Photo : USA Network
As much as we love them working together, it’s almost more fun when con man Neal Caffrey and FBI Agent Peter Burke are working in opposition. It looks like Season 3 of WHITE COLLAR is going to give us the best of both worlds.
As much as we love them working together, it’s almost more fun when con man Neal Caffrey and FBI Agent Peter Burke are working in opposition. It looks like Season 3 of WHITE COLLAR is going to give us the best of both worlds.
When we last saw the gang, they had just arrested Neal’s nemesis Vincent Adler (Andrew McCarthy) and watched a warehouse full of valuable Nazi plunder explode. A charred piece of one of Neal’s paintings leads Peter to think that Neal had stolen them. He didn’t…but there was a mysterious key that gave Neal possession of them.
Photo : USA Network
The premiere, entitled “On Guard,” resolves quite a few questions like who actually stole everything and why he or she wants to include Neal while setting up the season’s conflict – what will he do with the treasure and will Peter catch him with it. I appreciate how WHITE COLLAR always uses mysteries to propel the show forward and doesn’t let them stagnate for too long. It keeps the drive of the show fresh and ensures consistent character growth.
While Neal and Peter do play their game of mental chess, they’ll still be catching (other) criminals of course. Neil Jackson (FLASHFORWARD, QUANTUM OF SOLACE, MAKE IT OR BREAK IT) plays the Bad Guy Du Jour, Lawrence, who’s looking to smuggle his stolen wares out of the country. He has great chemistry (and a fencing scene!) with Matt Bomer.
Speaking of chemistry, Sara Ellis (Hilarie Burton, ONE TREE HILL) makes a brief but important appearance to cement her potentially long-term love affair with Neal. I really like Burton in this role so I’d like to see more of her but only if she gets to kick some butt (other than Neal’s).
“On Guard” serves as a great set-up for what looks to be another enjoyable season. It also serves as an excellent jumping-on point for new viewers as all the more confusing plot elements have been resolved. The “previously on” montage will tell them pretty everything they need to know.
WHITE COLLAR Season Premiere on USA Network Tuesday, June 7th 9/8c
