Season Two Review
“Forging Bonds” Airing January 25
WHITE COLLAR Tuesdays at 10 PM EST on USA NETWORK
January 23, 2011
By Lena Lamoray
WHITE COLLAR USA NETWORK PRESS RELEASE: USA Network’s hit original series, starring Matt Bomer (“Chuck,” “Tru Calling”), Tim DeKay (“Tell Me You Love Me,” “Carnivàle”), Tiffani Thiessen (“What About Brian,” “Fastlane”), Willie Garson (“Sex and the City,” “John from Cincinnati”), Sharif Atkins (“ER,” “Hawaii”) and Marsha Thomason (“Lost,” “Las Vegas”), returns with all-new episodes of season two on Tuesday, January 18 at its new time, 10/9c. One of this fall season’s most critically acclaimed dramas, WHITE COLLAR focuses on the most unlikely of partnerships between a con artist (Bomer) and an FBI agent (DeKay). This exciting crime drama, which was one of cable’s #1 shows for 2009, returns with more intrigue and all new cases. In the mid-season cliffhanger, our beloved Mozzie (Garson)’s life lies in the balance after being gunned down by an unknown assailant. When we return, his survival is in question as Peter (DeKay) and Neal (Bomer) set out to find his shooter and work tirelessly to solve the mythology storyline of who killed Kate. There’s plenty of intrigue on the Peter and Neal front as we see them swap identities to solve a case and then get a look back in time to learn how all our characters came together in the first place. This exciting second half of season two features guest stars Andrew McCarthy, Hilarie Burton, Diahann Carroll, Richard Schiff, Paul Blackthorne, Billy Dee Williams, Ross McCall, Adam Goldberg, Gloria Votsis and Alexandra Daddario.
WHITE COLLAR “Forging Bonds” Episode Review, Airing 1/25/2011
WHITE COLLAR presents the episode that you have all been waiting for, the story of how it all began and oh what a commencement. “Forging Bonds” welcomes us into the world of Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke aka Nick Halden and Magnum P. B. This is my favorite episode because it has all the elements that make “White Collar” so special and an endless amount of impeccable encounters. If you have been a fan of the show from the beginning, this episode will give you goose bumps of glory. “Forging Bonds” is THE not to miss episode for experienced and novel viewers alike.
The back story comes to light when Peter (Tim DeKay) discovers evidence that Neal (Matt Bomer) is connected to Vincent Adler (Andrew McCarthy) and Peter wants to know the story behind the man that made Neal what he is today. Peter visits Neal, who is home painting in a tank top, and woos him into story time with the promise of full immunity and an upgraded box-o-wine. Neal speaks of his chance encounter with Mozzie (Willie Garson) eight years ago and the relationship that ensues. We get to see Mozzie’s journey into the world of interesting hair placement and the best Rockin’ rodent shirt ever. I want Mozzie’s shirt in this episode. It almost looks like a chinchilla but I’m pretty sure it is a rat or mouse on his shirt. Mozzie is so taken by Neal’s charisma and skills that he has someone very special track him down. No one can resist the power of the Caffrey. He is a rare breed of pure spectacle and delight. Don’t even bother to try and look away, Neal Caffrey will charm the pants and skirts off of everyone.
Neal finds out what a “Bonds” man he is from Peter while they reminisce about their first meeting and the “sucker” that was passed forth. One of my favorite scenes is when we meet Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen) and Peter’s puppy Satchmo.
Mozzie has a plan because “it’s fun to do the impossible”. He helps Neal get started and becomes the “behind the scenes guy”. Mozzie’s plan involves dealing with Adler and that is where the big introduction takes place, Neal meets Kate (Alexandra Daddario). Kate is working for Adler and she has a premonition about the future that involves Neal and secrets. Neal also meets Alex and gets to know her on a couple of levels.
Neal does what he does best and establishes a relationship with Adler. He gives Neal some advice and a new vision of himself.
What to do about a “perfect life” that is a “perfect lie”? Oh, the complications of being Neal Caffrey and Nick Halden. Have no fear, Neal will get lucky over and over again. Neal puts on a show that you ladies and gentlemen are going to enjoy but some part, okay, all parts of you are going to wish that “White Collar” aired on Showtime or at least FX so you could get an extended view of the titillating performance sequence.
Things take an interesting turn and ties are broken and then united. A gloomy situation turns into a polite handshake. I adore that we get to find out where and when it all began and Mozzie just shines in this episode. Mozzie is my favorite character and I am really happy that he left certain things in the past. One question, do they ever clean the FBI van? I guess it is like a Rock n’ Roll tour bus, so it always smells of man. As for Peter, victory is sweet but friendship lasts forever.
Don’t miss “Forging Bonds”, my favorite and sure to be a classic, WHITE COLLAR episode on Tuesday night, January 25th at 10 PM EST only on USA NETWORK.
