Ep 1. Pilot

The show White Collar is a crime drama television series that premiered on October 23, 2009, on the USA Network. It stars Matt Bomer (as Neal Caffrey), Tim DeKay (as Peter Burke), and Tiffani Thiessen (as Elizabeth Burke).

The first episode of the show is called "Pilot." It introduces the show's two main characters, Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke. Neal Caffrey is a con artist and a master forger who has been on the run from the law for three years. Peter Burke is an FBI agent who is known for his expertise in catching white-collar criminals.

The episode begins with Peter Burke chasing Neal through the streets of New York City. Neal eventually gets caught and is sent to prison for four years. However, he escapes from prison three months before his sentence is up in an attempt to find his girlfriend, Kate, who he believes has been kidnapped by someone who wants to blackmail him.

Neal is quickly caught again and brought back to prison, where Peter visits him and offers him a deal. Peter tells Neal that if he helps the FBI catch other white-collar criminals, he can serve out the rest of his sentence under house arrest. Neal accepts the offer and is released to work with Peter.

The two men don't get along at first, with Neal being more interested in his own agenda and Peter being suspicious of Neal's motives. However, they start to build a trust and respect for one another as they work on cases together.

Their first case involves a stolen painting worth millions of dollars. Neal uses his skills as a forger to create a replica of the painting, which helps Peter catch the thief. Although the case is solved, Neal is still determined to find his girlfriend and starts investigating on his own.

The episode also introduces the show's supporting characters, including Elizabeth Burke (Peter's wife) and Mozzie (Neal's friend and partner-in-crime). Elizabeth is supportive of Peter and Neal's partnership but also serves as a voice of reason for both men. Mozzie is suspicious of Peter's motives and warns Neal not to trust him.

Overall, the first episode of White Collar sets up the show's premise and introduces the audience to its main characters and supporting cast. It also lays the groundwork for future cases and character development. Fans of crime shows and character-driven dramas will find much to enjoy in this series.