Plot: There's a new wrinkle in Michael's life, a mysterious gift of yogurt, plus a card listing a time and place to meet. The person who wants to meet is a Tom Strickler. Strickler isn't an old foe, no he's someone who wants to see Mike get paid for doing what he does best, and Strickler just gets a cut. Mike's not interested, but he is interested in the rumor Strickler heard about some angry Ukrainian coming to Miami for Mike's head.
Not wanting to be indebted to Strickler, Michael needs another source of information. Fiona (trying to be supportive) knows a man named Beck. Well, "knows" in the sense she hijacked some of his gun shipments. Michael's attempt at a cold approach goes so poorly, it's probably to his benefit the armed team burst in and abducted he and Beck. He and Beck manage to escape, but now they're stuck fleeing heavily armed guys from the Motherland through a mangrove swamp. Sam and Fi are on there way, as soon as Maddy gets some answers. And Mike's poor people skills mean Beck isn't too eager to follow Mike's plan, especially when the plan leads to even more guys with guns showing up. Of course, it did get the boss man, Chechik, out there too. . .
The Players: Strickler (Agent to Spies), Beck (Guy with Connections), Chechik (Hardass)
Quote of the Episode: Michael - 'If I have to drag a complaining pain in the ass through the woods, so do they. Give me your shoelaces.' Beck - 'You know, what say we listen to the guy with the gun for a change?' Michael - 'Fine. *Takes gun* Now give me your shoelaces.'
Does Fiona blow anything up? No.
Sam Axe Drink Count: 2 (22 overall). When they're at the bar, trying to grab the pilot who snuck Chechik in, he was actually drinking a soda. Scary.
Sam Getting Hit Count: 0 (0 overall). He's doing much better at staying out of harm's way this season. Though Maddy did threaten to smother him in his sleep.
Michael Fake Laugh Count: 0 (2 overall)
Other: Fiona has an unorthodox definition of "subtle" On the other hand, she did demonstrate why carrying a gun by tucking it in the front of your pants is really stupid. Seriously, people, don't do that. It's a bad idea.
I'm not sure Michael should promise Beck he can make Fi stop stealing Beck's guns. But if Fi is really on board with helping Michael, maybe she'll stop of her own accord. Plus, Beck now has a better idea how to start tracking her down.
I love how terrified Chechik gets when Beck mentions one of his biggest partners in the Russian mafia is an old general who owns 800 miles of Siberian, crap, was it railway or pipeline? Whichever. Chechik knows exactly who he means, and he was more scared than when Mike had a knife to his throat.
I do hope Beck has a good doctor. It can't have been hygienic to swim through a swamp with an open gunshot wound in his leg. I don't even want to think about what one could contract there. *shudders*
Ben Shenkman brings just the right air to Strickler. He's so outwardly friendly and relaxed. Not trying to push anyone to do anything, just making suggestions. But there's something about all of it that's just a little sleazy, a little too complimentary. A real shit-eating grin. It's also kind of amazing how bad Michael is at making friends. He resorts too easily to threats or "I know something you don't know". That being said, the back and forth between he and Beck (Keith Diamond) works pretty well. You get the feeling Beck's kind of forgotten what it was like when he was clawing his way up, but that same tough customer is still there. it's just a matter of Michael getting on the same side.
I do enjoy this episode. The Beck/Michael arguing is funny, and I seem to enjoy these episode where Michael has to dismantle a superior force singlehandedly.
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