Airdate: Tuesdays at 9/8c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

In the third season of this intriguing procedural, the tagline “choose a side” has never been more appropriate. After the first season of getting to know as much about the characters’ backgrounds as The Powers That Be allowed, season two settled a bit into the ‘buddy’ formula. We got…comfortable with Neal Caffrey (Matt “Blue Eyes” Bomer) being a reformed con artist who works with the FBI in an unlikely but appealing partnership with one of their best agents, Peter Burke (Tim DeKay).

But the explosive second-season ender tilted our axis and we’ve entered this season with a new game board. Names of various cons are now liberally peppered throughout the dialog; Neal Caffrey may even be an alias. Neal’s growing inner conflict is compelling: does he follow the nebulous freedom his old life promises? Or does he honor the friendship and fragile trust built between himself and Peter? He’s working with Mozzie (Willie Garson) to protect the Nazi treasure–planning to slip the confines of his radius (and tracking anklet) to live large in a non-extradition country. However, given he’s one of the leads, it’s a pretty safe bet he’s not leaving anytime soon.

Any lengths to protect a friend....

And while Peter knows something is up, he can’t prove it; Neal’s thus far gone out of his way to preserve the perception of loyalty. He’s never really imagined he’d feel connected to the FBI agent who put him behind bars (a point highlighted with savvy subtly in “The Dentist of Detroit”). So, Neal continues to plot and scheme while at the same time maintaining his front as dutiful CI (confidential informant) at the Bureau. One foot in each world, his balance wavering.

While Peter has remained steadfast – the good guy, focusing on truth, justice, and the American way – Neal has flexed and shifted as he’s funneled through a series of events that, had he not been caught, he may never have encountered. He’s looked in the mirror once or twice, and this season, he’s being forced to confront his true nature: con man…or just man?

As Peter tells him, he can’t be both.

We move into this latest episode with an undercurrent of tension between our two leads. Clues, feints and sleights of hand keep us looking everywhere at once, wondering who will be the first to call ‘checkmate.’ Mozzie and Neal can’t sell the treasure of art Mozzie stole because Peter has half of the manifest under Bureau lock-and-key…and they don’t know which half.  So, to keep himself living in the manner to which he has become accustomed (which is to say, off-the-radar in various secret locations), Mozzie is forced to sell his con ‘toys.’

Last episode, we were given a very enjoyable closer look at Agent Diana Berrigan (Marsha Thomason). This week’s, it’s Mozzie’s turn. I hope that means Agent Clinton Jones (Sharif Atkins) is on deck. The leader of the Detroit mob finds out about Mozzie’s sale (perhaps via an Underground Con Artists Newsletter…?) and shows up asking for “The Dentist of Detroit.”

A warning for The Dentist of Detroit.

When Mozzie confesses to Neal that he’s “The Dentist of Detroit,” Neal’s protective instincts go into overdrive and he ignores Mozzie’s Klaxon alarm of “don’t trust The Suit,” going directly to Peter without passing Go. It’s interesting how quickly Peter is willing to play along with the Sting-influenced con Neal concocts (designed to both protect Mozzie and his mentor and put the bad guy behind bars). Evidently, Peter’s parameters around right and wrong lessen when the persons being conned fall within his definition of a criminal.

Watching Mozzie be coerced into spilling how he came by such a toothy moniker, including the origin of his unusual name, was entertaining. After two seasons of speculation, some facts were confirmed while others were a surprising reveal. For the most part, Neal’s ensuing con unfolds without a hitch. However, there is one moment where the hidden cracks in Neal and Peter’s partnership emerge. Dressed for their con-related Newman and Redford roles (always did like a man in a tux), Peter and Neal realize the tight-rope they’re walking is beginning to sag, forcing them to think quickly.

The resulting fight, while staged, carries a kernel of truth. After being pushed against a bar, called a con, and told to leave, Neal shouts, “I do everything you ask me to! And the minute things go wrong, I’m the first one you blame!” While we know Neal is working with Mozzie to protect the treasure, as far as Peter knows Neal is innocent. In fact, Neal is innocent of the crime Peter suspects him of: stealing the treasure. It’s evident Peter’s assumption hurts Neal more than either of them openly admits.

There's no telling who will be important to you.

But, with a flick to the side of the nose (á la Newman and Redford), they’re back on track and the con is on. Neal isn’t the only one willing to go to great lengths to protect one of his (very few) friends, though. Mozzie’s Ferris Bueller-esque escape from FBI custody nearly gets him killed, but ultimately protects the man he credits as giving him a true chance at life. The Feds get their man, Mozzie’s mentor is saved, The Dentist’s rep is salvaged, and everyone goes home happy.

Almost. The easy camaraderie Neal and Peter enjoyed last season isn’t exactly gone, but it’s cloaked with lies now – on both sides of the friendship. And one can only wonder how long Neal’s façade can be maintained.

Can Neal come clean about the treasure without rolling on Mozzie and alienating Peter? Does he want to? Is the draw of his life as a masterful con artist stronger than the appeal of being a part of something? The way they’re playing out this season makes me want to tune in and find out.

Tune in to White Collar, Tuesdays at 9/8c on the USA Network.

All photos © 2011 USA Network. All rights reserved.