White Collar, Season Three – And On the Fun Con Game Runs!

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Conflict rules the third – and possibly best yet, season of the always engaging cat-and-mouse game that is White Collar.

White Collar Season Three (2011) TV Show Review

White Collar Season Three

Things are strained between conman-turned-FBI-consultant Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) and his handler, Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). In the aftermath of a headline case, Peter becomes suspicious. Assigned to take down a notorious art thief, everything goes wrong during the case. Before the evidence can be removed from the warehouse, everything blows up… and Peter knows it’s Neal. He’s determined to prove that Neal stole the art somehow. Before he can prove how, he must weigh the pros and cons, especially since his job and Neal’s freedom is on the line.

Neal has been gifted a key with a location following the botched case. After hours of interrogation, Neal finally returns home to learn it’s Mozzie (Willie Garson) who pulled off the heist, and now the two plan to escape to paradise with their haul. Unfortunately, a case comes up that requires Neal to slip back into an old alias, and with it, Neal’s one chance of escape may disappear. As if all that weren’t enough, Neal also has to deal with the presence of – and the feelings he has for, the pretty insurance investigator Sara (Hilarie Burton).

It’s always a challenge to shake up the comfortable pattern that a television show perfects. In this scenario, both the writers and viewers enjoyed the easy-going relationship Neal and Peter had. Beneath his Boy Scout routine, Peter is forever suspicious of Neal even though it seems there could be no feasible way he could pull off a heist. Blame it on his work at the FBI – or the fact that he collars one too many criminals like Neal. Either way, he has to remember that it may pay to extend some trust. It is that which makes this season such a conflicting one – to trust or not to.

TV SHOW REVIEW | ‘The Rookie’ Pilot – A New Kind of Cop Drama!White Collar Season Three

Fortunately, nothing changes in regards these characters. Sure Neal and Peter have some roes and are on the outs, but the fabulous dynamics remain intact. As always the adorable El (Tiffani Thiessen) – Peter’s wife plays an important role both to the success of her husband and the friendship between he and Neal. The fact that writer’s like to parade women through Neal’s life is fun. It’s always nice to see what Alex is up too or get to know the determined Sara, but I do think they need to choose one to be his romantic interest. Whether she’s more of an on-again, off-again character could be a later decision, but for heaven’s sake pick one! Their oversight is not doing any favors to Neal’s character since it makes it seem like he is more of a player than he is (you’ll discover the exact opposite is true of him).

What is most amazing is to see the “middle” portion of the show lead to fabulous intensity like never before, and emotions that rise to the surface. The wrap-up to this story leads to a wonderful moment that helps to show Neal’s change. Lighter additions include meeting El’s parents, and an adorable new opening gone all too soon. “Neighborhood Watch” is phenomenal as was the finale and “As you Were” (seriously who could resist seeing Neal in dress whites!?). Though this show is clever, its best assets are the cast and its flair for the dramatics. No one can quite wear a hat like con-man extraordinaire Neal Caffrey. That is indisputable.

So… speculation and comments on season four (or three!) are most welcome, fans. How do you think this will play out? Is season four off to a good start? Share below!

CONTENT: there’s a few scenes of foreplay between lovers. Mild innuendo is here and there – Diana is a homosexual and we see a same-sex kiss. Cases include two kidnappings and occasionally, there is violence. Language keeps to a minimum but there is some profanity. White Collar rates TV14.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

7 comments

  1. I might try to watch this, except I'm still trying to get through the fourth season of Bones while trying to watch Pretty Little Liars at the same time. haha.

    Good review, though! :) I'm sorry about not commenting. I just started public high school (yay!!!!:) :) :) ) and i've not had a lot of internet access.

  2. I thought Season 3 was the best of White Collar thus far–holy cow, wasn't the finale good?!

    Now I do have to disagree with you on the new opening for those first episodes. I hated it!! It drove me crazy =)

    As to who I think should get with Neal, I like Sara so much better than Alex. There's just something about Alex that rubs me the wrong way

  3. Rosie – do you mind if I tell you that I may be just the teeniest bit jealous that you are watching S4!? LOL! Just kiddin'. I am tickled pink that S4 is GREAT! Love hearing that. (And… I don't mind spoilers either.)

    This is one my VERY faves. It is smart and surprisingly clean – how refreshing is that!? ;-D

    Rachel – this show is (I am just going to say it) awesome if you like caper-style stories. It pits the "bad guy" against the FBI but mostly turns him into "good" and I love that concept.

    Ooooh! Bones is just EPIC. I love that show – cannot wait for S7 to release this fall. :-)

    Whoa! You started HS? CONGRATS… but gosh, that would not have been something I'd have been excited about. LOL! Anyway, glad you stopped in, girl – best of luck!

    Ella – I know, right!? Gosh but this finale was spectacular. I loved how it played out and that "nod" from Peter was just… great! Seeing him give his "permission" for Neal's next move said a lot and the place they are at in their friendship is just as strong.

    Ha! That is funny about the opening – I thought it was SO cute while giving a better idea of what the show was about. The majority must have agreed with you though since it didn't stick around. *sniff*

    I like Sara quite a lot also – she's good for Neal while still being able to "let go" and pull a few strings every now and then. So fun that way. I just wish writer's would settle on ONE girl because Neal is not a player no matter his persona and yet there is that pull whenever Alex pops up now and again. *sigh* It seems writer's will never fully satisfy viewers. :-/

  4. Love this show! The S3 ending was great, wasn't it? :) Anyway, I must confess that I was not a fan of the new opening…when USA held an online poll for viewers to decide which opening they should keep, I voted for the old one.

    S4 is great so far, too. It's really showing the strength of Peter and Neal's friendship, which is alot of fun to see, and such an extreme contrast from where the series began. :)

  5. I am SO glad the show went back to its original opener too. ;)

    I think Season 4 has gotten off to an extraordinarily strong start so far!

  6. Valerie – me too! That ending was phenomenal – it wasn't great in an action-packed way but it said SO much in so little time about Neal and Peter's friendship.

    Yay! So glad that S4 is off to a good start – love it when that happens. My mom was "worried" about Peter and Neal still getting along this time but I was confident they would. :-)

    Aw! You didn't like the new opening either!? :-)

    Ruth – *sigh* Guess I am the "only" one who liked that new opener. ;-D

    I hear tell that one character is going to die in S4 of WC. *sniffle* That makes me mad! It seems USA's year to kill off characters as one has died on Burn Notice and CA.

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