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My name is Michael Westen.
I used to be a spy until
We got a burn notice on you.
You're blacklisted.
When you're burned,
you've got nothing
no cash, no credit, no job history.
You're stuck in whatever city
they decide to dump you in.
- Where am I?
- Miami.
You do whatever work comes your way.
You rely on anyone
who's still talking to you.
- A trigger-happy ex-girlfriend.
- Should we shoot them?
An old friend who used
to inform on you to the FBI
You know spies, a bunch of ***
little girls.
- Family, too
- Is that your mom again?
- if you're desperate.
- Someone needs your help.
Bottom line
as long as you're burned,
you're not going anywhere.
There are advantages to training
with someone you're close to.
Knowing each other's moves
makes training more effective.
But being involved
in each other's personal lives
can also make training
a lot more painful.
- Something you want to talk about, Fi?
- Not really.
I know you're not thrilled
about me reaching out
to the intelligence community.
No. I don't have a problem with it.
You want your old job back.
I said I'd be supportive.
Not a problem.
Are you expecting company?
That's like
two days' worth of yogurt.
That is either
a brilliantly disguised bomb,
or somebody knows
the way to your heart.
And they're shy.
They didn't stick around.
A thank-you gift from a client?
Well, that's the most
you've ever been paid for a job.
Pretty soon, you'll be able
to stop bumming money from me.
It's a gift
from your Agency friends, isn't it?
Could be.
Good for you.
Looks like you're getting back in.
Yogurt
Meeting a new operative is a lot
like going on a blind date.
You're bound to be nervous
the first couple of times you do it.
But live through a few,
and you get to be an expert.
You should arrive early,
prepare an exit strategy,
and know you could be in
for an ugly surprise.
I figured you'd run surveillance from
the bistro 'cause of the sight lines,
but you're the spy, right?
This place is better.
Better escape routes,
better iced tea.
- So, Michael, you like the yogurt?
- No, I haven't tried it yet.
I was always taught
"Never take yogurt from strangers".
Well, let's not be strangers, then.
Name's Tom Strickler.
And what is it that you do, Tom?
Match people with opportunities.
It's a bit like an agent.
A man with your skills is extremely
valuable, as I'm sure you're aware,
and I just make sure
all that doesn't go to waste.
You're operating in Miami,
with no resources,
no operational support.
That's no way to live.
It's not safe, for you
or the people you care about.
- And you're the solution to that?
- Yeah. I'm not asking you to change.
You get to keep doing
what comes naturally.
- And what is that?
- Surviving.
You're great at surviving.
Now, you're a man with enemies.
We know that.
But your enemies
have enemies of their own.
People that'll pay to have you
take care of their problems.
Called synergy.
The enemy of your enemy
is your financial opportunity.
- What's in it for you?
- 10%.
I'm putting together
a deal for you now, actually.
I heard a rumor about
an old associate of yours
who's making a move to Miami.
Figure the smart money's
on Michael Westen in that fight.
And you're the smart money.
- Any details on this old associate?
- Still working on that.
Apparently, there's some Ukrainian
who's very upset about an op
you ran in the '90s.
I'll let you know more
as I get the details.
- Sorry. I'm not a killer for hire.
- Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
This might be a killing thing.
It might not.
Let me do my homework,
and we'll discuss.
There's nothing to discuss.
Well, the thing is, this guy's coming
one way or another
You have my number.
We'll talk soon.
Unless the Ukrainian
cuts your tongue out first, right?
So, who's the secret admirer?
Whoever they are,
they have good taste in yogurt.
His name's Strickler.
He says someone I crossed paths with
in the Ukraine is in town,
looking to settle an old score.
And he's here to profit
from any bloodshed.
Charming. Who's the Ukrainian?
Strickler claims not to know,
which is inconvenient,
because there's people from that region
who would like to see me stop breathing.
I know a guy. Goes by Beck.
He might be able to help.
He's made a lot of money for some
very powerful people over there.
If he's Ukrainian,
he'll be able to fill you in.
Based in Miami?
Started as a local gangster
and went big-time.
He hijacks cargo and ships it,
like FedEx with a Kalashnikov set.
He's about as connected as a hustler
who doesn't speak Russian can get.
Think you can get me a meeting?
You don't want me as go-between.
I may have intercepted
a couple of his shipments once.
Sparkly new P90s, Michael.
They deserved a good home.
So I get to walk up to him cold?
Great.
At least you'll get a good coffee.
I know his favorite spot.
Yeah, Sam.
Yeah, Mike, I'm at your mom's.
She got some curtains
from a guy named Tom Strickler.
Is this a business associate
of yours?
Put it this way. You know that broker
that contacted you in Germany in '89?
Yeah, Mueller.
Tried to pay me to "accidentally"
blow up a factory during an operation.
- Bloodsucker.
- I have my own parasite.
Some Ukrainian's in town
looking for me.
If I can get to him
before he does
Strickler cuts you a check, and you're
one step closer to being a mercenary.
- What are you gonna do?
- Run down the Ukrainian
through a contact of Fi's.
Sam, can you
Check out Strickler?
I'm on it.
No one else gave me
a house-rewarming present,
not even the guy
who blew up my house.
Maddy, I thought we were over that.
Forgiveness is a process.
Pick me up some curtain rods,
and maybe.
Fine. Curtain rods.
You got it.
The cold approach is something
you try to avoid in intelligence work.
You want to ease
into a relationship over time.
When that's impossible,
you just have to turn on the charm
and hope for the best.
John Beck, right?
Name is Michael.
I heard that you might be able
to help me with a situation.
- Word is you're a guy with connections.
- That's what they say.
- I just need a little information.
- Why should I give it to you?
I'm a good friend to have.
Let me explain something to you.
I don't have friends. I'm a businessman.
I got rivals. I got associates.
I even got a few enemies.
But friends?
Sorry, that's not how I roll.
I just need help
tracking down a Ukrainian
who might be in town looking for me.
- Sounds like you're in a bind.
- Could be.
- That's what I'm trying to find out.
- Good luck. Not my problem.
A while ago, one of your shipments
of P90s was "diverted".
I can make sure
that kind of thing stops.
See, I don't like people
in my business.
This here friendship
has gotten off to a bad start.
Friendships are about give and take.
You give me the information,
I'll take care of your shipment issues.
How about I give you
one more chance to get out of here
before I shoot you in the face?
That Ukrainian I mentioned
He brought a few extra guys
into town with him. I'd get down.
A flash-*** grenade temporarily
impairs hearing and vision.
I'd get down.
It makes fighting back
or attempting escape
futile and dangerous to civilians.
So if you have to shoot blind,
it's better to use a camera than a gun.
That was a short meeting.
In a hostage situation,
the same things that get you killed
will extend your life.
Look, I don't know
who you guys are, okay?
I got no problem with you, I guarantee
that you don't want no problems from me
or the people that I work with.
So let's cut this thing off
right here.
No harm, no foul. Everybody goes home,
and we just forget all about it.
If you have money,
you'll live till you pay.
If you have information,
you'll live till you talk.
Come on! Look, you got the wrong guy!
I'm not a part of this.
I just met him for the first time
five minutes ago.
What do you think they're gonna do?
Drop you off at Starbucks, give you
a couple of bucks for a cup of coffee?
Shut up. We'll figure it out.
Come on. I'm serious!
You got the wrong guy!
And if you have nothing,
you're pretty much disposable.
Excuse me.
We need to keep this area clear.
Well, you know, I was in here,
and I ran out
when those men showed up.
And my husband, he's still in here.
Go ahead.
Sam, I'm at the caf�
where Michael was meeting Beck.
- What's wrong?
- He's gone. So is Beck.
An extraction team.
Professionals,
from what I'm overhearing.
Jesus. You think Mikey's Ukrainian
made his move already?
Well, he moved quicker
than anyone expected.
Wait a second.
Michael's cell.
He took a picture of the team.
You know what? We gotta find Strickler.
Maybe he can put names to these faces.
- I don't trust that guy.
- Yeah, well, he's all we got.
Plus, it'll give us a chance
to kick his teeth in.
I'm wearing my teeth-kicking heels.
See you in five.
There is something wrong?
Not at all.
Why would you think that?
So why you packing your gun
and your bulletproof vest?
Nothing to worry about.
I just gotta run an errand.
Really?
So tell me about this errand.
After the adrenaline rush
of an operation comes a crash.
Heightened reflexes
and awareness don't last.
Two boring hours of driving later,
even the sharpest killing machine
lets down his guard.
You don't wanna meet
this guy Chechik.
When it's time, get to the back door
and open it.
What are you doing?
Just remember.
Set your jaw.
You traitor! You son of a
Are you thinking of selling me
out to Chechik?
I will kill you!
- You've to head into the trees.
- I got nothing to do with this!
I don't even know him!
What do you want, an apology?
Let's go!
Look, Maddy, how many times do
we have to go over this?
We're doing a little practice thing.
Mike is fine, I swear.
You're gonna hear some swearing
if you don't tell the truth.
Sam, what is taking you so long?
There's Fiona.
She never shows up when there's trouble.
I'm telling you, There's no trouble.
Fi's just here to pick me up for
A movie.
Really?
Well, I'm in the mood for a matinee.
Should I bring a gun?
Don't you patronize me.
I have a right to know what's
happening with my son.
Did I fall apart the last time
you told me what was going on?
Someone took Michael.
- They took him? Where?
- That's what we need to find.
The second you find out anything,
I expect you to call me.
Let me remind you, you're
staying in my guest room.
You call me, or god as my witness,
I will smother you in your sleep.
All right, all right.
We'll call.
Wait, wait.
Stop, right now!
We don't have time for this.
You wanna shoot me?
You'll have the same problem,
just with one less bullet.
Maybe I'll drag your ***
back to that road as a peace offering.
- I deal with Russians.
- You speak the language?
- I got guys for that.
- You better learn fast.
Chechik didn't hire ambassadors.
They're not gonna wait for a translator
before they start shooting.
I'll put a bullet in our head.
That don't require translation.
Listen, Beck, I got you into this.
I will get you out.
- If we head east
- You wanna go deeper into the woods?
We got enough problems without
adding alligators to the list.
You go whatever way you want.
I'm going
I'm going this way.
Beck, save your ammo.
Few days wandering around here starving,
you're gonna want to eat that bullet.
If you wanna survive,
Beck, follow me.
You missed a spot.
You're Michael's friends?
- Where is he?
- Want a mojito?
Don't look so concerned, sweetheart.
Our favorite spy is in a bit of a jam,
and you're hoping I can get him out.
I wish it was that simple.
I was the one telling him
to keep his head down 'till I find out
more about who was after him.
And?
- I've some calls out.
- You've got some calls out?
I suggest you try harder.
No need for theatrics.
I want Michael alive
as much as the next guy.
Unless, of course,
the next guy's Ukrainian.
You know him?
Michael took this picture
before he was snatched.
I know that pretty boy.
His name's Blad
Byrubin, Balubin?
"B" something.
Last time I checked, he's part of a
criminal syndicate run by Pyotr Chechik.
Chechik?
That rings a bell.
Mikey met him back in'97
when he blew up a
Let's just say
that he really hates Mikey.
Where is Chechik?
Well, guys with records like him
don't cross borders too easily.
If he is in Miami,
he didn't fly commercial.
I know some of the pilots that do
the Miami/Eastern Europe route.
Could put out some feelers.
Give me a couple of hours.
I'm not giving you a couple minutes.
I want names now.
When on the run, subtle things
like broken branches, flattened grass,
and disturbed ground can give you
away to an expert tracker.
An inexperienced tracker may
require a more obvious trail.
What is this?
You trying to get us killed?
Followed.
We need to lead them deeper in,
turn their strengths to weaknesses.
Their bulletproof vests ,
their guns will get heavy.
We got to get them farther
Whatever you got planned,
they're far enough .
- Listen.
- You, listen.
I grew up in the Florida backwoods.
I spent my life trying to get out.
I fought my way down to Miami
so I'd never have to swat bugs
in another mangrove swamp,
and now you dragged me back.
I say we make our stand right here.
You want to make a stand?
Can we make the stand over there?
Still think you can take them?
There's five of them.
- I got five rounds.
- That's your plan?
You've a 100% kill rate
It's better than running
around in a swamp!
I ain't too bad with a gun.
I'll teach you .
You fire, they'll get our position.
They'll flank us and pin us down.
We have to separate them.
We got to lead them
little farther in.
- And then we strike?
- And then we strike.
Looks like the guy Strickler said
flew Chechik into the country.
Why anyone would allow him to
pilot a plane is beyond me.
Great. A drunk with a gun.
- This calls for subtlety.
- I can do subtle.
I don't like to.
But I can.
What is a sweet, little girl like you
doing in a big, bad bar like this?
I'm looking for a big,
bad man
Like you.
Come with me or say goodbye
to your two closest friends.
Give me your shoelaces.
I may not be Rambo,
but if you're making a trap
It doesn't have to work.
They'll see it and figure we're close.
They'll fan out, we'll injure them.
- We're injuring them?
- It'll slow them down.
If I have to drag a complaing
pain in the *** through the woods,
- they can, too. Give me your shoelaces.
- You know what.
Maybe it's time we listen to
the guy with a gun for a while.
Fine.
Now give me your shoelaces.
Mr. Smartass.
All right. Let's try this again.
Give me your shoelaces.
Please.
Yeah, Maddy.
You wanted me to call, so I'm calling.
You find Michael?
No, but we found some guy who might
be able to tell us where he is.
We're leaving Hallandale right now.
We're heading over to the loft
to ask him questions.
You bring him here instead.
It's closer than Michael's loft,
and you don't have time to waste.
Fanning out in a search pattern
is a great way to cover a lot of area,
but it also divides your forces.
- Stand back!
- Don't. We need him alive, remember?
You wanna hit him?
Anytime.
Military units are
a lot like marching bands.
Take out the guy conducting
the operation,
and you'll throw everyone
out of sync.
Pretty soon, all you have left
is sound and fury.
We got two guns,
explosives, a serious knife.
We could even the odds real quick.
Not until they call Chechik.
We need to lure him out here.
What?
If we get Chechik, we can end this.
You want more men out here?
When you started out,
who was the biggest hijacker in Miami?
- Cuban guy. Montez.
- How did you take him down?
Well, I paid one of his guys
to let me into his place,
and then I stuck a gun in his mouth
until he decided to move back to LA.
You dealt with the problem at the top.
That's what we're doing.
- If they don't call Chechik?
- They will.
They're in over their heads,
and they know it.
See?
Don't get cocky.
You've been running up frequent-flier
miles with a lot of shady characters.
I wonder what the Feds would think.
I told you, man.
All I do is fly the plane.
I doubt the boys in suits
would see it that way.
Chechik is a bad guy.
War crimes, *** for hire.
Why do you think
I'm keeping my mouth shut?
That guy is more afraid of
Chechik than he is of us.
- We have to squeeze him harder.
- If by "Squeeze", you mean "Choke"
- He can't talk if he can't breathe.
- He can whisper. I've good hearing.
You push him too hard,
he's gonna snap.
And then he's gonna
start making crap up.
Sam Axe wisdom.
How you doing?
You comfortable?
You need anything?
Mind if I sit?
You want a cigarette?
Mind if I do?
I don't mean to bother you.
I need a peace and quiet.
They get loud when they're angry.
Luckily,
this place is well-insulated.
You can't even hear
a peep from outside.
Probably why they like it so much.
I'm sorry. I hope I didn't
give you the wrong impression.
I have never once, ever,
ever seen them make anyone suffer.
If they don't think you'll break,
they end it quick.
You sure you don't want a cigarette?
It's good for the nerves.
It's not like you've to worry
about getting cancer anymore.
I'm sorry.
Did I hurt you?
There you go.
Good, huh?
- I don't micromanage you.
- I'm not micromanaging you, either.
He dropped them off a few hours ago.
A cabin in the middle of the swamp.
There's no address,
but I got the latitude and longitude.
How?
Honey, I've met guys like this before.
They're brave when people are yelling.
So you gonna go get my son,
or do I have to do that, too?
When fighting in the wilderness,
the biggest threats are often
the ones you don't see.
Dehydration,
exhaustion, and nerves.
But boatloads of hostiles
don't help, either.
- There's Chechik.
- Damn!
Is there a Russian word
for "hardass"?
If we can get him into the woods,
we'll have enough cover to separate him.
You sound confident for a guy hiding
in a jungle with a pair of slacks.
We wanted Chechik. There he is.
Yeah, along with more men,
more guns, and damn airboats, man!
We go, we take out Chechik,
and all those guys will come after us.
The men who work for you, if you were
taken out, what would they do?
- Shoot the *** who did it.
- Really? You really think so?
You said you had no friends.
All right, think like a businessman.
How long would they stomp in this swamp
once the guy who cuts their checks
is out of commission?
- How you doing?
- Yeah, how you doing?
What'll it take to rent
one of these babies for a couple hours?
$25 for basic coverage,
$15 for supplemental liability.
Does that cover small-arms fire?
What my friend here is saying is,
we're not big on paperwork.
you guys weren't even here.
Look. We just disappeared.
Thanks.
That's Chechik.
Some things never change.
So, we get him when he goes
into the woods, huh?
- Only he ain't going into the woods.
- We've to get him to move. Point is
No, the point is that you wanted them
to call for backup, and they did.
Now we're outnumbered five to one.
In battle, not even the best-laid plans
survive contact with the enemy.
If you want to survive,
you have to be willing to improvise.
- All right, if you distract his men
- Wait, wait, wait!
Distract a dozen guys with guns?
Forget it! You and me are done!
I'd rather take my chances
with Mr. Hardass.
Beck, stop.
You're gonna get killed.
So, what you gonna do, shoot me?
Give away your position?
Of course, there's such a thing
as too much improvisation.
It's like you said.
I'm a businessman.
I got something they want.
Now it's time to negotiate.
I wanna make a deal!
You want Westen,
I can give you Westen!
Get up.
You think you can reach
that bank underwater?
Guess I have to.
You know, I should have shot you
when you first interrupted my coffee.
Let's not dwell
on missed opportunities.
You know,
I got 25 people on my payroll.
I got people who report to people
who report to people.
And here I am, in the middle of nowhere,
about to die from a damn leg wound!
Well, you're not alone.
The hell I'm not.
- You gonna stick around, watch me die?
- No, we're gonna get through this.
What? What are you, crazy?
You've seen what happens
to people with wounds here.
Look, it doesn't have
to be that way.
But you have to decide.
Are you ready to trust me and figure out
a plan, or do you want to die out here?
Is it really that tough of a call?
Delaying tactics aren't the most
glamorous part of a battle plan,
but they're often
the most important.
Slowing the enemy down buys you time
to prepare the ground ahead of you,
and that, more than almost
anything else, wins battles.
Where is your friend?
I got nothing to say.
Where is Michael?
Why should I tell you?
You're gonna kill me anyway!
Maybe. Maybe not.
You're nobody.
I'm here for Westen.
You tell me where he is,
and I'll give you some water
and bandages for the wound.
You see this?
I swear on the cross,
on the eyes of my children.
All right. Fine.
He went that way.
There's a swamp
where the airboats can't go.
The pilot dropped Chechik
a few miles up.
If Michael's not there,
I hope you brought bug spray.
Right there.
That must be Chechik's airboat.
They got to be close.
For a spy,
there's no shame in retreat.
When faced with
a more powerful enemy,
you're trained to get out of the way
and keep moving.
It's not about running away
or giving up.
The goal of any retreat
is to find the right place
to marshal your resources
and make a stand.
Military history is filled with stories
of small forces taking on larger ones.
Whether it's David fighting Goliath
or the French resistance
fighting the Nazis,
the strategy is basically the same.
You have to choose the right ground,
deploy your resources carefully,
and remember that the greatest weapon
in any battle is surprise.
Give me the radio.
Well, well, Michael.
Here we are again,
after so many years.
You, me, plenty of guns.
I almost forgot
how much I enjoyed the hunt.
You know, I thought after serving
you would have found a new hobby.
want to find you more.
I never get over the one
that got away.
I'm flattered.
You brought a whole army
just to find little old me?
Times change.
An army that big,
I got to fold my laundry.
I work for Fedor Markov now.
Markov?
You know,
I liked you KGB officers better
before you sold out.
At least you believed in something.
You should be happy, Michael.
We all live American dream,
dream spies like you helped make.
Open borders, free markets.
Everyone's friends.
Look at me.
Ukrainian with Russian team,
German weapons,
funding from the West.
So many backgrounds, so many people
working together just to drag
every secret out of
Michael Westen's head
before we cut it off
and feed it to the dogs.
But enough talk.
As much as I'd like to catch up,
you should have turned
your radio off.
You should stick to hunting things
that don't fight back.
Get your men to drop their guns,
do it now.
All right.
Nothing you have
to worry about anymore.
Get up.
- Thanks, man.
- Easy-peasy, huh?
I expect some serious memory loss.
You understand?
You think this is over?
Shevchenkos look out for their own.
Markov will find you.
Don't you know it's rude
to drop names?
Yeah, stupid, too.
Especially when a nobody like me
can drop bigger ones.
All those KGB colonels
in the Russian mafia?
Well, they work for
an old KGB general
who happens to be
a business associate of mine.
I don't want to name names,
but he can controls about 800 miles
of the Siberian oil pipeline.
Yeah, I do all
their import/export work.
You nearly cost them a lot of money.
I'm gonna have to give them a call,
see how they feel about that.
I give you $50,000,
and I swear you'll never see me again.
- I know I won't.
- Get this fool out of here.
Stop. $100,000.
Don't be stupid! Come on!
There's not enough money
in the world.
Next time you get kidnapped,
can you stay out of the Everglades?
There ain't gonna be no next time,
at least not for these boys.
And you still owe me a shipment of P90s.
Don't think I forgot.
I'll make sure they get to you.
You know, one day, we're gonna look back
on this as a nice day out in nature.
Yeah, don't push it.
I'll just say this.
You said you were
a good friend to have.
Could do worse.
What brings you two
out to this neck of the woods?
Well, you know,
it's such a sunny day.
I thought you might need these.
I'm beginning to think I should get you
one of those harness things.
You know,
like they have for toddlers.
You've been wandering off
a little too much these days.
It's nothing I can't handle, mom.
No, see, you don't get
to act that casual
when I'm interrogating strange men
in my garage to save your life.
I'm sorry about that, mom.
Whatever.
Getting answers out of him was a lot
easier than getting them out of you.
Be careful.
Do you like my new curtains?
You hung your curtains by yourself?
Actually, no. Some very nice people
came over and did it.
They were sent over
by your friend Strickler.
Wonderful.
Try not to wrinkle them
when you're sweeping them for bugs.
No gift basket?
So nice to have you back in town.
No, no gift basket.
I got you something better.
Your share of the Ukrainian deal.
Turns out a group of Baltic separatists
wanted Chechik out of the picture
just as much as you did.
Some quick negotiating
on my part, and, voila,
your day-trip to the swamp
paid for itself.
I didn't fight off Chechik
for the cash.
I know. You did it for you.
This is just a wonderful by-product.
This is just the beginning.
I can get you whatever you want.
Let me save you some time.
I'm never gonna work with you.
Not for the money, not for the yogurt,
for the curtains.
I'm not a mercenary.
But you gotta ask yourself this.
What is it that you want?
What is it that you deserve?
A man with your skills,
with your background,
burned, out in the cold,
with nothing?
Don't answer right now.
Think about it.
I'll be around.