White Collar: A Leap of Faith

This week’s episode tests the trust between the partnership of Neal and Peter. Our smooth ex-conman, Neal, must channel his criminal roots and pretend to be back in the game to catch the bad guy. Peter is slightly nervous about Neal’s involvement since “it is not his first instinct to do the right thing” and concerned that he could revert back to his criminal ways.

The episode begins with mobster Leo Barelli approaching the FBI for help to find an important bible that was stolen from his church. In exchange, Barelli agrees to shut down his illegal book making operations.

Neal is taken away from the mysterious bottle Kate left to help with the case. In his absence, Mozzie agrees to run tests on it looking for a message.

Meanwhile, the duo learns that the bible is known as the “healing bible” and was created in 1588 in Naples. The legend claims that the bible has powers that heal the sick, blind and even kept entire parishes healthy during widespread plagues. Peter describes himself as a “lapsed Catholic” and is less inclined to believe in the bible, whereas Neal surprisingly is a believer.

Neal suggests that the thief could be a “true believer” in the powers of the book. At the church, they learn that a homeless man, Steve, slept in the church and someone close to him was very ill. They track Steve down, a veteran who fought in Iraq, and wanted the bible to heal his dog Lucy, who he saved in Iraq. He admits to taking the bible for someone else in hopes that it would also heal Lucy—but gave it to the unknown man before it actually helped her.

Back at the FBI, Steve looks through multiple books of mug shots and identifies Barelli’s nephew, Paul Ignazio, as the man who asked him to steal the bible. We also learn that Ignazio was murdered and fished out of the East River.

Neal and Peter are pulled off the case when they cannot connect the murder to the bible. Agent Joseph Ruiz, Peter’s rival, and the FBI Organized Crime Unit take over which doesn’t sit well with Peter.

However, Neal enlists Mozzie to help. Neal and Mozzie, dressed as an FBI agent, search Ignazio’s apartment. Neal finds research about medieval books and a scheduled meeting with Maria Fiametta, a college professor and author who specializes in historical artifacts.

Neal and Peter talk to Maria, who tells them that the bible is really a medieval book of hours in the Italian style and very valuable. After some brainstorming with Elizabeth, they decide that Maria must be behind everything and that Neal should pretend to be back in the business, ask her out and try to learn the truth. Sit back and watch what Neal does best!

On the date, Neal convinces Maria to confide in him, although she never completely trusts him. She concedes that she does have the bible. They agree that Neal will move it for her for $250,000.

The exchange goes downhill when Maria pulls a gun and fires at Neal but the bullet hits the bible just as the FBI shows up. She is arrested while Neal gives Peter a hard time for taking so long to show up.

However, the bible is misplaced…Neal actually handed it to Mozzie, still in Peter’s FBI jacket, who brought the bible to Steve and Lucy at the church. Mobster Barelli turns up to see the bible returned to the church. He turns out to be a dog lover and offers to bring Steve and Lucy to his vet.

The episode ends with Neal discovering a map of the NYC subway on Kate’s wine bottle with the help of a candle.

I enjoyed the larger role and comedic relief that Mozzie played in this episode. He is turning out to be Neal’s sidekick and very helpful to Peter too. Also, I think that Agent Lauren Cruz was a great addition to the cast! I think it will be interesting to see how her crush on Neal, which we discover in this episode, plays out.

The scene with Elizabeth, Neal and Peter sitting around the Burke’s dining room table discussing the case was one of my favorites! It was very natural and I am looking forward to seeing more of those three together!

Finally, I think we are beginning to see a softer side of Neal—he is bonding with Peter and Elizabeth and who would have thought he was a dog lover. He may not be completely reformed and will sometimes keep us guessing but ultimately enjoys his relationship with Peter and won’t break his trust. He truly is a sweetheart!

For another take on this episode, check out Thou Shalt Not Steal by Renata Sellitti.

Season 1, Episode 3: Book of Hours (originally aired November 5, 2009)

For more on White Collar, click here.

Fridays at 10/9c on USA Network

Photographs courtesy of USA, Electric Artists