Burn Notice (season 5)
Encyclopedia
The fifth season of the American television spy drama Burn Notice
premiered on June 23, 2011 on the cable television
channel USA Network
. The season will conclude after its eighteenth episode airs on December 15, 2011.
), and partner Max (Grant Show
) attempt to extract the final spy, but he commits suicide rather than face the CIA. Having to return to Miami before being reinstated, Michael struggles with civilian life, constantly checking and re-checking inconsistencies in the documents on Management.
In the fourth episode of the season "No Good Deed", Michael and Max work to steal a piece of stolen information and bring it back to the CIA. When Michael shows up to the de-brief, he discovers Max bleeding out on the floor, shot by what is likely the murder weapon beside him. Hearing gunfire, he picks up the weapon and attempts to chase down the murderer, who escapes unidentified. Michael covers his tracks, and the murderer's, before escaping. Michael's suspicions about being framed for the murder are confirmed when Sam discovers a newly opened box of ammunition that matches the murder weapon in the car Michael used to drive to the building. Destroying the weapon, Michael and his team run their own investigation parallel to Agent Pearce (Lauren Stamile), the lead investigator for the CIA.
Tracking them through the imposter used to pose as Michael, they find that an extremely complex bomb was prepared to kill him; the intricacies of the bomb lead them to a Romanian war criminal who created the bomb for an old friend, Tavian Korzha (Andrew Howard
). Tracking Korzha to his warehouse they catch a glimpse of him but he escapes. Using data from Korzha's computers they locate the source of his funds, which also allows for them to attempt an ambush, which he anticipates and kidnaps Sam, demanding a meet with Michael. While he insists on only that time and place, Jesse's NSA and FBI connections lock down the island for the meet, forcing him to stay. However, Michael, reentering his loft after a CIA extraction mission, encounters Agent Pearce, who has found proof of a Charger leaving the scene of Max's murder, enough proof to convince her that Michael was the killer, arresting him at gunpoint. Sam and Jesse intercept the CIA convoy, convincing Pearce to let Michael meet Korzha. While wearing a wire, Michael gets Korzha to confess to the frame and murder, but Korzha kills himself to avoid further interrogation. Michael is exonerated and debriefed.
Upon his return, Michael is kidnapped by Larry Sizemore (Tim Matheson
), who has also kidnapped DIA psychiatrist Anson Fullerton (Jere Burns
). Using Anson as leverage, Larry forces Michael to help him break into a British consulate and steal information. While Michael's team is able to foil Larry's plot and presumably kill him, the explosives used chain-react with a series of others, inadvertedly making Fiona responsible for two other deaths. Her confession was recorded by Fullerton, who is revealed as the final member of the organization that burned Michael. He claims that the organization was started by him and Management and their intentions were initially simple: get burned spies to carry out questionable missions that would never get through the red tape at intelligence agencies. Fullerton uses the information on Fiona as leverage, forcing Michael to work under the organization once again.
The reason for Anson's intervention is to assign Michael the task of traveling to Puerto Rico to locate a hacker who had developed a software that will help Anson erase any known information the CIA may have on him and his organization.
appeared as Max, an operative with the CIA, for three episodes. Lauren Stamile appeared in multiple episodes as Kim Pearce, another CIA operative who investigates a murder. Matt Lauria
portrayed Ethan, a discharged soldier involved with the CIA, in one episode, with the possibility of recurring. Dylan Baker
returned as Raines, the previously unknown man seen in the fourth season
finale. Tim Matheson
and Todd Stashwick
returned as "Dead" Larry Sizemore and Carmelo (the second biggest heroin dealer in Miami), while Paul Tei returned as Barry Burkowski, Michael's money-launderer. Seth Peterson
appeared as Michael's brother, Nate Westen. Jere Burns
will appear in as many as seven episodes as Anson Fullerton, a Defense Intelligence Agency
psychiatrist who is compromised and needs the team's help, and proves useful in helping Michael with the unanswered questions regarding his burn notice. Kristanna Loken
will appear in multiple episodes as Rebecca, a CIA counterintelligence operative. Robert Wisdom
will return as Vaughn for one episode, while Ilza Rosario, who portrayed Beatriz in Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe
, will make one appearance in the series. Other guest stars will or have included The Big Show, Dean Cain
, Charisma Carpenter
, David Dayan Fisher
, James Frain
, J. C. MacKenzie
, Eric Roberts
, and Gavin Rossdale
.
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Burn notice
A burn notice is an official statement issued by one intelligence agency to other agencies. It states that an individual or a group is unreliable for one or more reasons...
premiered on June 23, 2011 on the cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
channel USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
. The season will conclude after its eighteenth episode airs on December 15, 2011.
Season overview
Six months after the arrest of Vaughn and the retrieval of the NOC list, Michael has been working with the CIA to capture, imprison, or execute all of the people that worked for the organization that burned him. With only one high-ranking operative remaining, Michael, his boss Raines (Dylan BakerDylan Baker
Dylan Baker is an American actor, known for playing supporting roles in both major studio and independent films.-Early life:...
), and partner Max (Grant Show
Grant Show
Grant Alan Show is an American actor best known for his role on Melrose Place as Jake Hanson, which he played from 1992 to 1997.-Early life:...
) attempt to extract the final spy, but he commits suicide rather than face the CIA. Having to return to Miami before being reinstated, Michael struggles with civilian life, constantly checking and re-checking inconsistencies in the documents on Management.
In the fourth episode of the season "No Good Deed", Michael and Max work to steal a piece of stolen information and bring it back to the CIA. When Michael shows up to the de-brief, he discovers Max bleeding out on the floor, shot by what is likely the murder weapon beside him. Hearing gunfire, he picks up the weapon and attempts to chase down the murderer, who escapes unidentified. Michael covers his tracks, and the murderer's, before escaping. Michael's suspicions about being framed for the murder are confirmed when Sam discovers a newly opened box of ammunition that matches the murder weapon in the car Michael used to drive to the building. Destroying the weapon, Michael and his team run their own investigation parallel to Agent Pearce (Lauren Stamile), the lead investigator for the CIA.
Tracking them through the imposter used to pose as Michael, they find that an extremely complex bomb was prepared to kill him; the intricacies of the bomb lead them to a Romanian war criminal who created the bomb for an old friend, Tavian Korzha (Andrew Howard
Andrew Howard
-Stage acting:On stage roles included Alex DeLarge in A Clockwork Orange, Peer Gyntin Peer Gynt, Orestes in Electra at theatres, including The Royal National Theatre and TheDonmar Warehouse .-Film acting:...
). Tracking Korzha to his warehouse they catch a glimpse of him but he escapes. Using data from Korzha's computers they locate the source of his funds, which also allows for them to attempt an ambush, which he anticipates and kidnaps Sam, demanding a meet with Michael. While he insists on only that time and place, Jesse's NSA and FBI connections lock down the island for the meet, forcing him to stay. However, Michael, reentering his loft after a CIA extraction mission, encounters Agent Pearce, who has found proof of a Charger leaving the scene of Max's murder, enough proof to convince her that Michael was the killer, arresting him at gunpoint. Sam and Jesse intercept the CIA convoy, convincing Pearce to let Michael meet Korzha. While wearing a wire, Michael gets Korzha to confess to the frame and murder, but Korzha kills himself to avoid further interrogation. Michael is exonerated and debriefed.
Upon his return, Michael is kidnapped by Larry Sizemore (Tim Matheson
Tim Matheson
Tim Matheson is an American actor, director and producer. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the smooth-talking Eric 'Otter' Stratton in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon's Animal House and has had a variety of other well-known roles, including providing the voice of the lead character...
), who has also kidnapped DIA psychiatrist Anson Fullerton (Jere Burns
Jere Burns
Jerald Eugene "Jere" Burns II is an American actor who has appeared in theatre productions and on television and is best known for his role as ladies' man Kirk Morris on the television series, Dear John.-Early life:...
). Using Anson as leverage, Larry forces Michael to help him break into a British consulate and steal information. While Michael's team is able to foil Larry's plot and presumably kill him, the explosives used chain-react with a series of others, inadvertedly making Fiona responsible for two other deaths. Her confession was recorded by Fullerton, who is revealed as the final member of the organization that burned Michael. He claims that the organization was started by him and Management and their intentions were initially simple: get burned spies to carry out questionable missions that would never get through the red tape at intelligence agencies. Fullerton uses the information on Fiona as leverage, forcing Michael to work under the organization once again.
The reason for Anson's intervention is to assign Michael the task of traveling to Puerto Rico to locate a hacker who had developed a software that will help Anson erase any known information the CIA may have on him and his organization.
Cast
Grant ShowGrant Show
Grant Alan Show is an American actor best known for his role on Melrose Place as Jake Hanson, which he played from 1992 to 1997.-Early life:...
appeared as Max, an operative with the CIA, for three episodes. Lauren Stamile appeared in multiple episodes as Kim Pearce, another CIA operative who investigates a murder. Matt Lauria
Matt Lauria
Matthew "Matt" Lauria is an American actor, musician and director. He made his television debut on the NBC comedy 30 Rock in 2007. He is best known for his roles as Luke Cafferty on Friday Night Lights and Caleb Evers on The Chicago Code.-Early life and career:Lauria was born in Alexandria,...
portrayed Ethan, a discharged soldier involved with the CIA, in one episode, with the possibility of recurring. Dylan Baker
Dylan Baker
Dylan Baker is an American actor, known for playing supporting roles in both major studio and independent films.-Early life:...
returned as Raines, the previously unknown man seen in the fourth season
Burn Notice (season 4)
The fourth season of the American television spy drama Burn Notice premiered on June 3, 2010 on the cable television channel USA Network...
finale. Tim Matheson
Tim Matheson
Tim Matheson is an American actor, director and producer. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the smooth-talking Eric 'Otter' Stratton in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon's Animal House and has had a variety of other well-known roles, including providing the voice of the lead character...
and Todd Stashwick
Todd Stashwick
Todd Stashwick is an American film and TV actor. He played the role of Dale Malloy on The Riches until its cancellation. Stashwick actually preempted the official announcement that the show was canceled when he announced the cancellation on his MySpace blog on September 25, 2008...
returned as "Dead" Larry Sizemore and Carmelo (the second biggest heroin dealer in Miami), while Paul Tei returned as Barry Burkowski, Michael's money-launderer. Seth Peterson
Seth Peterson
Seth Peterson is an American actor, best known for his role as Robbie Hansen from 1999 until 2002 on the television series Providence....
appeared as Michael's brother, Nate Westen. Jere Burns
Jere Burns
Jerald Eugene "Jere" Burns II is an American actor who has appeared in theatre productions and on television and is best known for his role as ladies' man Kirk Morris on the television series, Dear John.-Early life:...
will appear in as many as seven episodes as Anson Fullerton, a Defense Intelligence Agency
Defense Intelligence Agency
The Defense Intelligence Agency is a member of the Intelligence Community of the United States, and is the central producer and manager of military intelligence for the United States Department of Defense, employing over 16,500 U.S. military and civilian employees worldwide...
psychiatrist who is compromised and needs the team's help, and proves useful in helping Michael with the unanswered questions regarding his burn notice. Kristanna Loken
Kristanna Loken
Kristanna Sommer Loken is an American actress known for her work in both film and television, and as a fashion model.-Early life:Loken was born in Ghent, New York, the daughter of Rande , a model, and Merlin "Chris" Loken, a writer and apple farmer. All four of her grandparents were born in Norway...
will appear in multiple episodes as Rebecca, a CIA counterintelligence operative. Robert Wisdom
Robert Wisdom
Robert Wisdom is an American actor. He is a graduate of Columbia University.-Biography:Wisdom was born in Washington, D.C. to Jamaican parents. He appeared in four of the five seasons of HBO program The Wire as Howard "Bunny" Colvin...
will return as Vaughn for one episode, while Ilza Rosario, who portrayed Beatriz in Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe
Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe
Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe is a 2011 American television special based on the USA Network television series Burn Notice. It was the first official Burn Notice spin-off, and was directed by Jeffrey Donovan. The show was broadcast in the United States on April 17, 2011, on the U.S. television...
, will make one appearance in the series. Other guest stars will or have included The Big Show, Dean Cain
Dean Cain
Dean Cain is an American actor. He is most widely known for his role as Clark Kent/Superman in the popular American television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.-Early life:...
, Charisma Carpenter
Charisma Carpenter
Charisma Lee Carpenter is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Cordelia Chase in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel, for which she was nominated for four Saturn Awards. In her most recent film she starred opposite Sylvester Stallone and Jason...
, David Dayan Fisher
David Dayan Fisher
David Dayan Fisher is a British actor. He played Michael Sowerby/Raz in The Bill, he has also appeared in The Last Post, National Treasure, NCIS, Robbery Homicide Division, Charmed, 24, Numb3rs, and Stargate Atlantis, playing Baden in the episode, "The Game." He currently plays the recurring...
, James Frain
James Frain
James Dominic Frain is an English stage and screen actor. He is possibly best known for his role in the Showtime series The Tudors in which he appeared as Thomas Cromwell from 2007 to 2009, and for his role as vampire Franklin Mott in season three of the HBO drama True Blood, as well as his role...
, J. C. MacKenzie
J. C. MacKenzie
J. C. MacKenzie is a Canadian actor.MacKenzie saw his first play as a 21-year-old student at Concordia University. After that, he was accepted at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He made his screen debut in the TV-movie Perry Mason Returns, billed as John C. McKenzie...
, Eric Roberts
Eric Roberts
Eric Anthony Roberts is an American actor. His career began with King of the Gypsies , earning a Golden Globe nomination for best actor debut. He starred as the protagonist in the 1980 dramatisation of Willa Cather's 1905 short story, Paul's Case...
, and Gavin Rossdale
Gavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
.
Episodes
In the following table, "U.S. viewers in millions" refers to the number of Americans who viewed the episode on the day of original broadcast.|- style="color:white"
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