Showdown: The Wily vs The Suave

So, Recently I have been following this show called White Collar which is about an ultra suave ex-felon named Neal Caffrey who (apparently) mends his ways and helps the FBI in solving white collar crimes. The character (played by the handsome Matt Bomer) is slick, wears sharp suits, a womanizer and also a master of con, something which he used to dig into before being arrested by a persistent and meticulous FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). The show is mostly about crime solving with threads from Neal's past driving it forward.

Compare that to my all time favorite TV series, The Mentalist where Patrick Jane (Simon Baker), who has a way with people and a razor sharp mind, uses his uncanny abilities to solve crimes with his partner Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney). Like White Collar, there was a long thread to the story: chasing "Red John"- A serial killer, who murdered Jane's family and ran a ring of corrupt government & law enforcement officials. However, now that thread has been closed off, the series is approaching its end. Nonetheless, Bruno Heller (the creator of the show) has written some spectacular episodes and stories, keeping the audience guessing right till the end, with a guaranteed thrill factor in each episode.

         

WHAT I LIKE:

The thing I like the most about White Collar is that its a complex show. There are a lot of characters with each character playing a significant role. From the eccentric Mozzie who is a connosieur of wine (and many other "art"-icles) to the sweet Elizabeth Burke to June, who is Neal's landlady. Secondly, the mini-threads which run throughout the course of the series are well written and transit seamlessly from one to another. Be it the case of Kate, the U-Boat or Neal's past, the stories don't seem forced. Also, since the show is named White Collar, there is a lot of upmarket craftiness that is associated with those types of crimes sans the gory stuff. And last but not the least, the main character, Neal Caffrey has panache. His dressing sense, his way of charming women and his wiliness bowl me over. 

The Mentalist has masterfully crafted stories, each one of them is new and written so intricately that you can not see through the plot. It reminds of The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes, more than anything. The 5-and a half-seasons long theme of Red John (which in many views was the soul of the show) was wonderfully weaved, without seeming overbearing- Jane's life interleaved with the cases he solves with brilliant but highly eccentric methods.

But all that is secondary, the reason I love The Mentalist is about Simon Baker, or should I say Patrick Jane. When I talk of one, it more or less implies the other. Baker portrays the strong character of Patrick Jane with such zeal and immersion that one can not help but be in awe. His peculiar habit of drinking tea, lazying on the couch, and reading minds like a "psychic", he is unmatched. He is ruthless to the criminals, kind towards people in a predicament and often throws processes and rules to the winds. And yet, sometimes we can feelt the anguish that he feels after the murder of his wife and daughter, his melancholy and his on-off relationship with his partner Teresa Lisbon. (I wont say anymore for the sake of not being a spoiler)

                        

WHAT I DON'T LIKE:

White Collar is shallow in its stories. There aren't enough twists and turns that one might expect in a crime drama, but to be fair unlike CSI or The Mentalist, White Collar is more about busting and exposing crime than solving a dead rubber. Still the plots are wafer thin to the point that you can easily predict how the next 5 minutes are gonna look like.

Also, Despite the fact that Matt Bomer is smart and I like the character of Neal Caffrey, I don't think he fits in perfectly. He is perhaps too chiselled for the role. The missing awkwardness, the scenes where he is supposed to be in a quandary, I don't quite think Bomer makes the cut. On the other hand, I like Tim DeKay as Peter Burke who might not be the most good looking actor in town but does perfect justice to the role of an FBI Agent.

There isn't too much wrong with The Mentalist, but all good things must come to an end. After the amazing 5 seasons of the Red John chase, the direction in which the show is heading is unclear.-Jane's transition to the FBI, budding romance, sporadically appearing (old & new) characters; the show is missing its organic nature that it previously use to have.

Also, I think the supporting characters have not been used to their full potential and have assumed the roles of props while the series revolves around Jane. But I think this is more of a design decision chosen by the creator which gives the show its unique flavor.

                   

TO WRAP IT UP:

Both White Collar and The Mentalist are creatively written, smart crime dramas where both the leads have seemingly put their shady pasts behind themselves and help fight crime in the world. Both of them like to wear suits, are good at manipulating people and very unorthodox in their means. The last part often gets them into trouble with the authorities but they are always saved by their partners with whom they share a close bond. On the other hand, whereas the protagonist of White Collar is more of a young guy who makes women go wobbly in their knees but is impulsive when it comes to personal life, Patrick Jane is a mature, unpredictable character who always knows what he is doing, thinking ahead of the game.