When we last saw Michael Westen, he was entering what was presumably a CIA office to get unburned. Tonight, we found out what happened next. Did Michael rejoin the CIA or not?

Burn Notice returned in the season five premiere with Michael still burned, but working with the CIA as an asset traveling worldwide to bring down the network of people who burned him four years ago.

The story picked up six months after the finale. Michael basically abandoned Fiona and Sam to complete this mission. I expected the season to start right where it left off, but I was pleasantly surprised in how the jump forward occurred. The short montage effectively showed the extremes Michael took to get the people who burned him and we, the viewers, got to avoid seeing Michael without the rest of his team. While I think that story would have been full of adventure and enjoyable to watch, it wouldn’t have been Burn Notice. It would have been the Michael Westen Show.

The creative decision to pickup the story with the presumably last person responsible for burning Michael, Kessler, was the correct one. I hope that over the coming episodes we get some further insight into what Fiona and Sam were doing during these six months. Perhaps, a case they were working on will come back up again.

The addition of Grant Show as the CIA agent working with Michael created an interesting dynamic. The dichotomy between Max’s methods and Michael’s were what makes Burn Notice not your everyday spy show. It is such a thrill to watch because of the team’s MacGyver methods and lack of official restraints. And, watching Michael try to conform to those standards was awkward and made the return to his free-spirited ways even more dramatic.

Michael’s insistence that Kessler be taken alive and him dying leads me to believe that the story of Michael’s burning is not over. Where does Michael go from here? When it comes to Michael, I don’t trust the CIA. I have a feeling they were just using him to eliminate this rogue organization and will betray him in the end. Unfortunately, that means Michael will remain burned. Will he turn against the CIA? Or, find a new foe to chase?

Notes and Quotes:

Michael and Fiona — finally! While I’m sure this relationship won’t be smooth sailing, I’m glad they finally realized that they belong together and overcame their fears.

I know that not everyone is a fan of Jesse, but I’m glad he is back this season. His job with a private security firm will add an additional asset that the team can creatively use in their people-helping missions.

“Is this seriously how you do things?” – Max

” When I have to.” – Michael

“How are you still alive?” – Max

“That’s a good question. I eat a lot of yogurt.” – Michael

” When I have to.” – Michael “How are you still alive?” – Max “That’s a good question. I eat a lot of yogurt.” – Michael “Mike, you won. The people that burned you, the whole damn network — it’s done. To new beginnings.” – Sam (But, is it really done? Hmm.)

Photo Credit: USA Network