(no subject)

[cblj_backup]

Good morning! Early morning! I am eating toast. You want some? It's got apple butter!

I don't imagine I'll be able to do this with any regularity, but as I've managed to hit up White Collar early this week it's time for...

Sam's Three Things About White Collar, 2.03: Peter Seems To Enjoy Being Evil

1. Aww, look at Neal grin when he finds out someone's copycatting him. Look at his grin! And then later when he finds out he's being studied! He loves to be loved. (Incidentally, while the majority of the "team meeting" scenes still take place in Peter's office, it's nice to see them all gathering around Neal's desk for the first meeting in the opening sequence, because Neal's good at building community.)

2. Mozzie got a lot of heavy use in this episode, and it's not that I don't love that, but I think they need to be careful not to make Moz the solution to every problem the writers run into. It worked well here but it's going to get tired if it's used too often. On the other hand, Mozzie is always charming in that crazy-uncle kind of way, and the moment in the classroom when Mafia Don Peter is trying not to LOL at Moz over the radio made me crack up laughing.

3. The damsel-in-distress thing worked well with Kate, because what we see is not so much her in distress as someone playing on Neal's conception of himself and how he relates to women. Neal talks a lot about saving and protecting Kate, which sometimes gets in the way of actually listening to Kate. So I bought that setup with Kate because it was more about Neal lying to himself than her power or lack thereof. I have a harder time with Neal rescuing Alex, because Alex has formerly come across as someone who doesn't need a lot of saving. I liked them working together throughout the episode, but the kiss at the end for Peter especially, and to some extent the kiss for Neal, rang a little false to me. Although Neal during that kiss was heartbreaking; he looked sad and very lonely, like he craved it but wouldn't or couldn't take it. I wonder how much of that is him grieving Kate, how much is him not wanting to suck another person into the insanity of his life, and how much is his fidelity to the Bureau.

3a. The art dorkery in this show never fails to make me happy. Never fails. So much art dorkery! As an art dork, I enjoy it.

Comments

[888mph.livejournal.com]

Hey, since your f-list was so awesome with wanting to save the baby swifts, could you tell them that the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Culture stepped up and didn't let the wall be teared down, saving them? I'm sure they'll like to know. :)

And thank you once more. ♥

[ak-alterego.livejournal.com]

When Neal was talking to Peter about the "I never lied to you" stuff, I thought of your whole spiel on their relationship and it really rang true, except maybe that I was looking for it.

[tig-b.livejournal.com]

Your morning toast sounds like it tasted a lot better than mine!

(I had marmalade and garlic http://tig-b.livejournal.com/181687.html)

[elainasaunt.livejournal.com]

Neal grinning over his criminal fame was the most adorable thing in the world.

I think Alex has an agenda. Maybe she really was in some peril (and remember, her peril is linked with Neal's), but I feel this was somehow at least partly her way to further the search for the music box - or rather, since we know where the box is, the search for what it means and who wants it.

Aidan Quinn has aged rather well - better than I'd thought he might.

Mmmm, apple butter. We don't have it here - but it's easy to make in the microwave! Cut up (but don't pare) some sweet apples (Red Delicious, which I hate for eating, are good for this), just barely cover with water, and microwave on high till mooshy (depends on quantity but won't take long). Let cool a little and pick out cooked peel, then mash with fork or potato masher for chunky or blend for smooth. Spice to taste with any or all of cinnamon, ginger, clove, nutmeg, allspice, maybe a spoonful of dark molasses. Cover loosely (some steam should escape) and microwave again for about 10 min, stir, and repeat till it's as thick as you like it. If it's not sweet enough, add a bit of sugar or honey.

[keeperofqkeys.livejournal.com]

And then Neal had that smirk thing at the end when Alex gave him the key thing, like he was planning that all along. Like maybe every single thing we've seen so far has just been one giant con for him to be the one to get the music box in the end, knock out the competition (Alex and Kate both), and use FBI resources to get the job done and make it seem like he wasn't the mastermind behind everything.

[thefannishwaldo.livejournal.com]

I didn't like Alex as 'damsel in distress' because she actually *played* it as 'damsel in distress'. If she'd walked up to Neal and said, "Look asshat, I'm in trouble because of my association with you and now I EXPECT you and your little pal to help me sort it," I would have bought it much more.

I'm going to meta post later, but OMG, Neal was so cute over being a 'role model' for the uncommon criminal. The way he LIT UP when Diana asks 'who are they copycatting' and he perks up with "Me!". LOVE. Much LOVE!

And cutting out the article to keep on his desk... It reminded me of the pilot when he's talking to Mozzie and he says, "You know what's the worst thing about being an art forger?" and Neal answers, "You can't take credit for you work." He finally got to take credit for his work!

And thank you for the screen cap. While not an overtly slashy *scene*, out of context, it totally looks like Peter's trying to cop a feel. ;)

[calliope-jones.livejournal.com]

omg, gangster Peter was so hot. And the way he tricked Mozzie into admitting he knew about the Detroit mob was awesome. I love it when the show Peter being smarter. And gleeful Neal was so adorable!

[fleur-de-liz.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my reading skills are not so good today. I keep looking at "art dorkery" and thinking it says "art donkey."

I'm not sure what an art donkey is, but I'm sure it would be fabulous. Maybe it wears a fedora too.

[lokifan]

SO. CUTE.

You know who they're studying? ME! Did you hear, Peter? Me! Aren't you proud? I'm so special! *spins around*

Totally agreed on not over-using Moz.

With the damsel-in-distress thing - I noticed it a lot too, especially with Neal saying repeatedly that he'd 'take care' of Alex. But since she came to Moz originally, I tend to take it as her letting Neal's conception of himself as white-knight run in her favour.

[hollyxu.livejournal.com]

Neal thinks he's a white knight on a charger but he's really just a fluffy bunny or lap-sized terrier. The real cavalry is, and always has been, Peter. I don't know what El is, though. Queen?

[nobleroman1.livejournal.com]

SO late to the party, but I can't believe no one has mentioned how kick-ass hot and sexy Peter was during the entire scene at the end when he entered the classroom to arrest the students. Talk about Alpha male! Oh, and let us not forget how wonderfully that casual shirt highlighted the contours of Jones' chest.

[debitha.livejournal.com]

They should really let Peter be evil more often. That was awesome. :o)

Neal was so proud and adorable.

I wonder whether there was any significance in sending Alex to Venice. And, if so, whether it was her plan or Neal's. Or possibly Peter's. He said the tickets to Italy were on Neal's advice, but Peter can be tricky that way. Or it might all be completely meaningless.

Also, I really hope Peter checked his pockets after Alex kissed his cheek. Or was that significant, too. Hmmmm. Welcome to my brain on 'Try to Spot the Plot Twist'. :oP