Episode Report Card Sobell: A- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Safe and Sound
By Sobell | Season 4 | Episode 5 | Aired on 09.22.2008
And then, of course, the card is completely copied and Michael is holding the safe shut so that no hole in its back is perceived. Oren hands over the card, and General Von Baldy issues the edict that all card-holders must keep their cards on them at all times. Oh, this'll make the next few card-related capers especially fun to execute. Anyway, the boys do a quick clean-up, passing Don Self right as he's being ribbed for eating tempeh, and then they're out to the van, quick as you please. Don Self peels out once the last guy's in the van. He doesn't even bother to check and see if anyone's buckled their seat belt. That's not very secure, Don!
Michael unwinds from the Treasury department visit by getting a little dockside quality time with his girlfriend. She's just filled him in on the dire situation in Laos. Dr. Sara explains, "Apparently, billions in counterfeit currency flooded the economy, which is what caused it all. What I don't understand is why? I mean, so far, all the cardholders have been experts in their field -- in energy, logistics, in finance ... it looks like they're just trying to tear the country down." "So they can profit by rebuilding it," Michael says. Why, that's crazy talk! You can't make money off of offering to fix something you broke -- oh. Dr. Sara figures this is just a prelude to something bigger and nastier. She then pauses and says, "I was at a bar earlier." That gets Michael's attention. She adds hastily, "Nothing happened. I didn't drink." Michael says, "If this is too much for you, say the word and we'll scrap the whole thing." Dr. Sara thinks that's a sweet offer, but really, she's fine: "It's not going to happen again. But really, it would be a lie not to tell you. I want you to know that I'll never lie to you." We cut to Michael processing this -- what, was he hoping for a "you can lie" clause in their relationship? -- and Dr. Sara finishes with an apology. Michael just kisses her.
T-Bag is still ruminating over the 14-runged ladder when Tricia interrupts him. "Someone's here for you," she says coolly. It would appear young Tricia loses respect for you the moment she realizes she can blackmail you. In walks our stabby Asian friend from the previous episode. T-Bag extends his hand as Cole Pfeiffer, but Mac the Knife leaves him hanging. We get a nice shot of the trepidation in T-Bag's eyes; I am amused that this guy can survive anything up to and including amputation, life on the lam, Sona, and whatever exotic viruses are currently coursing through his system courtesy of Sister Mary Hooker, but corporate America just might do him in. T-Bag asks, "Is your name Xing?" He pronounces it "Zing." Mac the Knife answers, "Mr. Xing stayed behind in New York." Heh. Also, he pronounces it with a more sibilant sound, almost "shzing." T-Bag invites Mac the Knife to sit down; he regrets extending the invite when Mac whips out his firearm. Mac the Knife gets to the point immediately: "You were supposed to deliver the item two days ago. Where is it?" If T-Bag was ruing his decision to impersonate Cole before, he's really regretting it now, especially when Mac the Knife continues, "My patience is wearing thin ... if you deliver [Scylla] to me by the end of the day, I will pay you the sum we agreed upon. Get it to me tomorrow, and you will receive 50% of your fee. Two days, 25%. Three days, I shoot you through the brain." T-Bag gulps, "No problem." He doesn't dare stand to see Mac the Knife out, probably because his pants need to be changed.