Eric Liebowitz -- USA Network
I stumbled onto “White Collar” in its first season because it looked like a variation on “Burn Notice,” and I love me some “Burn Notice.”
But something interesting happened in the second season: “White Collar” got good. Like, primetime, you-would-watch-this-in-the-fall, good. It’s better than “Burn Notice” now. Heck, I’d put it up with “Fringe” in sheer entertainment value.
To support this bold claim, herewith are three reasons you should watch this show.
1. The Bromance
I know. “Bromance.” Stupid phrase.
But there’s something to be said for creating male characters who actually like one another. From the beginning, “White Collar” showed that FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) and con-man Neal Caffrey (Matthew Bomer) may be professional adversaries, but the guys share a genuine admiration. That’s a smart twist on the buddy genre — we don’t have to suffer through the inevitable and trite hate-to-respect trajectory.
Granted, the “partnership” between Burke and Caffrey requires suspension of disbelief (would the FBI really hire a grade-A con man?). But set that aside. It’s not important.
2. The writing
I didn’t notice the writing in season one. I suppose that’s a good thing in one sense: it wasn’t groan-worthy. But season two has featured some fantastic dialog. You can tell the actors are relishing the opportunity to uncork great one-liners.
The good lines are spread around, too. It’s not like most shows, such as “Lost,” where the primo stuff was saved for Sawyer, Hurley or Miles. On “White Collar” virtually everyone gets a moment in the bon mot sun. (Except for poor Tiffani Thiessen, who’s been relegated to 30-second check-ins and embarrassing green-screen shots because of her recent pregnancy. It’s pretty clear she’s not dining al fresco or walking over the Golden Gate bridge.)
3. It doesn’t think I’m a moron
I appreciate shows that assume I’m smart enough to follow a continuing plot, and they don’t hammer me with lots of exposition (“Leverage” sometimes falls prey to this). “White Collar” doesn’t screw around with catching you up or filling you in, and the characters rarely pause to go over what’s just happened. The expectation is that you’ll keep up. I realize complication isn’t for everyone. If you like to numb your mind on procedurals, this show probably isn’t for you. But for those of us who enjoy a little brain activity with our viewing, “White Collar” offers something intriguing.
So that’s that. Agree? Disagree? Weigh in through the comments.
Useless trivia: Tim DeKay played Kevin — aka “Bizarro Jerry” — on “Seinfeld.”
Like all USA shows, “White Collar” airs 3,000 times per week. You can also find it on Hulu.
