While Michael tries to make an impression on Mason Gilroy, an old SEAL friend seeks Sam’s help locating a child predator/cop killer named Rincon. Unable to operate as usual in a Miami barrio, Michael assumes the role of a Clint Eastwood-like character and recruits a young gang leader to find Rincon.
Most interesting to me, Sam and his friend Mack (Rus Blackwell) weren’t on the best of terms. In fact, Sam greeted Mack with fists instead of drinks. Both Sam and Mack resisted telling Maddie what their falling-out was about, but eventually Mack told Maddie that Sam was married once, and Mack married Sam’s ex-wife Amanda.
I like that Burn Notice‘s characters are multi-dimensional and that the actors play a full range of emotions well. Last week, it was Maddie being upset over betraying Tina but playing ruthless to get what Michael needed from Tina. This week we saw a new side of Sam.
I also liked that Michael, Sam, and Fiona couldn’t operate without the gang leader Omar’s help. Michael had to act colder than usual to gain Omar’s fear and respect, which also served to impress the observing Gilroy. I have to admit I find Michael’s/Jeffrey Donovan’s Eastwood his hammiest performance, but I guess it had to be done for story purposes.
Finally, the concern between Michael and Fiona seems to be growing naturally. I was genuinely surprised when the episode ended with Michael inviting Fiona to a hotel the night before Gilroy was supposed to call, giving them a much-needed break in the action.
