White Collaris one of the most beloved procedural dramedies from the 2000s and 2010s and one of the few shows that have a good reason to be revived. Running for six seasons from 2006 to 2014,White Collarhad a lot going for it, from its premise to the exciting heists and compelling villains that populated the story. However,the most enduring part ofWhite Collarhas always been the dynamic between Peter and Neal,played by Tim DeKay and Matt Bomer. Though an FBI agent and a thief are an unlikely pair,White Collarmade them unforgettable.
Not only did Peter and Neal work well together, but they became true friends, and many of the best episodes revolved around the development of their dynamic. TheWhite Collarrevival theorieshave been mounting in the wake of the announcement that this beloved series will be back and better than ever before long. While it’s impossible to know what the writers and creators have in store for fans of the series,there’s no question that Peter and Neal’s friendship will be just as vital to the next phase ofWhite Collar's storyas it was to the original show.
10Pilot
Season 1, Episode 1
While there are some TV shows where the pilot, or even the whole first season, can be skipped,White Collarisn’t one of them.Watching the pilot is crucial to understanding how Peter and Neal work on their ownand establishing their motivations for most of the series. Each of them has ulterior motives when approaching their tenuous partnership in season 1, but Neal makes it clear from the start that he can be an asset, and Peter doesn’t let him get away with anything.
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Though the pilot doesn’t feature their most daring case or Neal’s most convoluted con, it’s consistently ranked as one of the best episodes of the series and successfully convinced many dedicated fans to stick with the show.There’s nothing better than revising the pilot to see how far both Peter and Neal comeby the end of the show. Additionally, the pilot does a great job of laying out the stakes and central conflict of the first three seasons, setting the stage for an unforgettable series.
9Out Of The Box
Season 1, Episode 14
The season finale of season 1,“Out of the Box,” did a lot for establishingWhite Collaras a show that would keep fans guessinguntil the very end. Kate (Alexandra Daddario) is Neal’s primary love interest in season 1, and their relationship plagues him for the remainder of the series, but in the final episode of the season, their chance at a future is put to rest. Neal’s reason for trying to escape Peter and go off on his own is because of Kate, but all of this changes in “Out of the Box.”
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Outside of Kate and Neal’s tumultuous relationship in season 1, Peter and Elizabeth are thebestWhite Collarromantic couple. Though they both make mistakes in “Out of the Box,” their bond is reaffirmed by the end of the episode.White Collar’s tone evolved over the seasons, butthe series typically leaned more toward comedy than melodrama throughout the story.However, the explosive ending of season 1 proved thatWhite Collarwasn’t afraid to surprise audiences and take the series to dark places.
8Unfinished Business
Season 2, Episode 5
Though Neal’s most important relationship inWhite Collaris his friendship with Peter, “Unfinished Business” is a critical episode for the development of his best romantic entanglement. Hilarie Burton, known forOne Tree Hill, played Sara Ellis inWhite Collar, an insurance investigator who easily matches wits with Neal throughout her time on the show. While their relationship doesn’t start in earnest until later in season 2,the sparks between Neal and Sara are impossible to ignore inUnfinished Business.
Even if Neal and Sara could never truly be together as partners, their chemistry and incredible teamwork make for a great addition to the series.
Unfortunately, it’s likely thatHilarie Burton won’t return for theWhite Collarrevival, making it impossible for Sara and Neal to end up together once and for all. However, her impact on Neal in the earlier seasons ofWhite Collarplays a significant role in helping Neal understand how his actions affect people, and “Unfinished Business” is where this all starts. Even if Neal and Sara could never truly be together as partners, their chemistry and incredible teamwork make for a great addition to the series.
7Payback
Season 2, Episode 14
Though Peter and Neal are each other’s foils in the early seasons ofWhite Collar,Neal’s biggest rival, Matthew Keller (Ross McCall), is a recurring nemesis.“Payback” isn’t the first time that audiences meet Keller inWhite Collar, but it is when both the viewers and characters start to take him more seriously. In an effort to mess with Neal and Peter and break out of prison, Keller orchestrates Peter’s kidnapping from behind bars, and the stakes of Peter and Neal’s partnership have never been higher.
Though “Payback” could be considered a filler episode on paper, it helps showcase the bond between Neal and Peter, as Neal helps him escape captivity using his con artist tricks. The level of trust on display and the anxiety that both Neal and the audience feel in Peter’s absence prove that Neal isn’t just helping Peter so he can earn his freedom. Additionally, this episode showcases why Keller and his unsavory plans are always such a big deal inWhite Collar.
6Point Blank
Season 2, Episode 9
Though “Point Blank” isn’t the finale ofWhite Collarseason 2, it has an epic emotional climaxthat gives the audience critical insight into how Neal and Peter are changing. Ever since Kate’s death at the end of season 1, Neal has been determined to find her killers and bring them to justice, and in “Point Blank,” he comes very close. Though Neal makes it clear he isn’t violent and abhors guns from the beginning, he comes close to committing murder in “Point Blank.”
“Point Blank” is a huge step forward in the music box arc and sets up the conflict for the remainder of season 2.
This puts both Neal and Peter in a difficult position, as Peter can understand Neal’s intentions and his grief after losing Kate, but he can’t allow him to take the law into his own hands. Additionally, “Point Blank” is a huge step forward in the music box arc and sets up the conflict for the remainder of season 2. Not only are revelations made about the mastermind behind Kate’s death, but an incredible cliffhanger makes all the characters realize what matters most: their friends and family.
5Checkmate
Season 3, Episode 11
Keller is back and has even more planned for not only Peter and Neal but also Elizabethin “Checkmate.” Throughout season 3, the biggest source of tension between Peter and Neal is the existence of the U-boat treasure and the fact that Peter knows Neal is hiding it from him. However, both men are pretending they have no idea what the other is up to while keeping close tabs on their movements. All of this culminates in the shocking events of “Checkmate.”
After Keller kidnaps Elizabeth to get his hands on the treasure, Neal steps up like he never has before and will do anything to take Keller down for good this time.Peter grapples with some serious emotions in “Checkmate"as he faces the reality that Elizabeth is in real danger, and Neal has a hand in putting her in this position. Seeing Neal redeem himself by the end of the episode is a significant moment. There’s a lot thataudiences want to see in theWhite Collarrevival series, and these moments of emotional vulnerability must be part of it.
4Judgment Day
Season 3, Episode 16
“Judgment Day” is the culmination ofWhite Collar’s first three seasons,with Neal finally facing his commutation hearing and considering the possibility that he could face life as a free man on the straight and narrow. However, fate has other plans for Neal and Peter, as the treasure is still looming in the background of their lives, and Agent Kramer (Beau Bridges) has his own agenda. It’s an emotional episode as the people in Neal’s life all come together to give their recommendations about whether Neal’s sentence should be commuted.
Unfortunately, Neal’s attempts to make up for his past mistakes and the touching testimonies his friends and loved ones give aren’t enough to stop Kramer from pulling the strings behind the scenes.
It’s especially difficult for Peter, who has to work through his personal feelings about Neal and what he thinks is the right thing for the country and the law. Unfortunately, Neal’s attempts to make up for his past mistakes and the touching testimonies his friends and loved ones give aren’t enough to stop Kramer from pulling the strings behind the scenes. It’s in the episode “Judgment Day” when Neal discovers just how much Peter cares for him and how easy it is for him to disappear once again.
3Wanted
Season 4, Episode 1
The premier ofWhite Collarseason 4, “Wanted,” takes the viewer out of New York City and straight into the paradise that Neal and Mozzie (Willie Garson) have created for themselves. Several months after Neal’s disappearance at the end of season 3, Peter and the FBI are working tirelessly to find him, even if Peter’s reasons are more sentimental. Though Neal does everything he can to stay hidden, his emotions get the better of him, andPeter proves once again that he’s the only one who can find Neal.
The following episode,“Most Wanted,” wraps up this brief arc and brings Neal back into the fold.Though he isn’t gone long, and he and Peter find a way to resume his arrangement with the FBI, the dynamic and tone ofWhite Collarshifts starting in season 4. New enemies and more trouble for Peter are large parts of the next few seasons. Neal might be back, but the sacrifices Peter has been making for his friends aren’t working out in his favor.
2At What Price
Season 5, Episode 1
After a bumpy season 4,White Collarseason 5 kicks off with an unbelievable start to a sold lead-up to the final season.Peter is at his lowest point in “At What Price,“as he’s been accused of murder, and this time, it’s up to Neal to rescue Peter from prison. After all these years, there’s no question that Neal will do whatever it takes to free his friend and ensure that people see what an incredible agent Peter is. Of course, Elizabeth is just as concerned and encourages Neal to stop at nothing to help her husband.
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WhileWhite Collarseasons 4 and 5 are considered two of the weaker installments of the series,there are still some great episodes within the seasons, and “At What Price” is one of them. Peter and Neal are firing on all cylinders, and it’s always nice for the audience to see Neal going above and beyond for Peter. Since Peter sticks his neck out for Neal time and again, it’s good to see that the feelings are mutual and that their bond won’t waver.
1Au Revoir
Season 6, Episode 6
TheWhite Collarseries finale,“Au Revoir,” is the climax of the brief but memorable final season of the show.While there are a few great episodes in season 6, the best preparation audiences can make for the upcoming revival is to watch “Au Revoir” and see how Peter and Neal left things before the story’s end. Full of heartfelt goodbyes and a long con worthy of any episode ofWhite Collar, “Au Revoir” is a touching tribute to the series and a great way for it to say farewell.
Though it appears that Neal has died in “Au Revoir,” the final moments of the episode reveal that he is alive and well, and Peter and Elizabeth are also moving on with their lives and starting a family. It will be interesting to see howWhite Collarpicks up after this definitive finale, as though Neal’s out there, neither he nor Peter have any intentions of chasing each other. Whatever the reason is that will bring them back, it’s sure to spark conversation.
White Collar
Cast
White Collar is a crime drama television series featuring Neal Caffrey, a skilled con artist and art thief, portrayed by Matt Bomer. After being captured by FBI agent Peter Burke, Neal agrees to help the FBI catch elusive white-collar criminals as a consultant, leveraging his unique skills. The series explores the evolving partnership and mutual trust between Neal and Peter, blending elements of crime-solving and personal redemption.
