The Best Show on Television, and, More Importantly, Why

"Smart." "Sophisticated." "Classy." Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
There are a lot of good adjectives that can, and have been used to describe USA Network's "White Collar". The same though, can, and has been said for many shows. What puts this show above the pack is great writing.

I'm not just talking about the clever repartee of the dialog; I'm referring to the way each episode (and the overall story arc) is plotted to lure the viewers in and keep them interested right to the end.

The best way to keep viewers--or readers--involved in a story is to keep them asking questions. In fact, any story can be outlined as a series of questions that the reader--or viewer--wants to have answered. Keeping the audience absorbed in a story is all about keeping them focussed on the questions: "Will he escape?" "Who is the mystery woman?" "Why did he do that?" "What's her angle?" When one question is answered, another should immediately follow. Better yet, the answer to one question should generate another question.

Each scene should be focussed on one of the story's questions. The minute the audience forgets the current question, or loses interest in the answer, or figures out the answer prematurely, you've lost them.