Throughout the majority of this episode we are witnessing the testimony of all of Neal
Caffrey’s (Matt Bomer) acquaintances regarding his commutation. The first interview was with Neal himself. He pleads his case but ultimately makes the interviewers know that the decision rests in their hands, and he will be happy no matter what the outcome since New York is now his home.
WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS
Outside of the interviews Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) digs deeper into why Agent Kramer (Beau Bridges) has been so interested in Neal’s previous mishaps. Apparently Kramer has it out for Neal and subpoenas the records for the Rafael Sarah Ellis (Hilarie Burton) had been tracking after it was stolen. This ultimately leads to Neal confessing to Sarah that he did indeed steal the painting and he has it stashed away in a safe house on Rosevelt Island. The race is now on for Neal to recover the painting and make sure it is back and Sterling Bosch before Kramer arrives. Peter also finds out that Kramer ultimately wants to take Neal back to D.C. with him since he has been so useful in all of Peter’s cases.
The next interview is June (Diahann Carroll), Neal’s landlord. She milks the interview, tears and all. Explains that Neal is wonderful, and he is the best thing that has happened to her since her husband passed. Obviously, she is in favor of his commutation.
Following June we have Elizabeth Burke (Tiffany Theissen). She also gives Neal a wonderful review and states that she is also in favor of his commutation.
Meanwhile we are taken back to the chase of the Rafael. Kramer knows Neal has the painting and is trying to get it back to Sterling Bosch to cover his tracks. All Kramer has to do is catch Neal with it in his hands, and he has him. White the help of Peter’s team Neal gets the painting back to Sterling Bosch, but unfortunately Kramer walks in at the last second. Lucky for Neal, Sarah had been stirring up a deal with the president of Sterling Bosch to write off the investigation of the Rafael. She convinced him that Neal was an expert and was validating the Rafael. With a quick signature of the president, Neal is off the hook…. Again.
Finally it is time for Peter’s interview. Right before the interview Kramer shows up to take Neal into custody and take him back to D.C. with him. Peter signals Neal that everything is about to go south, and suddenly Neal vanishes from the crowd. During Peter’s interview he recommends Neal for commutation, but just as he is giving his statement Diana barges in with news that Neal has cut his anklet and gone missing.
The episode ends with Neal and Mozzie on a plane and Neal leaving his life in New York behind.
I really liked the suspense of the episode from the beginning to the end. We once again see Neal ‘wow’ the crowd with his talents, and we also see him get out of trouble in the knick of time.
I do have to say I was very disappointed with how Neal handled the situation of knowing he would be taken back to D.C. We finally see things going in the right direction for him and he cuts his anklet and takes off. This leaves a lot of questions as to what is to come in future episodes. Does he come to his senses and contact Peter for help? Or is Peter chasing him again as he did in the beginning? Either way, I wish this episode would have ended differently. Especially since he was saying how much he loved NY and his life there, and he had reconciled with Sarah.
White Collar airs Tuesday at 10pm on USA Network
-Jenna Orr
