This third season presents more drama as Peter and Neal track down a thief that robbed the Federal Reserve and a series of other crimes while dealing with trust issues among each other.
It's a vast improvement, and a welcome example of a show eventually finding itself by eliminating outside distractions and focusing as much as possible on the core concept.
I found it interesting and, to some extent, troubling that Neal and Mozzie had to go to such lengths in order to keep Peter from exacting the truth about the Chrysler painting and its presence in the exploded warehouse.
There is something at stake here beyond the mechanics of the "sting," and that gives the show enough weight to keep it from dissipating in the summer heat.
White Collar understands that even a lightly formulaic drama needs a solid relationship foundation, and the central connection on this show is still interesting, three seasons in.
