was smart enough to transfer the manifest from his desk drawer to his safe. Thank you, that makes way more sense than him keeping it in a place Neal can break into with a paper clip in a matter of seconds.
    
    
15. "We have to break into the Burkes'." I was, like, "Uh oh." Major uh oh. "Sara no longer, what's keeping you here?" Come on, Moz, that was heartless. And of course Neal would have qualms about breaking into Peter's house for his own gain.
    
    
16. Neal doesn't wanna be alone in his apartment, especially with Sara's stuff still standing around. That's why he and the single malt turn up at Jones' doorstep. Not quite the angstiness I was hoping for, but I can see it in my twisted mind. Yep. He does care.
    
    
17. Of course I loved the bonding going on between Neal and Clinton. (I can already see the number of new Neal/Jones slash fics sky-rocketing after this. Uhm... do not want?) "Then why did I let Van Horn get to me?" – "Same reason that landed me consecutive 4-year prison sentences." – "What, an almost sociopathic need to tell lies of omission to get something for nothing?" – "I was gonna say passion." Tee-hee.
    
    
18. "Because choices are sacrifices. And inevitably, that means giving up something that you want for something that you want more." Oh, the innuendo, the double-meaning! Yes, Neal, so what do you want more? "What does having it all mean to Neal Caffrey?" - "Never having to worry about money. Doing something that's meaningful, being surrounded by people I care about, respect, you know. That's pretty much the dream." - "Screw you. You already live in a dream. You are the damned dream with a tracking anklet." Wait a minute. Neal never has to worry about money in his current situation? Hm...
    
    
19. Nipple exposure! Well, barely. :-P
    
    
20. There must be something seriously wrong with my sexiness radar. Because not only do I not dig men in tuxes, I also do not dig men in uniform. Like, at all. Consequently, Neal in dress whites did nothing for me. Nothing at all.
    
    
21. But, hey, look at that. We got Neal-Almost-Whump. I mean, that fall onto his back musta hurt. I'll bet he was sore for at least a day or two. Sore!fic! Anyone?
    
    
22. "I kinda enjoy these all-nighters." Peter, what is wrong with you?! No one in their sane mind enjoys all-nighters, not at your age, not with a beautiful wife waiting at home, and not in a crammy, smelly van. Bullshit alert! Plot device. Meh.
    
    
23. I was all over the break-in scene. (And can I just say I loved the music that was playing over it?) I actually rewound the episode and watched it a second time right after the episode ended. Angsty knots of intense angstiness ftw! The duplicity is killing me.
    
    
24. Okay, so I'm pausing the picture on the manifest. You know my gripe with fake German. It's not too bad here, but it's still kinda weird to read for a native speaker. Why would the manifest say "Beschreibung der Technik" (description of the technology)? That doesn't even remotely make sense. I guess you could translate "Technik" to any number of other words (engineering, method, procedure, technique), none of which make any more sense. But I'm not gonna rant too much now. I'm just sayin'...
    
    
25. Russell Lee Fine really likes his mirrors.
    
    
26. The irony of Peter calling Neal while Neal was standing right in the Burkes' bedroom knocked this out of the ballpark for me. That was probably the most powerful scene all season. Peter asking Neal about Sara, that was a spectacular show of empathy for Peter. We know he's not good with the emotional stuff. And it said so much. He's worried about Neal. "She hasn't been accepting my calls." - "That's gotta be weighing on you." - "You have no idea."  Was that a genuine admission on Neal's part? Or just conman fakery to distract Peter from suspecting something? I really can't tell.
    
    
27. "You and I have been through some stuff. We've had to keep things from each other, but if you wanna talk... I mean, really... talk, I'm here for ya." - "Is this the loneliness of the van talking?" - "Maybe. Maybe. But I, uh, you know, I think you deserve some happiness. And I, uh, whatever I can do to help you with that, let me know."  - "Thanks, Peter. That means a lot." - "Yeah. No problem. See ya tomorrow, Neal."  - "See ya tomorrow." Gah, my luvs. That made me melt and fills me with all kinds of gooey fangirly happiness. Yes, yes, yes, I want the careful trust back, the Neal-Peter friendship. Yes. It's possible. It is. I want to belieeeeeeeve.
    
    
28. Neal lied to Mozzie. He lied. To his face (well, his ear). He lied because he doesn't want to leave. *hugs Neal real tight* ♥

So, am I getting this right that there's gonna be a summer/fall break after episode 3x10? I can't believe half the season is already over. Why do they always pass way too quickly? Well, at least I'm hoping for a cliffhanger that's not too cruel (I think we can safely assume there will be one) that will leave us with lots of juicy potential for fanfic endeavours. Bring it on, Mr. Eastin! I'm so ready.

Comments

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

1-7 As always, I don't get it - in Sara's place I would be more angry. And in Neal's place I would be worried that she tells Peter. I suspect that they plan a revival of the relationship later on, but I have no idea how they want to sell that when Sara isn't invested enough to even try talking Neal out of it and Neal acts like a he lost his favourite toy but not someone he really deeply loves.
8. The case itself was okay, but they dipped a little bit deep into the clichee with this one. I could have done without the old girlfriend, although it was somewhat justified as background for the talk between Neal and Jones.
9. And he likes smelly tuna sandwitches and is in overarchiever - oh, and a good man. Don't forget this, they just repeated it three times.
10. The man is deathly with a frying pan!
11. I think Neal just couldn't resist the CI-CJ pun.
12. Me too
13-15. I suspect that Peter begins to believe that the treasure isn't out there after all - poor Peter is in a for a big disappointment.
16. Great interpretation!
17. Agreed
18. Yeah, I was wondering about that too.
19-21 It's not just you. I admit I don't really care in what Neal dresses (or not dresses), but I love moments like the one when he was staring into the arrow of the criminal. I totally dig his emotional eyes.*sighs*
22. Perhaps he wanted to give Neal a reprive after he nearly got killed that day. And his girl friend broke up with him. (Neal gets anxious in the van? How did he survive prison? Or does he gets anxious because it reminds him of prison?)
23. Totally love the score to! I prefered the version they used when Neal was forging the statue back in "Out of the Box", but it was great to hear it again.
24. Ich denke, da geht es um die Maltechnik.
25-27. I would never put a picture of my Co-Workers in my bedroom (that's a place for privacy, nothing work related allowed), but I'm glad that Peter would. I just hope that he doesn't check Neal's tracking data.
28. A great parallel to the time when Neal lied to Mozzie about getting the password from Adler.
Naturally they will end it when it just becomes good again. *sigh* But I expect a lot from the next two episodes. And I bet that this time around we get the explosion for the midseason finale for a change. *grin*

[tj-teejay.livejournal.com]

Wheee, great commentary on my entry. :-D Yes, I'm sure they're gonna get Neal and Sara back together. This is not based on anything I've heard, just pure speculation. I mean, in the end, I could somehow enjoy the Neal/Sara scenes by tuning out Sara as a person, so I won't mind too much getting her back in Neal's life. Of course this can only really happen, once the treasure secret gets squared away.

Maltechnik, huh? Hm, never even thought of that, but you could be right. I think most of these painters listed there were impressionists, but I haven't actually checked.

I don't think I'd put a picture of my co-workers in my bedroom either, but this may be a German vs. American cultural thing. Also, unlike Peter, I'm not heading a team. I think he's very proud of his work, so why not put a reminder of that in a place where it means something to you? While I love the people in the team I work with, it doesn't exactly fill me with pride when I see a picture of them. If you know what I mean...

Yep, there will another big revealy cliffhanger in the mid-season finale. And someone on another mailing list just said that after the mid-season finale, we'll have to wait until January for the continuation. Please tell me it ain't so. That'd be a *really* cruel wait. Wasn't it from November to January last time? August to January would be evil with a capital E.

[virgo-79.livejournal.com]

Oh, goodie, lj's letting us play. Dare I hope it will last?

Agreed on the pure deliciousness of the angst in this episode. That last exchange between Neal and Peter was just wonderful, and painful, and so long overdue. *There's* the love that drives this show.

I liked this ep because it felt like things finally *moved* in terms of the arc. Sara knows, and Neal knows that she knows. Peter's trying to heal things between him and Neal, and he's acknowledging the hurt and trouble that's been the elephant in the room all season. Neal, with that lie to Mozzie, has finally shown an inclination to put the brakes on this con, instead of just being dragged along semi-willing by it. (And I tend to think Mozzie suspected he was being lied to; just something in the expression.)

The bow-and-arrow chase scene was GOOD. (The bad guy was good, for that matter.) It was...horrifying in its implications, and Striker (I can't recall what the character's real name was) was just enjoying himself so damn much. Neal is rarely flat-out terrified on this show, and his fear in this scene sold it. (That's something that I think White Collar does well, and I like it -- as adept as Neal is at so many things, and as much as he can keep his cool, he's out of his element in situations like this, and the showrunners stay true to that. He's many things, but he can't fight, he's a at a disadvantage when things get physical, and they write him scared in scary situations. I like that they don't turn the character into a fearless action hero in moments like this. He reacts like a real person being chased down by a crazy guy with a bow and arrow would.)

I'm with you on tuxes. Meh. Now, the uniforms I liked. But I liked Neal's catburgler threads best. :)

I liked JOnes' part of Jones' story. The ex was kinda boring. I don't feel any burning need to see her come back. But we can see JOnes involved in hand-to-hand combat ANYTIME.

Agree with you on points 1-4. As for Neal's reaction, I got a kind of deer-in-the-headlights vibe from him. I think he was genuinely caught off guard and stung (he was in full-on, naive, little boy daydreaming mode not long before this), and I think he doesn't know what to expect from her in terms of what she does with the knowledge she has now. Although I think the way she leaves, the kiss and the "Take care of yourself, Caffrey," are an indication she isn't planning on being the one who lets this particular cat out of the bag.

Good ep. Rough ride, but a good ep. (And hopefully lj's going to behave long enough for me to post my own reaction to this one.)

Bless you for transcribing the phone call dialogue, also. Such a wonderful scene.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

January? Are they crazy? They can't do that! *whine* It will be difficult enough to survive the hiatus between White Collar taking the mid season break and Psych's next season.

[tj-teejay.livejournal.com]

I don't know. I've seen January mentioned more than once now. But I have no idea about USA's 2011 schedule.

[tj-teejay.livejournal.com]

Oh, goodie, lj's letting us play. Dare I hope it will last?
It didn't. I'm getting kinda tired of this taking days to fix. The fact that they're so vulnerable to attack is bad enough, but other site like Twitter or Facebook wouldn't take four or five days to be back up and running. You know, just sayin'...

Agreed on the pure deliciousness of the angst in this episode. That last exchange between Neal and Peter was just wonderful, and painful, and so long overdue. *There's* the love that drives this show.
*nods vigorously*

I liked this ep because it felt like things finally *moved* in terms of the arc. Sara knows, and Neal knows that she knows.
But does he? I wasn't all that sure. From the storytelling POV, it would make more sense that he figured it out. The surreptitious glance and the "you know everything I have to offer" comment did somehow indicate it, right?

The bow-and-arrow chase scene was GOOD. (The bad guy was good, for that matter.)
Anything even slightly whumpy is instant win in my book. :-P

It was...horrifying in its implications, and Striker (I can't recall what the character's real name was)
Van Horn. (Played by Tiffani Thiessen's husband, btw.) Striker reminds me of X-Men Wolverine.

Neal is rarely flat-out terrified on this show, and his fear in this scene sold it.
Agreed on all fronts. Matt Bomer knows how to play Neal and how to sell us his emotions. It's not just the fear. I just love him a little more each episode.

I'm with you on tuxes. Meh. Now, the uniforms I liked. But I liked Neal's catburgler threads best. :)
I don't know. I like him best in casual clothes. Or as casual as Neal gets. The regular suits are fine with me too. It's when he starts using product in his hair that it's making me go meh.

Agree with you on points 1-4. As for Neal's reaction, I got a kind of deer-in-the-headlights vibe from him. I think he was genuinely caught off guard and stung (he was in full-on, naive, little boy daydreaming mode not long before this)
Oh yes, he was definitely caught off guard there. But, I don't know, he just seemed so rational about it all, even after that when it should have sunk in.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

I think, it's less that LJ is so vulnerable and more that they are such an important target. This big scales attacks are done by professional cyber hit men. I know it's especially aggrevating when you have a paid account (although I'm sure LJ will reimburse, they did the last time around), but considering that the reason behind those attacks is to shut down the freedom of speech in countries like russia, I'm ready to cheer on LJ all the way. (and during the large attack which hit google, Facebook, LJ and Twitter, LJ was actually the first one back in service (google was the first).

Neal definitly knows. The look, the "You know everything I have to offer", no question for me there.

I think the ep was so good because
1. It felt like rain after a long draugth after so many eps with no movement on the arc and a distinct lack of bromance.
2. MB's acting skills got a full workout. Hurt, angry, vulnerable, terrified, thoughtful, shattered - this episode had everything I love about the character! Neal is Back! Byebye conman ken, hopefully forever.

[virgo-79.livejournal.com]

It didn't. I'm getting kinda tired of this taking days to fix.

Yeah, I was quite PO'd by last night.

But does he? I wasn't all that sure. From the storytelling POV, it would make more sense that he figured it out. The surreptitious glance and the "you know everything I have to offer" comment did somehow indicate it, right?

Oh, absolutely. It didn't even cross my mind that he *didn't* know she knew.

Van Horn. (Played by Tiffani Thiessen's husband, btw.) Striker reminds me of X-Men Wolverine.

Thank you. And yeah, I immediately thought X-Men when they threw that name out there. :)

Oh yes, he was definitely caught off guard there. But, I don't know, he just seemed so rational about it all, even after that when it should have sunk in.

He was subdued, to be sure, but I got hurt-quiet more than unmoved-quiet from it. We know he was at least bothered enough by it to go to Jones to drink and seek out sage advice. :) And they aren't full-on in love atthis point; Sara's reaction was actually a little more emotional than what I would have expected, and I think that had more to do with worrying about what Neal was getting himself into than the relationship hitting the rocks.

[virgo-79.livejournal.com]

I think the ep was so good because
1. It felt like rain after a long draugth after so many eps with no movement on the arc and a distinct lack of bromance.
2. MB's acting skills got a full workout. Hurt, angry, vulnerable, terrified, thoughtful, shattered - this episode had everything I love about the character! Neal is Back! Byebye conman ken, hopefully forever.

Yes, yes, and yes.

[lomer.livejournal.com]

I'm almost positive that the exterior location for Junes house is in the Upper West Side (which would be reasonably close to Sara's on the subway... not that Neal would take public transportation.) However in the show the house is actually in Tutor City which is on the Lower East Side... not close to Sara at all. I think they even showed the GPS recently and Neal was hanging out in Tutor City (which is east of Rockafeller)

I'm pretty sure that both the Burke's real location and story location is both Clinton Hill in Brooklyn though. There are great brownstones in that area but the neighborhood itself is kinda sketchy.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure that Neal even can take the subway, being that far under the earth should mess with his anklet. And I'm pretty sure that in "Unfinished Business" Sara's apartment was elsewhere - oh well, perhaps she moved.

[clemgo3165.livejournal.com]

Hello! I hope you don't mind me jumping in. I just had to comment on the picture. I may be way off base here, but I think Peter put that picture there for a reason - he knows Neal far too well.

He moved the manifest from the office to the house to make it harder for Neal to access, and then he planted the photo in the safe to act as a deterrent. He knows what makes Neal tick, so he knows that the photo will at the very least make him think about what he's doing and all that he'll be giving up.

I'm also not entirely convinced that the timing of that phone call was coincidental. Peter can pull up Neal's tracking data any time he wants to.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

I actually considered the scenario - it would be very sneaky of Peter. I even considered that he waved the manifest in Neal's face deliberatly to see if he would go after it. But at the moment, nothing points in this direction, which is somewhat disappointing.

[tj-teejay.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that's useful to know. It gets so tricky with trying to figure out where places are supposed to be, with the exterior locations being somewhere and the interior on a soundstage.

[tj-teejay.livejournal.com]

Of course I don't mind. The more, the merrier.

That's actually a really interesting thought, and I hadn't considered it. But it does make sense. I wonder if Peter checked Neal's tracking data. What would Neal say if Peter asked him why he was at their house while both Peter and El were out?

Here's another thought: What if the manifest in Peter's safe was a fake, to intentionally mislead Neal? Could Peter have that much duplicity to him?

[tj-teejay.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes and yes from me too.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

Looks like it's january...*whine*...how can they do this to me? And how am I suppose to put together my story for the fic exchange when the show is in the middle of a cliffhanger? *headdesk*

[tj-teejay.livejournal.com]

Gaaah, this is so cruel! But, well, at least all the regular fall shows come back around September, so hopefully there's gonna be some distraction.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

Psych is the only fall show I watch...well, and Merlin, if they start in fall. With Sherlock it looks like we'll be lucky if we get new episodes next year. It's aggrevating.

[neontiger55.livejournal.com]

*Loved* this episode! Great recap :)

23. Right there with you. Not only was it a great scene, but I think that music is to us viewers what bells are to Pavlov’s dogs; can’t help but picture Neal. Topless. Sculpting. (Not that dogs picture Neal sculpting…or maybe they do).

26. That was great. It seemed like a very genuine, heart felt sentiment from Peter, which as we know, doesn’t come easily to him. I think Neal was evading answering Peter’s questions, but in the back of my mind I was wondering if Peter sensed that Neal was up to something and his offer to talk was a last resort/olive branch. Could you read Peter’s expression when he hung up? The first time I saw relief, then re-watching (I’m not obsessed, really) he seemed more anxious.

13. I did wonder why Peter wasn’t more suspicious of Neal being at the office after hours, but like no. 26, I think he’s going for the emotional tie, rather than accusing and questioning Neal.

1 – 7. Yeah, still not sold on any of it. I do think Neal was upset though. Unlike Mozzie, Neal thrives on human interaction, and I think Sara walking out because of the treasure was a reminder of what he may have to sacrifice by going on the run.

[tj-teejay.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, the sculpting scene. Guh. *drools a little* ;-P,,,

Someone up there in the discussion comments said that maybe Peter deliberately called Neal at the time, perhaps he was even checking Neal's tracking data and knew he was at his house. Wouldn't that be cruel? And don't worry, I've watched that scene at least four times now too. In fact, I rewatched the whole episode again last night.

Oh yeah, Neal was definitely upset. I'm sure he turned up at CJ's house with the whisky because he didn't want to sit alone in his apartment at night with Sara reminders standing right there. I don't know, I'm just such a sucker for angsty despair that I get immediately disappointed when they don't use its full potential. But maybe that's just me.

[tj-teejay.livejournal.com]

Well, most of my fall shows have now been cancelled or have ended. The ones that (I hope!) they renewed are pretty much only CSI:, CSI:NY, Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice.

I also watch Being Human (US) and Breakout Kings, but I think we only get new episodes of those in 2012.

[neontiger55.livejournal.com]

It crossed my mind that he might be checking the data, but I don't think he was; the writers can now exploit the guilt/angst (or not, as the case may turn out to be) to the fullest on Neal's part for crossing the line. I'm sure it'll come back to bite him in the a**.

The tricky thing with Neal is that he keeps his cards close to his chest, so I guess its the small gestures - talking to Peter, going to Jones' apartment etc - that speak volumes.

(Btw, love that you're now referring to Jones as CJ.

[swanpride.livejournal.com]

Never got into CSI...watched CSI:NY for a while, because I liked the crazy cases they had, but they lost me somewhere along the drama. Doctor shows are absolutely not my thing (the last I watched was House, and even this one jumped the shark for me by now).