Airdate: Tuesdays at 9/8c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

The chess match begins anew between Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) and Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) with this latest caper. The themes of choice and identity are gaining in strength, leaving viewers to wonder where this tightrope the characters are subconsciously walking will lead, and if we’ll like what we see when we reach that destination.

There's only one Neal Caffrey.

In the meantime, Neal has a cover to maintain and Peter has a job to do. Peter is so jazzed up by the latest case, he interrupts a you-stayed-for-breakfast moment between Neal and Sara (Hilarie Burton). In a scene entirely reminiscent of Neal’s flashback with former love, Kate Moreau (Alexandra Daddario)—complete with Sara in Neal’s shirt and fedora teasing about exhibitionism—Peter dons a bemused smile and teases both good-naturedly about the “awkward, undefined phase” of their relationship.

After Sara leaves (taking her handcuffs with her…don’t ask), Peter giddily informs Neal their next case is essentially a “young Neal Caffrey.” I found their different reactions to the pursuit of this thief (played by Hutch Dano)—who robs from the rich and donates a portion of his take to a charity in the victims’ names, thereby earning the regrettable but appropriate nickname “Robin Hoodie”—interesting to watch. With Neal on his side now, Peter obviously misses the challenge of the hunt. Neal, however, seems both irritated and threatened by this case. It’s unclear to me if the threat he feels is of being upstaged as a con man, or of someone usurping Peter’s focus.

As I see it, Neal has his own set of standards; for him, there is artistry in the con—a skill he apparently sees lacking in the young hacker. His ability to profile the thief exposes more about Neal than Hoodie. And as much as he chafes under the tether of the anklet and limitations of the FBI, it’s apparent that Neal has developed an appreciation for Peter’s scrutiny.

While Mozzie (Willie Garson) continues to devise a plot for absconding with their treasure, Neal is practically a double-agent. He’s vocally supportive of Peter, helping him catch bad guys, but he’s willing to play along with Mozzie’s schemes. I have to wonder how long Neal will be able to keep this up.

Robin Hoodie -- in over his head?

I found the first encounter with Hoodie…entertaining. At a party an uber-smug, young billionaire throws for the recent purchase of a rare, expensive motorcycle, Neal, Peter, and team set up a covert sting to identify the thief. I love the teases of Neal’s past exploits they toss our way—and Peter’s stalwart reactions.

Billionaire (actor uncredited): “Have you ever had $100 grand between your legs?”

Neal: “Actually, yes, I—“

Peter: “No. No, no, no.”

For a man with the right smile and eyes like mirrors, it’s telling that Neal is so reluctant to give Hoodie much credit at first, and Peter’s determination to catch another criminal with Neal’s propensity for running cons simply continues to sway Neal’s internal compass.

But true to both Peter and Neal’s characters, it’s when lives are on the line that they shine—even if that life is one of a con man and thief. As he watches the interrogation of a would-be assassin, we see a glimpse of Neal’s internal struggle: “A con is a rush, an addiction. Without hitting rock bottom, it’s hard to change.”

I feel sympathy for Peter as he flinches slightly when Neal admits he’s never hit rock-bottom. Peter’s desire to keep Neal on his side of the line between ‘light’ and ‘dark’ could very well bring him pain depending upon how this plays out.

Mozzie picking up on the word-on-the-street buzz that someone is looking for the infamous Neal Caffrey is amusing—as is nearly every scene Mozzie graces. However, he’s more than comic relief, more than quirky sidekick. He’s a haloed devil on Neal’s shoulder: a good friend, a trusted confidant, and the one part of Neal’s life that could lead him truly astray. Allowing Mozzie to talk him into bringing Hoodie into the fold, so to speak, puts Neal on a precarious ledge of choosing between devising a con and devising a plan. It’s this continued theme that, I think, will lead Neal to decide who he really is.

Robin Hoodie -- getting off "Scott Free?"

Meanwhile Mozzie has also been busy finding an ID Farmer (yes, apparently there is such a thing) to give both him and Neal their new fake-yet-real identities—and neatly side-step the highly objectionable process of using a birth certificate of a dead infant. Neal’s new persona has me raising my where are they going with this eyebrow: Victor Moreau.

As in Kate’s last name. The plot. It thickens.

The two best things about Neal’s scheme to get Hoodie off “Scott Free” are: Sara as a willing participant (thus increasing my appreciation for her character and leading me to believe they’re going to squash this relationship at some point), and Peter knowing nothing about it, yet trusting Neal enough to go along with it when he finds out. Even with his suspicions tugging at him, Peter continually wants to believe Neal will continue to do the right thing. Adding to that, Neal’s words to Hoodie are from the heart: the young conman can turn himself in, “…Or you can keep running, always looking over your shoulder, never sharing your life with anyone….”

For me, the biggest con of all is the episodic capers we delight in watching. Because the real story, the thread drawing us through the season, is basically this: people can change…if they want to.

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

All photos © 2011 USA Network. All rights reserved.