While "Bloodlines" has plenty of good things working for it, it's obviously clear throughout the episode that the writers have to come up with major contrivances in order to fit the structure of Burn Notice. The case this week is brought to Michael by Jesse, whose role is becoming clearer, and the Yakuza gangster is quickly captured by Jesse, Michael, Sam, and Fi. But then Maddie comes and she gets involved, altering the episode into one about Maddie and Michael, as Michael is forced to yell and hit his mother, which opens up lots of old wounds.
The thing is, it's mostly unnecessary. The lines of dialogue keep pointing us in a certain direction--Maddie has to tend to the gangster's wounds, she has to go back their and earn his trust, Michael has to yell at her and hit her--without providing any alternatives. We've seen numerous interrogations on Burn Notice through the years and it's hard for me to imagine why the scenario presented would force Michael and Maddie in that difficult position.
But since the writers went down that path, it gives Sharon Gless the material she deserves as Maddie struggles to deal with Michael's disposition and her deceased huband's memory. Still, I was constantly distracted by the all contrivances to enjoy it as much as I could have, but I guess that's just me.
Score: 8.5/10
