More White Collar thoughts
Dec. 22nd, 2013 12:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
citrinesunsetHave been thinking a bit about Peter and Neal, and the conflict between them.
I really do sympathize and empathize with both Peter and Neal a lot. I know there's some unhappiness with Peter right now, but I don't think Peter is really lacking in perspective. It may be that he hasn't thought about Neal's position much, but I actually think he understands Neal's perspective better than Neal understands Peter's.
Neal obviously knew that there would be trouble if Peter found out what he'd done. And I think he knew that Peter would be upset to learn that the evidence that freed him was faked. Back in 5x01, when Peter praises Neal for tracking down James, Neal is clearly uncomfortable. He knows that Peter would be disappointed if he knew the truth, and I think Neal, at least at that moment, feels bad that he wasn't able to live up to Peter's hopes.
But I don't think Neal has considered that Peter wouldn't see what he did as a favor. When he finally confesses about the coins, I think he honestly expects some understanding or appreciation. But Peter doesn't see it as a favor. At least not right now. It's not that Peter doesn't realize that Neal took a risk for him. I think he does realize that, though maybe he hasn't thought about it much yet. But it's not a risk he wanted Neal to take.
Peter is clearly worried about his own integrity and career, and understandably so. At the end of season 3 and the beginning of season 4, he took a risk and bent the law to help Neal because he believed it was the right thing to do. But there were some consequences as a result of that. And then, at the end of season 4, trying to help James has catastrophic consequences.
But I also think that Peter feels a responsibility to Neal, which is another reason that he doesn't see Neal's actions as a favor. Though his words to Neal in 5x01 are harsh and alienating, I don't think he's trying to remind Neal that he's a criminal as much as he's trying to remind himself that Neal is his responsibility. He knows that Neal will always push the limits. In the past, I think he was assured enough of his own position that this didn't concern him as much. But now he's more aware of his own vulnerabilities, and is perhaps more concerned about Neal getting himself into a situation that he (Peter) can't get him out of. And as his handler, Peter holds some indirect responsibility for what Neal does.
So from Peter's perspective, I think the fact that Neal was trying to help him by stealing the gold coins makes it worse, not better. He's already on edge because he feels like he's not objective enough to be Neal's handler. He really doesn't want Neal to go back to prison, and he doesn't want to be responsible for it.
Neal, of course, has a different perspective, which is also understandable and sympathetic. He feels responsible for a lot of what Peter has gone through. And aside from the lengths he's willing to go to keep from being caught, he's mostly willing to take responsibility for his own actions. I don't think he sees himself as Peter's responsibility. And though Neal wants Peter to be proud of him and wants to have a picturesque, legitimate life, he also sees crime as an acceptable way to deal with a situation if an alternative isn't possible.
Though I hope Peter and Neal are on good terms again soon, I have to admit that I've grown to appreciate the tension between them, too. The first time I watched season 3, the amount of tension was a downer to me. And I do like it best when Peter and Neal are working as a good team. But I think the times when they're working against each other also show their respective intelligence. And I like that this season is exploring some of the inherent conflict in their relationship. They're friends, and because of that, Peter's emotional distance and criticism hit Neal very hard. But as long as Neal is in Peter's custody, there's going to be some potential for conflict.
I hope they get back on the same page soon and band together to fight Hagen (and anyone else who's in on this plot). But right now, I can sympathize with both of their positions.
I really do sympathize and empathize with both Peter and Neal a lot. I know there's some unhappiness with Peter right now, but I don't think Peter is really lacking in perspective. It may be that he hasn't thought about Neal's position much, but I actually think he understands Neal's perspective better than Neal understands Peter's.
Neal obviously knew that there would be trouble if Peter found out what he'd done. And I think he knew that Peter would be upset to learn that the evidence that freed him was faked. Back in 5x01, when Peter praises Neal for tracking down James, Neal is clearly uncomfortable. He knows that Peter would be disappointed if he knew the truth, and I think Neal, at least at that moment, feels bad that he wasn't able to live up to Peter's hopes.
But I don't think Neal has considered that Peter wouldn't see what he did as a favor. When he finally confesses about the coins, I think he honestly expects some understanding or appreciation. But Peter doesn't see it as a favor. At least not right now. It's not that Peter doesn't realize that Neal took a risk for him. I think he does realize that, though maybe he hasn't thought about it much yet. But it's not a risk he wanted Neal to take.
Peter is clearly worried about his own integrity and career, and understandably so. At the end of season 3 and the beginning of season 4, he took a risk and bent the law to help Neal because he believed it was the right thing to do. But there were some consequences as a result of that. And then, at the end of season 4, trying to help James has catastrophic consequences.
But I also think that Peter feels a responsibility to Neal, which is another reason that he doesn't see Neal's actions as a favor. Though his words to Neal in 5x01 are harsh and alienating, I don't think he's trying to remind Neal that he's a criminal as much as he's trying to remind himself that Neal is his responsibility. He knows that Neal will always push the limits. In the past, I think he was assured enough of his own position that this didn't concern him as much. But now he's more aware of his own vulnerabilities, and is perhaps more concerned about Neal getting himself into a situation that he (Peter) can't get him out of. And as his handler, Peter holds some indirect responsibility for what Neal does.
So from Peter's perspective, I think the fact that Neal was trying to help him by stealing the gold coins makes it worse, not better. He's already on edge because he feels like he's not objective enough to be Neal's handler. He really doesn't want Neal to go back to prison, and he doesn't want to be responsible for it.
Neal, of course, has a different perspective, which is also understandable and sympathetic. He feels responsible for a lot of what Peter has gone through. And aside from the lengths he's willing to go to keep from being caught, he's mostly willing to take responsibility for his own actions. I don't think he sees himself as Peter's responsibility. And though Neal wants Peter to be proud of him and wants to have a picturesque, legitimate life, he also sees crime as an acceptable way to deal with a situation if an alternative isn't possible.
Though I hope Peter and Neal are on good terms again soon, I have to admit that I've grown to appreciate the tension between them, too. The first time I watched season 3, the amount of tension was a downer to me. And I do like it best when Peter and Neal are working as a good team. But I think the times when they're working against each other also show their respective intelligence. And I like that this season is exploring some of the inherent conflict in their relationship. They're friends, and because of that, Peter's emotional distance and criticism hit Neal very hard. But as long as Neal is in Peter's custody, there's going to be some potential for conflict.
I hope they get back on the same page soon and band together to fight Hagen (and anyone else who's in on this plot). But right now, I can sympathize with both of their positions.
no subject
Date: 2013-12-22 08:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-12-22 10:45 pm (UTC)Sometimes Neal is willing to let other people take responsibility for him/his actions if it's something that works out well and feels deserved to him (like Keller confessing to stealing the treasure).
But yeah, in general, I don't think he sees himself as other people's responsibility, even when he tries to justify the more questionable/illegal things he does. And he's very prone to trying to dealing with stuff on his own. I don't think he's considered that Peter or the FBI could have any responsibility to him since he's in their custody.