Now that the direction of the season/series has been set more or less in stone, it’s all about how the writers are going to manage to make it work. On the surface of it, as I mentioned in reviews for previous episodes, the majority of the damage is to the integrity of Arthur’s character arc. In one fell swoop, he is rendered all but useless again. This episode doesn’t change that, but it does show that Annie’s characterization is back on track.
The mid-season finales of "White Collar" always end on a dramatic cliffhanger. In the first season, it was the reveal that Peter was secretly in contact with Kate (which, considering that this was still the first season, made us wonder if Peter might be a baddie); in the second season, it was Mozzie being shot; and in the third, it was Keller's kidnapping of Elizabeth. And as expected, the fourth season attempts to follow suit.