The TV Chick

I am so glad that White Collar is back on my TV. Not just because Matt Bomer (who plays former con artist gone FBI agent/helper Neal Caffrey) is extraordinarily good looking but also because I absolutely adore the show. The dynamic between the aformentioned Bomer and Tim DeKay (who plays FBI agent Peter Burke who is slowly beginning to trust his “partner”) is fantastic, the supporting cast is just as fantastic and it’s full of intrigue, drama and even bits of humor where it’s needed most. White Collar might be about specific FBI cases on an episode by episode basis, but the true core of the show is the Caffrey/Burke relationship. Their friendship (I think it is safe to call it that at this point) has really developed and grown in such a great way. Peter is starting to trust Neal completely and vice versa. The fact that Neal used to live the life as a con-man is not lost on Peter, but both of them have come to a point where they are working towards the same thing. At the end of last season, they were trying to figure out if Fowler killed Kate (it turns out not really) and that continues into this second half of the season. The mid-season finale ended on a huge cliffhanger with Mozzie getting shot, and “Burke’s Seven” picks up right where it left off.

I won’t spoil too much but do you think they would kill off one of the most beloved characters on the show? I’ll just leave it at that. You will find out very soon what happens to Moz. This episode starts with Peter getting framed for a crime he didn’t commit. He gets suspended by the FBI, which leaves Neal (limited access that he does have) to solve the case and pick up the pieces. But Neal can’t do this alone, right? “Burke’s Seven” is formed, which involves Peter and a whole other cast of characters. For one of the first times in his career, Peter has to try to think like a con, because his team has to essentially pull one off themselves. Even Peter’s wife Elizabeth (played by Tiffani Theissen) gets in on the action. The way they solve the case is pretty hilarious. I really enjoyed seeing the entire cast work together. But what makes this episode great is Peter thinking outside the box and putting himself in Neal’s shoes for an episode. (Side Note: It would be so adorable if one day Burke decided to wear one of Neal’s hats…you’ll see more about Neal’s hats in the next episode). And I won’t say why, but Peter rides a horse. It is quite wonderful and I got a kick out of seeing it.

The second episode of the mid-season is a flashback episode and it is amazingly fantastic. But this first episode sets the groundwork for the flashback and is equally as great. Also, a former guest star returns (Hilarie Burton, who plays Sara Ellis) and I was happy to see her. Sara and Neal have great chemistry and I hope she sticks around for a while. The Neal and Peter relationship has turned into somtehing I love tuning into week after week. Neal is slowly starting to change but his mind will always think like a con man, and I love it. “Burke’s Seven” is really worth watching. I promise White Collar fans will not be disappointed.

“Burke’s Seven” airs tonight at 10 pm on USA Network. Be sure to tune in!