I’ve long been a fan of television shows being released on DVD. For one, it gives me a chance to catch up on series I may have missed for whatever reason when they first began. Another reason is I hate the cliff hanger that keeps me wondering what happens next only to miss the next episode for some reason like, say, real life interfering. So series released on DVD are a plus for me. And when the series is a great one, like WHITE COLLAR, it makes it even better.
The set up for the show seems simple, but then that seems to be the case for most shows. We are presented with a charismatic con man named Neal Caffrey played with charm by actor Matthew Bomer. Neal starts the show out in prison, placed there several years earlier by FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). With only three days left till his release, Neal escapes and Peter, the expert on Neal Caffrey, is on the case.
It doesn’t take long for Peter to find Caffrey but at the same time he wonders why, with only three days left, did he escape? In reviewing the tapes of Caffrey’s visitors he sees Caffrey’s girlfriend stop in and appear to break up with him. Could this have been the reason?
Talking with Caffrey, Neal makes Peter a proposition. He knows that Peter is in the middle of an intense investigation for the white collar crime unit. If he will get the FBI to release him with an ankle monitor in place, he will offer Peter the assistance he needs to take on the latest criminal he has his eye on. Of course they agree and the series is set. Caffrey is a partner with the FBI in helping to take on criminals, the simple explanation for the show.
But there is more to it than just that. The elusive reason for Caffery escaping and searching for his old girlfriend Kate. More was at play here than even we as viewers and especially Peter realized. And Neal is searching for clues to her whereabouts with each episode. Helping him along the way is his trusted con man/thief friend Mozzie played by Willie Garson who does a great job.
Each episode of the series takes on a new white collar crime and criminal as the FBI attempts to catch them. And along the way we get to know more about both Neal and Peter. Neal is the sophisticated art connoisseur, the lover of fine things, the man about town. Peter is the trustworthy, loyal, hard working, dedicated FBI agent who plays it straight all the way. Well until Neal starts to rub off on him just a bit.
Also in the mix is actress Tiffani Thiessen who most will remember from SAVED BY THE BELL. She’s grown into an accomplished actress and it shows here where she plays Peter’s wife. She took takes a liking to Neal Caffrey but not in a sexual way, more in an admiration for his love of life and the comradeship that she sees developing between Neal and her husband.
The chemistry between the two leads makes this show not just believable with a premise that can’t be, but enjoyable to watch as well. Both are good looking actors but Bomer has that charming leading actor appearance while DeKay offers that solid FBI agent appearance. They suit their roles perfectly and the banter back and forth between these two characters, as well as their growing fondness for one another, makes for interesting viewing.
The secret to making a great TV series is to get the viewers to care about the characters involved. That happens with these characters. You learn to like them. You learn to care about them. You learn to hope that Neal eventually does find Kate and who it was that was making her leave him. In so doing, you find yourself wanting to see more of these folks and that’s the real treasure in finding a series on DVD that works. Not only do you enjoy the discs you own, you find yourself setting the DVR to record the new episodes of the series and become fans. Thus the DVD release becomes the best promotional tool out there. That is if the series is good and this one is fantastic.
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