Split Decision (19 Jul. 2012)

Michael's mentor, Tom Card, offers Fiona a chance to leave prison and avoid extradition in exchange for becoming a CIA asset. Michael tracks down a vicious gangster with some unexpected help.

Director:

Scott Peters

Writers:

Matt Nix (creator), Ryan Johnson,

Stars:

Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar, Coby Bell

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Jeffrey Donovan	...	Michael Westen
Gabrielle Anwar	...	Fiona Glenanne
Coby Bell	...	Jesse Porter
Bruce Campbell	...	Sam Axe
Sharon Gless	...	Madeline Westen
John C. McGinley	...	Tom Card
Kristanna Loken	...	Rebecca Lang
Rick D. Wasserman	...	Wes Foster
Beth Curry	...	Donna Foster
Seth Peterson	...	Nate Westen
Wayne LeGette	...	Greyson Miller
Raymond Forchion	...	Butch McCall
Andrew Benator	...	Clerk
Ethan Henry	...	Guard
Jason Katz	...	Cousin Robbie

Storyline

Michael's mentor, Tom Card, offers Fiona a chance to leave prison and avoid extradition in exchange for becoming a CIA asset. Michael tracks down a vicious gangster with some unexpected help.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Release Date:

19 July 2012 (USA)

Company Credits

Did You Know?

Goofs

While Fiona is on the phone with Michael, she is holding the phone in both hands. Card grabs the phone, lays it flat on the table, and talks with Michael. We see Michael on a rooftop (talking to Card). Then, when the camera returns to Fiona and Card, the cell-phone is again in her hands and Card grabs it again.

User Reviews

A lot of improvement this season's Burn Notice

Fiona not participating in the Burn Notice action so much this season has actually improved the series a great deal. The characters are more believable, expanded in depth and there's less time for what I call the "soap-box drama" whining, tantrum-ing and touchy-feely fluff. Perhaps the writers could have accomplished the same thing with the character still in the active mix; but, they didn't. The great thing about doing it this way is that we still get to see Fiona once in awhile, the writers still get to use their relationship/dilemma as plot points and we still get the faster action, more complicated plots and improved character depth.

This episode takes up where the previous one left off: Rebecca's dilemma with her brother needs solving; which, of course, it is -- somewhat. I say "somewhat" because, forgive me, although I thoroughly enjoyed the episode as a television drama, I can see so many flaws in the con that Michael pulled this week it's hard to overlook. IMDb won't let me disclose spoilers in this review under threat of being "burned" (blacklisted); but, once you have seen it, just ask yourself: "How many ways can you think of that Anson could undo what Michael accomplished?" And how easy would it be for him to do it? None-the-less, Card does keep his promise to help see that Fiona gets out of prison like the trailers told us - but, of course, with a price. There's no surprise that both she and Michael comply, but the writers had her do it just a bit too cavalierly to be compatible with the way she has established her character over the past five years. And what about Nate's dialog. Sure it was comedic, sort of. But, complaining about the "ride" in Jesse's car?!!! This was clearly either: poor directing or editing - not using the "take" that was said sarcastically; poor writing - so anxious to fall into the lazy exposition of whining that they ignored Nate's character; or, poor acting - not delivering the lines in a light-hearted, sarcastic manner like was intended. However, the dialog for the character Card – and the way he plays it – is absolutely great! He is in every way the knowledgeable mentor to Michael and he brooks no guff. He'd make a great permanent member of the cast if they can get him to do it.

I really like where the production has changed this season and hope it continues when/if Fiona actually rejoins the team on the outside. This one's plot just seems like the weakest this season, that's all.