White Collar - Season 4 Episode 4 - Recap and Review - Parting Shots

"Parting Shots," White Collar's Episode 4 of Season 4 wrapped up all of the loose ends from last season. Bonus, Sarah is back! Our recap dives right into it!

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Called it! Is it a little déclassé to get excited about an elderly woman getting shot? Most likely, but allow me to anyways. Last week I mentioned that the show was dropping a few hints here and there that Ellen was not long for this world. Clearly, I was right. Really though, I think anybody could have seen it this episode. If the hints were subtle last week, they were smacking you right upside the head this time around. I actually thought the show’s writing on this was a bit clunky, and even the dialogue, which is normally a bright spot each week, suffered some from their handling of this plot. And when Ellen’s (most likely) last words were gasping “Trust Sam,” I could not help but laugh. Oh White Collar, was that really necessary?

Aside from the execution, however, this was definitely where the show needed to head creatively. If Neal could just ask Ellen for all of the answers, we would not have a television program in the first place. So in true television fashion, they beat around the topic for ages, only to have the person with all of the answers taken away at the last second before they reveal everything. Cue dramatic music. As I said, this is where the show needs to go and I do not blame them for it, I just wish they could have done it in not such a cliché way. But what are you going to do?

This week also felt like a wrap-up of all the other loose ends. Peter has served his time, and now he has been reinstated with the rest of the gang. I am glad we did not linger here too long with Peter being on the outs, because the conclusion was so inevitable. The show chose to wisely end this little side plot after it ran its course, and not drag it out for any longer than need be.

We also got some closure with Sarah. I enjoy Sarah’s character in general, and I especially love the dynamics of her relationship with Neal. Unlike most women interested in Neal, Sarah does not get wrapped up in this fantasy world. Look at Sophie tonight. If given the chance, she would have thrown herself right into a relationship with him. Same with Maya at the beginning of this season, and countless others over the show’s run. All of these women are pretty much solely defined through Neal, but not Sarah. Sarah is foremost a strong and independent woman who understand herself. I thought it was absolutely brilliant when she checked Neal for him making the pain he caused her by running all about himself. That is woman who is self-assured and not looking to Neal for complete fulfillment. In other words, I have always viewed her as an equal for Neal, somebody who gets him and could have a very successful relationship with him. I was glad to see there are still sparks there, and truly hope they work out in the end.

So it finally seems that we have finished off everything from last season, and we will be getting into the meat of this season’s plot. I am excited, but sad for the one-week hiatus. What gives there, show?!

Quick Hits:

Neal Armstrong? Really Peter? Stick to your day job, kid.

I thought Sophie was a nice character, a little typical of one-off women characters on this show, but nice enough. Her and Neal did have some nice chemistry, but how hard is it to have chemistry with Matt Bomer? Damn, that man is fine.

How did the fedora getting a supporting role in this week’s episode? Die, you stupid hat, die!

How awesome was it to see Hughes in the field? I would not mind that happening more often.

Let me make it clear, I was not happy that Ellen was shot and most likely killed. I like her, and hope she pulls through. She will not, but I can still hope.