Burn Notice 3.1 - Friends and Family

Plot: We pick up where Season 2 left off: Michael needing to swim 5 miles to reach the land. Having accomplished that, he's immediately of interest to the cops. Realizing he can't fight the entire Miami PD, Michael surrenders. Well, he could fight them, but it'd be a bad idea.

In jail, Mike receives news from Sam. He's still burned, but his status is no longer shielded from the cops or or foreign agencies. Which would be that bit about hell raining down on him once Management stops protecting him. At least they were nice enough to ship his sunglasses to the loft. Michael is eventually bailed out by Harlan, an old partner, who just so happens to need some help. He needs to capture one Rufino Cortez, who needs to stand trial for various crimes back in Venezuela. He could also bring down some corrupt judges who assist in the illegal land grabs Cortez has going. After Harlan's simple grab fails, it's down to Mike.

Mike's plan involves presenting himself as an attorney working for some wealthy men looking to get in on the land grab action. After some difficulties with Falcone, Cortez' right hand guy, he gets a meeting with Cortez. Then he gets Cortez.

Then he finds out Harlan's working for the crooked judges, and it's Michael the Venezuelan special ops team will be picking up. You know how Michael can be kind of abrasive and condescending to people who screw up his plans, or don't think things through (Larry mentioned it during his visit)? Yeah, Harlan got a little sick of that during their time together.

Michael does turn that around on Harlan, but it emphasizes the danger he's in. His lack of protection is already putting him at risk, and he hasn't even faced any real enemies yet.

The Players: Harlan ("Old Buddy"), Marta (The Client), Rufino Cortez (El Jefe), Falcone (The Gatekeeper). I feel like there's a Ghostbusters joke to be made about Falcone, but I don't know the movie well enough to make it.

Quote of the Episode: Madeline - 'When you asked to borrow your father's old briefcase, I didn't know you were planning on stabbing someone.'

Does Fiona blow something up? No. There was an explosion planned, but then Cortez didn't show up for that meeting.

Sam Axe Drink Count: 7 (7 overall). And Sam's off to a blistering pace. Must be a response to Madeline cranking her sarcasm up to 11. Geez, you blow up a lady's sun room and she never lets you forget it.

Sam Getting Hit Count: 0 (0 overall).

Michael's Fake Laugh Count: 0 (0 overall).

Other: Michael's alias is Tom Wellington, Esquire. Michael didn't love that one, but like Sam said, you want to pick the name, you got to come to the meetings and listen to Barry discuss his skin care regimen. Sam's heavy alcohol consumption is seeming more reasonable all the time.

One episode after Sam impressed the seriousness of a situation on Maddy by refusing beer, Fiona actually told Michael now was not the time to blast when he was surrounded by cops. Combine that with Mike telling Fiona he appreciated her help dealing with Carla, and we are through the looking glass.

Madeline's tendency to revise history reminds me of a quote from Volume 27 of Rurouni Kenshin: 'Life must be full of joy, with a mind like that.'

During the scene where they try Harlan's plan, the hat Michael's wearing looks terrible on him. I don't think it goes with suit, or maybe he shouldn't wear hats with part of the brim pulled down lower than the rest.

I enjoy the fight at the end between Michael and Harlan, since it highlights the differences between the two of them. Harlan talks constantly, Michael talks until it's time to fight, then he shuts up, which has been true throughout the series. Still, the best scene is the bit between Sam and Fi, as Fi picks his brain on what he thinks Michael will do. That Sam tries to dodge the question, because he knows she won't like the answer. That Fi, as he guessed, doesn't like the answer. That her response is largely based on entirely reasonable emotions and her own self-confidence. And that Sam, once he's given his answer, doesn't back down in the face of Fi's anger. It's a good bit of work that tells you a lot about the characters, their views, their preferred approaches to problems.