Burn Notice - Episode 4.04 - Breach of Faith - Recap

So far, this season has been great. I was apprehensive at first over the addition of another team member, but Jesse has quickly proven himself worthy of working with Michael, Sam and Fiona. When we last saw our team, they were figuring out a way to sneak Jesse to the Bahamas... let's see how that worked out for them.



SPY OBSERVATION (flying over the white beaches of The Bahamas): Spies spend a lot of time traveling, but they don't usually wind up in the most desirable of destinations.

THE BAHAMAS - A DESIRABLE DESTINATION

You're much more likely to find yourself visiting a rebel camp in the Philippine jungle or a hidden bunker in the mountains of Pakistan than lounging beach side in The Bahamas. But even when you do find yourself in a vacation paradise, it is still all about business.

Fiona and Jesse are at a bar on the beach in The Bahamas. Michael talks to Fiona from Miami, and he questions their methods. Fiona tells Michael that luckily she's met a delightful fellow...

TY - THE CORONER'S ASSISTANT

from whom she plans to 'borrow' some keys. Ty presents Fiona with a large pineapple filled with a beverage he calls The Love Boat. He flirts with Fiona.

SPY OBSERVATION: (Jesse pretends to be drunk and steps in between Fiona and Ty) Like magicians, pickpockets rely on misdirection. Whether you are pulling keys out of a pocket, or a rabbit out of a hat, it is all about big distractions.

Jesse pulls Fiona away from Ty and the two tangle briefly. Jesse pins Ty, allowing Fiona ample time to slip into his pocket to take his keys. As beach security approaches to separate Jesse and Ty, Fiona slips away.

FVOC: Shots of The Bahamas

Fiona sits in a VW Thing talking with Jesse on the phone while he searches the coroner's office. Fiona warns him that Ty has arrived with a police officer. Jesse tells her to leave the car for him and to get a boat ready. Jesse leaves the keys on the desk of the office while Fiona leaves the keys under the floor mat.

SPY OBSERVATION: (Ty approaches the Coroner's office) Spies don't always have a choice of hiding places; sometimes it comes down to taking what's available. (Jesse climbs into one of the morgue fridges, and keeps the door open with a credit card) If you have to hide in something that is designed to be air tight, you better hope the danger passes before you run out of oxygen.


Ty leaves the room and Jesse climbs out of the drawer. He leaves the morgue with the file he came for, but as he exits, Ty is standing at the front door. Jesse walks out nonchalantly, but as he crosses the street, Ty notices him. Jesse jumps into the Thing, starts the car and drives off, police already in pursuit. He arrives at a dock where he ditches the vehicle and jumps about a waiting boat with Fiona at the wheel.

Michael is in his loft cleaning his gun when Jesse and Fiona return. Fiona shows some photos from The Bahamas, and Michael asks about the autopsy report. Jesse presents the report, saying it points towards his contact; his contact was Lebanese with a raspy voice and the autopsy was for a middle eastern man with thoracic scarring consistent with heavy smoking. Fiona points out flesh found beneath the nails, indicative of a struggle; they should look for someone with scratches. Michael suggests getting Sam the prints to run down, and Jesse tells him that Sam has already done the work for them. The inform him of a box registered at a mailbox shop, and suggests trying to get the physical address on file from the storefront. As he goes to leave, Fiona tells Michael that Sam is waiting for him, wanting a favor in return for getting the prints done so quickly; and he's waiting outside. Jesse and Fiona will track down the address.

Michael exits his loft to find Sam waiting for him, honking for him on the Charger. Sam tells Michael they are going to meet some friends, but they need to take Michael's car since his is on empty. Sam tells Michael that he's going to take him to meet Josh and Liza Wagner, a nice couple that run a charity that helps soldier's families. Sam has worked with them before, even playing Santa Claus for the kids around Christmas. He explains that Josh got caught up in an investment scam. A few small investments showed big returns, so he decided to place all the charity's money into it, and the investments flopped. Michael suggests the police, but when the cops took a look at the paperwork, they said it would take far to long to wade through. Sam convinces Michael to come along, merely in an advisory capacity, and he'd get free lunch out of it; ribs.

FVOC - The Charger drives through Miami.

Michael and Sam arrive at the Wagner's house, Sam is still talking about the ribs. As they walk up to the house, they are greeted by

LILA - CONCERNED WIFE

who tells them that Josh went to confront Nick Madison, the guy running the investments for them. Lila tells them the bank called and the charity is being shut down after the weekend; Michael comments how he wasn't made aware that it was that dire. Lila tells them he went down to the Blue Crest to get the money back. Michael tells Sam that this fells like a job, and while they are waiting for Fiona and Jesse to get Kassar's address, he doesn't have anything else to do.

Fiona and Jesse are at Mail and More, trying to get Kassar's address. Jesse tells the girl that it is an emergency as they're leaving on their honeymoon cruise the next morning. Fiona tells the girl working the counter that the wedding isn't legal because Scott's (Jesse) idiot lawyer sent them copies of his divorce papers, and they need the originals. They are hoping to go to his house to get the originals as quickly as possible. She gives them the company's confidentiality agreement and tells them she can't give them the address.

SPY OBSERVATION (Jesse looks around the room gathering some quick intel) In the field, you can never count on your first approach being successful. You have to be ready to change tactics on the fly. Spies learn to make lightning fast observations and connect the dots just as quickly. Little things, like a family photo with no father and a missing wedding ring can tell you all need to know about a target's soft spot, or better yet their sore spot.

Jesse changes his approach and tells the store employee that they are from an organization called Deadbeat Dad Trackers. Kassar is a scumbag that is 2 years behind on his child support payments. She caves, and asks how to spell Kassar's name.

Sam and Michael arrive at Blue Crest. Michael asks Sam how far he thinks Josh will take things, to which Sam is uncertain. Michael shows Sam an empty holster lying in Josh's car and tells him he has brought a gun. Inside Blue Crest Josh has a gun drawn on Nick Madison and his assistant. Sam and Michael enter and try to talk reason with Josh. Josh tells them he went to the police, and he asked nicely, but nothing worked.

JOSH - OUT OF OPTIONS

Josh admits he made a mistake in trusting Nick.

NICK MADISON - THIEVING BASTARD

Nick tries to sweet talk Josh, but Josh won't listen. He hits him in the head with the gun as sirens begin to wail in the background. Josh escorts Nick and his assistant into the break room, where he intends to lock them in. Josh tells Sam to leave, that it is his problem to deal with. Sam tells Michael that Josh is a good guy, and he can't leave him in this situation. Police cars surround the building. Michael tells Sam they need to leave, but Sam starts locking the doors and closing the blinds. He tells Michael he's going with his gut on this one.

Sam tries to barricade the doors. Michael asks him what he's going to solve in staying here, where it can become a hostage situation. Sam points out that it is already a hostage situation, and anyway you slice it, Josh is going to prison. Michael suggests getting everyone out of there and then going after the money. Sam points out the near barren state of the office and cites it as evidence that Nick was preparing to run with the money. Outside the office, SWAT teams and OEM trucks arrive. Josh exits the break room and asks Sam why he is still there. The phone rings and Michael announces that it is likely the Police.

LT. CASEY - TOUGH S.O.B.

Lt. Casey calls in to them over a bullhorn. He tells them to grab the phone immediately. Sam tells Michael that he is staying.

SPY OBSERVATION (Josh prepares to answer the phone, Michael advises him not to): In a hostage crisis, first contact with the police is critical. One wrong word from a hostage taker can be the difference between the start of negotiations or an armed assault.

Michael tells Sam that he leaves when Sam leaves, and he answers the phone. Michael talks to Lt. Casey briefly to ensure things don't escalate too quickly. Once off the phone, he and Sam explain that they are friends there to ensure everything works out for everyone. Sam manages to disarm Josh, but quickly learns the weapon wasn't loaded. Lt. Casey cuts the phone, internet and A/C to the building, hoping to inspire some talking. Michael checks desk drawers and finds a purse. Sam decides to talk to Nick, leaving Patty, his assistant for Michael. Michael recommends switching who speaks to whom.

Michael enters the break room and talks to Nick. He tells Nick he's just a friend that wants to make sure no one gets hurt. Sam enter the room with Patty, and she tells Sam that Josh is blaming the wrong people; investing is a risk. Cutting back to Nick and Michael, Nick says that everyone blames him when the economy turns. Michael says he understands, and he says it isn't stealing if you're just moving money around to cover your bases. Back with Sam and Patty, Sam tried to guilt Patty into helping him, telling her that people are going to lose their homes without Josh's charity money. She informs Sam that Nick's been hurting, laying off his staff recently. She tells him that he feels bad about it, and has even been paying Tom Norris' mortgage out of his pocket. In the other room, Nick offer's the computer passwords to Michael so he can look over the transaction records to prove he's innocent. Michael leaves him alone.

SPY OBSERVATION (Michael and Sam pour over financial documents): When interrogators hear a story without any holes, they know someone's lying. Only people afraid of getting caught take the time to rehearse every detail and anticipate every question. The same holds true for accounting; perfect books are like perfect alibis. It confirms you're dealing with a liar, but you have no way to prove it.

Michael tells Josh that books are too clean, and that they likely have another set of books elsewhere. He mentions the name Tom Norris, and Josh recognizes it as someone he met when he first started dealing with Nick. Michael says they will look into Tom, and Josh doesn't understand how, since they have the phones cut off.

SPY OBSERVATION (Michael works to splice a phone into a wire in the walls): In a hostage situation, it is standard procedure for the police to run cell phone jammers and commandeer all the phone lines in your location. To make a call without a police operator, you need to access a line they aren't listening on. It's a lot like stealing cable from your neighbor. If you can access a common wall and stretch a conduit, you can access an unmonitored line from next door.

Sam enters and tells Michael that he was able to access Norris' personnel file and get a lot of good information on him thanks to Nick's password.

Jesse and Fiona are at the address they found for Karras. Fiona is attempting to pick the lock while Jesse stands watch. He asks her what is taking her so long, to which she informs him that Karras has a double cylinder deadbolt, which probably costs more than his car. While they are standing there, they are approached by someone who asks if she can help them. They introduce themselves as Census representatives. The female (Navi Rawat, from Numb3rs) claims they have had some break-ins locally, and asks to see ID, and they tell her they left it in the car. She asks if it was the Mustang and even spouts off the license plate number at them. At that moment Michael calls, and they tell her it is their supervisor and they need to take the call, walking off abruptly.

Michael talks to Fiona as she tries to tell him how nosy Kassar's neighbor is, and how it might be more difficult than planned to get inside. Michael interrupts and tells her that he and Sam are in a hostage situation. She asks who is holding them, and where. He tells her that they are the hostage takers, that it is complicated and he'll explain later. At the moment he needs help. She passes the phone to Jesse to get the details as she gets behind the wheel.

Back at Blue Crest, Nick, struggling to unlock a drawer, tells Michael that he offered to show Josh his personal banking details, not just the business records, to gain his trust. He grabs a gun from the drawer, but Michael is able to get it from his hands and turn it on him. Patty accuses them of not helping, but instead being on Josh's side all along. Nick accuses Michael of being in charge the entire time, and tells them that they will all be going to jail.

Sam lists the charges they are facing and apologizes to Michael for getting him involved in this mess. Sam tells Michael about his only time in jail. Michael picks up the phone and talks to Lt. Casey. Casey asks who he is speaking with, Josh, Patty or Michael, and Michael tells him he can't answer. He makes the first demand on behalf of the hostage takers; a panel van with a full tank of gas, no rear or side windows. He lets the police know that everyone is safe. Casey says he needs a sign of good faith, and Michael says releasing a hostage will happen when the van arrives. Michael tells Sam that Casey knows he's inside. Sam says he should go, and Sam could talk to the cops for him, let them know that he made him help out. Michael says everything can be ok, as long as Jesse and Fiona can find Norris.

Jesse and Fiona sit watching a restaurant. A car pulls up to the valet.

TOM NORRIS - SCAM ARTIST

SPY OBSERVATION (Jesse approaches Tom): Making a cold approach to a scam artist is never ideal. They tend to assume that a stranger showing up out the blue is either a cop or a someone they've ripped off. Either way, you have to be ready for them to run. Fortunately, tactical support can make a foot chase much more civilized. Instead of relying on speed and endurance, all you need is a distraction (Jesse tosses a bottle) and good timing. (Tom crashes into Fiona's car)

Jesse and Fiona tell Tom that they aren't cops, that they work for Nick. Tom assumes they are the 'crew from Boca' and talks to them openly. He asks why they came to him, they know Nick handles the payouts. They take him to Blue Crest, where he sees the building surrounded by police. They tell him Nick gave them the heads up before fleeing town, and they are supposed to get the money from Tom. They ask him if he as access to the accounts, so they can get paid. He tells them Nick had the score in cash, and that cash is in a floor safe in the conference room. Fiona opens the trunk of her car and puts Tom inside.

Fiona gets a call to Michael inside, and tells him that money is inside with him. She suggests they pop the safe and walk out with their hands up. Michael informs her that he and Sam are on the hook as accomplices now, and they will need another plan. She tells him that he'll need a diversion to help them get out. Michael tells her "if ever there was a time to go big, Fiona, now's the time." Fiona coos, "Michael, I never thought I'd hear you use those words."

Inside the conference room, Sam and Michael pull up the carpeting while Josh watches. Josh questions why it would be cash on hand and not in a bank account, and Michael tells him that this is what the last phase of this type of scam usually looks like, as cash is untraceable. Josh approaches Nick demanding the combination. Nick tells them the safe is empty of cash, and Patty tells him to give them the combination to prove they're innocent. Nick protests, saying it is filled with sensitive client information, which is the true reason that Sam and Michael are there. Sam threatens Nick, telling him there is nothing keeping him from killing him; unfortunate as now he has to do things the hard way. Sam grabs the electric toaster, and Nick cries out 'Burn me, Electrocute me, I won't talk.' Sam tells he only wanted the toaster, and walks out of the room.

SPY OBSERVATION (Michael and Sam pull apart the toaster): Floor safes are virtually impenetrable, as long as they are IN the floor. If you don't have a jackhammer to pry one out, you need to get creative. (they create a mount of bullets that surrounds the safe) Home-made shape charges will do the trick, but if you want to prevent turning a standoff into a breach, (They cover the charge with carpeting, file cabinets, basically whatever they can get their hands on) you better have a way to muffle the blast. (Sam finds some titanium golf clubs that they tape together to make rudimentary sledgehammers.) Once a floor safe is out of the floor, it offers as much protection as a piggy bank. (The take the safe to the landing, dropping it down, splitting it wide open.)

Nick, Josh and Patty come out of the conference room. Michael points out that there looks to be close to $1 million, but they could count it to be sure. Patty yells at Nick, saying he told her there was no money. Nick slaps her, grabs a piece of the rocks from the broken safe, and throws it out the window. Sam wonders if the cops heard the breaking window.

Outside, the cops begin to get ready to breach. Michael calls Fiona to get an idea of how much time they have, and tells her to forget about the diversion at this point.

Back inside Sam tells Michael that he and Josh will give themselves up so Michael can get away. Michael has a better idea, as the cops don't know who they are coming in for. He recalls the Parker thing, from Lima, and Sam immediately balks. Sam says he's willing to roll the dice, but the Parker thing is a myth. Allegedly, some bank robbers in Lima were able to stroll out, pretending they were amongst the victims. Sam thinks it is very risky, and is skeptical that it will work; Michael believes that he can pull it off, and he can have the gun in Nick's hand and ready to shoot when it matters.

Sam sits down with Patty, and he tries to convince her that Nick was the one that was the bad guy, and if they all work together they can get out of this. Patty voices her hatred for Nick, but he wasn't the one that held her captive or at gunpoint. She tells Sam she feels they should all go to jail. Josh tells her that it is his fault; he was trying to save all those families from losing their homes and putting them out on the street, he just wanted to save his charity.

Michael brings Nick into the open lobby. He gets Nick on his knees and tells him that they now have the money, they don't need him around any longer.

SPY OBSERVATION: (Michael is trying to trick Nick into grabbing his gun from him): Spies are trained to follow certain procedures when holding someone at gunpoint. Stand out of arms reach, (Michael gets close to Nick) keep weight on back foot (shifts his weight forward), never take your eyes off your target (and looks up at Sam as he leads Patty and Josh into the lobby). Unless you want your weapon taken, and then you do exactly the opposite.

Nick overpowers Michael, getting a hold of the gun. He turns it on Michael and corrals everyone in one corner of the lobby. He tells Patty that she should come with him, and keep her mouth shut. He can explain the money, and if she gets cute or tries to mention the scam, there isn't anything he can't talk his way out of. Patty takes a step in Nick's direction, but Michael tries to keep her on his side of the lobby. He goads Nick on, telling him he is only a scam artist, but he doesn't have it in him to shoot someone. Michael gets in Nicks face, accusing him of being a conman because he doesn't have the guts to do 'a man's work.' He goads him on, getting louder, begging him to pull the trigger. Nick pulls the trigger to find the gun empty. The police breach the building with battering rams and smoke grenades. They find Nick holding the gun, fire a taser at him, taking him to be the villain.

SPY OBSERVATION (Sam and Michael talk about how their interrogation went, and how it is all on Patty's shoulders now) Spies don't always make decisions based on training, experience or potential success of a mission. Sometimes it means doing what is right, even if that means putting your fate in the hands of a stranger.
Lt. Casey interrogates Patty, playing her back the 911 call that she placed, and asking her what happened. She tells Lt. Casey that Josh came in demanding his money back. Nick denied everything calling Josh crazy. Casey asks if that was when Josh pulled the gun, but she corrects him and says it was Nick that pulled the gun, and ultimately took them all hostage.

Nick gets taken off in handcuffs, and Lt. Casey approaches Michael. He tells him that Patty told him that he and Sam kept everyone alive and thanks him for it. He also tells him he's read the department file on him, and sees he has a penchant for explosives. Coincidentally, they have a safe blown apart inside. Michael tells them it was like that when he arrived, perhaps Nick had forgotten his combination.

Sam and Michael finally have those ribs with the Wagners. They advise them to work with a pro, and they give them Barry's contact information. Sam apologizes for getting Michael involve, but Michael says he told him it wouldn't take more than a day, so he kept up his side of the deal.

Michael and Jesse are at Kassar's place, again trying to get into the apartment. Jesse reports that the nosy neighbor is getting close, jogging their way, less than a block and a half away. Jesse tells Michael how to pick a lock, Michael asks him when he last did it in the field. As the two bicker, Michael manages to get the lock opened and the slip inside.

SPY OBSERVATION (The pair enter an immaculate apartment):Fresh painted walls and steam cleaned carpets are great if you are a Realtor showing a vacant apartment. If you are a spy trying to find a clue, there is nothing worse than a sparkling clean home. If you can't even find spare change in the sofa, chances are you won't find anything at all.

Michael tells Jesse they are wasting their time, that they won't find anything here. Jesse says he doesn't want to let it go, and Michael suggests that a place this clean, someone probably saw something or someone coming and going. He suggests talking to the neighbor. Jesse reminds him that she is a stickler for IDs, and he pulls out a fake FBI badge.

He speaks with the neighbor, who introduces herself as Kendra. She apologizes for not seeing anything and not being that much help. Michael tells her the little details, any at all, can help. He asks her when she last saw Kassar. She gives a vague answer, and when he asks about suspicious people or vehicles, she says she hasn't noticed anything and that it has been quiet. He thanks her for her time and walks off.

Michael tells Jesse that she has photos on the wall, but none include her. Jesse points out that she has a great body, too good to cover it up when jogging, unless she was covering something up, like scratches on her arms. They make the connection that she likely killed Kassar and took up residence next door to see if people come knocking. Back in her apartment, she starts knocking a hole in the wall as Michael and Jesse come back in.

SPY OBSERVATION (Kendra opens fire on them as they enter and runs off. Jesse chases her while Michael stays searching the hole): Every precaution you take to makes something more secure also makes it less accessible. Concealing a high density tape cartridge behind drywall is a great way to keep it from being found, but if you ever have to leave in a hurry, you can't expect to take it with you.

Jesse says she got away, it looks like it over. Michael shows him the HD cartridge and says quite the opposite, I think it is just getting started.