White Collar: So Hard to Say Goodbye

“May you live in interesting times and may you find what you are looking for” is the old Chinese proverb that we’ve heard repeated throughout the first season of White Collar. In the explosive season one finale, Peter and Neal discover some of what they’ve been looking for.

After a naked romp in the pool with Alex, Neal learns that the music box is in a private safe at the Italian consulate. They decide that a private party, scheduled for next week, is their way in to steal it. Knowing that he will have to be sans anklet to steal the music box, Neal shockingly meets with Fowler and proposes an exchange—the music box to Fowler for Kate and Neal to be together and left alone. Plus, Fowler must turn Neal’s anklet off. Fowler smugly shrugs him off and doesn’t commit to anything. Meanwhile, Peter spied on their secret meeting, which he knew about because he thought Neal’s tracking data looked suspicious.

Alex, Mozzie and Neal plot ways to get into the consulate—Alex will be the date of a Duke, Mozzie has applied to work for a catering company and Neal plans to make a donation. However, Peter interrupts their strategy meeting to reprimand Neal for meeting with Fowler.

Next, Fowler receives information informing him that Burke is watching him and a phone call from “The Big Bad” (the writer’s nickname for the person controlling Fowler) telling him to take Peter out of play. Fowler replies “as soon as he gets the music box, their deal is over.”

Back at June’s, we see a shirtless Neal (yes, I said a shirtless Neal!) sculpting his donation to the consulate. Alex shows up and they begin to discuss their history when Neal notices the light is off on his anklet.

Meanwhile, Fowler shows up at Elizabeth’s office claiming she has contraband and proceeds to tear her office apart with his men. She frantically calls Peter, who learns from Jones that he believes his and Agent Cruz’s phones have been tapped, and then rushes over there. Elizabeth and Peter confront Fowler and both hit him—which ends up with Elizabeth being arrested for assaulting an officer and Peter suspended for two weeks.

After Elizabeth is out on bail, the Burkes return home. Neal shows up and he apologizes,  because he didn’t know Fowler would go after them. Neal and Peter decide to take down Fowler for aiding a premeditated robbery. Peter meets with Agent Diana Barrigan (she was in the pilot) and asks her to help get information on how Fowler is controlling Neal’s anklet.

Next is the Italian Consulate party. Neal makes a splash by announcing he is an “internationally renowned art thief and tonight I am here to rob you.” Security takes Neal in a back room, close to the safe with the music box (exactly what he wanted) as Alex, using fake lipsticks that explode, sets off the fire alarm. Security leaves Neal alone, giving him time to get tools out of his sculpture (which is by the safe) and to successfully break into the safe and get the music box. However, not everything goes exactly as planned—Alex shows up and double crosses Neal by taking the music box.

But it all works out when Alex changes her mind and brings the music box to Neal at June’s. Later on, the exchange between Neal and Fowler takes place. Fowler tells Neal that MENTOR was created for him. Also, that he and Kate get new identities and can disappear legally. When Neal questions him about the music box, Fowler will not say why it is special. Then Neal begins saying his goodbyes to Mozzie and Elizabeth.

While Neal was meeting with Fowler, Diana snuck into Fowler’s office and copied the entire MENTOR file off of his laptop. Meanwhile, Fowler is alerted that someone copied files off of his computer, catches Diana in the parking garage and pulls his gun on her. Luckily, Peter shows up at the garage and tries to talk Fowler down. A tense standoff takes place but ends with Peter shooting Fowler (who was wearing a vest) twice. Peter asks what MENTOR is, which Fowler doesn’t directly answer but says that Neal and Kate are undercover for OPR. Peter realizes that Fowler is helping Neal disappear and demands to be told where Neal is or he will expose him with the information from his computer.

Peter arrives at an airstrip as Neal is walking towards a plane with Kate on it. Peter says, “I’m here as your friend. I also know you are making the biggest mistake of your life.” Neal however believes that leaving is “best for everyone.” But Peter doesn’t buy that, he states that “you (Neal) already have a life right here and people who care about you. You’re making a difference.” Neal hands over his FBI consultant badge and Peter replies, “you said goodbye to everyone but me. Why?” Neal with tears streaming down his face, replies “because you are the only one who could change my mind.” Peter then asks “did I?” Neal pauses and as he does the plane with Kate on it explodes. Peter grabs Neal and stops him from running towards the burning plane.

I’ve quickly grown accustomed to great White Collar episodes and its phenomenal cast of characters. The finale definitely lived up to my expectations. If you haven’t seen it, make some time to watch—it is a must-see! It was a suspenseful and captivating episode with a bold and surprising ending! The acting was top-notch and I was blown away by Matt Bomer’s emotion in the final scene. Also, it was nice to see Agent Diana Barrigan’s return. It was sort of odd that she just disappeared after the pilot.

Even though we received some answers, we are still left pondering some important questions. Who is Fowler working for? Was Kate really on Neal’s side? What is so special about the music box? Does Neal know something about the significance of the music box that he hasn’t said? The list goes on…

Here is a little inside scoop from the Jeff Eastin commentary on the finale. In season 2, we will see more of Alex (Does her hair bug anyone else? Good character but her hair looks like two different colors). They will continue to explore the trust between Neal and Peter. The big surprises or questions are: “who Neal is working for and why?” and “what secret does the music box holds?”

Season one flew by and I’ve become such a devotee of White Collar. Cannot wait to see what they have in store for season two, which begins this summer!

Season 1, Episode 14: Out of the Box (originally aired March 9, 2010)

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Tuesdays at 10/9c on USA Network

Photographs courtesy of USA.