Burn Notice Summer Finale Review: Cliffhanging Done Right

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On the summer finale of Burn Notice, Michael came face-to-face with the last man who burned him; too bad he just framed him and Fiona and had both of them "Dead to Rights."

As cliff-hanger finales go, this was near perfect. The overarching story of Michael being burned got more interesting, but the smaller part we have been chasing since Max’s death was wrapped up. Matt Nix, would you please teach the other shows how it’s meant to work? 

Agent Pearce vs. Sam

I was going to say that the Tavien storyline felt like it ended abruptly, given that just last week Tavien wanted to talk to Michael so much he kidnapped Sam to make it happen. Then, when push came to shove, he opted for a swan dive off the parking structure.

Really??! The man has been a ghost for months, one step ahead of the Scooby Gang all season, we finally get to learn more about him... and he punches his own ticket? 

If only things were that simple for Michael. I was blown away by Anson’s reveal that he was behind Max’s murder and Tavien. The fact that Tavien was only a hired gun and Anson was behind Max’s death made Tavien’s fatal deceleration trauma make so much more sense.

It looks like Nix and company granted two of the wishes I have mentioned over the past several weeks. The first being a bad guy we could see and with whom Michael could interact. 

Fullerton (played by Jere Burns) looks to be Michael’s strongest and most intelligent nemesis to date. Michael is going to have to work twice as hard to outsmart someone who thinks several moves ahead and has stacked the board in his favor.

Then there's the return of Agent Pearce. Her admission that she was going to still be Michael’s contact made me super happy. I think she will forgive Michael, as her anger subsides she will remember all the good he has done since she met him and in time they will be BFFs.

Okay, maybe not, given that he will most likely hide (again) the fact he is being blackmailed by Anson “for her own good.” Maybe Michael will learn his lesson and surprise me by telling her early on so she can help, but I’m not holding my breath.

On the flipside, now that Pearce is going to be around, I can resume hoping that she and Jesse will hook up! Perhaps a proper date? Seeing as he's trying to be an honest man. Women like that, right?

We should take a moment and bow our heads in silence for Larry Sizemore. We won’t, but we should.

In reality, I don’t actually believe Larry is dead. He's been "dead" a few times and it doesn't tend to stick. Until Michael or Fiona uncovers a body, I’m assuming we will see Larry again.

However, I can say that Fiona’s method of luring him to the window and then blowing him to away was really ingenious. Minus that whole “blew up two innocent guards” part.  

When the show returns in November it will be exciting to see how Michael handles the pressures of Pearce, Anson, and the realization that he has ties in Miami now and his actions could affect others. 

What would you like to see happen? Should Pearce join the Scooby Gang unofficially? Share below!

Dead to Rights Review

Editor Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
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Rating: 4.8 / 5.0 (48 Votes)

Jim G. is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.

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Burn Notice Season 5 Episode 12 Quotes

Pearce: I don't owe you a damn thing!
Michael: What about Max's wife, what do you owe her?

Michael: I can't ask anyone else to risk their life.
Fiona: Michael, come back to me.