Plot: Large bag of cash in hand, Sam and Jesse visit a rival smuggler Schmidt knows to acquire the passport chips they need. Vanek is rather miffed Schmidt didn't accompany them, but for an extra 200 grand, he's willing to overlook it, as long as they they let Schmidt know Vanek is dismantling his operation. Sure thing, angry vindictive guy.
With the chips, Dixon is able to whip up nifty passports for them and every thing is looking great. Until Vanek shows up looking for blood. Seems Schmidt tried to sic the feds on him, but didn't count on Vanek having his own guy in the Bureau. Our heroes are forced to flee, and wind up trapped in some factory. It must be a weekend, since the place looks nice and clean, but is completely empty. Just as well, with all the bullets, forklifts, industrial fans and whatnot flying around. Jesse and Maddy swipe a dump truck for everyone to escape in, but there's the little matter of all the open ground between the truck and the factory, empty ground filled with angry guys with automatic weapons. A furious debate ensues between Fi and Sam, with Fiona insisting they send Schmidt out to face Vanek's wrath, while Sam sticks by "no man left behind". This is pretty impressive of Sam, considering Vanek reveals he tags all his passport chips, meaning he could sell that info to the feds in exchange for some sort of deal. And what's more Schmidt knew this when he tipped off the law.
It's at this point Mike sends Fi and Sam hunting for supplies, so he can walk Schmidt out there without interruption. Then he spots a transformer, shoots it, causes a lot of sparks, fire, etc., giving them the cover they need to reach the dump truck and bail. Afterwards, Mike tries to play it off as though that was his plan all along, but Schmidt doesn't buy it. At any rate, the passports ought to be good long enough for them to get out of the country, and until they leave, they can use his house. Schmidt, however, plans to bail.
The episode ends with Maddy and Mike at Nate's grave, where someone has left flowers and a note, asking Michael to contact them.
The Players: Calvin Schmidt (Smuggler), Vanek (Cutthroat Businessman)
Quote of the Episode: Schmidt - 'Is that the same load of crap you shovel down your team's throats?'
Does Fiona blow anything up? No.
Sam Axe Drink Count: 0 (26 overall).
Sam Getting Hit Count: 1 (7 overall).
Michael's Fake Laugh Count: 0 (1 overall).
Other: Michael's actions this episode felt very much like Asshole Batman stuff. Treating his friends, who have saved his life I don't know how many times, like kids who can't be part of the grown-up decisions. Send them off on a wild goose chase for nonexistent supplies, so he can make the TOUGH CALLS all by himself. Way to treat them like idiots that were in the way.
He's always tiptoed along that line, to be fair. He always tries to treat Maddy that way, no matter how many times she demonstrates she can cope with the crap his life throws at her, he treated Jesse that way for half of Season 4, and he does it with Sam and Fi from time to time. Still, I believed he understood how much he could count on them. That was why, even if he was the one stepping onto the bullseye, they were somewhere nearby, watching over him. This stunt, it really rubs me the wrong way. Yes, Schmidt's been nothing but trouble, a complaining pain in the ass, but I'm with Sam. You don't start sending other people to die to save your own skin. And you're doing it on the word of an obviously murderous smuggler that he'll let you go after you give him Schmidt. While Vanek was far more reasonable about the whole thing than I would have expected, that's a lot of trust to extend.
I imagine Dead Larry would have approved, though.
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