Ep 1. On Guard

Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) is back in action in the first episode of season three of White Collar. In "On Guard," Neal is living the high life after successfully swindling the U-boat treasure from Vincent Adler, but his freedom is short-lived.

The episode begins with Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) showing Neal an art heist rumor. The art, a priceless statue the Empire State Building, appears to be the work of the Pink Panthers, a group of thieves Peter has been trying to take down for years. When the FBI receives intelligence that the statue is going to be sold at an upcoming auction, Peter assigns Neal to help him solve the case.

Neal is hesitant at first, but eventually agrees to help, even though he knows he needs to watch his back more than ever before. While he may have pawned off the U-boat treasure in exchange for his freedom, he's still on Adler's hit list, and the con-man knows that a man of Neal's talents is too valuable to let go.

As Peter and Neal dive deeper into the investigation, they uncover an even more nefarious plot at play. It turns out that the Pink Panthers not only plan on stealing the statue, but they also plan on stealing something more valuable: the staff of the Statue of Liberty.

Peter and Neal quickly realize that they need to act fast to prevent the theft, and they start to work with the Pink Panther's inside man at the auction house, a charming and beautiful woman named Celia (played by guest star Eliza Dushku).

Things get even more complicated as Adler resurfaces and starts to make his presence known. Adler, desperate to get the treasure back, is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means taking out Neal in the process.

While Peter and Neal's partnership continues to be the highlight of the show, the supporting cast brings their own bit of flare to the episode. Diana Berrigan (Marsha Thomason) is now a mother, but still works as an integral part of the FBI's White Collar division. Mozzie (Willie Garson) is still Neal's best friend and partner in crime, even if he's a bit out of his element in the world of high-stakes art auctions.

"On Guard" is a fast-paced and entertaining episode that sets the tone for the rest of the season. Neal's past may continue to haunt him, but he's not one to back down from a challenge. With the Pink Panthers and Adler gunning for him, Neal knows that staying alive is going to take all the skills he's acquired over his long and storied career as a con-man.

Whether you're a longtime fan of the show or just tuning in for the first time, "On Guard" is a perfect starting point. It packs in plenty of action, humor, and intrigue while still maintaining the heart and soul of the series. As the season continues, it's clear that White Collar has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon.