Burn Notice "Hard Bargain" (2007)

The arrival of Richard Schiff seems to be postponed in this episode as Michael is to be interviewed by a paper pusher sent to review his burn notice and make a determination of whether or not he should still be on the blacklist. I wasn't too happy with this episode as it seemed to put a brief damper on the renewed momentum of the last few episodes. We've slipped back into the familiar pattern that has always technically been present but I thought this week's assignment and a delay in finding out more about the burn notice made it seem more apparent than usual.

The case involves the kidnapped girlfriend of an acquittance of Sam's. The kidnapping is compounded by the fact that the people behind it believe that Nick (Kelvin Yu) is wealthy and demand a five million dollar ransom. Cue our gang (I need to come up with a team name) to the rescue. I liked that the client when forced to play along with the gang is completely inept and prevents things from going according to plan. I have always wondered how the clients are able to perfectly act in tune with Michael's plans. I knew this could never last for long as they are not professionals like Michael and the team and that eventually it would work against their. Well it failed to work here and Michael had to spend practically the same amount of time coaching his client as he did playing the kidnappers. The problem with Nick as a character is that he is annoying surfer stereotype with his "dude" and "no way"'s. I thought Lucio (Gonzalo Menendez), the hired man of the kidnappers that Michael is able to turn through blackmail was a better example of how the people he needs to maintain his cover for the assignment are not able to remain as cool under pressure as Michael. I thought his growing paranoia and fear of being found by his boss added necessary tension as the episode played out with the anxiety that he might crack at the worst possible time. I though the actor did a fine job in this role and through this relationship Michael again proves how adept he is at handling people. Unfortunately with Ben the character was just a pain and it was gratifying to see his rescued fiancé give him that double punch at the end.

On the burn notice side Michael has set up some tests to make sure that Perry Clark (Arye Gross) is the bureaucrat he claims to be and not someone sent by Cowan, the man who burned him. Unfortunately for Michael even though Clark pasts the tests he turns out to be a hired assassin and attacks Michael during the meeting with a garrote wire. I think this was the first time we've seen Michael in such peril since the premiere when he was forced to escape after being burned. Luckily he has his apartment armed to the teeth and is able to shoot Clark before he completes him mission. I have to say it wasn't until right before he attacked Michael that I suspected Clark might be there to kill him. Part of that has to do with the casting. Gross looks like a cubicle jockey and non-threatening in every way. It wasn't until they were alone in the dark apartment that his character took on more sinister qualities and made for a still appropriate shock when it was realized he was a villain. I liked that Michael admitted to Fiona that he allowed his desire to end his blacklisting overcome his instincts about Clark. It's the flaws in the characters that make them believable even though they almost always come off as superhuman when undertaking their weekly assignments.

Favorite moment: The rescue of Dawn (Rachel Yeager) by Sam and Fiona while Michael stalls the kidnappers continues the tradition of the excellent teamwork our friends have utilized all season. Michael is more than willing to take the risk of meeting Reyes (Steven Bauer) without backup so that Sam and Fiona will be able to successfully rescue the girl. It proves just how much Michael is willing to put himself on the line to help people rather than just being a hired gun looking out only for himself. I haven't thought in a while about how in the beginning he is so careful to not get involved with his clients that it came as a dawning realization how much time he spends with them now, working with and comforting them. He's a hero in the true sense of the word and the best person in your corner if you ever find yourself in one of these situations. Side note: Fiona is also in bad ass mode again when she clocks the female kidnapper with her shotgun after she has already disarmed her. The look on Sam's face is priceless.