When last we left our beloved Michael Westen, he had just sprung from a helicopter after telling the elusive “management” responsible for revoking his spy license to go screw. That was last season.
The completion of a leisurely ocean swim had Mikey on the run from Miami’s finest. His name released to local law enforcement and foreign agencies, he can no longer play his little spy games without repercussions. As season three opens, this is where we find him and his merry band of helpers. To clarify, he’s still burned, his assets are still frozen, but now his friends and enemies know exactly where to find him. That would be a bad thing.
One such friend, Harlan, showed up to bail Mikey out of the clink. Harlan seemed like a decent fellow, very happy to see his old pal. Of course, all of Mike’s “old buddies” always want something besides a handshake and a few laughs. In Harlan’s case, he needed Mike and Co. to perform a snatch and grab on a Venezuelan strongman stealing land from innocent farmers. Since Mike does jobs like this for kicks and grins, what’s one more, right?
The fact that Harlan sold Mikey out to the Federales came as little surprise. That’s not to say I saw it coming from the start, but at this stage in the series, it’s safe to assume any new character should not be trusted. Unfortunately for Harlan, he wasn’t smart enough too dupe Mike completely. I wouldn’t be surprised if ol’ Harlan makes a return trip to Miami later this season lookin’ for payback.
A couple of themes stood out for me. Fi’s grilling of Sam and Harlan about Mike’s future was interesting. She obviously wants to settle down with our top spy and have lots of little spies together (she even wore a nice dress to welcome him back). But she’s pissed at the notion Mike wants his old gig back. Chicks, eh? They just don’t get it. Anyway, Fiona and Mike are on different pages in regards to their relationship.
Also on my radar is the isolation felt by Michael. Harlan tells him, “You’re a burned spy tossed out in the cold.” Mike has always been on his own, except for Sam and Fi, but this season the straits appear to be even more dire. Minus “management’s” protection, how the hell is he going to survive day to day? Mike is determined to get back into the game he loves, but at what cost? Something to chew on as the season progresses.
What did we learn in the season opener? Here’s a sampling:
It’s nice to have Burn Notice back, isn’t? We all can’t be Michael Westen, but I for one feel cooler after watching him circumnavigate a perilous predicament. As far as season premieres go, I thought this one was pretty good. What did my fellow Burn buddies think?
Clacked by Scott Tunstall 
on Jun 05, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
After two seasons of the show, I and everyone else with half a brain was suspicious of Harlan, but I think it’s interesting that Maddie pointed it out. She implied that his clear awe of Michael might lead him to do something dangerous (which it did). While she thought it might lead to accidental suicide, in a way, she was right.
And, I think it’s interesting that while Mike still wants his old job back, this time around he needs it back. I’m surprised that his old clients haven’t felt the squeeze either. Last year, I totally expected Carla to kill a few to get to Michael. Plus, considering he hangs out at the same place every week, I’m surprised his hang out hasn’t been marked by other spies.
It was a good, solid Burn Notice episode. It had all the aspects that we love about the show…I was actually expecting something a little more epic for a season premiere, though.