'Burn Notice' recap: Carla vs Fiona?

So where was the truck headed? Some mysterious high-security outpost in Mexico? A well-hidden Colorado bunker? South Dakota? Hollywood for a “let’s go to L.A.” episode (must every show have one of these?) And who was the smoky-voiced woman (codename: Carla) who called him on the phone and claimed to be his new boss? Was she a goodie or a baddie? A hottie or a nottie?

Well, if you’d been following the behind-the-scenes of the show at all, you already knew that Carla (who appeared at the end of last night’s episode, taunting Sam with a crossword puzzle), would turn out to be Battlestar Galactica’s super-hot (if you love 'em tall and blonde) Tricia Helfer (pictured, left). But if you’re like me, and you’ve been avoiding Burn Notice spoilers like trans fats, then you’re wondering if she’s just here to be Michael’s new handler (ala Charlie’s Angel’s John Bosley sans lisp) or if she’s a potential love interest for our favorite covert agent.   

More 'Burn Notice' after the jump...

I, for one, am hoping for the former. I’m a Fiona fan through and through. I love Gabrielle Anwar (pictured, right), and I can’t believe Michael wouldn’t want Fi (and that awesome snow globe collection) in his loft fulltime. Sure, she could do to eat a steak or two (does she disappear when she turns sideways, or is it just me?). But who wouldn’t want a girl so loyal?  She jumped off a bridge while on one of their missions, for Pete’s sake. I just couldn’t stand to see her get her heart broken (she said last night that she’s through with Mike, but I don’t buy it): Season one's Lucy Lawless episode, when Michael almost fell for the Warrior Princess, almost killed me. I also like that Michael has no time for nookie. It makes me, and maybe some of you, feel not so pathetic. 

Otherwise, I’m game for Mike and Carla to play cat and mouse for a few episodes. And I’m glad that he never really made it out of Florida. This show needs Miami. The truck dropped him off at an airstrip in the northeastern part of the state, where he met up with a kidnapped computer tech Carla wanted him to help hack into a “security company” back home. “Security company” being code for group of mercenaries who help warlords torch poor African villages looking for diamonds. Considering how nefarious that sounds, I’m betting that Carla — despite her witchy woman ways — is on our side and that she’s using Mike to make the world a better place, not a worse one. More proof: If you read between the lines of what Bruce Campbell says in this interview with my colleague Dalton Ross, you’ll realize that there will be fewer “jobs” this year. So what else could they be doing? That said, I don’t think Carla’s the head honcho of the burn crew either — so make room for more guest stars.

My only two beefs with yesterday’s show: I can’t look at Patrick Fischler, the actor who played Jimmy, without thinking about his creepy role in David Lynch’s Mullholland Dr. and I missed Mike’s brother Nate a bit. He added an interesting dynamic to the group because he wanted so badly to be a good sibling, despite resenting Mike over their various daddy issues. I also started to sense some sort of romantic thing going on between Fiona and Sam that just made me plain uncomfortable. Sure they’re hot, but get Sam’s lady friend Veronica back soon. That said, Jeffrey Donovan was tops as always. During Burn Notice’s hiatus, I’d been re-upping on his old USA series Touching Evil (produced by Bruce Willis and one of my Mom’s favorites). I wanted to hate this show for being an unnecessary remake of a Brit TV great — but he just totally made it. You can start watching it on Youtube here.

Now, what did you guys think? Carla or Fiona? Should Nate come back or stay in Fort Lauderdale? A good start to a great show or a ho-hum episode? And most of all, what plans do you think Carla and co. have for Mike?