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Episode Recap: "False Flag"
I enjoyed the U.S. Open but I’m not nearly as passionate about tennis (well, any sport really) as I am about this show.... I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking: Stop your yappin’, Kara, and get to recappin’. Well, here I go.
I enjoyed Evelyn the client turning into Evelyn the assassin. And what do you know? She’s got some history with Michael. We don’t see enough of Lucy Lawless in general (I can’t wait for her return on Battlestar Galactica next year). It was nice, if not a little strange, to see her mix it up and play a different type of character even though her facade didn’t remain in place for long.
But let me back up. Michael is pulled into his latest case because he needs his friend Lucy, whom he trained in the fine art of spying, to set him up with a fake identity, or a "false flag," after an earlier plan falls through. Even though he’s not supposed to leave Miami, Michael wants to travel to D.C. to confront Cowan. Lucy begrudgingly agrees to do it, but only if he’ll help out with a case. Meet Evelyn, who claims her husband is abusive and has kidnapped their son. That tugs at Michael’s heartstrings and he takes the case. The problem is that he also drops his guard and gets a little too close to Evelyn. She even kisses him when she thinks they’ve found her son. Fi, picking up on Michael’s shiftiness, excuses herself from the case — but not for long.
Michael finds Doug’s hideout. Once there, Evelyn turns on him (who’s got a false flag now?) and Michael barricades himself and Doug inside the small house. Now, I usually don’t have story problems with this show but I have to mention something here. I had a slight problem with suspension of disbelief during this particular scene. Why didn’t Evelyn rush the house and take Michael out with hand-to-hand combat? She’s got the upper hand here because she’s got the only working gun. That being said, it was cool when Michael turned that propane container into an exploding bomb. It’s always a pleasure to watch him work.
With Doug as Michael’s new client, we get a new story. It turns out Doug is a controller at a company using fronts. The FBI threatens Doug into turning state's evidence but not before Doug’s wife dies in a mysterious accident. Doug wants to do what’s right but he’s afraid for his son’s life. Sam, Fi and Michael decide to turn Doug over to the state attorney’s office the next day.
Evelyn’s there waiting, but Michael discovers her just as she’s about to take the shot. Michael wants to take Evelyn in but she throws herself off the building before he can. I have to say, that was a spectacular way to go. I liked seeing Evelyn try to talk Michael out of taking her in. It was surprising but not unexpected when she decided to kill herself instead of being turned over to the authorities. Lucy Lawless loves playing complex characters. And I love her for it. Sorry, I’ll stop the lovefest now.
There were some really great emotional undercurrents in this episode as well. Michael asks his mom if she ever thought about leaving his father. As they go through Michael’s "memory box" she looks at his old report cards and awards and reminisces. Michael doesn’t let that go on for too long. He had some great stuff with Fi, too. It’s nice (maybe reassuring is a better word) to see him so freaked out about Fi’s safety. Michael tries so hard to be all about the job, but he can’t shut himself off completely, and I like that. Maybe it doesn’t make him the best spy, but it makes him a better person.
A few great lines:
Fi: "You’re getting a fake identity, Michael. I can’t get fake shoes?"
Michael: "The more truth to your lie the easier it is to remember."
Mama Westen: "So. You want a beer?"
Sam: "You kidding?"
Doug: "Are these bullet holes?"
Sam: "Yeah. I broke it in for you."
I almost forgot the most important part of the episode! Michael won’t need to take that trip to D.C. after all because the man who burned him is coming to see Michael in Miami. I can’t wait.
As always, please feel free to share your favorite lines or scenes. If you need something to tide you over until next week's two-hour season finale, check out this Q&A and our Online Video Guide.
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Sep 14, 2007 12:02 AM
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Because of The Closer and Burn Notice--the viewing this summer has been excellent (not to forget Psych and Doctor Who!!) I really enjoy this show and the cast. I also wondered why she didn't bust into the cabin guns blazing--but if she had, we would have missed Michael's tip of the hat to MacGyver with the line "Got any duct tape?" Classic!!
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Sep 14, 2007 1:22 AM
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I did like this episode a lot, and Gabrielle Anwar continues to get more stunning (although I do wish she'd gain a few pounds...fit is one thing, but she's a stick!).
However, by far the biggest laugh of the night for me was the early-in-the-ep ad for the new season of Criminal Intent. The movers walking into the crime scene and loading the bloody corpse into a cardboard box for shipping killed (pardon the pun) me.
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Sep 14, 2007 4:17 AM
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Two very funny lines from last night's episode not mentioned in the recap: when Michael said the Charger needed some work (after he threw that propane tank at it and it exploded into the Charger), and Michael's mom saying she coulnd't remember where the memory box was! Classic!
I so love this show. It's so incredibly clever, from plot to dialog. Like another poster said, this show and The Closer (with my other favs, Psych, which has really hit its stride this season, and Eureka) has made summer TV must-see TV. As with The Closer, I'm gonna hate to see this show end it's season. But I will anticipate next summer more than usual.
I also loved the Criminal Intent advertisement when the movers came in and moved the crime scene. I don't particularly care for the show, but the ad was very amusing. Got to credit USA for originality, with both shows and ads for their shows.
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Sep 14, 2007 7:50 AM
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I am so glad that I am not the only one who found those Criminal Intent ads funny - I nearly died laughing when Goren goes "That's weird."
I really missed this show. This episode balanced the ongoing arc of Michael finding out the truth and his own personal history. I had a feeling that Lucy Lawless's character was going to be more than just the "sad Mom." My favorite line which wasn't mentioned was when Michael asks Sam how his mother is, and Sam says she is asleep with the gun in her hand and a cigarette in her mouth! LOL
Also I love that they have recruited Richard Schiff aka Toby from West Wing to be in the finale. 2 hours of Michael and company to enjoy!
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Sep 14, 2007 9:26 AM
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I loved everything that everyone's mentioned so far. I too have been really into The Closer and Burn Notice all summer, and the CI ad was hilarious.
I figured the reason Evelyn didn't just take out Michael immediately was because her purpose for being there was that she'd been obsessed about Michael and wanted him to join her; I don't think she even really cared so much about Doug at all.
Anyway, I loved everything about this episode (although a few moments with Michael and his sunglasses were scarily similar to Horatio Crane), especially Fiona. I'm so glad Jeffrey Donovan has a hit show!
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Sep 14, 2007 10:29 AM
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I just wish Evelyn wasn't killed off as I would have loved to see Lucy Lawless again as this character. The CI commercial was hilarious.
Also we don't have to wait for next summer for more Closer as there will be a 2 hour episode in December-I believe-as there was last year.
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Sep 14, 2007 10:34 AM
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I like how TV Guide tried to be all sneaky with the interview with Lucy Lawless yesterday where she talked about how this role was such a departure for her, being all emotional and vulnerable.
Love this show -- am happy because we'll have a two hour episode next week but am sad that it's the season finale.
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Sep 14, 2007 10:45 AM
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Kudos to the poster who called Richard Schiff's voice on the phone a few weeks ago.
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Sep 14, 2007 11:24 AM
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OMG! The Charger! I love that car...
I know it seems trivial to focus on the damage done to the car, but really, that hurt more than anything this week.
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Sep 14, 2007 11:33 AM
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I love this show and loved this episode! Two hours of Burn Notice next week is fabulous, except for the fact that it is a season finale!
The only thing I did not like about this episode was that the ending was a bit similar to an episode of CSI; NY that I watched last week where a murder suspect in handcuffs jumped off of a roof to their death! Of course, Burn Notice did it with more flair and originality!
I also have to give some credit to Gabrielle Anwar. She is doing a fantastic job in her role as Fiona. She makes herself look super dangerous yet vulnerable at the same time!
I did think that it was Richard Schiff on the phone several weeks ago. He has a very distinctive voice and I used to watch West Wing reruns as I was going to sleep so I KNOW that voice!
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Sep 14, 2007 11:46 AM
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My first thought about this show is why isn't it on primetime tv? Seriously, put Burn Notice on ABC or NBC, IN HD! and this show would easily be a major hit. Then I thought about the fact that Law & Order has been relagated to basic cable and the fact that some of TV's best work is on cable and I guess BN fits right in. My only complaint about the USA network is it's not in HD. I can't stand watching crappy standard tv. BN is one of about 4 shows I watch in standard definition. Everything else is in HD. oh well... I LOVE this show!
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Sep 14, 2007 12:01 PM
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Another great line (from Fi, I think) when Sam was getting his old bullet-proof vest out of mothballs for the new client: "Smells like Old Spice and bourbon." (Both of which figure prominently in Bruce Campbell's current "Hungry Like The Wolf" commercials; check 'em out on YouTube!).
Personally, I don't think this episode's "jealous Fi" suits her; she has seemed more confident in her advances toward Michael up to now to let one (initially) weepy client upset her.
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Sep 14, 2007 12:10 PM
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As always Anthony Starke (Doug) gave a stand-out performance. Last week you may recall seeing him perform in Cold Case as the terminally ill workaholic. Bravo!
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Sep 14, 2007 1:02 PM
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Good catch with the Old Spice! I have seen the commercial and I heard the line, but I didn't put the two together. I think that Fi was jealous because Michael has treated all of the other women that he has worked with strictly professionally. I think Fi could sense he was letting his guard down and that probably made her more jealous than any attraction.
I have one question. How did Evelyn know that Michael would end up with the case? I mean, she went to Lucy, but how did she know for sure that Lucy wouldn't get someone else to handle it. I was late making it back to the sofa once, did I miss explanation?
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Sep 14, 2007 1:17 PM
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