I don't really keep up with Burn Notice news, so I was surprised to see Burt Reynolds pop up onto my screen. His appearance was all part of the fun package which made "Past & Future Tense," arguably, the best episode of the season. Along with Michael's folk hero status, this time among the Russians, and a good plot, I highly enjoyed the episode.
Underneath the plot were the not-too subtle, but well-hidden implications that Michael is heading down the wrong path. It's not unique to this episode or season, the idea of Michael quitting the spy world pushed by Fiona every so often, but it represents a real opportunity for character growth and possible ending to the series. Paul, having been a spy for many years, tells Michael he will be "collecting ghosts" and that rum helps a lot. At the end of the episode, Fiona slaps Michael, telling him she can't stand lying to Jesse and seeing Michael turn into someone who only cares about the idea of people (ghosts).
Michael tells her everything is fine--attempting to convince both Fiona and himself that there isn't a problem. But there is a problem and Michael must face it. Okay, so it's not Mad Men-level stuff (Mad Men, by the way, returns this Sunday!), but it's better than we're used to.
And on the Jesse-front, hardly anything to care about anymore,the bank robbers are pros, except they left a bit of evidence behind, allowing for the next excruciatingly slow step next week. Please, can something happen already?
Score: 9.2/10
