"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.
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