White Collar: By the Book by Claudia Charles

This week on White Collar we were granted a Mozzie-centric episode. I will say it was enjoyable for the most part but there were a few annoyances. As usual, Willie Garson is excellent as Mozzie and he gives the character just the right amount of quirkiness and eccentricity. I do think that a little bit of Mozzie goes a long way so there were a couple of times I felt that it was just too much.

The beginning of the episode starts with Mozzie and the ever-so-handsome Neal walking down the street with Neal seeming to be pestering Mozzie about wearing an ascot. Mozzie appropriately fields his friend's comments with pointing out that he has all the freedom in the world while Neal's hampered by a specific radius dependent on his tracking device. We then jump to Mozzie’s true destination, which is to enjoy breakfast being served by his crush, Gina De Stephano played by Diane Farr.

Thank goodness they wrote Elizabeth out for an episode. Hopefully that means we can have Tiffani Thiessen back on the show in person sooner rather than later. Please no more bad editing to splice her in!!! Of course, Peter’s ability to always detect when Neal is up to something interfered with the lunch but that’s the way it usually goes. It doesn’t take him too long for him to be on Neal’s heels to determine what he was getting himself into.

This week’s big-bad was Christoper Navarro (Jacinto Taras Riddick) whose claim to fame is that he is a Colombian who has moved on from drug dealing to weapons and racketeering. Navarro had the menacing look of a person that would have taken Neal out before he would have had a chance to even try to charm his way out. Loved the way Peter barged in and saved the day for Neal.

Mozzie’s near panic attack at having to come into the belly of the FBI was hilarious. The fear on his face was palpable as well as his panic that they would cart him off to prison for his many misdeeds. Gina was perfect for Mozzie because she engages in a lot of the same little games and quirks that he engages.

Peter developed his plan of action but he left Mozzie and Neal out of the equation for good reason but we all know that this won’t be the way things will develop. Once Mozzie and Neal came up with their own plan, they enlisted Jones to play a part of their ruse.

Mozzie sabotaging Gina’s boyfriend was rather funny. He knew this guy lacked character and knew he didn’t have the follow through needed to complete the job of getting his girlfriend back. Mozzie really stepped it up in order to save his lady love.

The Perfect Exchange: a great hypothetical plan that unfortunately couldn't be perfectly executed. Peter recognized the flaw in the plan and took action. The moments between Peter and Neal are always the best.

Great chemistry between Willie Garson and Diane Farr. They wrote Gina out at the end of the episode but I hope they bring her back.

This was a solid episode. I am wondering if by the end of the season will Mozzie have an official role with the FBI too? Season 2 is progressing quite well. The stand alone episodes have been varied and engaging. They have really stepped up the creativity on ways of showcasing Neal’s skills.

Random Thoughts:

• Sharif Atkins (Jones) is a solid player on White Collar and they should use him more. He needs some backstory.
  
• Carlos Leon played one of the goons. He's better known as the father of Madonna's first child, Lourdes.