White Collar

was one of the most thrilling crime dramas on TV, but the reboot, White Collar Renaissance, needs to make some important changes to the formula before it returns. Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke are set to make a comeback with a brand-new reboot of the hit series from 2009. While the new series has revealed precious little about what the story will be and how these characters reunite, if they do reunite, there is plenty of speculation coming from fans about what the show could be, and how the adventures of Peter and Neal can continue despite a hiatus in between.

However, if the show and the starring characters are to return, the reboot has a chance to right some wrongs from the original run. As clever as the show could be, and for all the fun that Neal had, there are elements of the old show that would be better off changed. From Neal securing a future, and Peter finding more work-life balance, to simply the structure of the show, White Collar’s reboot has a great opportunity to take these characters to all new heights. But that means making important changes to secure the future of the show and the characters depicted in it.

6

Neal Caffrey Needs To Be Set Free

He Deserves A Real Chance At Redemption

First and foremost, there needs to be justice for Neal Caffrey. Yes, Neal was an elite criminal who climbed the FBI’s Most Wanted list, but when presented with a chance to get on a straight path, Neal made the best of it. He slipped at times, and fell into old habits, but Neal experienced genuine growth and changes that saw him contemplate a life working alongside the FBI where he wasn’t compelled to be a criminal consultant. But the FBI never let Neal break free of his ankle bracelet in order to make a real life for himself.

So, with the show coming back, Neal Caffrey needs a chance at real redemption. His end in the original series was less than honest, as the character faked his own death to go free, but this was due to the way the FBI would never have let him complete his sentence and walk free. Neal deserves to work with the FBI in a capacity where he is not treated like a criminal, and where he gets a sH๏τ at real redemption, becoming a hero for real, and without being constantly compelled to work for an intimidating agency.

5

Elizabeth Burke Deserves More Praise And Spotlight

She Has The Potential To Work Alongside Peter

Another character who deserves to get a lot more recognition is Elizabeth Burke. Several shows showcase intelligent, powerful, and influential women in a capacity that allows them to take the lead, make big breaks, and outshine their peers. And while Elle was always seen as a strong and supportive wife to her husband, Peter, she did not get the credit she deserved. Elle is likely as smart as Peter, while also being more emotionally intelligent and personable. This led to her being an invaluable ᴀsset several times throughout the show’s initial run.

But beyond that, Elle shouldn’t just be a loving, supporting, doting wife who sits at home while her husband gets the job done. Elle has the potential to work alongside Peter, and have him support her and her goals and dreams. At the end of White Collar, Elle delivers a baby, but with the show concluding a decade ago, hopefully Elle can get a more prominent role, being a bigger part of the narrative, rather than a background character. And maybe Peter should spend more time backing up his wife as she pursues her motivations and goals.

4

Neal And Peter’s Friendship Needs To Actually Advance

The Characters Need To Grow Together

The relationship between Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke is central to the show; There is no denying that. However, over the course of six seasons, the pair end up in a situation that largely resembles how the series started. Two men, on opposite sides of the law, but Peter is no longer chasing Neal. While the pair learn to respect each other, and to see the value in each other’s ways of life and thinking, there is a constant back and forth as the characters appear to evolve and step forward, only to take several steps back a few episodes later.

For the reboot to succeed, it should see this relationship advance, with Peter and Neal coming together officially, and fighting on the same side. That isn’t to say there shouldn’t be conflict and a difference of opinions, but the characters need to grow together and make a real impact in their partnership. And in order to do that, they need to become genuine friends, who work together, and push each other to be better. Peter needs to learn how to get creative like Neal, and explore alternative routes. While Neal needs to learn how to draw inside the lines, and do more good for more people than just himself.

3

The FBI Shouldn’t Be The Bad Guys

The Show Needs To Find Another Target For Peter And Neil To Go After

The challenge that White Collar has faced in the past in putting both men on the same side was the fact that the side they were supposedly fighting for was deeply corrupt and problematic. Peter is a loyal FBI agent, and has dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice. But when working with Neal Caffrey, and seeing the way his agency treated his new friend, Peter was able to see how the FBI sometimes takes advantage of people, and manipulates, lies, and belittles the ᴀssets it has when it devalues them as people.

Despite this, by the end of the series, it seems like Peter and Neal were able to root out several bad apples from the FBI, and Peter was getting a promotion to take more control inside the agency. If this is the case, Peter should be able to help reform the agency, and ensure that they do not manipulate, lie, and coerce people to get their way. And if that is the case, then the show will need to find a new target to put in the crosshairs for Peter and Neal to go after.

2

Neal Needs To Settle Down

He Needs To Find A Long-Term Partner

Neal has always been a wild, free-roaming, pleasure-seeking character. In this way, he loved hard, and he fell harder. He was betrayed on several occasions, and the partners that he ended up choosing rarely had his best interests at heart. However, Neal needs to find someone who he can rely on and share life with, like Elizabeth Burke. Peter’s wife is the perfect example of someone who can be an equal, and help to push their partner to be the best that they can be. While Neal is unlikely to have left his bachelor days in the past any time soon, he needs to settle down and find a lifelong partner eventually.

Neal would do extremely well to have a caring person in his corner who can help push him to leave his criminal ways in the past, and use his skills to do something better. Neal could change the world with his skills, but unless he has someone to help push him further, that is unlikely to happen. And as much as Mozzie helped push him to go bigger and bigger, he wasn’t always pushing in the right direction. A new partner could change things for Neal and his future.

1

The White Collar Reboot Should Have Shorter Seasons

16 Episodes Per Season Is No Longer A Good Idea

Throughout White Collar, many of the seasons of the series had up to 16 episodes. While this is by no means a bad thing, it did lead to some episodes meandering, without a clear direction, and more focus on case of the week storylines that failed to push the larger narrative forward. In the sixth and final season, the show reduced the duration to just 6 episodes, and while this season may not have been the best of the series’ run, it did push the creatives to streamline the story, and led to a powerful ending.

If the rebooted show is to continue beyond one season, it would make sense to bring the episode count a little further down, and make every episode count. White Collar having a smaller episode count could ultimately help the show to survive longer, and to avoid wearing out its welcome. However, White Collar will also need to be smart about the way it delivers the narrative, making every episode count.