TV Show Worldview free essay sample

Picture the perfect criminal. Smart, intelligent, handsome, charming, and skilled. That is Neal Caffrey in the TV show â€Å"White Collar. † And although he seems like an immoral character in a very morally ambiguous movie, the show â€Å"White Collar† while different in its view of a god or an afterlife, puts forth strong Christian values and a worldview that has many similarities with Christian theism. The TV Show â€Å"White Collar† is a Crime/Comedy TV Show about Neal Caffrey, an ex-criminal, forger, and con-man, whose charming character, intelligence, and good looks can get him anything he wants. However, he ends up working for the FBI in order to solve crime cases. After years of being chased by the FBI for numerous crimes and forgeries, Neal was finally caught by Special Agent Peter Burke, but instead of going to prison, he was offered an alternative: He could help assist the FBI in solving crime with his inside knowledge and expertise but would remain under constant surveillance. We will write a custom essay sample on TV Show Worldview or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Neal agreed. â€Å"Since then, Peter and Neal have amassed an enviable record within the White Collar Crimes Unit and laid the foundation for a deep friendship. But as some have said about Neal, once a con, always a con, and while his unique skills have helped Peter close some high profile cases, his methods have endangered both his friends and fellow colleagues. † (Lusins) However, over the course of the series, Neal develops and slowly becomes more â€Å"moral† but he is â€Å"constantly finding himself torn between his criminal roots and the straight-edge law enforcement world of Peter. † (Biography for Neal Caffrey) The story of the producer, Jeff Eastin, also has quite an impact on the worldview portrayed in â€Å"White Collar. † Jeff Eastin was born in 1967 in Colorado and studies Journalism at Colorado State University but soon took up a job as a cameraman. After a producer randomly found one of his screenplays, he received numerous jobs and was even considered one of the most hopeful producers in the TV industry. (Scholz) When Eastin came up with the TV show in 2009, he was going through a divorce, (Fernandez) this realization of his flaws as a human while keeping in mind his rise to fame and his skills as a producer had a major impact on the message and worldview in â€Å"White Collar. † The TV show â€Å"White Collar,† at least to some extent, supports a worldview that encompasses both elements from naturalism and Christianity. God is never mentioned as a reality and therefore, to them, matter and the physical world is the prime reality. None of them ever seem to be driven by a god or supernatural power and seek their identity in material things. One of the biggest indications of the naturalist worldview is the ongoing theme that man is basically evil. This is evident in the early phases of Neal Caffreys life when he commits numerous crimes, such as forging bonds, stealing manuscripts, paintings, gold, and ancient artifacts. (â€Å"White Collar†) However, Neal and some of his colleagues, including his best friend and partner-in-crime Mozzie, slowly start to change for the better and change their state from evil to good. This supports a worldview that considers man as basically evil but capable of change. Another naturalist belief in this series is that there is no afterlife. Many people, criminals and FBI agents alike, die in this show and there is no indication that they go to an afterlife, and instead, their loss is always received with grief. When it comes to moral ethics, the show supports the Christian worldview and argues that the â€Å"good† side, although it can be less action-packed and fun, is preferred and the right way to live. This is evident in Peter, who serves as a moral role model in the show, shows and promotes the Puritan work ethic and remains loyal to his wife even when he has an opportunity to cheat on her. This is a rare perspective in modern culture and if included in movies and TV shows, is often portrayed mockingly or satirically. In this case, however, the old-fashioned and moral way to live is clearly favored. Although both Peter and Neal often bend the law when it comes to trivial matters, there is still a clear sense of right and wrong in these characters, especially in the later seasons. This series has been receiving a lot of praise from the media, and not only for its humor and acting, but also the good relationship between Neal and Peter that grow as a result of his ongoing change. (McNamara) The only thing critics of the show argue is the unoriginality and predictability of the series, not its message and underlying worldview. And although some people prefer movies with less strict moral values, many viewers are glad that there is, in Peter, a moral character with a clear sense of right and wrong, and take this rare perspective as a breath of fresh air. This work is quite clear and effective in getting its worldview across, as it is obvious in every episode that Neal has a choice between his old and â€Å"evil† nature and his newly learned and â€Å"good† nature. As the series progresses, Neal chooses the good side more and more, and transforms from an untrustworthy, sneaky, backstabbing villain to a guy with a good heart who still occasionally makes mistakes. It is very clear that there are moral values that should be followed but it also never mentions any afterlife or supernatural being. The worldview argued for in this series has many similarities to Christianity. Putting aside the obvious difference in the absence of a god, we can see that both the bible and â€Å"White Collar† argue for good ethics. For example, the Bible clearly argues that â€Å"You shall not commit adultery,† (New International Version, Exodus 20:14) and although tested, Peter chooses to remain faithful to his wife, a choice that he seems to be praised for. Also, Christianity argues against lying and cheating, which are both aspects of Neal’s life he is trying to overcome. Although similar with ethics and moral values, the worldview of â€Å"White Collar† also has fundamental differences to Christianity and its worldview, the most prominent one being the absence of God or a Heaven and Hell. According to the series, the physical world is all there is, a idea that directly contradicts the main aspect of deism or theism believed by Christianity. If a Christian theist were discussing with a person who watches â€Å"White Collar,† he/she might point out that men are basically evil, and although it seems fun to do wrong, as it did for Neal, it doesn’t pay of and, just like Neal, it is better to change and live a more moral life. However, a Christian would argue that this change is only really effective with the  help of a faith in God who will assist the change in lifestyle and give you a new nature. As a believer, I think that although many of Neal actions can bother the typical Christian, the theme of the series is Neal’s redemption and change of character. It should always be kept in mind that even when Neal does dumb stuff, the movie makes it sound fun but always follows through in dealing out consequences to Neal. Also, as a Christian, we should observe the way Peter chooses to live his life. His lifestyle and worth ethic are very â€Å"Christian† and should definitely be praised and noticed as a Christian.