What I’m Watching: Burn Notice

Burn Notice: Season 7, Episode 2 “Forget Me Not” (B+)

It’s uncomfortable to see Michael surveying his friends, mainly because they’ve sprung into action to help him without any idea that he’s keenly aware of what’s going on and content to leave them in the dark. He made up for that deception somewhat by stopping Sam, Jesse, and Carlos from heading straight into a trap, but none of them were terribly happy to see him, and the damage appears to be done. Splicing in flashbacks to the very Irish first union of Michael and Fiona made Michael’s use of a warning signal all the more dramatic and Fiona’s ultimate rejection of Michael all the more heartbreaking. Without Fiona to pine for, what will motivate Michael? His mother was also inconsolably furious at him, and it’s going to be difficult for Michael to cope with those he cares about hating him so much, which should make it easier for him to get deeper and deeper in his cover and possibly lose himself in the process. Unlike Max or Pearce, Strong doesn’t care about Michael as a person, and is intent on punishing him for his desolate reputation by forcing him to sacrifice everything that is important to him for the sake of the mission. That will make this year a darker one than ever before, as evidenced by the quick and brutal elimination of Gamble and Michael’s new role as an assassin. I think it will be an extremely effective way to end this saga, and I’m eager to see how this final season plays out.