The shorter episode length really made its obnoxious presence felt here. Ofdenson's actor was audibly racing through the reams of exposition that were required for this episode. Nathan's lengthy struggles with the word "sorry" formed an inspired gag, but with the limited time available it was a joke that just took up…

It's odd, the things that can take us out of a dramatic moment. I'm not entirely sure why, but something about Christoper, Elena and John Ross repeatedly throwing around the word "e-mail" in tense, drama-filled moments struck my ear wrong. "E-mail" just is not a word that fits snugly into the flow of a dramatic…

It's odd, the things that can take us out of a dramatic moment. I'm not entirely sure why, but something about Christoper, Elena and John Ross repeatedly throwing around the word "e-mail" in tense, drama-filled moments struck my ear wrong. "E-mail" just is not a word that fits snugly into the flow of a dramatic…

Did any other DirecTV subscribers get awakened early in the morning by a recorded phone call from Rose Byrne? She wanted to remind me about the new season. I was not pleased with Rose Byrne.

Did any other DirecTV subscribers get awakened early in the morning by a recorded phone call from Rose Byrne? She wanted to remind me about the new season. I was not pleased with Rose Byrne.

Apparently Tosh told a heckler at one of his shows that it would be hilarious if she was gang raped.

Apparently Tosh told a heckler at one of his shows that it would be hilarious if she was gang raped.

Kristen Bell kind of has to be in this, right?

Kristen Bell kind of has to be in this, right?

I've spent a lot of time wondering how Sorkin could have made the re-election arc more compelling. John Wells and Co. wrote a much better election contest than Sorkin did, which I think is the only thing about the post-Sorkin seasons that is even remotely comparable to the first four years.

I've spent a lot of time wondering how Sorkin could have made the re-election arc more compelling. John Wells and Co. wrote a much better election contest than Sorkin did, which I think is the only thing about the post-Sorkin seasons that is even remotely comparable to the first four years.

I'm impressed with how seriously the show's writers are taking Fiona's prison stint. I mean, it's Burn Notice, so "seriously" still means that Fi is MacGuyvering a welding torch in the joint, so I don't want to overstate this. But considering the number of (far from unjustified) cynical comments after last season's…

I'm impressed with how seriously the show's writers are taking Fiona's prison stint. I mean, it's Burn Notice, so "seriously" still means that Fi is MacGuyvering a welding torch in the joint, so I don't want to overstate this. But considering the number of (far from unjustified) cynical comments after last season's…

"…especially uber-religious Sheree who makes the girls pray before their sushi meal and bucket of tequila."
Nice of Jesus to update his miracles for 2012.

"…especially uber-religious Sheree who makes the girls pray before their sushi meal and bucket of tequila."
Nice of Jesus to update his miracles for 2012.

I wonder if the deranged ex-soldier will come back next week as a way for Mike and Co. to get at Anson. There could be some pretty interesting interrogation scenes that double as therapy sessions, since Anson pretty explicitly says he manipulated Sgt. Schizo into attacking.

I wonder if the deranged ex-soldier will come back next week as a way for Mike and Co. to get at Anson. There could be some pretty interesting interrogation scenes that double as therapy sessions, since Anson pretty explicitly says he manipulated Sgt. Schizo into attacking.

This was about 85 percent of a great episode. I enjoyed "dark" Michael, and the scene where he pulls a gun on Sam was really quite intense. But the last 10 minutes dropped this from an A- episode to something like a B or a B-; Sam miraculously escapes the explosion that was supposed to destroy the facility, Anson…

This was about 85 percent of a great episode. I enjoyed "dark" Michael, and the scene where he pulls a gun on Sam was really quite intense. But the last 10 minutes dropped this from an A- episode to something like a B or a B-; Sam miraculously escapes the explosion that was supposed to destroy the facility, Anson…

I always enjoy Leo's interactions with Jordan. The scene in the Situation Room is pretty damn funny.