Burn Notice Review: Brand New Perception

I’m very picky when it comes to my spy fare. I still haven’t seen a majority of the Bond movies, but I love the Bourne films. I couldn’t stick with Alias, but adore me some Chuck. For this week only, however, I’ve stepped in to take over for your trusted recapper Keshaunta Moton in covering this week’s Burn Notice. I’ll be sure to cover the major plot lines but forgive this newbie if I miss any of the small nuances that come with seeing every episode. There’s just no way to burn through five seasons in a short period of time.

After Mama Westen’s boyfriend Benny was blown up by the big bad Anson, we picked up this week with a very sad Mama struggling, though mourning a man who betrayed her. Michael finally confessed that he’d known Benny was spying on her and even when it started. (Her therapist had gone on sabbatical and Anson had taken her place, feeding Benny all the info he’d needed to get close to her.) As you can expect, she did not take this too well, slapped him and kicked him out.

Michael then met with Anson, who said that since Michael’s investigation had triggered an Intelligence flag on his Cayman Island account, he wanted his money back, and he needed him to get it in person since it would be too risky to wire the funds. He did promise that if Michael completed this for him, they’d be all settled. Sam said that he had a plan to go to the FBI to nab Anson while at the same time keeping Fi safe from Anson’s blackmail, something that the police couldn’t do because they just don’t have enough power, but they’d still have to get Anson’s money.

Fi convinced Jesse to back her up, and they tracked down the “scummy banker,” George Anders, who handles Anson’s account, along with terrorist and war lords. The two acted as a couple who’s rich father was about to kick the bucket, and they needed to move his $200 million fast, before he died. This perked up George’s ears, and the three met for lunch the following day. In the meantime, Sam contacted his FBI buddy to ensure, as Michael noted, “a high level of resources and a high level of operational secrecy.” Agent Harris said he’d set up a meeting with the Deputy Director but wanted to stay as uninvolved as possible, a very smart move. Just then, Sam’s old friend from Bogota (apparently you met her in The Fall of Sam Axe), Beatriz, happily bounced in. Quickly, things turned serious. Apparently, someone tried to kill her because of an article she wrote about Russians and oil, where she happened to place a spy who was not supposed to be there. I suppose for spies, when the missions rain, they also pour. Only moments after he decided to help and get her someplace safer than a seedy motel, a sniper opened fire on them. With some smart thinking, Sam turned a car into a rolling barricade and made their escape.

The two met up with Michael, who knows something about Eastern Bloc spies but not enough, so Sam suggested they use Anson’s psychological profiling experience to find the Russian spy/sniper. Anson practically laughed in his face, but Michael used his own psychology against him, stating that Anson knows Michael would do anything, even life threatening, for his friends. To ensure Michael stays healthy and useful to him, he should help. Anson agreed but only if he could follow him every step of the way.

Back in the Cayman Islands, Jesse and Fi blackmailed  the “sleazy banker,” telling him to illegally withdraw the money and some for himself since he’d surely need to go on the run. Shortly after, however, they realized he was a coward and would not be following through as planned. Instead, they held him at gunpoint and faked his death. Having not seen a Burn Notice episode in the past and not being the biggest fan of voice overs, I really love them here. I’m sure being a spy is much more difficult than Michael explains, but I find his quick facts to be incredibly interesting, and he does so in a witty way. With their mission accomplished, it’s up to Sam and Michael to save Beatriz.

With the assistance of Anton, who also had the opportunity to ask Michael any questions about his inner thinking and how his psyche works, the two figured out the identity of the Russian spy after Beatriz, Oscar, and found his handler Ivan (Mark Ivanir). Though an elaborate set-up to trap the spy didn’t work out, a play to his handler did. Having a handler’s headquarters swarming with FBI agents is bad for business, and he complied. Just in time, he called back his agent, promising him safety (the one thing any out of control, scared spy wants), and Sam and Beatriz were saved.

Anson, who I must say is one of the more interesting, smart, creepy villains that I’ve seen in a long time, (He reminds me of Ben Linus: funny, intelligent and devilish. I get chills just thinking about it.) dropped a bomb on Michael. He knew his father, who was a “great tap for information!” From the look on Michael’s face, I can only image the daddy issues this boy has. (I need to know more!) To put the nail in the coffin, he confided that he had an even deeper connection to the Papa Westen. Anton said, “He started snooping in places that he shouldn’t, and a heart attack had to be arranged…All those years, how many times did you wish he were dead? We did it for you. You’re welcome, Michael.” Ooof! It sounded like a complete kick to the gut.

If you had any notion that Anson and Michael would just simply part ways, I have to imagine that this new information could only lead to an epic head-to-head, especially to absolutely be sure that his darling Fi would be safe, from Anson at least. Not sure if there’s enough time to catch up before the season ends, but this episode was so packed with action, drama, chuckles and emotional turmoil that I sure want to try.

Season 5, Episode 16: “Depth Perception” (original airdate December 1, 2011.)

Burn Notice airs Thursdays at 10/9c on USA Network.

Images courtesy of David Giesbrecht/USA Network.