Burn Notice 3.12 - Noble Causes

Plot: Now that Michael's proven himself to be Gilroy's kind of guy, it's time to get down to brass tacks. At a French restaurant, where we meet another member of the team, Claude. Michael tries to act bothered by the surprise reveal, but obviously, he does not back out (if for no other reason than Gilroy and Claude would try to kill him).

As Michael tries to sort through this, he's approached by Sugar, his old drug-dealing neighbor, not seen since the Pilot episode. He needs Michael's help protecting his cousin Dougie, who has fallen in with a robber named Lynch. Lynch has a reputation for leaving no witnesses, but he's managed to convince Dougie he's the coolest, so Sugar needs help making Lynch back off. After some initial reservations, Michael accepts. Just in time, too, since Lynch tries to eliminate Sugar, and nearly succeeds. Sugar is surprisingly resistant to bullet wounds.

Meanwhile, Sam befriends Dougie, and tries to figure out what role a guy who works in the loading bay at a flower delivery shop could have in a major heist. Fi adds some pieces to the puzzle when she finds breathing equipment during a search of Lynch's home, and a bug she plants reveals Lynch has a meeting with a fence named Bolo. Michael convinces Bolo to introduce him to Lynch as the man who can get what Lynch needs. Which turns out to be the Jaws of Life. Putting it all together, they conclude Lynch's crew will have Dougie sneak them onto the van delivering flowers to a major art exhibit near the dock. The Jaws of Life will open the case without damaging the exhibits, the breathing equipment will enable them to escape without the van.

Great! The exhibit isn't for two weeks. Which leaves Michael with plenty of time to stop Claude from breaking into the Chilean embassy to steal documents (and kill interfering guards) without arousing Gilroy's suspicions. It doesn't allow him enough time to see Madeline receive an award for being a helpful citizen (by reporting the cars Michael's stolen in the neighborhood). Things get worse when it becomes apparent Lynch has a job planned for right then, and they have to figure out what it is, fast. They save the day, there's a touching moment with Sugar in the hospital, Michael makes it to Maddy's award (wearing the apparently awful tie she bought him), and Michael meets with Gilroy to learn he'll be getting the documents himself. Claude experienced "complications" from his broken ankle.

The Players: Gilroy (Freelance Psychopath), Claude (Michael's New Teammate), Sugar (Michael's Old Neighbor/The Client), Lynch (Public Health Hazard), Dougie (Sugar's Cousin), Bolo (The Fence)

Quote of the Episode: Gilroy - 'Did you know your resting heart beat tends to synchronize with your watch? That means by the end of the day, or hearts will beat as one.'

Does Fiona blow anything up? A dumpster.

Sam Axe Drink Count: 1 (35 overall)

Sam Getting Hit Count: 0 (2 overall).

Michael's Fake Laugh Count: 0 (4 overall).

Other: Michael meets with Lynch under the name DJ. As far as I can tell, methyl chlorate benzidine (what Michael claims he injected Bolo with), doesn't exist.

I don't know if that Gilroy line about your heart synchronizing with your watch is true or not. A very brief Internet search is inconclusive, and he did specify "resting" heart rate. Honestly, he could just be saying that to mess with them. Or to flirt.

I can't say I'll miss Claude. He was such a grouch. I still enjoy all scenes with Gilroy, though. I also enjoy Sam's mistrust of French cuisine. And Sugar making sure to provide Michael with duct tape when he agrees to take the case. Sugar is really impressed by Michael's skills with duct tape. Beyond hat, I'm not so enamored of the episode. Dougie is, as Sugar puts it, 'a little slow' (though he probably has Sugar beat handily for common sense), and I can't help feeling like the episode is a bit patronizing towards him. I don't think it's meant to be. Dougie has his own place and a steady job he likes, he's really just naive, that's his problem, as it lets Lynch act like someone a kid would think was cool. Still, it just feels off, and it's always in the back of my mind while I'm watching the episode.