Season 5, Episode 7
Air Date: Thursday, December 5, 2013, 9/8c on USA
Rating:
“You’re the reason I’m the man I am today.” – Peter
When I first learned Willie Garson, who plays Mozzie on White Collar, was directing “Quantico Closure,” I had mixed feelings. The idea of actors directing is fun but usually these episodes are used more as a marketing gimmick. After all, when was the last time Eric Stoltz, Jeff King, Kevin Bray, or any other person who has directed a White Collar episode, was mentioned? Yet, take an actor from the show and place him behind the camera for the first time and suddenly people are talking about it.
I wonder how differently the people behind the scenes approach an episode with a first time director, if at all. Was Garson given additional mentoring or was he just tossed right into the fray? The reason I ask is there are a few scenes that seem unfinished and/or rushed. Scenes like Neal (Matt Bomer) and Jones (Sharif Atkins) searching for Seigel’s (Warren Kole) FBI badge, which was stolen when he was murdered. Even the case Jill asks Peter to help her with never feels like the whole story is being told. I am not sure if that falls on the director, writers, or both, but I would have preferred it if a few scenes had been expanded.
That’s not to say Garson did a bad job for his first time directing because “Quantico Closure” has its moments. While the scenes are not fleshed out as much as I wanted, I really enjoyed the scenes between Neal and Jones. I don’t remember these two working together too many times throughout White Collar’s run but they play well off each other. How comical is it when they are trying to figure out Jill’s connection to Peter?
Speaking of connections, what about Rebecca (Bridget Regan)? She is either very naive or brilliant. Either way, part of me wonders who is playing whom? Hagen (Mark Sheppard) must know Neal is trying to figure out the mystery behind the Codex. Could Rebecca be Hagen’s eyes and ears? After all, why do all the work decoding it if you can get Neal to? I’m not even convinced Neal is falling in love with Rebecca. Instead, I think Neal is in love with the con and that elation presents itself as love.
“Quantico Closure” could have easily turned into a comedy as Jill aggressively throws herself at Peter but in the end, while there are a few playful moments, theirs is a relationship built on respect and I am glad the writers did not go another route with Jill.
“Quantico Closure” is an episode about the strength of the Burkes’ relationship, particularly as shown when Elizabeth is explaining to Neal what it is like to love Peter. It is a very touching scene, to say the least.
Elizabeth: “She (Jill) never got married. Peter could be the last man she ever loved.”
Neal: “Twenty years is a long time to go without loving someone else.”
Elizabeth: “When you fall in love with Peter, you…you are in love. I can’t imagine those feelings ever going away. Not completely.”
Neal: “Really, Peter Burke? The man in the conference room?”
Elizabeth: “You have no idea.”
I think the way Thiessen delivers those lines is beautiful, and the look on her face is touching. It sums up how I view Elizabeth and Peter’s relationship. Not to mention how fun it is to see the roles reversed with Elizabeth saving Peter.
Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about ““Quantico Closure.”
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All photos © 2013 USA Network, a division of NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Greg Staffa
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