Burn Notice "Fight or Flight" (2007)

Only three episodes in and Burn Notice is starting to show signs of repetition. While still an enjoyable show, I hope that it is able to break out of the mold of the format is appears to be laying down. The stories are all following a similar pattern: the episodes start off with Michael looking into his burn notice, he is forced to take a job to obtain assets/information to aide in his search, he performs his assignment successfully growing a bit closer to his marks than perhaps he would like and finally another small step towards discovering why he was blacklisted. I wouldn't mind so much if the format wasn't exactly the same for the last three episode. It is possible that the show is simply establishing its premise for those that may be tuning in a bit late (present company included) and will start to evolve soon seeing as how we are already one-fourth through the season. The characters more than make up for the mildly repetitive storytelling and this episode was certainly worth the time for this reason.

We explore more of Michael's fear of commitment as Fiona concludes that she should have a key to his apartment. She also points out the fact that a car, which he obviously needs, requires a commitment and further displays his innate fear of it. Interestingly enough when asked why I haven't bought a car as I have been commuting to work by bus, I point out the fact that a car would put more a dent into my savings that I plan on using for my move out of the state of Florida. A car would in effect tie me down, in part, to this state when I have no intention of making a home here. It's amazing how similar my life is to this blacklisted spy. Fiona pushes Michael to get a car which requires more quality time with Mom as he needs to ask for his father's old car. Mom works her manipulative charm and has Michael promise to visit his father's grave. It's hard to be resentful of Sharon Gless, as is able to downplay this aggressive side of her character through the obvious love she has for her son. The two-pronged approached to have Michael open up continues.

I was sad to say I could see where the plot line of the daughter of the client was going the moment she started to complain about the conditions of the safe house but the climax more than makes up for it. It was a bit forced but Michael's telling of how he was separated from Fiona when he got close to her on assignment only to meet up with her again later shows that he does still have feeling for his ex-girlfriend. It was also notable that the girl's summation of his story, if they're meant to be together they will be, brought out an uneasiness in Michael. It could be he doesn't choose to believe that he and Fiona are soul mates or the fact that he is afraid of the closeness inherent in having a soul mate and only time will tell which is the correct. I choose to go for the former as I simply can't get enough of Fiona and Anwar's performance of her predilection for violent behavioral responses continue to fit with how we were introduced to the character. It's also sweet to see that Michael does have genuine concern for her safety and I absolutely loved the penultimate scene where he playfully hangs onto the key before giving it to her and then her brushing up against him as they walk down the street. These two have simmering passion for each other and I cannot wait for it to ignite.

Favorite moment: Fiona's total bad ass tactic against the hit squad. From calm exterior to finding out trouble is on the way to the casual way she asks where the liquor cabinet is and topping off with her cheesy action hero line: "Last call, boys." it was truly the attack with as much fanfare as possible, per Michael's narration and it was made all the more enjoyable because Fiona was loving every second of it.