While Neal Caffrey is one half of the dynamic duo at the center ofWhite Collar, when he first appears, the character is shrouded in mystery.White Collarfirst began airing in 2009, and ran successfully for six gripping seasons. Throughout the show, the relationship between Neal and Peter sees both characters beginning to open up more and reveal more details about themselves, but due to their opposing morals and backgrounds, they tend to keep their cards close to their chest.
However, the biggest inciting incident inWhite Collar, when Neal Caffrey escapes from prison, fails to go into clear details about how and why Neal was there in the first place. The show reveals thatNeal is a con man, and Burke was trying to track him down and get him locked up for years. However, despite his criminal prowess and his ability to evade capture for so long, Burke was able to find charges that would stick and get Caffrey incarcerated for a four-year prison term.
Neal Caffrey Was Only Convicted Of Bond Forgery
Despite Having Many More Crimes That He Was Suspected Of
Neal was touted to be one of the greatest criminal minds in theworld ofWhite Collar. After a grueling three-year investigation by the greatest detectives in the FBI, agent Peter Burke, one of the detectives who spent more time and energy than anyone else tracking down Neal, finally caught up with him. However, catching the con man is only half the battle, and it’s up to the courts to gather evidence, build a case, and convict a criminal for their misdeeds. And despite the wealth of potential crimes that Caffrey was suspected of,he was only pinned for bond forgery.
If Matt Bomer Had Done This Movie In 2003, White Collar Would Have Never Happened
Matt Bomer’s career could have looked very different if one of his earliest roles hadn’t been canceled but then White Collar may never have been made.
Despite pulling off major international heists and having the FBI tailing him for years, Neal was able to sufficiently cover his tracks and make sure that he seemed squeaky clean enough to get away with an awful lot of criminal activity. Ultimately, this meant that afterthree years of an intensive game of cat and mouse with the police, and countless crimes being pulled off, Caffrey was only sentenced to four years in prison, for the crime of bond forgery, as opposed to potential major charges that could have sent him away for much longer.
Peter Burke Finally Caught Neal When He Wasn’t Paying Attention
The Rivalry Began Years Before White Collar Starts
While Peter Burke was one of the most talented FBI agents, it still took him three years of constant searching to try and finally track down the criminal mastermind. He frequently came close, but it wasn’t until Neal let his guard down while trying to elope with his girlfriend, Kate Moreau, that he was ultimately caught. This mindlessness on Neal’s part led to his capture, and considering Peter’s incredible investigative skills, he was able to be hot on his heels whenNeal stopped running for just a moment too long.
While this meant the victory was not total for either party, as Neal’s mindlessness allowed Peter to get an advantage, it did prove to be an important moment in both characters' journeys. If Neal hadn’t been caught, he wouldn’t have spent years in prison. This time allowed Peter to move on to other cases and refocus. And when Neal eventually escaped, Peter was able to pounce on Neal with fresh eyes, ready to capture him much quicker than before. And of course, this led to the incredible friendship that plays outover the course ofWhite Collar.
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.
