Burn Notice "Scatter Point" (2008)

I think Burn Notice is settling into its second season slump, just like the first season did around this time. The show certainly is enjoyable and presents a new, seemingly impossible case for SPI to crack each week but we're getting less on the Carla side. This is three episodes in a row where Carla doesn't have a mission for Michael and aside from an electronic recording we don't get a glimpse of her either. After the enormous lengths she went to just to get Michael to come in during the two-part season finale, she doesn't seem to have a whole lot of work for him to do. In fact he has plenty of time on his hands to try and find out more about her and who she works for which doesn't sound like a very smart thing to do. She should be keeping Michael busy so he doesn't have time for these side projects, like breaking into her office. It was a stroke of luck that Michael got the call from his weekly assignment that postponed his visit and she was able to move her operation. In a contrast to last season, where his being a burned agent would interfere with SPI's cases, now the reversal is happening. His allegiance to his clients and helping them out is interfering with his ability to figure out what Carla's end game is.

By keeping Carla off screen however, it continues to cloak her in a veil of mystery as we don't grow accustomed to seeing her. It was a nice touch to keep the security detail on the empty building just to be able to rub Michael's nose in his being spotted during his first attempt. Her gloating twists the knife in Michael as so far he has been unable to get the better of her as she manages to stay a few steps ahead. Maybe Michael has found his arch nemesis after all and having her unnecessarily in episodes would be a waste and only serve to diminish this mysterious, all knowing woman in Michael's life.

Lack of meetings with Carla aside, Michael still has plenty to keep him busy with this week's client, Trevor (Maurice Compte), a former wheel man trying to go straight but is being forced into a big score by his former boss, Timo (Oded Fehr). Side bar: as soon as I heard the name Timo, all I could think about was that is the same name as Frasier Crane's stylist in "Fortysomething". Bit of a tangent, but I figure this is the place I can make comments like that. It was cool to see Michael infiltrate a crew about to pull a job, reminiscent of heist films like Reservoir Dogs. It would be nice to see Michael go undercover for a bit longer as usually it's very brief, giving how we lead up to it and then resolve it. Maybe a two-part story in the future perhaps? It would be fascinating to see how his undercover role would affect him, especially with his increasing predilection for becoming emotionally involved with his clients. As soon as Trevor mentioned he made a promise to his son to give up the criminal life, Michael was a goner. I also thought I saw a little spark between Michael and Kandi (Robin Givens) during his test at the convenience store. I'm sure Michael has needs and with Fi doing the friend thing it makes sense to seek out comfort somewhere else. An undercover fling might be what the doctor ordered.

Maybe things are starting to thaw between Michael and Fiona though after all as is evidenced in the safe cracking practice session. While we don't get the playful banter back (yet) the soulful gazing into each other's eyes has definitely made a comeback. Fiona may be reconsidering her decision to be platonic business associates because just like Michael can never quash those feelings he has, Fiona is much the same way except she's not as good as hiding them as Michael. I think the Fiona/Michael romance would have a very welcome return and if the seeds planted in this scene are any indication, it should happen soon.

Speaking of romance, could Sam's relationship with Veronica (Audrey Landers) be over for good? One month after they exchange "I love you"'s, Veronica pops the question and unfortunately it's illegal for Sam to get married . . . again. His estranged wife will definitely make an appearance on the show, producers are probably trying to get someone good. Who could be the only woman to tie Sam into the institution of marriage? Fiona's advice, for the first time, lands Sam in the doghouse, or rather Michael's apartment as Veronica kicks him out. I originally thought Veronica was an agent of the people who burned Michael seeing as how she appeared immediately after his FBI detail was pulled in "Family Business" but I guess I had it wrong if she's kicking Sam, and her only link to Michael, out of her life. Either that or Carla has some really great sleeper agents in her outfit.

Favorite moment: It's obviously going to be this week's Sam/Fiona pairing. If there is one, nothing else stands a chance. Their mission is to get Gilbert (Joe Hess), Timo's safe cracker, arrested so the job will get called off. Fiona's attempt to get Gilbert to drink, so the cops can catch him DUI with an already suspended license, gets nowhere fast so Sam steps in and starts a fight so the police across the street will arrest him for assault. Poor Sam, the cops aren't paying attention and he's forced to take multiple hits, to Fiona's delight (maybe I was wrong about last week), before she produces another one of those great over-the-top screams to attract the distracted officers. A great comedic scene highlighting Burn Notice's best mismatched pair of agents.