Burn Notice: "Long Way Back" 8/6 - Grading & Discussion

[Aragorn]

Midseason finale. No new episodes until who knows how long. Season two didn't pick up the second half until the next year. But that made the wait really short between seasons two and three.

Spoiler: Long Way Back

After years of hiding, a dangerous man from Fiona's past resurfaces in Miami with deadly intentions; Michael teams up with Fiona's ruthless brother to do whatever it takes to save her.

 

[Aragorn]

So who's watching tonight?

 

[Romulan_spy]

I'm watching.

I was surprised when Michael killed Strickler.

 

[Romulan_spy]

Interesting cliffhanger. It looks like they are introducing a new baddie for Michael.

 

[StarTrek1701]

Loved the ending! Can't wait for the rest of the season

 

[auntiehill]

Awesome! Best episode in quite awhile.

Can't wait to see who the knew big-baddie turns out to be.

 

[Aragorn]

It looks like they've already filmed the episodes, so it won't be a temp voice replaced by a known actor like when they ended season one with a voice and then brought in Tricia Helfer to be the person behind the voice in season two. Anyone recognize it?

Is this the first time someone that Michael got involved in his un-burn notice has been killed?

 

[Captain Dago]

I was surprised when Michael killed Strickler.

I wasn't. And, no, this isn't the first time that Michael got someone killed who was trying to help him with the burn notice. There was the character played by Richard Schiff early on.

 

[Romulan_spy]

I was surprised when Michael killed Strickler.

I wasn't. And, no, this isn't the first time that Michael got someone killed who was trying to help him with the burn notice. There was the character played by Richard Schiff early on.

I guess what struck me the most was the suddenness and the intensity. In a blink of eye, Michael manages to pull his gun and shoot him twice despite Strickler already pointing a gun at him.

And, I think we saw a different Michal in this scene. Usually, Michael tries to avoid messes and causing damage. But here, because someone he cares about was in mortal danger, he became impulsive and did not hesitate to use deadly force.

 

[Aragorn]

This actor is going to appear in a few episodes in the second half, but since I don't know who he is, I don't know if he's the voice in the previews or not:

Spoiler: Casting

Chris Vance

 

[Harvey]

Above average, although I'm curious to see where things go after the ending here. All three recurring characters from this season have been dispatched. Diego and Strickler are dead. Paxton is in Mandyville. This does give them a reason to keep Michael burned for a little while longer--but what happens when he deals with this problem?

 

[Aragorn]

It was sort of funny how Anwar's Irish accent is so bad they wouldn't let her use it even in this episode, save for one line.

 

[stj]

I thought Bernard Schiff got killed by someone else, in front of Michael. Arye Gross, as the fake accountant, I thought was the only one Michael had actually killed, in self defense when Gross tried to kill him first.

Michael shooting first was the only way to get to Fiona. This is a good fictional example of how the element of surprise involves more than sneaking up on someone. The scene was believable because you could tell Strickler basically didn't think Michael could care enough to risk his own life. (And they didn't drag it out for dramatic effect. Slo-mo especially would have ruined it.)

The series has probably peaked audience wise. If the producers are really shrewd (I think) they'd get behind a concluding arc. In retrospect this would be the decisive turning point where Michael figured out that what he was doing in Miami, and Fiona and Mom and Bro, were really what he was made for.

 

[Captain Dago]

^ stj, I think you mean RICHARD Schiff, the guy who played Toby Ziegler on West Wing. And the question was not about who Michael killed, but rather who he GOT killed. The Schiff character was gunned down just as he was about to tell Michael who burned him, IIRC.

 

[Kronos]

And, I think we saw a different Michal in this scene. Usually, Michael tries to avoid messes and causing damage. But here, because someone he cares about was in mortal danger, he became impulsive and did not hesitate to use deadly force.

I think it's the first time we really see what Micheal was trained to do, Strickler was in the way and there was no time for a fight scene, 2 shots move on to the objective.

Good stuff.

 

[stj]

RICHARD Schiff

Whoops! You're right.

 

[Gaseous Anomaly]

And, I think we saw a different Michal in this scene. Usually, Michael tries to avoid messes and causing damage. But here, because someone he cares about was in mortal danger, he became impulsive and did not hesitate to use deadly force.

I think it's the first time we really see what Micheal was trained to do, Strickler was in the way and there was no time for a fight scene, 2 shots move on to the objective.

Good stuff.

My thoughts on this episode exactly. Don't f*&$% Mikes woman or you'll get this.

On a side note, Fiona was right about Strickler all along.

 

[Captain Dago]

And, I think we saw a different Michal in this scene. Usually, Michael tries to avoid messes and causing damage. But here, because someone he cares about was in mortal danger, he became impulsive and did not hesitate to use deadly force.

I think it's the first time we really see what Micheal was trained to do, Strickler was in the way and there was no time for a fight scene, 2 shots move on to the objective.

Good stuff.

I didn't write that. It was Romulan Spy. Credit where credit is due.

 

[Harvey]

The series has probably peaked audience wise. If the producers are really shrewd (I think) they'd get behind a concluding arc. In retrospect this would be the decisive turning point where Michael figured out that what he was doing in Miami, and Fiona and Mom and Bro, were really what he was made for.

I absolutely agree, but is there any precedent for his happening with a series on USA? Monk is only ending because it's too expensive to keep producing the series, which has become more costly over the course of eight seasons. I expect (cynically) that USA will continue the show for as long as it is popular enough to be profitable, and as long as it can afford it. Have the producers spoken about their future plans for the series in the media?

EDIT: I see its been renewed for a fourth season already. Hmm.