Yesterday’s half-season finale delivered high action (that fab motorcycle chase), great guests (24’s John Allen Nelson and Law & Order’s Larry Clarke), two character returns (Nate and Carla), a love triangle (Campbell/Fiona/Mike), and some choice Sam quips ("You gotta love it when you tail someone to a place that makes a great mojito"). My only gripe: Not enough closure. I expected cliff-hangers like Mike diving off his front stairs as the loft burst into flames and the screen faded to black, or Nate going to lockup under a Carla-fabricated laundering charge and Fiona continuing to date clueless Campbell. But I hoped to at least learn Carla’s true identity and what deadly hijinks she’s got up her sleeve (or in her tankini, pictured).
Following last week’s revelation that sniper Bill was another of Carla’s pawns, Mike and Sam tracked him to a bayside building, where he used episode 2’s forged access card to gain entry. Later, while Bill chilled on the Daytona club circuit (mentally preparing for Carla’s killing mission, Sam presumed), Mike risked life and limb to sneak in and figure out that Bill’s target must be someone riding the daily ferry that passes by the fourth floor conference room window. Then he and Sam stalked Carla (or as the latter calls her, "the burn notice lady" and "tall, blond, and evil") to a fancy-pants hotel where she did a lot of sexy swimming. Whatever she’s up to is apparently "big," because between breaststrokes she conducted several poolside meetings with "international types" and installed a facial recognition security system outside her room — which, of course, Sam found a way to use his masculine wiles to help Mike break into. There Mike discovered a dossier packed with photos of himself, Bill, dead forger Nefzi, sad sack hacker Jimmy (who’s now Jimmy Barrett on Mad Men, btw), and one unfamiliar face (another operative maybe?), but no other clues.
Carla, of course, blew her top when she realized Mike had been in the building. ("There are things in the works that are far, far over your head. Stay out of them, or there will be consequences.") When he didn’t back off, she retaliated by having Nate arrested — which may cause Madeleine (who took out a loan to help sonny start his limo business) to lose her bungalow. She also lured Michael, Sam, and Fiona on a fake stakeout, while vaporizing Bill (so much for his sniper skills) and planting explosives in Michael’s house. Which makes me wonder: If she knew Mike was eventually heading home to certain death, why did she follow him so fervently? Did she think he was going to Bill’s first? Was she going to chat with him first or kill him herself?
More importantly, on the burn tip, we’re left wondering what it all means. Who is the unknown man in Carla’s file (whom she met with during the episode)? Who’s going to be on that ferry that’s worth stealing a Dragunov to kill? And once it’s all over, will Mike get his job back?
addCredit(“Tricia Helfer: Glenn Watson”)
Speaking of jobs, Mike’s P.I. gig for the week had more to do withteaching us about his relationship with Fi than the actual assignment(foiling the planned snatching of a Venuzuelan heiress). Otherwise, Ithink, the plot would have made more sense — did you understand thestuff about her disappearance influencing the well-being of certain oilconglomerates? I didn’t (though I’m assuming they could blackmail Daddyinto making certain business decisions). But I didn’t care much either.I liked seeing Mike (or Mike’s persona, Brad) go head-to-head withNelson’s swarthy kidnapper, Lesher. We also learned something: "There’san art to drinking without getting drunk. Start with a lot of ice todilute the alcohol. Order a new round before you’re done so yourhalf-full drink gets taken away. And, of course, spill."
Yet the most important thing to note is that Mike took the work toprotect Fiona, who wanted to please Campbell, who hoped to help Lesher’spatsy, Henry (Clarke), get out of this mess. And that Mike used Brad’sspeech to Lesher about finding God and undergoing life’s tests to tellFiona he basically thought she was an angel (among other great things).PopWatcher Steph, you were right, it melted my heart. My wish: We seethem work things out without Campbell getting hurt. He did cook up thattuna tahini for Mike, after all.
In the end, it’s going to be a long wait until the show returns inJanuary. Those who live close enough to the Windy City should try andcatch Jeffrey Donovan on stage in the comedy Don’t Dress for Dinner come November. My colleague Jason Clark, our Footlights theater columnist, says he’s not to be missed.
So, what did you guys think? Do you feel satisfied, or are you, likeme, wishing the episode had revealed a lot more? And thank you so muchto PopWatcher Robin for finding Fiona’s fanny pack online. I’m buyingone!
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When Sam referred to Carla by saying “She’s a machine” – a lovely nod to her Cylon days – I laughed so hard! Naturally, my husband thought I was nuts.
When Sam referred to Carla by saying “She’s a machine” – a lovely nod to her Cylon days – I laughed so hard! Naturally, my husband thought I was nuts.
Great episode, but the cliff-hanger seemed a little pointless. Michael can’t be dead in there’s a whole bunch of new episodes airing in January! But my husband said “geez, I hope they don’t give Mike amnesia”. Now that would be bad!
Loved Sam in this episode and of course, the interaction between Fi and Michael. At one point I thought that this guy can’t be a very good spy because you can see every emotion on his face when it comes to Fiona!
See, I didn’t think that Carla planted the bombs for Bill and Michael. I figured that maybe Michael’s actions had tipped off whomever Carla’s people were up against. Mostly, I liked the idea that the good guys and bad guys might not be so hard to figure out.
I keep thinking the Premises of this show will get old – I’m happy to say it hasn’t yet – I’m still completely hooked.
1st time watching this show, and I really liked. Guess I’ll be watching all the re runs until January, since I started at the end! Glad I read the wikepedia description cause I wondered what the deal was with Micheal and Fiona.
I think the hanger here is perfect. You really don’t know anything and need to hang until Jan. BTW waiting until JAN is much better than another year (the summer). I am so excited to know we can turn in in 4 mos., I just love this show. Michael needs to take Carla out though. There is now way someone as good as he can “live” with her. Bringing Nate back was a great decision. I think he really needs to get more time with Michael (perhaps mentoring him) to assist with “cases” would be a good thing. And as usual Mom was great. The 5 characters plus “guests” as in the original is just perfect. THese 5 can carry the guests
Don’t forget that Donovan will also be in Clint Eastwood’s movie The Changeling coming out in a few weeks.
To Mells, me too! That was a great throw away line.
I also don’t think Carla took out the sniper or boobytrapped Michael’s place. I think whoever they are up against is trying to take out the lower echelon operatives to get the higher ups to back off. It just doesn’t make sense that Carla would be following him if she was going to blow him up.
Love, love, love the show. Can’t wait till January. I also saw clips of a new movie with Angelina Jolie on a true story and guess who else is going to be in it! Jeff Donovan; will definetly have to go see it. I believe it comes out in October or November but can’t remember the name of the movie but I am sure it will be advertized!
I, too, am glad Nate was back. The show “needs” a screw up; everyone is else is so competent. Hate wishing my life away, but wish it was January.
Love the show,Michael is hot, Sam makes a great side kick, sexual tension between Michael and Fiona makes the show sizzle, maybe they’ll find their way back to each other some day, mom, well she’s mom, adding Nate, that was a great idea, I agree with Herb above these five characters can carry the show while the guest just do their thing. How long till January?????????
Long wait to January…pfft. Try being a LOST fan.
I wish I could remember to watch this show more regularly, but every time I catch up with it, I like it more.
I love love the show, i really like Sam a lot, he is so funny the way he acts sometimes. But the whole show is great
My God does Jeffery Donovan make me want to be a spy- has to be one of the hottest guys on TV- Can’t wait until January !!! Warm up the winter with some hot Burn Notice episodes !!!
For heaven sakes…get rid of Nate! He’s so annoying.
Sam’s the best. And Michael and Fi can’t get together. That would totally ruin the show.
For those in Burn Notice withdrawl, the Burn Notice paperback, The Fix, is as good a time as watching the show.
I originally started watching the show for “Mom”, Sharon Gless, but continued when I saw how good an actor Jeff Donovan was. Add in Fiona, and Sam – - – they got a winner!!! I followed Sharon Gless from “Cagney & Lacey”, to “Queer As Folk” (where, by the way, her character’s son was also named Michael).
Does anyone else think that Campbell is one of Carla’s guys, inserted into Michael’s group to keep tabs on them? Would be a good plot twist down the road.
I can wait for January standing on my head. I am a 24 fan and it hasn’t been on in 2 freaking years! But I will definitely be tuning in to find out what’s in store for the gang. By January, my TIVO is going to explode with all my regulars returning in the fall and now shows like Burn Notice, The Closer and Saving Grace will also return.
I love Burn Notice. Mike is HOT!!!!
I was so happy to hear “we will see you next winter for more Burn Notice”. Remember Sept 2007. when Mike rolled into the semi-truck, we had to wait for our Burn fix until July 2008. This show rocks!!!
Thanks NotBetty!
Personally, I could do without Nate. So far his character has done nothing for me. What kind of a son allows his retired mother to take a loan against her house so he can start a business!?!? For those Jeff Donovan fans check out his small role in ‘Hitch’ or his old series ‘Touching Evil’ to hold you over until Jan!
Of course we know Mike didn’t get blown up. That was sort of a weird cliffhanger. I was amazed at how fast Carla got from the stakeout scene onto her motorcycle in full biker gear to chase Mike around. I noticed the look on Carla’s face seemed worried or concerned; like things weren’t going as she had planned. Maybe she wasn’t the one to blow up Bill or Mike’s loft. I just hope Fiona eventually gets her wish and can shoot Carla.
Aubrey,
I heard that Gary Weeks was only signed for a three-episode arc — which means his last episode is the first one that airs in January. (And personally, I don’t wish harm on Campbell. I just think he’s going to split when he realizes how much Fi still cares for Michael).
P.S. – Jeffrey Donovan was golden in that 3:00am phone call scene. Someone give the man an Emmy!
I have never watched this show, but given the hawtness of that picture, I might have to start.
If Michael and Fi get together, it will ruin the show…can we say Moonlighting…X-Files…
If Michael and Fi get together, it will ruin the show…can we say Moonlighting…X-Files…
I LOVE this show!!! I’m watching the episode again online right now. I would love to see Mike and Fiona get together – they are hot!
One thing – why is Fiona at Mike’s place at 3am and she has a boyfriend?