did anyone else take note, when they were getting Neal ready to play the Mr. Black role, of how the new anklet has some mechanism for removal (as opposed to all the cutting they did in Season 1)? Or was that just me?

Not just you. It seems the new tracker is harder to remove. The other one he could have cut at any time. The new one looks far more complicated.

I have no strong feelings either way about Sara. I will say I didn't see any romantic chemistry between she and Neal, but I'm not convinced the writers are thinking of her in that way. I guess I need a Team Alex tee shirt. ;)