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Another Burke Kidnapping. Review: White Collar – “Shoot the Moon”

Season 4, Episode 14

Air Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 10/9c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

“This is not even my first kidnapping.” – Elizabeth Burke

[singlepic id=5654 w=320 h=240 float=right]Peter (Tim DeKay) plans a romantic getaway with Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen) but as they get ready to head out, they run into a young, misguided Bonnie and Clyde type couple, Oz (Jackson Rathbone) and Penny (Jessica McNamee), who have just stolen an artifact and kidnapped the Burkes for their car.

“Shoot the Moon” marks the third time a Burke has been kidnapped. In season two’s “Payback,” Peter was kidnapped by Matthew Keller’s (Ross McCall) people. In season three’s “Checkmate,” Keller kidnapped Elizabeth. The question I had going into this episode was whether it would feel like a fresh story or a rehash of the past. I am glad to say, while extremely predictable and not without its flaws, “Shoot the Moon” is an enjoyable episode. Unlike the previous kidnappings, which were filled with raw emotion and dangerous situations, this storyline doesn’t make me feel that the Burkes were ever in any real danger, especially when they are joking about the other kidnappings. Elizabeth: “Well, at least this time we get to be tied up together.”

[singlepic id=5645 w=320 h=240 float=left]Although “Shoot the Moon” has a kidnapping theme, the episode is more a love story. The abduction creates a situation that puts two very different couples together and leads them to a discussion of love, how they define it, and what one is willing to do for the ones we love. I enjoyed Peter’s explanation: “Real love is fighting like hell to hold on to every moment you have with her. It’s making a life together, and making it work, no matter what happens.”

It was fun to watch the interaction between Elizabeth and Peter in the beginning, as she tries to figure out where he’s taking her. As Elizabeth searches around for clues, Peter tells her, “And don’t bother looking in my bag, I packed to deceive.” A few years ago, I told a girlfriend we were going to just get away for a nice romantic stay in a nearby hotel. I didn’t tell her where, but gave her a list of things to bring that she might need. Next thing she knew, we were at the airport flying to an unknown destination. It wasn’t until she looked out our hotel window that she was able to put together where she was. Watching the Burkes doing the same thing felt real and brought back some fond memories for me.

Neal’s (Matt Bomer) old girlfriend Sara (Hilarie Burton) makes a return after being gone for several episodes. Her employer, Sterling Bosch, is handling the insurance on the precious item Oz and Penny steal so Sara enlists Neal’s help. She also tells him she is up for a promotion in London, leaving questions about where their on-again, off-again relationship might go. I admire Sara; I like how her relationship with Neal has evolved and how she keeps him grounded. As they joke about their current relationship, one has to wonder if this is the last we’ll see of Sara. I hope not.

Sara: “I have to admit, it has been a lot of fun spending time with you up in the clouds.” Neal: “But the ground beckons.”

[singlepic id=5651 w=320 h=240 float=right]Often, shows are filmed in places other than where the episode is set. One of the things that makes White Collar enjoyable is New York isn’t just the setting, it’s a character. By filming in places such as Yankee Stadium and the Empire State Building, it makes the series seem more realistic. “Shoot the Moon” is no exception as the climactic ending takes place in New York City’s Hall of Science, which, according to the show, is home to the only “moon rock” in New York City. Visually stunning architecture is not something I notice often, but as a backdrop in the final scenes of “Shoot the Moon,” it fits. After viewing this episode, I went online to learn more about the NYC Hall of Science, and invite you to do the same by checking it out here and here.

“Shoot the Moon” is not without its flaws. The ending is predictable and the use of Neal’s character inside the Hall of Science seems off. It starts with some great dialogue between Neal and Oz but ends with Neal going back outside to let the FBI take over. Since when does Neal wait outside and sit it out when told? Being predictable doesn’t make the episode bad. Just like Peter and Elizabeth’s much-needed vacation, “Shoot the Moon” is a vacation from the emotional rollercoaster we’ve been on this season.

The final minute of “Shoot the Moon” does a great job getting things back on track. The exchange between Peter and Elizabeth, as they promise no more secrets between them, is touching, and addresses some concerns I had as to how Peter would react to learning Elizabeth was the one who encouraged Neal to lie. I especially liked how Peter explains he was helping Neal without getting in harm’s way. With only two episodes of White Collar remaining this season, the vacation is over and I am excited to see where the show takes us.

Tune in to White Collar, Tuesdays at 10/9c, only on the USA Network.  For more on the show, visit the official website at http://www.usanetwork.com/series/whitecollar/.

Follow the show on Twitter @WhiteCollarUSA.

LIKE White Collar on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/whitecollar.

All photos © 2013 USA Network, a division of NBC Universal. All Rights Reserved.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.