White Collar: Watch This!

Murder, mystery, intrigue. Okay, not so much the murder, but it does pop up sometimes.

I’ve always been a sucker for law enforcement shows. Whether it’s Law & Order, CSI, or anything that involves solving cases and putting away bad guys, I am present and accounted for. White Collar puts a new spin on this old idea. Now in its second season, this fresh and innovative series brings together cops and criminals for the greater good. Do you like a bit of laughter with your crime? White Collar is the perfect blend of light comedy, sexual tension, and an appropriate amount of arrests.

Matt Bomer as Neil Caffrey

What’s the best way to catch a thief? Use another thief. Neal Caffrey is the ultimate white collar con man. He’s highly intelligent, adapts to every situation, and has a megawatt smile, among his many other qualities. Thief, forger, lover of expensive clothes and fine wines, Neal is as slick as they come. After three years of evading the FBI, specifically Agent Peter Burke, Neal is captured and imprisoned. With mere months left on his four-year sentence, Neal escapes from prison (in style) to find his girlfriend, Kate, who he believes to be in trouble. Peter finds Neal listless and heartbroken when it appears that Kate has left him. Rather then serve another four years for breaking out, Neal proposes a deal. He will serve out the rest of his sentence under Agent Burke’s care, wearing a homing device on his ankle to keep him out of trouble.

And so, the team of FBI/con man is born. Both men must constantly be on their toes. If too many cases go unsolved, Neal is back in prison, and Peter loses credibility with his department. This adds a sense of urgency to the episodes. Not only that, the chemistry between Matt Bomer (Neil Caffrey) and Tim DeKay (Peter Burke) is electric. Peter is genuinely concerned about Neal’s well being. He believes that Neal has the potential to lead an honest life, and feels personally responsible when he makes mistakes. For Neal, it’s not just about staying out of prison. He enjoys outsmarting other people, and he becomes highly invested in many of his cases. Neal may be working for the FBI, but he’s certainly not a cop. He has an inordinate amount of knowledge regarding history, many different art forms, literature, jewelry, and almost anything else that you could think of. He is a literal treasure trove of information, and this gives Peter an advantage against the white collar criminals he must take down. Their combined intelligence, life experiences, and creative minds help make them an unconventional, but dynamic duo.

Whether you identify with the slick con man, the gruff but lovable FBI agent, or their assortment of quirky family and friends, this show will keep you interested!