Since there are no episode threads started yet, I thought I'd get one going for the Pilot of this wonderful show. Given there will likely be only 6 more episodes before this entire show comes to an end, I feel like having a series rewatch! Please join in.
Tonight, my general thoughts on the pilot episode of White Collar:
There's just something so magical about the pilot episode for me. Many have talked about it before, over on Television Without Pity and among other forums, but I have to say that I continue to marvel at it whenever I rewatch it. The energy is so fun and smart, and I love all the characters.
From the moment Peter said, "He's smart, you know how I like smart," I liked Peter Burke because he wasn't going to be a stereotype. He wasn't going to be the idiot to Neal's slick conman. He was smart enough to think hard on what Neal had proposed, he listened to his wife's thoughts on the matter as well, and gave something a shot that most people wouldn't. Plus, when he shows up that arrogant book seller who got detained in the airport ("Snow White didn't start with Disney, Detective Burke" -- what an ass), I just loved it because Peter's intelligent, informed, sharp response showed that Peter was going to be a formidable presence of his own. Neal may be the smooth charmer, but Peter had smarts and humor and a charm all his own. And they made such a terrific team, despite themselves.
Another thing I loved: when Peter is annoyed that Neal came across all this fortune just on happenstance by meeting June in the thrift store, and he gives that speech about how life doesn't work that way, that he's not supposed to get that kind of stuff, he works for what he gets, and Neal wants to know why he can't have those things. That whole conversation just says so much about both characters. About how hard-working and full of integrity Peter Burke is, about how he thinks Neal's led a charmed life, and how Peter may be holding himself back in life by being so structured and rigid and not being open to all of life's possibilities the way Neal is. Because maybe Neal doesn't deserve all of what he manages to get, but at the same time there's the question of "Why not?" If you work hard and you're open to opportunity, why not?
It's like Peter's punishing himself, putting himself in the proverbial corner, not allowing himself to indulge in anything beyond what's expected of him as an agent and a man, but then he gets mad at Neal for going for it in his own life, you know? It's just so interesting, and that whole scene where they talk about the coffee and the 'cappuccino in the clouds' and all that shows so much about their perspectives about life and happiness/contentment and how they live and how they see things. They're both smart, capable men, but they approach things so differently, and I see in that scene that they could be good for one another. That Peter could teach Neal about hard work and behaving with honesty and integrity, and Neal could teach Peter to loosen up a little, not live in such a structured box, that it's not that life is one big party but that it's okay to have a little fun, try new things, be open to life's possibilities.
There's something about the way Neal says, "Where would I go?" (right at the end when Peter asks him if he'll still be there when Peter gets back from his vacation to Belize) that cracks me up. He's just so cocky and smooth in that moment, I can't help but be charmed by him and at the same time not trust that smart ass little grin one bit. It's marvelous, and Matt Bomer plays it so well. Good stuff.
There are shows that have pilots that are pretty awesome, ones that get me on the hook, make me want to watch the show. And I'll rewatch those pilot episodes, but usually I find there's at least one other episode from the series that I love more than the pilot. With White Collar, there are plenty of episodes and moments and scenes that I love, but the pilot episode is pretty pristine as my ultimate favorite. It beautifully sets up everything and feels so smart and smooth and engaging. Funny and clever and interesting. I just can't compliment it enough.
I think this is one of the best pilot episodes out there, certainly in my top 10. (Not that I've ever made a top 10 pilot list, but now I find I want to, just to see what would make the list. But that's for another day.) I love this episode. I could watch it over and over and over again, and still notice more "little details" that make the whole thing work so well.
Not every pilot episode gels so thoroughly right off the bat, but Tim DeKay and Matt Bomer had a fantastic handle on their characters and the relationship between those characters from day 1, and the script was so fun. It highlighted everything perfectly: the banter, the rhythms of their conversations, the truth and the masks (especially interesting how you can see Neal put on his charming con man smile when he sees he's not getting through to Peter, trying to mask his disappointment and act like he's already over it and won't pursue Kate), the similarities and contrasts to the two characters, and the overall complexity of their relationship. How well they work together, even when they clash.
Everything involving the friendship and partnership between Peter Burke and Neal Caffrey, it's all right there in the pilot. There's something very special about the two of them, sparked from this very first episode, and that's why I was drawn to this show and why I continue to watch this show. It will always be about the two of them. Everything else is secondary to that crucial relationship.
Since there are no episode threads started yet, I thought I'd get one going for the Pilot of this wonderful show. Given there will likely be only 6 more episodes before this entire show comes to an end, I feel like having a series rewatch! Please join in. Tonight, my general thoughts on the pilot episode of White Collar: There's just something so magical about the pilot episode for me. Many have talked about it before, over on Television Without Pity and among other forums, but I have to say that I continue to marvel at it whenever I rewatch it. The energy is so fun and smart, and I love all the characters. From the moment Peter said, "He's smart, you know how I like smart," I liked Peter Burke because he wasn't going to be a stereotype. He wasn't going to be the idiot to Neal's slick conman. He was smart enough to think hard on what Neal had proposed, he listened to his wife's thoughts on the matter as well, and gave something a shot that most people wouldn't. Plus, when he shows up that arrogant book seller who got detained in the airport ("Snow White didn't start with Disney, Detective Burke" -- what an ass), I just loved it because Peter's intelligent, informed, sharp response showed that Peter was going to be a formidable presence of his own. Neal may be the smooth charmer, but Peter had smarts and humor and a charm all his own. And they made such a terrific team, despite themselves. Another thing I loved: when Peter is annoyed that Neal came across all this fortune just on happenstance by meeting June in the thrift store, and he gives that speech about how life doesn't work that way, that he's not supposed to get that kind of stuff, he works for what he gets, and Neal wants to know why he can't have those things. That whole conversation just says so much about both characters. About how hard-working and full of integrity Peter Burke is, about how he thinks Neal's led a charmed life, and how Peter may be holding himself back in life by being so structured and rigid and not being open to all of life's possibilities the way Neal is. Because maybe Neal doesn't deserve all of what he manages to get, but at the same time there's the question of "Why not?" If you work hard and you're open to opportunity, why not? It's like Peter's punishing himself, putting himself in the proverbial corner, not allowing himself to indulge in anything beyond what's expected of him as an agent and a man, but then he gets mad at Neal for going for it in his own life, you know? It's just so interesting, and that whole scene where they talk about the coffee and the 'cappuccino in the clouds' and all that shows so much about their perspectives about life and happiness/contentment and how they live and how they see things. They're both smart, capable men, but they approach things so differently, and I see in that scene that they could be good for one another. That Peter could teach Neal about hard work and behaving with honesty and integrity, and Neal could teach Peter to loosen up a little, not live in such a structured box, that it's not that life is one big party but that it's okay to have a little fun, try new things, be open to life's possibilities. There's something about the way Neal says, "Where would I go?" (right at the end when Peter asks him if he'll still be there when Peter gets back from his vacation to Belize) that cracks me up. He's just so cocky and smooth in that moment, I can't help but be charmed by him and at the same time not trust that smart ass little grin one bit. It's marvelous, and Matt Bomer plays it so well. Good stuff. There are shows that have pilots that are pretty awesome, ones that get me on the hook, make me want to watch the show. And I'll rewatch those pilot episodes, but usually I find there's at least one other episode from the series that I love more than the pilot. With White Collar, there are plenty of episodes and moments and scenes that I love, but the pilot episode is pretty pristine as my ultimate favorite. It beautifully sets up everything and feels so smart and smooth and engaging. Funny and clever and interesting. I just can't compliment it enough. I think this is one of the best pilot episodes out there, certainly in my top 10. (Not that I've ever made a top 10 pilot list, but now I find I want to, just to see what would make the list. But that's for another day.) I love this episode. I could watch it over and over and over again, and still notice more "little details" that make the whole thing work so well. Not every pilot episode gels so thoroughly right off the bat, but Tim DeKay and Matt Bomer had a fantastic handle on their characters and the relationship between those characters from day 1, and the script was so fun. It highlighted everything perfectly: the banter, the rhythms of their conversations, the truth and the masks (especially interesting how you can see Neal put on his charming con man smile when he sees he's not getting through to Peter, trying to mask his disappointment and act like he's already over it and won't pursue Kate), the similarities and contrasts to the two characters, and the overall complexity of their relationship. How well they work together, even when they clash. Everything involving the friendship and partnership between Peter Burke and Neal Caffrey, it's all right there in the pilot. There's something very special about the two of them, sparked from this very first episode, and that's why I was drawn to this show and why I continue to watch this show. It will always be about the two of them. Everything else is secondary to that crucial relationship.