Michael’s old toys. Most of them are blown up or taken apart, but I bet we can find a few good ones.

My normal conceit when doing a Burn Notice review is to do a short recap in the character Michael took on for the scam, but I’m not feeling Donny ((He’s a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.)) so you’re stuck with me tonight. That’s probably more appropriate for this more serious, straight-ahead episode anyway. This one was raw and more emotional than we’ve ever seen before.

The Recap

Mikey go boom. When we last left Michael Westen, he was diving from his landing inches ahead of a shockwave. Tonight: the aftermath.

Landing on the roof of the Charger (and denting the hell out of it, of course,) Michael survived the blast physically with only some cuts and bruises. The emotional impact was a bit deeper and effected him throughout the hour. Gone was the cool, unflappable superspy. In his place a man on edge, running scared.

Sam helps Michael to the Caddy and spots some of Carla’s goons. A car chase ensues and Sam gets away by trashing his baby. Again. That poor Caddy has taken more abuse this season than Mickey Rourke’s face.

They ditch the car and Michael spots a man in need. Kenny, the evening’s client, tries to run out in front of a bus to get insurance money to pay for a procedure for his son. Matt Nix helps those who help themselves, so Kenny tries to off himself in front of Michael on a day he really needs to be in control of something. With everything spinning out of control, Michael needs to help someone, anyone.

Quicker than you can say chyrrosis, Sam and Fiona find the scammers’ muscle and kidnap him. Demonstrating why Sam Axe is one million times cooler and more of a badass than that pussy, Jack Bauer, ((5’3″ men are not intimidating. To anyone. Just stop now, Kiefer.)) Sam cuts himself and gets the name of the fake doc who took Kenny’s money. After a brief ass-kicking by Kenny (Michael just can’t run fast enough to stop him,) fake doc Phillip joins muscle Todd in captivity.

Another extreme interrogation technique, this time a bit more offensive in nature, quickly gets the big boss’s name: Rachel. Guest star Stacy Haiduk ((Ie: the Lana Lang who people do NOT want to beat around the head with a two-by-four.)) plays the tough, smart, ruthless medical scammer. In a bikini.

And there’s a catfight!

Tough call for me there, between Stacy and Gabrielle Anwar. Let’s just say I rewound a few times. For research, of course. Because I wanted to make this the best review ever.

A little audio triangulation with Campbell’s ambulance later, and Fi and Michael find Rachel. They don’t screw around. Give us your money, and turn yourself into the police. I think the circus shooting Michael did at the end convinced her to accept the terms of the deal. She was truly, deeply concerned.

Character

Uh, Michael’s never lost his cool before. Jeffrey Donovan let his facade crack completely with Carla, didn’t he? We’ve become so accustomed to Donovan letting a little smile, or a small wince express all Michael’s bottled-up emotions, that seeing him fly off the handle had a huge impact. The way his voice cracked…

I want my brother out of jail! I want answers! I want my life back.

Everyone got a nice emotional moment tonight, not just Michael. In an adorable scene, Fi played army men with Jack and bonded with him, only to lose it later when Rachel laughed at the saps who gave her all their money for fake cures for their children. Combined with her breakup with Campbell, she got pulled through a wringer, making Michael’s little kiss and Jack’s drawing all the sweeter.

Madeline didn’t have a lot of screen time, but her little moment with Jack was also quite affecting. And it gave us our first look at the Madeline who raised Michael and Nate, if maybe a little softer. She’s still got her son’s toys after all these years.

Sam had the funniest emotional moment, but it was significant. Standing between Michael and his door, between Michael and Carla, and ultimately between Michael and himself, Sam took Michael’s punches to protect him. We know Michael is the better fighter, but I suspect Sam held back there for the sake of his friend. I’d wager a head to head fight would be a lot more even.

Chin Bits

This episode wasn’t as rich in Chin one liners and humorous asides as many others because it had a more serious tone overall. But even amidst the serious, the Chin can’t help but poke through.

• Sam’s psychotic knife interrogation with eerie, de-tuned music underneath was great. He never gets to be scary.
• “Todd is gone Phillip. Todd has…left the building.”
• “He hits me in the mouth a couple times and he gets an idea.”

Important Lessons in Spycraft

• Paranoia is inevitable after a brush with death. With training, it turns into hyperawareness of your surroundings.
• “Medical scammers – like pimps, drug dealers, or feral dogs – need to protect their territory.”
• “There’s a saying in interrogation: violence perceived is violence achieved.”
• Who talks first? One man talks, one man goes for a little flight.
• A well placed microphone can be used to locate almost anything with a little number crunching.

Final Thoughts

• Check out this great interview with Matt Nix. That is, if you’re not allergic to awesome.
• One of the coolest freeze frames the show’s ever used occurred during Who Talks First when Sam shoots out the window in front of Phillip. Check the pronounced muzzle flash.
• Campbell’s breakup with Fi was touching, but the two freeze frames, first reading “Campbell: Fiona’s Boyfriend” and then reading “Campbell: Fiona’s Ex-Boyfriend” were priceless.
• You’re all welcome for the eye candy up top. Equal opportunity eye candy.

What did everyone else think?