Burn Notice 5.5 - Square One

Plot: Max is dead, and Michael's meant to look like the killer. Fi whips up some thermite to melt the murder weapon, and Jesse cooks up some receipts that say the group was fishing off Key West at the time. In the meantime, Michael has to go spar, er, meet, with Agent Pearce. She's investigating Max' murder, and she's Michael's new agency contact. Swell. Michael's eager to help for two reasons: One, he can use the CIA's resources to find the killer himself. Two, he can keep them from landing on his trail. Pearce gets him access to all the phone calls in the area around the time of Max' death. Jesse breaks a few amendments mapping their locations, and tracks a cell phone to the store where it was purchased. Then he and Fi pose a dirty cops to get the security footage, and Maddy gets stuck sifting through it.

Hey, they bought her a carton of smokes.

If it sounds like Michael's letting others handle things, it's because he's busy helping a returning soldier named Ethan track down the guy who nearly put Ethan's sister in a coma. Turns out it wasn't her sleazy boyfriend, but a scam artist her sleazy boyfriend works with. Simply beating (or killing) the guy will get Ethan in trouble, so it's time for the old, "get the crook to hand over incriminating evidence" ploy. The only problem is that Ethan's insistence on being present for everything means he's in extended close quarters with someone he very badly wants to kill. Fi manages to stop it from happening once, but wrecks Jesse's car in the process. It all works out in the end, and now Ethan might join the CIA. Great. Traveling around the world on covert missions will do wonders for your desire to watch over your sister, Ethan.

The episode ends on Maddy having found the man who bought the cell phone, and boy, he sure looks and moves a lot like Michael Westen.

The Players: Max (Michael's Agency Contact), Pearce (CIA Bloodhound), Ethan (The Client), Ramsey (Scam Artist), Joel (Ramsey's Scumbag)

Quote of the Episode: Jesse - 'Just think of it this way. Every time he cracks a smile, he's tightening the noose around his neck.'

Does Fiona blow anything up? No. She opted to shoot holes in Jesse's windshield, and redecorate the loft.

Sam Axe Drink Count: 3 (9 overall).

Sam Getting Hit Count: 0 (4 overall)

Michael's Fake Laugh Count: 0 (3 overall)

Other: Michael didn't use an alias this week. He had a cover i.d., but we were never formally introduced.

I assume Sam was shooting at the golf balls Michael was hitting with blanks. Not because he was missing, I just don't think he'd be that reckless.

The running gag through the episode about Sam and Jesse's reactions to the changes in Michael's loft was pretty funny. Jesse comments on the presence of a bread basket and potpourri, Sam wants to know where the workbench with their bug making tools went. I notice they were smart enough to not voice these complaints when Fiona was around.

Pearce said she learned her investigative technique from her pit bull. If my experiences with Charlie are any indication, that means she is easily excitable, learns things quickly, but forgets all about them once she gets excited. Which again, happens easily. Not the best route to follow. On another note, I question her use of the word "bitch". For one thing, I have never used that to describe a female dog I was speaking fondly of, which she seemed to be doing. Secondly, she's really describing herself to Michael, and I just think there were better terms. Why not "hardass"? I mean, I get that you can describe a female dog as a "bitch", but again, I just don't think it's a good choice there.

I'm very curious to meet Sam's lady friend at some point. Elsa owns a freaking hotel, thinks nothing of loaning Sam expensive sports cars or mansions. At least, I hope she just loaned them out, rather than buy them. Does Sam explain why he needs these things? Does she not care? I wouldn't think you could be a successful hotel owner if you weren't careful with your money, but what the hell do I know?

I do have to criticize Sam for pressuring Jesse at the beginning of the episode. When Jesse expresses concern about their destroying evidence, Sam makes it a "you're with us or you're not" moment. Hello, did you miss Jesse faking up receipts for Michael's alibi? I think Jesse's earned the benefit of the doubt here Sam, after last season. Man took rebar through the leg because of Westen. In fact. . . Clever Adolescent Panda!

CAP: {appears abruptly} What?

Calvin: Give Sam Axe a Bonk on the head for his rude behavior towards Jesse!

CAP: Hit Bruce Campbell?! Isn't that against the rules of the blog?

Calvin: Eh, it got hung up in committee during the drafting session. Damn partisan voting. Now, Bonk!

CAP: OK, if you say so. *BONK*

Calvin: {looks around} Huh. I was half-convinced that would destroy the universe. Super. Thank you. How goes the hunt for UnCalvin?

CAP: I have no idea where to look. There are lots of high-rises with nice views. What do you mean, you thought it would destroy the univer -

Calvin: Excellent! Keep up the good work!

CAP: Are you even listening?

Anyway, now Michael has learned he has a split personality. One that buys cheap cell phones and shoots people. So, much like his regular personality. Either way, he'll have to undergo some serious therapy to deal with it, so expect him to spend a lot of time laying on a couch next week.