Burn Notice – Michael’s new life

After four seasons of Burn Notice, we get a deeper look into Michael and his relationships with the women in his life in “Bloodlines.” Oh, yeah, and that whole is Michael still burned thing….

While it was never overtly stated, I think Michael has officially been unburned. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if this day would ever come and looking back, I’m not sure I wanted it to ever come. Surprisingly then I guess, I’m OK with it. As much as I like Burn Notice, I found the story arcs around Michael getting burned to be a bit confusing at times to follow. With that story resolved, I’m looking forward to seeing how Michael is able to balance working both within and outside the agency.

In “Bloodlines,” we saw that the balancing act isn’t going to be easy, but he has a supportive team to help him do it. Though, how long will the CIA put up with Michael and his antics? Using Fiona was a logical way to manage the “wandering eye tech guy” problem, but she isn’t a trusted asset of the CIA. Will she become one? Would she even want to?

Even though Michael is back with the CIA, he spent most of his time working on Jesse’s child trafficking case. There really wasn’t anything unique in the team’s capture of the ringleader or the case itself. In some ways, it was pretty boring. What did make it interesting was the additional use of Michael’s mother as the nurse. That turned it into one of the most emotional cases ever to watch.

It wasn’t clear why they decided to use Madeline, but it was necessary for the overriding story. For seasons now, Michael’s father has been this mystery that hangs over the two of them and it came blasting into the forefront with a vengeance. I actually shed a few tears watching Michael be absolutely abusive to his mother. She handled it amazingly well, especially given what was finally confirmed about her husband’s treatment of her.

This wasn’t the first time Madeline had seen Michael’s methods, but it was the most damaging for her to see. And, when he yelled at her outside of their “roles”, I almost thought they were going to have an emotional breakdown. But, they are both so strong — more for the other than for them-self, I think.

Ultimately, both cases were solved and finished,  yet their lives go on. While I’m not sure whether Michael will continue to work for the CIA or not, it was important for him to be unburned. Now, he can move on with his life. One of the show’s more touching moments was watching the always confident, Michael, ask Fiona to move in with him … by wanting to build her a shelf for her snowglobes. In that moment, all seemed right in the Burn Notice world.

When will the snowglobe burst?

Burn Notice quotes and notes:

• It was fun to see Michael and Fiona doing something together that wasn’t around a case or standing around Michael’s loft eating yogurt. But, then finding out it was a government training facility, so typical of them! (Though, I was a bit surprised she would be allowed there.)
• I like Max. Grant Show was a perfect choice for that role. Jeffrey Donovan and Show play off each other very well. I hope Max sticks around for awhile … unless Michael leaves the CIA, which would also be fine with me.
• “Yeah, well that man doesn’t focus unless an international conspiracy is threatening to ruin his life” — Fiona
• Fiona sure knows how to handle a car. That was scary stuff she was doing there! (Also, Covert Affairs needs to take a look at how car chases should be done!)
• As soon as Madeline didn’t give Takeda the shot and he offered her protection, I knew how the story was going to play out. I’m not sure why, but I didn’t really mind.
• For as long as I can remember, I’ve thought Michael’s father would show up eventually. With him being largely present in both the premiere and tonight’s episode, I think that time is coming near. If he doesn’t show up (maybe he really is dead), then something big regarding him is going to come out and cause problems for Michael and/or Madeline.

Clacked by Carla Day
on Jun 30, 2011 @ 23:36 EST5EDT