Burn Notice 5.11 - Better Halves

Plot: With the information Dixon was able to pull from Korzha's computer, the team's been tracking Tavian Korzha's money. Which leads to a man named Stigler. Sam and Jesse get the fun job of convincing him to hand over Korzha. Mentioning Korzha killed Lucien did the trick, but Tavian doesn't think much of their plan, and captures Sam instead. No worries, Korzha just wants to meet with Michael. he claims he has answers.

Unfortunately, Michael is busy trying to bring in a traitorous bioweapons designer who's at a fancy resort in Venezuela. Mr. Skylar is there with his wife, Nicki, so Fiona accompanies Michael on the job. Pearce was supposed to go, but she's busy trying to track Korzha (not that she knows that's who she's after). Fi is not totally enthusiastic at first, but does try and use it as an opportunity to be romantic with Michael. But you know Mike: work, work, work. There are things to be concerned about. Skylar had already started a deal with the Russians, and they have a couple of their own, watching him like a hawk. Also, there might be more than just the two Russians, and they might be heavily armed.

Still, things work out well for Mike, Fi, and Nicki, and they return to Miami. Before Michael can check in with Sam and learn about Korzha (who is currently hemmed in at his meeting place because Jesse called Homeland Security), he finds Pearce in his apartment. Turns out she found some useful video footage from a bank down the street from where Max was killed, and well, it's one of those times where the distinctiveness of the Charger is a problem. Good luck talking your way out of this one, Mike.

The Players: Stigler (ATM to Eastern Bloc), Kevin Skylar (Bioweapons Scientist), Serge & Karina (Bodyguards), Tavian Korzha (The Man Who Framed Michael)

Quote of the Episode: Michael - 'Can I lead?' Fiona - 'Fine. Just this once.'

Does Fiona blow anything up? No. She tries to hold off a horde of Russkies with 3 bullets.

Sam Axe Drink Count: 3 (14 overall).

Sam Getting Hit Count: 0 (7 overall). People seem to get the drop on Sam a lot. I know he's retired, but his awareness can't have slipped that much.

Michael Fake Laugh Count: 4 (9 overall). Lotta fake laughing in this one. Makes sense, with the happy couples spending time together.

Other: Mike and Fiona travel as Brendan and Christina Jenson.

I question the intelligence of Jesse's plan. Setting aside what Homeland Security will do when they learn there is no radioactive material, is cornering a professional killer really a smart idea? Sure, maybe he's smart enough to recognize when he's beat and surrender. Or maybe he thinks he can make it out, or just doesn't care.

When I watched this episode for the first time last summer, I was watching with two female coworkers. They both really appreciated that fight between Mike and Serge in the steam room. They argued (quite accurately) that there are women in swimsuits in every episode, the female viewers deserve fanservice, too. I tried to make the point that they get Bruce Campbell, but they were unmoved. Oh well, it was a nice fight. I'm very impressed Serge was conscious after taking those rocks to the head. Maybe I underestimate how much it takes to knock someone out.

What the hell was Mike wearing when he and Fi first entered the hotel? Where those pants tangerine colored? I'm reminded of Bly's comment that Mike dresses like an Easter egg.

My recollection of watching this episode originally was that Nicki handled herself better than she did. To be fair, she did pretty well once they were actually being pursued, but she blew it when they tried for the stealthy escape. I thought Fi got a bit snippy with her, but Fi usually gets snippy with Mike's clients when they get whiny and terrified. I suppose I was fooled into thinking she and Nicki had actually connected a little earlier. Acting!

The whole dancing gunfight was pretty cool, although I question Michael's accuracy holding a machine gun in one fully outstretched arm. But the movement, the way they naturally cover each other, don't get in each other's way, and how they split apart so Nicki could shelter between them when they left, that was all nifty.

I don't think it solves one of the problems Fiona brought up, which is that Michael has a hard time connecting (we're coming back to that word later) with her outside of things that involve violence. It's great that they work so well together, that Michael understands her enough to know where she'd make a stand. It doesn't change the fact that Fiona has interests outside of that - snow globes, shoes, Japanese cuisine, off the top of my head - which Michael can hardly be bothered to concentrate on, because he's so wrapped up in work. And Fiona doesn't want to work for the CIA (and why would she, when they use her because it provides them with greater deniability). It cannot just be about her helping him with work, he needs to at least be able to get out of his own head long enough to tune into her. I'm not saying it's easy. I get lost in my own thoughts all the time, but sometimes you have to work with folks.

OK, back to "connecting". I bust out laughing when Fi complained about their lack of that, and Michael tried the 'I thought we were connecting pretty well last night" line. I don't know if he was trying for cute or sexy, but it flopped hilariously. Fiona did not buy it, and was clearly annoyed at his attempt to deflect her. Michael doesn't go that route often with his aliases, and now I can see why. He's not good at it.