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my god that was like at least three episodes crammed into one
White Collar!
Okay, a lot of things went on, so let's divide this up and see if I can be coherent about it.
NEAL & SARA
There was a lot about this plotline that I liked! I not-secretly adore Sara, so I enjoyed having her around, even if most of Neal and Sara's dialogue was a bit on the nose. I'm not sure if I liked at all the fact that she'd been in a relationship with their mark, because it ... sort of felt manufactured to create het-dudes-glaring-at-each-other tension, and tension about whether Sara should have a love life outside of Neal, which glossed over the actual problem of Neal's keeping secrets. So that was too bad! On the other hand, I really enjoy Sara conning it up, and I loved lots of the Sara/Neal interaction that wasn't about aforementioned manufactured tension. Like the "Don't date the boss"/"Too late," bit, or oh my gosh Neal's cheeky grin when he says "I love rules." WE KNOW, NEAL. asklfsdk this show's sneaky kinky subtext is my favorite.
I ... dunno where I'd want a Neal/Sara arc to go, through. I mean, I love their snarky banter, and I suspect that if Sara realizes that Neal really wants to stay she might give it another go, but I really hope they don't jump into it quick. White Collar is so so good at (found/created/&c) family and not very good at the traditional het romance plotlines they keep nudging in Neal's direction. The way to get me to actually care about and believe in any kind of real sustained Neal/Sara is to make Sara a proper part of this family Neal's made, but I don't believe Sara would let herself get entangled like that without a slow build first, so ... we shall see, I guess!
PETER & EL (AND EL'S FAMILY AND MOZZIE AND THAT FUCKING DOLL)
Fff I really adored this! Elizabeth's parents were 100% spot-on, by which I mean I can totally see how El was a product of those two people. It's also kind of lovely to see in-laws who are miserable to be around not because they are awful people but because they are in fact wonderful people who are so not your people; I recognized and laughed at the fiction of the sweater, because I absolutely have Relative Gift Clothes that I wear around Thanksgiving and never ever otherwise. So ... yeah, the whole bit with El's parents was a bit like silly caricature, but I still really enjoyed it, because the whole thing was also so earnest and ridiculous and loving.
I thought I was going to be really disappointed that Neal didn't get to meet the in-laws (because seriously the combination of his wicked glee and the bit where he thinks it's El's parents at the door and straightens his tie, it gives me such fluttery joy) but upon reflection it's okay, because Mozzie. God, I laughed so incredibly hard at the bit where El's parents were hanging in fascination on his every word and he was basking in the attention. Despite El's dad's rattled-off diagnosis the moment Moz was out of the room, that whole bit also felt quite ridiculous and loving. Look, Moz is paranoid and absurd, but we're not judging him, we mostly think he's great.
Oh and of course JFC THAT CREEPY DOLL. Good boy, Satchmo, DESTROY IT.
DIANA (& CHRISTIE!!) & KRAMER
Okay, first of all, sdkjkfdj DIANA GETTING MARRIED. I know she wants a long engagement but I am crossing my fingers that sometime in fourth season we get an episode where the wedding is at least a subplot. Both because this show needs more Christie and because seriously IF I COULD HAVE A QUEER WEDDING ON MY SCREEN. That would be MAGIC. lskdkdsf ahh you guys how much do I adore that one of the main-credits characters on this show is a lesbian of color who also has a lot else going on? She gets to be a diplomat's daughter and an excellent FBI agent and mad skilled at being undercover including that time when she was a PA to the most demanding reporter EVER and she RESCUES HERSELF and gets ONSCREEN GIRLFRIEND KISSES THAT ARE NO BIG DEAL and I can't even cope. And I loved how deftly they handled some of the stuff in this episode, Diana's matter-of-fact comment that she wasn't allowed to go to prom (oh ow, but ... yeah) and her tacit acknowledgment that being allowed to marry Christie seems too good to be true. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO HOLD ALL THESE FEELS.
Switching tacks entirely, AGENT KRAMER WHAT IS UP. I assume that what Diana's worried Kramer will uncover is anything pertaining to the music box/the stolen treasure/&c? Because they did hold the box and withhold information and plenty of that could've sent Neal back to prison, but I don't know how easy any of it would be to actually connect to Diana? I assume Peter has a lot more to worry about, honestly. That said, the Neal's-hearing plot is suddenly making sense! It's a source of tension not just because of the uncertainty of Neal's future if he wins, but because he could potentially get in massive trouble on the way to clearing him. I see exciting cliffhangers in the near future.
I'm sad there isn't an episode next Tuesday, because how hilarious would a Valentine's Day themed White Collar episode be? Ah well.
Okay, a lot of things went on, so let's divide this up and see if I can be coherent about it.
NEAL & SARA
There was a lot about this plotline that I liked! I not-secretly adore Sara, so I enjoyed having her around, even if most of Neal and Sara's dialogue was a bit on the nose. I'm not sure if I liked at all the fact that she'd been in a relationship with their mark, because it ... sort of felt manufactured to create het-dudes-glaring-at-each-other tension, and tension about whether Sara should have a love life outside of Neal, which glossed over the actual problem of Neal's keeping secrets. So that was too bad! On the other hand, I really enjoy Sara conning it up, and I loved lots of the Sara/Neal interaction that wasn't about aforementioned manufactured tension. Like the "Don't date the boss"/"Too late," bit, or oh my gosh Neal's cheeky grin when he says "I love rules." WE KNOW, NEAL. asklfsdk this show's sneaky kinky subtext is my favorite.
I ... dunno where I'd want a Neal/Sara arc to go, through. I mean, I love their snarky banter, and I suspect that if Sara realizes that Neal really wants to stay she might give it another go, but I really hope they don't jump into it quick. White Collar is so so good at (found/created/&c) family and not very good at the traditional het romance plotlines they keep nudging in Neal's direction. The way to get me to actually care about and believe in any kind of real sustained Neal/Sara is to make Sara a proper part of this family Neal's made, but I don't believe Sara would let herself get entangled like that without a slow build first, so ... we shall see, I guess!
PETER & EL (AND EL'S FAMILY AND MOZZIE AND THAT FUCKING DOLL)
Fff I really adored this! Elizabeth's parents were 100% spot-on, by which I mean I can totally see how El was a product of those two people. It's also kind of lovely to see in-laws who are miserable to be around not because they are awful people but because they are in fact wonderful people who are so not your people; I recognized and laughed at the fiction of the sweater, because I absolutely have Relative Gift Clothes that I wear around Thanksgiving and never ever otherwise. So ... yeah, the whole bit with El's parents was a bit like silly caricature, but I still really enjoyed it, because the whole thing was also so earnest and ridiculous and loving.
I thought I was going to be really disappointed that Neal didn't get to meet the in-laws (because seriously the combination of his wicked glee and the bit where he thinks it's El's parents at the door and straightens his tie, it gives me such fluttery joy) but upon reflection it's okay, because Mozzie. God, I laughed so incredibly hard at the bit where El's parents were hanging in fascination on his every word and he was basking in the attention. Despite El's dad's rattled-off diagnosis the moment Moz was out of the room, that whole bit also felt quite ridiculous and loving. Look, Moz is paranoid and absurd, but we're not judging him, we mostly think he's great.
Oh and of course JFC THAT CREEPY DOLL. Good boy, Satchmo, DESTROY IT.
DIANA (& CHRISTIE!!) & KRAMER
Okay, first of all, sdkjkfdj DIANA GETTING MARRIED. I know she wants a long engagement but I am crossing my fingers that sometime in fourth season we get an episode where the wedding is at least a subplot. Both because this show needs more Christie and because seriously IF I COULD HAVE A QUEER WEDDING ON MY SCREEN. That would be MAGIC. lskdkdsf ahh you guys how much do I adore that one of the main-credits characters on this show is a lesbian of color who also has a lot else going on? She gets to be a diplomat's daughter and an excellent FBI agent and mad skilled at being undercover including that time when she was a PA to the most demanding reporter EVER and she RESCUES HERSELF and gets ONSCREEN GIRLFRIEND KISSES THAT ARE NO BIG DEAL and I can't even cope. And I loved how deftly they handled some of the stuff in this episode, Diana's matter-of-fact comment that she wasn't allowed to go to prom (oh ow, but ... yeah) and her tacit acknowledgment that being allowed to marry Christie seems too good to be true. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO HOLD ALL THESE FEELS.
Switching tacks entirely, AGENT KRAMER WHAT IS UP. I assume that what Diana's worried Kramer will uncover is anything pertaining to the music box/the stolen treasure/&c? Because they did hold the box and withhold information and plenty of that could've sent Neal back to prison, but I don't know how easy any of it would be to actually connect to Diana? I assume Peter has a lot more to worry about, honestly. That said, the Neal's-hearing plot is suddenly making sense! It's a source of tension not just because of the uncertainty of Neal's future if he wins, but because he could potentially get in massive trouble on the way to clearing him. I see exciting cliffhangers in the near future.
I'm sad there isn't an episode next Tuesday, because how hilarious would a Valentine's Day themed White Collar episode be? Ah well.
no subject
The way to get me to actually care about and believe in any kind of real sustained Neal/Sara is to make Sara a proper part of this family Neal's made, but I don't believe Sara would let herself get entangled like that without a slow build first, so ... we shall see, I guess!
I totally agree. I love Sara, but she's held herself rather aloof from everyone but Neal, despite liking everyone in Neal's adopted family. I suspect that she has trouble in general connecting with people, even with people who are open and nice and want to be friends with her. But I'm going to write a fic that is all about this as soon as the show goes on hiatus (I'm calling it That Long WC Poly H/C Fic in my head, but it's really about how Sara becomes part of the family).
no subject
And yes! (Actually I was shocked that Sara had that passing line about being engaged to the Sterling Bosch guy? Not that I think Sara can't do commitment, but I kind of assume she's not quick about it, and I wouldn't have pegged her as ever having been engaged.) Oh man though I would LOVE a long WC poly fic, especially if it's really about how Sara becomes part of the family. :DDD
no subject
I think Neal was pretty shocked by it, too. IIRC, we don't know how long she and the Sterling-Bosch guy were together, though - it might not have been quick.