Ep 5. Scatter Point

In the fifth episode of the second season of Burn Notice, titled "Scatter Point," Michael Weston (played by Jeffrey Donovan) finds himself reluctantly working with a dangerous arms dealer in order to recover a stolen high-tech weapon.

The episode opens with Michael and his team, including ex-girlfriend Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) and friend/former Navy SEAL Sam (Bruce Campbell), intercepting a risky weapons deal at a marina. The buyer, a wealthy man named Harvey Gunderson (played by Richard Kind), turns out to be a bit of a wildcard and ends up stealing the weapon himself before making a run for it.

Michael is unimpressed by the situation, but is soon contacted by Simon (Garret Dillahunt), an old acquaintance who also happens to be a notorious arms dealer. Simon reveals that the weapon is a highly advanced laser targeting system known as the Scatter Point, which he had previously sold to Gunderson.

Simon needs the Scatter Point back in his possession quickly because it contains incredibly sensitive information about his other clients. To make matters worse, the Scatter Point has a built-in tracking device that Simon can use to find it, which means he has leverage over Michael whether he likes it or not.

After tracking Gunderson down to his heavily fortified mansion, Michael and Fiona pose as a married couple and attempt to infiltrate the property. Meanwhile, Sam sets up an elaborate diversion to distract the mansion's guards. The plan seems to be working until they discover that the weapon has already been sold to a group of militants in South America.

With Simon growing increasingly impatient and trigger-happy, Michael and his team must race against time to recover the Scatter Point from dangerous enemies with access to some of the world's most advanced weaponry.

"Scatter Point" is a classic example of the kind of high-stakes, action-packed adventure that Burn Notice is known for. It delivers on all fronts, with thrilling shootouts, tense moments of espionage, and unexpected twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the very end.

The relationship between Michael and Simon is especially fascinating, as it highlights Michael's moral code and the lengths he's willing to go in order to protect innocent lives - even when working alongside someone as ruthless as Simon.

Overall, "Scatter Point" is a standout episode of Burn Notice that showcases the series' ability to blend exciting storytelling with complex character development and deeper themes about loyalty, trust, and the price of doing whatever it takes to get the job done.