WHITE COLLAR: Copycat Caffrey

Neal Caffrey is a man with an ego. I’m not sure he could be a career criminal without a certain level of self pride. As such, Neal is a man who wants his “accomplishments” to be admired. It’s part of why his friendship with Peter works so well. Because while Peter [usually] stands firm on the legal side of the line, he still appreciates the skill – and let’s be honest, the style – involved in Neal’s schemes.

• Peter: Would you pay $4 million for that?
• Neal: Pay…?
• Peter: Yeah, you’re the wrong person to ask.

The Case of the Week

Did this week’s case remind anyone else of the movie, 21? I loved that movie. And while I’m not calling this a copycat episode, the plot was similar enough that I wonder if the writers of White Collar also loved that movie.

A painting was stolen – a “slash and grab,” if you’re looking for the technical term – and Peter’s team figures out pretty quickly that the culprit is a criminology professor and a few of his students. (Although Peter wondered briefly if Mozzie could be the thief until Neal pointed out that he’s too short to actually slash and grab a painting off the wall. Ha!)

Oh yeah, in that criminology class, they’re also studying Neal Caffrey. And then using his methods to steal stuff. Of course, Neal is thrilled and thoroughly enjoys reading the syllabus, which describes him as – among other things – a virtuoso.

• Peter: You’re loving this, aren’t you?
• Neal: Imitation…flattery…you know what they say.
• Peter: Okay, read it to yourself. Quiet now.

Now, I just need to interrupt this recap to say: Why didn’t MY college offer this kind of course? Because how much fun would it be to study mysteries? All semester long? Am I the only one who thinks that sounds fun? Or…am I a mystery nerd, all alone in this one?

The excitement doesn’t stop after finding out that Neal is being studied for more than his blue eyes and suits. Nope, because Neal finds out that Mozzie (a.k.a. Neal’s “street contact”) is trying to hide a source.

And that source is Alex, who – by the way – looks stunning in that hat and scarf get-up. (Although it must not be summer in New York, because girl would not be wearing that many clothes in the crazy heat we’ve all had this year!)

In a roundabout, convoluted, complicated way, Peter and the FBI use Neal, Mozzie (who has an interesting knowledge of the Detroit mob) and Alex to catch the professor and his kid bandits, while also getting the fence after Alex off her back. Way to multi-task, team!

Even though it was clear from the beginning who the bad guys were, I loved the resolution of the case. Peter walking into the classroom with his team and arresting the students while also putting in a recruitment plug (“I wear a badge; he wears a tracking anklet.”) was priceless. And almost as good as him indulging Mozzie with the mob talk.

Mozzie: It’s the Detroit mob, not the Girl Scouts.

Peter: (To the professor) Or I’ll start with your thumbs.

The Music Box Mystery

Yay! Alex is back! But wait – now she’s gone again? Bummer.

I really like Alex. And I like how they’re building her relationship with Neal. But that visit was way too short, if you ask me.

Also, I’m pretty sure she stole a painting. You could tell that Peter wondered about it, too, as she walked away after they arrested the professor.

AND, I loved that awkward kiss at the end. It really seemed…awkward.

Okay, enough of my love for Alex. (Although – am I the only one? Anyone else out there like her?) The music box made another appearance in this episode, with Alex giving Neal “the last piece” of it, while Peter and Diana discovered a key hole on top of it.

Alex told Neal that she’s giving up her obsession with the music box. What do you think that means? Is she truly giving up on it? Do you think Neal should give up on it? Is it bad if I can’t even remember what the big deal IS about this music box?

A few of my favorite quotes:

• Neal: You’re lucky the FBI hires mathletes.
  Peter: I was not a mathlete. I was an athlete who was good at math.

• Neal: You guys should invest in some of those Christmas tree air fresheners.

• Peter: You don’t like the van. Noted.

• Peter: Nice little practice going?
• Mozzie: I do all right.
  Peter: Helps when your friends are criminals.

Well, what did you think? Did you like this episode? Do you care about the music box anymore? Are you an Alex fan? And did you like seeing Neal show off to the students in his “regular after-school special”?

Mary is a soon-to-be PR freelancer, a wife and a mom to a toddler who she describes as “VERY two.” And while you might think her busy life would get in the way of an ambitious TV schedule, she’s way more organized [AHEM, addicted, AHEM] than that. Also, a clean house is overrated. Mary blogs about an imperfect life at Giving Up on Perfect, writing about family, faith, books, food, celebrity look-alikes and chick flicks. You know, the important stuff.