White Collar Commentary: Reasons to Love Mrs. Suit
January 15, 2012 by Allison Toner
Filed under Television
In the midseason finale of White Collar in August, according to Neal, Mozzie and Orson Welles, “if you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.” Then season three paused on a slightly sour note when Elizabeth Burke, Peter’s better half, was kidnapped by villain Matthew Keller. In honor of White Collar’s impending premiere and hopefully Elizabeth’s safe return, this article celebrates the character of Mrs. Suit.
Elizabeth Burke, played by the lovely Tiffani Thiessen, is the total package. She’s smart, stylish, and multitalented. Elizabeth runs her own business, Burke Premiere Events, similarly, Tiffani also recently launched her own company, PetitNest. Plus, you can always count on Mrs. Suit for help with a case. She can call on a connection to test the age of a scrap of a painting for Peter. Throw an elite party on rooftop to help lure out an Israeli counterfeiter known as “The Ghost” or an awesome last minute cowboy and alien birthday party for the son of the Miranda Priestly clone that Diana was undercover to protect. It’s all in a day’s work for Mrs. Suit. I wonder how much she charges and if she can plan my party in April. Even Agent Jones agrees with me…
Jones: “I want you to plan my next birthday party.”
Elizabeth: “Do you want a moonbounce too?”
Jones: “No, I want to be a cowboy.”
Elizabeth: “Here you go.”
Jones: “Giddy up.”–“Deadline”, Season 3, Episode 3
Tiffani Thiessen accurately described Elizabeth as a “little therapist.” She definitely gives great advice and is very intuitive. She understands Neal and gives him the benefit of the doubt, more than Peter who often assumes the worst. Elizabeth truly believes in Neal and in the episode, “Under the Radar,” she said, “Neal is a lot of things, but when it counts you can trust him.” It is nice to see that El can be a meditator between Peter and Neal.
Many of the marital relationships portrayed on television today aren’t very stable. But this is not the case with Mr. and Mrs. Burke. They are a breath of fresh air and one of the healthiest marriages on television. They are supportive and devoted to each other. The Burkes even renewed their vows in the episode “Veiled Threat.” It was très adorable! El and Peter are in it for the long haul and certainly know how to keep the spark alive in their relationship. As seen in the episode “Company Man,” when an undercover Peter and Elizabeth skyped:
Peter: “Can you see me?”
Elizabeth: “I can.”
Peter: “Look at us being a modern couple.”
Elizabeth: “Looks like you have everything you need.”
Peter: “Not everything. Let me show you the best part of the room…you (a framed picture of Elizabeth).”
Elizabeth: “Aw. Well, thanks for bringing me along.”
Mozzie and Elizabeth have a special friendship and bond. They have shared date night, safe words, and she even convinced him to join “Burke’s Seven” after he was shot. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with Moz and share a bottle of vino? I know I’m jealous.
Elizabeth: “You know, Moz, you never told me what you do for a living.”
Mozzie: “I know that. Neither have you, Mrs. Suit.”
Elizabeth: “I’m an event planner. I run my own company.”
Mozzie: “Burke Premier Events. I thought that company was a front for Peter.”
Elizabeth: “Okay, not everything has a secret meaning.”
Mozzie: “Ah, naïveté. So sweet. I bet you believe in the moon landing.”
–”Front Man,” Season 1, Episode 13
Television needs more strong and smart female role models like Elizabeth Burke, so, Neal and Peter, please bring Mrs. Suit home safely! Collars, not that you could forget but White Collar returns January 17th at 10PM. Until then, here’s the latest preview.
Images courtesy of USA Network and David Giesbrecht.
