Burn Notice (TV Series)

A Dark Road (2010)

Jeffrey Donovan: Michael Westen

Photos 

Quotes 

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  Getting information out of hotels requires a delicate touch. One whiff that you're snooping and you'll just hear a lot of, "We can't give out that information." You need to get them on your side, convince them that you're someone who needs customer service.

  Michael Westen : [to desk clerk]  Excuse me. I'm wondering if you could help me. A... friend of mine was staying at the hotel and, uh, we were supposed to hook up.

  Hotel Desk Clerk : Mr. Westen? We've been expecting you.

  [Hotel Desk Clerk, nametagged Janet, hands Michael a hotel envelope with his name written on it] 

  Michael Westen : [narrative]  Of course, when the hotel clerk turns out to be expecting you, that makes things a little easier.

  Michael Westen : Left it... for me? You sure?

  Hotel Desk Clerk : Yes. He had the bellman drop it off. He said you would be 6'1", exquisitely dressed, with impeccable posture.

  [Michael opens the envelope, which was not sealed, and pulls out a hotel memo pad page with "Room 302" written on it] 

  Michael Westen : Huh.

  [Fade to third floor hallway, Michael approaching room 302] 

  Michael Westen : [narrative]  In the world of espionage, there are a lot of ways to introduce yourself: you can use official channels; you can use a cover I.D.; you can use encrypted communication. Whatever the method, that first contact tells you a lot about a person.

  [as Michael reaches the open door to Room 302, flames suddenly burst up throughout the room] 

  Michael Westen : [narrative]  Especially when someone introduces himself by firebombing a hotel room.

  [title card, "Metal Gear" alert sting] 

• [first lines] 

  Fiona Glenanne : OWWW!

  Michael Westen : Hold still. I'm almost done.

  [close on bullet wound being restitched] 

  Fiona Glenanne : You're doing this on purpose!

  Michael Westen : I'm not the one who tore your stitches out second week in a row. Now *stop moving* or you're going to do some serious damage.

  Fiona Glenanne : I will "do some serious damage" to you when this is over, I promise you that, Michael Westen. You have the sewing skills of an orangutan!

  Michael Westen : [finished]  There. Now you can kill me if you want to.

  Fiona Glenanne : [softly]  God, I want to.

  [Fiona tries to punch Michael with her good arm, but he catches it] 

  Michael Westen : Oh, oh, yes, you should rest. There you go.

  Fiona Glenanne : Ugh. You're lucky that. these sedatives...

  Fiona Glenanne : [while yawning]  are kicking in 'cause...

  Fiona Glenanne : ...I will kill you.

  Michael Westen : I'll be here.

  Michael Westen : [narrative]  Doing your own field medicine has its advantages: no conversations with the police, the food's better, and relationship between patient and caregiver is very close.

  [Fiona winces as Michael fixes her bandage, so she punches again, and connects] 

  Fiona Glenanne : Ooh.

  Michael Westen : [narrative]  Of course, that last one can be a disadvantage as well.

  Fiona Glenanne : Gotcha.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  The day that the cell phone call log was invented should be celebrated as a national holiday for spies. Even a cautious cell phone user who uses dial-back systems or switches phones often leaves behind a lot of information you can use.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  Human intelligence can often be collected with a cover identity. There are times, though, when a cover ID has more to do with who you *are* than how you *act*.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  Working an intelligence asset is part acting, part strategy. Some people don't have the talent... and some people do.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  Precision driving is part of the standard training for an operative. It's mainly used when pursuing or being pursued. But, on occasion, it's a great way to make an impression.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  Criminals deal with a shortage of skilled labor just like all businesses do. They can't give too much information to new hires, of course, but they also can't pass up real talent.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  Family businesses are tough, and they're even tougher for criminals. Mix normal family issues with cash, violence, and the danger of getting arrested, and things get tense.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  Anybody who works around acetylene knows to be extra careful. It's one of the hottest burning, most explosive gasses in existence.

  Michael Westen : [in character]  They ain't gonna shoot, not while we're near these tanks, because if they do, there'll be little pieces of biker rainin' all around here! Ten grand now!

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  For a covert operative, there's often a fine line between hunter and hunted. Letting someone hunt you is just another way of finding out more about them.

  Sam Axe : The cell phone signal's coming from out here.

  Michael Westen : [narrative]  Of course, there's also a fine line between following up intelligence and walking into a trap.

  Sam Axe : Doesn't get more exposed than this, does it. Sure you want to do this?

  Michael Westen : Yeah, I'm sure. Stay here. Cover me as... best as you can.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  The best place for a bug is on something people keep with them. Many car remotes these days have enough space inside to hide a small bug, not to mention a battery to power the transmitter.

  Fiona Glenanne : [after installing the bug, tests it]  Sam, can you hear me?

  [Sam, across the street, gives a thumbs up] 

  Michael Westen : [narrative]  It's a quick, efficient, low-risk operation that costs as much as you care to tip the valet.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  When you work under a cover, whether you're a cop, a DEA agent, or a spy, you're getting into business with the bad guys. Your job is to stay in control of that business. The problem is, criminals are unpredictable. Sometimes they take your ideas and resources, and hurt innocent people. It's every undercover agent's worst nightmare, which is why you do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  Boxing in a large vehicle and forcing it into crash takes a coordinated group effort. It's a little like flying planes in formation if one of the planes is trying to get away: very difficult and very, very dangerous. The good news is, when a plan requires clockwork timing and precise movement, it doesn't take much to ruin that precision. Do it right, and you can avoid sending anybody to the morgue. You may bruise a few egos, though.

• Madeline Westen : You can't be serious.

  Michael Westen : Mom, I wish there was some other way.

  Madeline Westen : She's my friend, Michael! You're asking me to go back to my friend, a woman I tried on *bathing suits* with for God's sake, a- an- and *blackmail* her into giving you documents?

  Michael Westen : I told you there was a reason not to get too close.

  Madeline Westen : Why? So I wouldn't feel bad when I destroy a life?

  Michael Westen : Mom, these are bad guys! They're using desperate people!

  Madeline Westen : Don't you talk to me about *using* people! You're asking me to force Tina in- to sneak into the records office; she's gonna lose her job!

  Michael Westen : And if she doesn't people will lose their lives!

  [Madeline tries to light a cigarette] 

  Michael Westen : It's one job. I know it's not easy, but if you do the math, Mom...

  Madeline Westen : That's what this is? "The math"?

  Michael Westen : Sometimes, yeah.

  Madeline Westen : Is this what you do, Michael? You destroy good people?

  Michael Westen : My job is to help people. And that can mean doing things that I wish I didn't have to do. And sometimes there's no other way. Now, you lived in the same house I did. You made hard choices, so you know this as well as I do.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  When you're blackmailing someone, you have to be cruel to be kind. Show any sympathy for your target and you only make it worse. You have to be the bad guy, let them feel like they have no choice. It's easier that way... Easier for them, anyway.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  A push bar is a hardened steel frame attached to the front of a car. It's usually used by cops, but it's useful for anyone who's planning on being in a high-speed collision.

• Michael Westen : [narrative]  There's a tunnel vision that people develop in a fight. They focus on their enemy, oblivious to everything else. The angrier they get, the more intense their focus. There comes a point where the adrenaline is so intense, you could land a jet behind them and they wouldn't notice.

• [last lines] 

  [Michael parks the Charger inside the gates at his place. Sam Axe is sitting on the steps. Michael gets out, read's Sam's face] 

  Michael Westen : What's wrong, Sam?

  Sam Axe : Well, I've been doin' some research, tryin' ta connect the dots to find our killer, you know? So, there was the hotel thing, right? Then I followed up your hunch about that stadium shooting in South America. Six police officials shot in a soccer stadium, six shots at the marine stadium.

  Michael Westen : No one claimed credit for either incident, though.

  Sam Axe : Right. Thing is, you were off in Bosnia when they did the follow-up, and both times there was a lot of talk about the same guy: Mason Gilroy.

  Michael Westen : [nods]  I've heard the name. Are you sure?

  Sam Axe : Yep. There was some cologne on that note you got at the hotel. Stuff was called Monaco Silver. Last sighting of Gilroy...?

  Michael Westen : Monaco.

  Sam Axe : What a coincidence! So I came here to tell ya...

  Sam Axe : [takes out a cell phone]  ... and I found this by the gate. He knows where you live, Mike.

  Michael Westen : [takes phone]  And he didn't kill me yet.

  [Michael redials the last number called. It rings once, then picks up] 

  Michael Westen : [into phone]  Gilroy.

  Mason Gilroy : [over phone]  You've figured out my name. Good for you. I knew you were a clever boy.

  Michael Westen : Are we *done* *playing*.

  Sam Axe : That is the question, isn't it. I noticed you didn't sound the alarm with the authorities, which I think is a promising sign. I think... perhaps we should meet.

  Michael Westen : Just give me a time and a place.