Crimes do Colarinho Branco

With White Collar popping back up and doing well with streaming these days I thought I'd give it a try again. I'm glad I did. I watched the first few seasons when this was on 10-15 years ago and then just forgot about it. This was on USA network at a time where they had a bunch of good shows (Psych, Suits, Burn Notice, Covert Affairs, Royal Pains, etc) so it got caught in the shuffle back them. Looking g back USA had a lot of good shows, it's too bad they changed their formula. It's about a White Collar felon named Neal Caffrey, he's wanted for years before being caught by FBI agent Peter Burke. After a few years in prison they make Neal an offer. In exchange for freedom he'll help them catch sought after white collar criminals. Neal and Peter work together and have a fun bro-mance thing going on, they start off not trusting of each other but that grows into a real friendship.

This is easily one of my favorite TV shows ever, loved watching it back when it was still coming out one episode a week. I really wish we could've gotten more seasons because other shows that cant hold up to it get like 9 while they ended with a 6 episode final season 6. Dont get me wrong it was all still a great watch, it is somehow serious, funny, a crime show AND Matt Bomer is a total heart throb that couldnt of been a better pick for the role. Honestly I like the whole cast, the father/mentor relationship he has with Peter ties the whole show together. While other characters like Diana and his wife El are extremely likable, not to mention the constant appearance of guest stars! I think this show can be watched at any point in the series, each episode is a case by case basis so I love that formula.

White Collar is an exceptional TV series. I just bought it on DVD and it does not disappoint. The characters are so good. The dynamic between Peter and Neil, Peter and Elizabeth, Mozzie and Elizabeth, Neil and Mozzie and the list goes on. Seasons 2, 3, 4, and 6 are the best in my opinion but there are very few misses in this show and most of those are at the beginning when there are just finding their footing. The acting and chemistry is especially on point with Willie Garson, Tim Dekay and Matt Bomer. But everyone is incredible. Overall it is very entertaining. Though they do overuse the Neil going rogue trope a bit too much, but other than that this show is perfect.

White Collar is one of the shows I watch on repeat, and it still holds up. It's a procedural in the best sense-most episodes are new cases, with a few overarching mysteries tying a given season together-but it isn't rote or predictable like procedurals can sometimes be. Tim DeKay and Matt Bomer have *fantastic* chemistry, and watching them both work together and try to outsmart one another is a joy. There's some excellent supporting cast members as well (and since it's a procedural a lot of different actors come through for single episodes, some of which are big talents that I know from shows like The Americans). I appreciate that, unlike most crime shows, there's less violence. Still some violence, mind, but it's not a central theme, this isn't a murder mystery kinda show. A lot of the cases are really interesting, at least if you're compelled by forgery and heists.

The show ended where it needed to buy goodness I wish we could get another round!

If you are a fan of the buddy cop genre (if not, start with French Connection and work forwards), you'll know the basic rules:

1 - One 'straight' cop, one 'rogue' cop

2 - The two have a love/hate relationship, although deep down, it's love

3 - The pair learn about themselves and each other while solving wacky crimes

4 - Hilarity ensues

Since the genre itself starts off very close to satire, it's easy for a show to devolve into parody and idiocy - remember when David Addison turned into a freaking frog on Moonlighting? Luckily, White Collar hasn't gone in that direction.

In fact, it is funny, clever, well written, the cast is great, and they have obviously made a clear choice to focus on character relationships and not to obsess over getting all the real-life details exactingly accurate.

If you want heavy, serious drama you should watch The Wire; if you want silly comedy, watch Chuck; but if you want something smart and funny, but light, try White Collar. You can think of it as Burn Notice's older, more mature, brother.

(For the record, I like and enjoy every show mentioned in this review - except for maybe that frog episode.)