Con vs. Con. Review: White Collar - “Shot Through the Heart”

Season 5, Episode 11

Air Date: Thursday, January 16, 2014, 9/8c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

“”You think I deserve this, don’t you?” – Neal

Neal (Matt Bomer) is confronted with one of his toughest cons yet as he has to carry on with Rebecca (Bridget Regan) as if nothing is wrong. Meanwhile, Peter (Tim Dekay) searches Rebecca’s apartment trying to figure out her motives and find evidence that implicates her in Agent Seigel’s (Warren Kole) murder. Will Peter find what he is looking for before Rebecca realizes she is being played, and what will happen to those who get in her way?

“Shot Through the Heart” is a good episode but the writers held back and missed some opportunities to explore Neal’s state of mind by focusing too much on the love aspect. The idea that Rebecca suddenly finds herself in love with Neal seems like a stretch to me. From day one, fans have not trusted Rebecca and while the extent of her involvement was unknown, her love for Neal was not on the top of anyone’s list. Yet, the writers seem to spend a lot of time in “Shot Through the Heart” trying to convince the audience that Rebecca had fallen in love with Neal and now wants to spend the rest of her life with him. I could care less about Rebecca’s feelings and want to know more about how Neal is doing.

Neal has often used his stunning smile and dashing good looks to get what he wants from people, usually women. Let’s not forget that for a while Neal thought he was conning Rebecca and it didn’t bother him one bit. Lies have consequences and for years, Neal hasn’t cared or considered how they impact others. Peter said it best to Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen), “A life of lies catches up to you, and it did for Neal.”

In a season where we have already seen the roles reversed when Peter went to jail, it is interesting to see Neal in the role we’re more used to seeing Peter in—as the one finding out a con is being perpetuated right under his nose.

Neal: “I always prided myself at being one step ahead of everyone. Always the con man, never the con. Look how far it’s gotten me.”

Peter: “Maybe there is a lesson to be learned in that.”

I would have appreciated seeing this dynamic explored more. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, how will this affect Neal’s decision-making in the future? Does he finally get how some of his actions have impacted his relationship with Peter? Hopefully, this will be explored more in the final two episodes of the season.

Don’t get me wrong, “Shot Through the Heart” is an entertaining episode. It is interesting to see Neal out of his comfort zone and having to react to someone else’s con.

I know I am jumping the gun on this since no announcement has been made about next season, but does anyone else feel like the writers are building up to a series finale rather than a season finale? Each episode brings Peter and Elizabeth closer to Washington, D.C. Could Neal end up going with them or will something happen in the next two episodes that compels Peter to stay in New York?

It still feels like we are missing a piece to this puzzle. Did Rebecca’s research really need to go back to Neal’s childhood just to be able to get inside his head in order to deceive him into finding the diamond? Or, is there something much bigger going on?

Random Thoughts

Was anyone else confused about the Chinese takeout menu bit? I get what the writers were trying to do but if you think about it, the idea falls apart.

If you’re that much of a criminal mastermind, why is the only protection for your apartment a laser sensor that someone can simply step over?

A few days have passed since Neal and Mozzie (Willie Garson) found the symbols so why is he just now thinking about writing them down from memory? Shouldn’t he have done that immediately?

For a guy who can take a watch off someone without them noticing, you would think Neal could take Rebecca’s gun away before she could react.

Rebecca has a file on Peter as well as Elizabeth so Peter sends her away out of fear for her safety. Upon her return, Elizabeth’s first question is, “How is Neal doing?” It just seems odd to me.

Despite my criticism, I enjoyed “Shot Through the Heart.” It doesn’t live up to its potential, though, given White Collar’s talented writers. Despite that, “Shot Through the Heart” is a straightforward episode that cleans up some loose ends and sets things up for an explosive final two White Collar episodes.

Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “Shot Through the Heart”

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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.