'Burn Notice' - 'Where There's Smoke' Recap

(S04E08) Well, you have to hand it to 'Burn Notice.' Tonight they came up with a twist that was totally unexpected. It made the show for me, and after last week's disappointing adventure with a frozen-face Burt Reynolds, this was a welcomed return to the vibrant 'Burn Notice' we're used to. For more on the uses of a light bulb and the new geometry among the team, follow me after the jump.

Any time you engage one of the main threesome in a life or death situation, 'BN' is compelling viewing. In this case, it was Fiona who was in jeopardy. Lately, Michael has seemed so disengaged, it was refreshing to get him agitated. And coming on the heels of last week, when Fiona called him out for being a disappointment to her, this was a good carryover story line.

Sam was using his Charles Findlay alter ego again, this time with Fiona along as his trophy wife, Charlotte. Bruce Campbell in a tux looked positively Bondian -- the beefy Sean Connery 007 from 'Diamonds Are Forever.'

Dressed to the nines, Fiona and Sam were doing security for a couple hosting a fancy party. They thought they'd be protecting a thing -- in this instance a priceless lithium battery -- but before any guests arrived, kidnappers ambushed the house and took the wife. To protect the client, Fiona got herself kidnapped, too.

Fiona, naturally, had the wherewithal to protect herself. She also quickly assessed the danger and realized it was a lethal situation. Alas, the client -- Christian (Steven Culp) -- wasn't taking Michael and Sam's advice. It was a good situation for 'Burn Notice,' especially since it was high stakes with Fiona in danger.

There were some very good moments for Emmy-nominee Sharon Gless. First, we had Madeline set off the bank alarm with a cigarette. Unfortunately, Maddie wound up getting apprehended. Fortunately for Jesse and Michael, Maddie was resourceful enough to play the 'widow card' and get herself released before the cops were called in.

Later, Maddie refused the brush-off from Michael when she heard about Fiona's kidnapping. "Go get your girlfriend," she told her son. In the end, it was Maddie who saw things as they really were. Jesse's lack of focus during the kidnapping was due to his emotions. Jesse likes Fiona. As in like on the way to love. "It's always each other," that's how Madeline explained Fiona and Michael's love/hate relationship.

When Michael and Fiona were reunited and kissed passionately, the look on Jesse's face said it all. However, even if Jesse now knows that Fiona and Michael are more than colleagues, will he just keep his feelings to himself? Like I said at the top, the geometry has changed. This is a triangle, one that's unexpected, but welcome.

Just the notion that Michael has competition for Fiona is tantalizing, but then when you factor in Jesse discovering that Michael was the guy who burned him and also the guy who has the woman that Jesse loves, that's intense. Fiona may also have something to say about Jesse's affection for her. Should be explosive, which is how you would want it to be with Fi.

Other points of Interest

-- Still no word from Mr. Vaughn. Doesn't management want Michael to do something for them?

-- That artifact from the safe deposit box, the bible that was a cipher ... The Simon that Jesse asked about was most likely the Simon who killed Gilroy and told Michael that they were the same. He's supposed to be in a supermax prison somewhere, but maybe he's not.

Dialogue worth quoting

Jesse: "Want to play a little Bonnie and Clyde?"
Madeline: "Bonnie and Clyde got shot."

"Sometimes you have to be your own white knight." Fiona's advice to Sarah.

"I'll send you a smoke signal." Fi to Michael and Sam.

Sam/Charles: "Hi honey, I'm home."
Fiona/Charlotte: "Good, you can help me take out the trash."