Thinky Thoughts About Mozzie

[gnomi]

(To those not of the USA-Network-TV-watching persuasion, the following is regarding the show "White Collar" and one of the side characters, played by the wonderful Willie Garson.)

After (obsessively, perhaps) rewatching Payback (2.14) and Power Play (2.15), I was struck by how Mozzie interacts with the women in Neal's life. Specifically, the contrast between his relationship with Elizabeth and his relationship with Sara. In Payback, Mozzie has the following conversation with Elizabeth:

E: Did Neal send you?
M: No, I came of my own volition.

Contrast that with the conversation with Sara in Power Play:

S: Did Neal send you to come sit with me? 

M: Uh, no one sends me. I go places.


I don't have any real conclusions, just thinky thoughts. Mozzie's relationship with Elizabeth is almost familial, whereas other interactions -- with almost anyone, honestly, from the gone-straight side of Neal's life -- are much more adversarial (though he has respect for Peter and a grudging respect for Diana). I was just really struck by the parallel questions and Mozzie's divergent tone in his answers to them.

Comments

[elrhiarhodan]

Very interesting!

I adored his affectionate and gentle treatment of Elizabeth - warranted because of Peter's kidnapping. But I would remind you that he has been confrontational with Elizabeth in the past - when he shows up at the Burke residence in Front Man:

Elizabeth: You know, Moz, you never told me what you do for a living.
Mozzie: I know that. Neither have you, Mrs. Suit.
Elizabeth: I'm an even planner. I run my own company.
Mozzie: Burke Premiere Events. I thought that company was a front for Peter.
Elizabeth: Okay, not everything has a secret meaning.
Mozzie: Ah, naïveté. So sweet. I bet you believe in the moon landing.

But then, there was the gentle banter about safe words in Prisoner's Dilemma - Azaleas and Bread Basket.

I think his relationship with Elizabeth is very similar to his relationship with June - almost reverential.

His feelings for Sara and Diana are completely different - but he'll probably give Sara more upfront respect, if just that Neal now seems smitten. Diana, on the other hand - well, I have my own thoughts on this. He's completely crushing on her, and knows she's absolutely unobtainable.

[sorek.livejournal.com]

Sort of agree with the above comment. In payback with Peter being kidnapped, it wasn't a time to be snarky, especially if you consider what might happen to Neal's deal with the FBI if something happened to Peter. In power play the threat is real, but low level. In both cases however Mozzie rejects the idea that he is following Neal's orders, after all Mozzie recruited Neal, not the other way around. Yes they are close friends, but Mozzie is not some "suit" to be ordered around (although in reality he totally is, of couse)

[beadattitude.livejournal.com]

Also, Sara's a suit!

[bitty.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth is married. She is the warm maternal figure that Peter comes home to that keeps him grounded. I've always felt that Mozzie envies that nearly as much as he eschews it. So he basks in some of that comfort when he can, because it's safe - she's married to someone else - but then treats other women as hostile to his status quo.