White Collar Returns July 13th for its second season bringing fans a healthy dose of their favorite bromance as well as offering up a familiar face as a cast regular. The season kicks off with Withdrawal, a lead in from the season one ender which gives our favorite con plenty to think about. Was someone trying to kill him, if so who, and what does the music box have to do with all of this? On top of that his work with the FBI has him chasing down a phantom bank robber known only as the Architect, which all evidence points to a prominent businessman played by Tim Matheson (West Wing, Van Wilder) who also directs the episode. Then Peter and Neal face off against a politician who may or may not be corrupt in Need To Know. My thoughts. Its a politician, what do you think? Still, you may be surprised by what happens in the episode and not just with the politician.

When I reviewed the pilot episode in August of 09’ I was instantly pulled in by the chemistry, the story, and the all around fun of the show. USA, a network that has wowed me several times in the past created yet another hit. In January I received the premier of the mid-season return for White Collar and found that the magic of that pilot episode seemed to have diminished a bit. The show was playing to much on its cool factor and not enough on its ability to just continue telling a great story. With the return of season 2 we get to see a return to form with the show as everything is in perfect balance once again. The chemistry is perfect, the storytelling is well crafted and intelligent, and fun, by the truckload. Willie Garson (Sex and the City, John From Cincinnati) has to be one of the quirkiest fun characters on television right now. He’s the perfect combination of nerdy and dangerous. No one’s used, “That’ll do pig, that’ll do”, in awhile, but Garson makes it fun again.

While both episodes that I previewed are good as stand alones, thankfully the first episode of the season works proper recaps into its storyline that you don’t feel completely lost, there is a running current within them that is subtle enough to keep your attention yet not so overpowering that you lose focus on the con being run in the episodes. The return of Thomason is a great addition to the show, especially as a cast regular, most likely initiated due to Tiffany Amber Thiessen’s (Fastlane, Save by the Bell) pregnancy. Finally Tim Dekay (Carnivale) and Matt Bomer (Chuck Tru Calling) remain a good tandem. You can’t help but relate White Collar to the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can. As great as that film was this would be the story of what happened after the con and the cop started rolling. As always final judgment falls to you. Enjoy.