White Collar, 1.5 & 1.6

[rm]

Well, it really gets going with the Pai Gow episode doesn't it?

And damn, that jacket Neal wears in that episode is to die for. And I am generally not a fan of that era or style of suits nor do I have much love for double-vented jackets (which look like shit on nearly everyone), but damn I love that jacket.

Okay, I still don't care about the Kate plot-line, HOWEVER:
- Wow, she looks like a younger version of El.
- Neal looking betrayed with the Interpol chick says the FBI has her.

Also, 1.5, that bickering in the car? Clearly where the slash goggles show up. You really do just keep expecting Peter to kiss Neal, just to make Neal stop talking/looking smug. Strange thing, because it's not like the stupidly overt chemistry on, say, Merlin. It's just sorta there. Is it the matter-of-factness of it what generates the appeal?

I cannot express enough how awesome El is, as she seems to be the only character with a clue about just how deeply fucked up and emotionally entangled Peter and Neal are (and that that much is canon is actually pretty odd and nearly subversive).

You know, I just tracked on El and Peter's place. I have to say, one of my biggest peeves about NYC apartments on TV is that they are too big/rich for the people in them. But El has a good career, and that place looks like it's out of the way and not that rich. Totally the sort of place people in their professional circumstances could have lucked into in the crazy thing that is NYC real-estate. Good job, show.

I'm disturbed by how badly I want Neal to get shot.

Loved the little Chinese girl, but then she reminds me of someone I've written.

The 1.5 plot-line about the painting wasn't bad and I was moved by parts of it. But at the same time, the girl whose painting it was was such a TERRIBLE liar, that I found her unconvincing even as a bad liar. I never believed the home invasion part of that plot. Not sure if it was casting or writing weakness.

Oh hey, June's back! I still think she and Neal got it on after Episode 1.1.

Deep, deep love and respect for the way Neal and Moz talk about Neal's various fake identities as fully formed people of which they are quite fond.

Structurally, this show is very clever. I've been hemming and hawing about who the viewpoint character is supposed to be, and I think I've resolved that there isn't one. I think the show is actually seducing the audience into viewing itself as another moving piece -- another con or cop -- who then feels challenged to figure out and strategize the investigations/scams before Neal or Peter. I.e., we're a Moz-like figure, but off-camera. Interesting.

Comments

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure for some reason that Peter & El's apartment is somewhere in Queens, although it could be Brooklyn, too.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I thought it looked like a place down the block from where I used to live by the BQE in Brooklyn, but either way. It's good. It works. It's so out of Neal's 2 mile zone.

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

I believe he lives in Brooklyn as he drives across the Brooklyn Bridge to get home on a couple of episodes.

[mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com]

I cannot express enough how awesome El is

YES! I'm so glad you're watching this show; it's really fun to see it through your eyes. And El -- I can hardly believe I'm watching American tv at times. She is smart and funny and wise and loving and damn, but I'm so in love with her.

God, I can't wait until you see the season finale.

[lefaym.livejournal.com]

Strange thing, because it's not like the stupidly overt chemistry on, say, Merlin. It's just sorta there. Is it the matter-of-factness of it what generates the appeal?

I think for me, that's a big part of it (although, as you know, I'm more into the Peter/El/Neal triad than Peter/Neal on their own). With Merlin, especially when I watched S2 and all the Gwen/Arthur stuff became prominent, I became quite uncomfortable with the way that the show happily plays on the slashy dynamic between Merlin and Arthur (I think it's fairly clear that the writers are well aware of how certain parts of their audience will interpret the relationship), but does so knowing that it'll never be more than a "Heee! Slashy subtext for the LULZ" type thing. With White Collar, although I doubt it'll ever be more than subtext (unfortunately) -- I feel like it's serious subtext, which really enhances the characters. I don't get the "nod and wink" vibe that I get from Merlin, if that makes sense.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Totally. And I am falling all over Peter/Neal/El too.

[berry-k.livejournal.com]

Is this new userpic from your new headshot session? Looking AWESOME, RM!

[contrarywise]

I don't usually go for OT3s, but Peter/Neal/El is one that I totally buy into. And hey, look, a show with more than one awesome female character! El and June can take over and rule my world any time. Neal and Peter's relationship dynamic is interesting, and the fact that they're both sharp as tacks and have each other's number makes watching the show great fun. I'm just a little ahead of you in watching the show, so I'm enjoying reading your reactions to the episodes and the series as it unfolds.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you ever saw this promo image, but it kinda says it all:

[dsmoen.livejournal.com]

Hot!

[therealycats.livejournal.com]

Haha, I LOVE some of the promo images they've done for this season. And I particularly like the oversaturation of the blue they do in the Neal solo poster; Matt really does have some gorgeous baby blues.

[nysidra.livejournal.com]

I *never* cared about Kate, and I've finished S2.
I accept her role in the show as useful though. Thankfully, she doesn't get in the way too much.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I thought S2 hadn't aired yet.

[nysidra.livejournal.com]

Mea culpa., 0.o... I meant S1.

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

One slight disagreement.

I don't think Peter is f#cked up. I think he's refreshingly normal. It's nice to see someone smart and good at their job on TV who isn't a broken mess with the social skills of a rock.

His peers like him and admire him even.

His boss likes his work, and their relationship is good.

His wife loves him.

Peter is insecure, but not at the level of f#ckupedness that most characters of his station are on television.

He's actually pretty well adjusted.

Neal on the other hand...

[rm.livejournal.com]

I don't think Peter is fucked up either. I think his dynamic with Neal is fucked up. If you asked me what Peter's fatal flaw is, I'd say Neal, no matter how I'm choosing to read what's on screen.

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

I'd agree with that.

Peter can fix anything. That's been his thing. He's exceptionally smart and he's got a very strong moral streak.

He wants to fix Neal (make him a stand up citizen).

Does Neal want to be fixed?

Can he be fixed?

Is a fixed Neal as effective as a crime fighting tool?

Like I said before, one of the things I like about the show is that you knew the 2 of them were going to have to come to respect and trust each other, and rather than doing the false tension they just got straight to it.

And rather than have the false tension of grudging respect and trust being built we have the tension of these bonds being tested. Yeah, it's still false because if they break we don't have a show, but...

[tjs-whatnot.livejournal.com]

I just love this show beyond what is reasonable or sensical and I never cared about the Kate plot...or really much of the "cases" for me it's about the characters...ALL OF THEM!! And if I weren't sooo into Neal/Peter/El, I'd totally support the Neal/Mozzie/June ship!! ♥ ♥

[rm.livejournal.com]

There's a Neal/Mozzie/June ship? That's funny. Also, makes me like this fandom, because a lot of my other fandoms would have been mean to that ship. Like, a lot.

I'm sort of all over the idea of Neal/June.

[tjs-whatnot.livejournal.com]

Neal and Mozz fight over June--alot!