Sometimes it's hard to remember that the point of Michael Westen's time in Miami is supposed to be finding out who burned him from the spy business. Lately, the "A-Team" storylines seem to be sucking the life from the episodes--  particularly this one.

When Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) found himself dumped in Miami at the beginning of the series last year, there were fairly substantial clues and movement in the episodes as the Burn storyline moved forward. He was able to make connections and narrow, winnow and nail several important folk to gain information.

But once he found Carla (Tricia Helfer) this season, the action as far as his personal answers are concerned has dwindled to an unsatisfying trickle, and there will now be a three-week wait while the U.S. Open unfolds, then two final episodes for the season. What does he have to show?  Not much, yet.

This week's charitable deed was--a charitable deed. A group that fundraises to buy medicines for treatment of third-world countries  has lost a $1 million shipment to thieves. Sam (Bruce Campbell) enlists Michael's help to recover the drugs, and Mike learns to his dismay that the go-between is Virgil Watkins (Chris Ellis), a previous client in last season's "Unpaid Debts." Mike is all for helping the charity out, but warns Virgil against hooking up once again with Mike's mother Madeline (Sharon Gless), as he nearly got her killed last time they were together.

Sam, Virgil and Michael cook up a plot to force the drug thief, a man named Gerard, to reveal where he's hidden the stolen cache. Sam sets himself up as the buyer, and arranges to get Michael on the inside, his cover a milquetoast chemist protecting his "own" stash of illegal medication.

The plan falls together almost too easily, complete with the obligatory massive explosion and gunfire, and all is restored to save the world's children. The one useful tip Michael shares is how to get police to your house quickly in the event you need them; first you call them for several smaller crimes in the neighborhood, so they'll be nearby. Then your real call will have them practically on the doorstep.

Meantime, the anemic trail of the Burn information continued faintly as Michael tracked information on the Dragonov rifle uncovered last week through a contact of Fiona's, nearly getting both Michael and Fiona killed, just to get an unfamiliar name as a potential link to the gun. A clue, perhaps, but no great shakes. 

It would be nice, just one of these episodes, to revive interest in the original story by making it the main focus, and leaving the rescue/charity bit as the throwaway. Obviously, past practice has shown that once the "answers" are revealed, many of these shows that depend on reeling the audience into the mystery lose their forward momentum and edge; The 4400 and Twin Peaks come to mind right off the top. But surely we can hope for a more meaty share of the episode time in future, before people's attention fades like a Miami vacation tan.