The Checklist: Burn Notice (S2 Ep4) “Comrades”
Burn Notice was a can’t miss show for me back during its initial run on the USA Network… so I probably shouldn’t be surprised that when I recently stumbled upon it on Pluto TV that I found myself sucked right back into the world of burnt spy Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan).
As I was watching Episode 4 from the second season, I thought why just revisit this episode when I can revisit and put it to The Checklist test at the same time…
- Synopsis: Michael Westen and his team of Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) and Sam (Bruce Campbell), wish some help from Michael’s younger brother, attempt to take down a human trafficking ring being run out of Miami by the Russian mob.
#1. Is this a Nate Westen episode?
Seth Peterson played Nate Westen, Michael’s younger brother, in 15 episodes of Burn Notice over the course of the show’s 7 season run including “Comrades”. Nate comes to Michael to see if he’d be able to help a co-worker of his named Katya. Katya’s sister Elena went through some less than reputable channels to get to the United States and now finds herself being held captive by the Russian mob… and just like that we have this episode’s client. Thanks Nate! 1/1
#2. Were there any notable guest stars?
Andrew Divoff played Ivan, the human trafficker that works for the Russian mob and the man who has Elena. Divoff is recognizable from such action movies as Toy Soldiers, Air Force One and Stealth Fighter to name a few.
If they can get to Ivan, they can find Elena. Fiona snatches Ivan up in a parking lot using her feminine wiles and a stun gun, then Sam Axe poses as a government agent that questions Ivan at the “secret compound” that Sam and Michael set up, but Ivan proves to be a tough nut to crack. And I should point out that Andrew Divoff looks extra tough in this episode, with numerous prison tattoos.
Comedian Larry Miller (Suburban Commando) is the key character in the episode’s B storyline. Miller plays Harvey Gunderson, a government bureaucrat who unknowingly has info that is relevant to Michael’s burn notice, info that requires him to be wined and dined by Sam (presumably using his assumed identity of Chuck Finley) 2/2
#3. Does Michael go undercover?
When Ivan doesn’t break during interrogation, Michael is force to pose as Sergei, another member of the Russian mob that is thrown in the cargo container/make shift prison cell with Ivan. Here Michael/Sergei can become Ivan’s COMRADE and gain his trust and learn more about the human trafficking operation, most importantly where Ivan keeps the women. 3/3
#4. Did anyone eat yogurt?
One thing that you can always count on is that there will be yogurt in Michael’s fridge. So it is no surprise that Fiona partakes in some yogurt while she is at Michael’s loft planning the Elena rescue mission with Michael and Sam. Speaking of Sam, he uses a container of cold yogurt to soothe his hangover induced headache. 4/4
#5. Does Fiona blow anything up?
Sadly, no. It is always a pleasure to see Fiona Glenanne cause some major destruction, whether it is the professional way using C4 or when she has to improvise… either way, it is clear she loves her work. However, there was no call for anything to blow up in “Comrades”. Maybe next time. 4/5
- Final Score = 4/5 (80%) A strong episode of Burn Notice, but not perfect. We do get to delve deeper into the Westen family dynamic with Michael and Nate coming closer together by the end (Something that I am sure Sharon Gless’ chain smoking Madeline Westen was happy about). And as always, in addition to the “mission of the week” we get a little further along in the grander scheme of things as Michael Westen tries to figure out who burned him and why.
