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Recap / Burn Notice S 4 E 18 Last Stand

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On the run from Vaughn, Michael and Fi end up trapped in an under-construction hotel with a badly injured Jesse. Sam and Madeline go to Congressman Cowley in a last ditch effort to try and save the day.


  • Badass Boast: Vaughn gives Michael a clear threat.
    Vaughn: I gave you a chance to be my friend. Now you're going to see what it's like to have me as an enemy. And so will your friends and your family.
  • The Bus Came Back: Congressman Cowley returns. His position on the House Intelligence Committee and the fact that it would give him an eminent position in US Intelligence make him an ideal candidate for the guy to receive the list.
  • Call-Back: Sam makes his case to Cowley by referencing John Barrett's death and the legal fallout. He specifically cites details that were only known to investigators and committee members like Cowley.
  • The Cavalry: Just as Mike and Fi are about to go out in a Bolivian Army Ending, Sam shows up with a lot of law enforcement.
  • Choke Holds: Mike pulls out a blood choke on the mook on the roof to end the fight so he can access the emergency broadcast system.
  • Dented Iron: Jesse spends the episode limping on a broken, impaled leg.
  • Heroic Sacrifice: Michael's last ditch plan is to run to an out-building with an explosive to draw Vaughn's fire and create an opening for Fi and Jesse to get away with the list. Then Fi join's him.
  • Hold the Line: The others fend off Vaughn's men in the hopes that Sam will eventually be able to secure help. The Cavalry shows up mere moments before Michael and Fiona were about to resort to blowing themselves and everyone around them up.
  • Hope Spot: After all Michael did to get the police to show up, they quickly turn back around. Vaughn reports one of the names on the list is a Homeland Security official with enough pull to pass off the whole scene as a mere training exercise.
  • I Have Your Wife: Vaughn's men pick up Maddy as she's driving south out of Miami.
  • Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy: Michael runs across an open courtyard with a large number of men firing on him. Somewhat justified in that it's not perfectly open, he's not running in a perfectly straight line, and they're under fire from Fi and Jesse.
  • No, You: Cowley tries to insult Sam, Sam turns it around.
    Cowley: So this is your plan? To run away along the seawall?
    Sam: Well, since this is a result of you calling your friends, I'd say this is your plan.
  • Oh, Crap!: After the intro and set-up, the first act turns into a cavalcade of Oh, Crap! as Vaughn's men show up out of nowhere, chase Mike, Fi, and Jesse into a dead end, and Jesse winds up with a broken leg after meeting a bad batch of rebar when they crash into the construction site.
    • Cowley gets a much smaller one when he turns around at a fundraiser and finds himself face to face with Madeline.
    • One of Vaughn's men has this reaction when a smoke bomb suddenly lands in their midst. The Cavalry has arrived.
  • Race Against the Clock: As bad as being pinned down in the hotel by superior numbers is, Vaughn reminds Team Westen that it will be dark in a matter of hours. Michael prioritizes finding a way to escape before it gets even harder to fend off better armed and equipped attackers.
  • Reasonable Authority Figure: Cowley's a self-serving asshole, but he's a smart self-serving asshole.
  • Spiteful Spit: Maddy's response to Vaughn promising to personally kill Michael.
  • Talk to the Fist: As Vaughn orders The Cavalry to back off, Sam decks him. He then takes aim with a gun and dares Vaughn to try talking again.
  • Wham Line: "Michael, welcome back."
  • Wham Shot: Following the wham line, a pan to show that they're standing in DC, just down the street from the capitol building.

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