So, at the end of the episode Carla leaves a puzzle for Michael to figure out in the crossword puzzle Sam helped her with. I don't know if the directors/producers/writers/etc. made the puzzle shown in the episode actually make any sense, but I thought I'd try to figure it out before the next episode comes out. Who else is interested? I took some screenshots. I'll post them below:

Well, yes, that much is obvious. That's not really what I'm trying to figure out here, though; I'm just having a bit of fun trying to figure out a few details about the next episode from the crossword puzzle.

Hey, think it's a cool concept....maybe i'll merge it into a fan fic (still trying to get the thespianic spy juices flowing ), but I think the main message for the show was just her writing the stuff on the top...or they would have put it up for more time on the screen....he just got his full portfolio on all the stuff he (allegedly) did, but we just get to see a touch of that....i think it's just the basic importance....not so detailed


John 3:16 ROCKS (as does Sam of course )

KA23

Personally, I think whoever was in charge of deciding what was going to be written on the crossword decided to write rather insignificant things as this isn't a show where the fans are expected to analyze and predict with as much detail as I'm attempting to do. I believe that's also why the crossword we only got an extremely brief, blurry glimpse of it. I hope they keep it that way, cause I really don't have time to analyze the show in so much detail every episode. I was just bored when I came up with this idea. Despite all that, I do believe it was supposed to be implied that the crossword puzzle was a coded message for Michael. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the preview for the next episode showed him solving the code.

What are you referring to when you say "his full portfolio?" Do you mean his burn notice dossier? He got that quite a long time ago from Agent Blyhe (I'm sure I misspelled his name.). Or did he get something new in the season premiere that I've forgotten about?

As for the crossword puzzle, my best guess is it's a message containing information on a meeting with Carla and/or her associates, or info on another assignment for him. Basically, I think it's another hoop for him to jump through.

Not sure if the crossword puzzle holds any hidden clues to Michael's next job, but as far as Sam's "help" goes, he told Carla he was pretty sure 4-across was "beets." It was "agee."

Hmmm....
"XMAS" could refer to the first time Michael found himself in Miama.
"SUSHI" might be a reference to Michael an Fiona's dinner in the pilot (aka "shall we shoot them?")
"FALL" could be referring to Michael's fall from his spy status and his frozen assets since becoming burned
"EPA" could stand for 'Environmental Protection Agency' (at least, that's what I got when googling it)
"TSP" could stand for Thrift Saving Plan, which has a corresponding .gov website

Oh yes!

Another example of how spys communicate with eachother. I wonder if they're going to continue to show the many different examples of communication techniques used. If the series continues on the way it's going, I wouldn't be surprised if certain governmental influences try to put a BN on BN. I have a strange feeling part of governmental influences have already been informed of the situation and have placed certain pressure in different areas. It's a just a matter of time before certain secrecy act issues are going to come into play by a nation that regulates the distribution and viewing of BN.

Wow. Thats really interesting...You really think they will be stopped, from airing the info they want? I've always found that side of the show very informative and a huge attraction for viewers. I hope they dont get a lock-down. Thanks for the info/point of view -are you in the field? Peace.

A good spy is able to put himself into the mind of his opponent. Carla did not plan to leave a newspaper with a coded message at the bar.
At least not at first. She was reading the paper in her office, glanced at the crossword, and a clue in the crossword fired her imagination.

Michael knew she had him under 24/7 surveillance. But he was not perceptive enough to spot her. We've seen him spot tails before.
He let his guard down, and she slipped by under his radar. Not good.

It is not what she wrote in the blanks that will be the clue. It is the blank she did not fill in. The clue to that blank is the clue to Michael's mission.

This woman likes games. Puzzles. Irony. She went to great lengths to piss Michael off to make him mission ready.
Even though he is always mission ready. I think she wants to use him to destroy one of her enemies who only Michael can get to.
She had her own operatives shot just to prove how serious she is.

Then again, she is just a pawn in someone else's game. Maybe she will use Michael to destroy her Boss and move up the food chain.
Maybe she will target a foreign threat. Maybe she will dangle him to someone who wants him dead. Bait for a trap.

All we know for sure is that she is not interested in establishing trust.

Remember the First Rule of Being a Spy... Or is it the Second Rule? Then again, it could be the Third. Or even the Fourth. Whatever...
Watch your back.

According to what I know regarding media controls about nations, the answer is:

"Yes they can control what is viewed and shown to the public."

The government of a nation can restrict and alter what is shown to the public, if the government has enough evidence to indicate the information may violate governmental secrets. There are some governments with secrecy acts that do prevent, restrict, and limit amounts of information that may be determined to be influencial towards governmental operations. Since 9/11, and before 9/11, certain groups that were/are non-governmental and some that are/were governmental discussed these issues without public knowledge. It was those discussions that had created alot of the sensorship rules of today.

There are tricks that are used in the industry to attempt to alter the success of broadcasts. From the edit of broadcasts, the timing of commericals or cut-offs, to the changes in broadcast schedules, to the cutting of actual film footage, the goal and objective are the same - control over what's disclosed to ensure the information isn't known publically. The lesser the amount of people that know how to do something, is the lower the risk of someone actually doing what's learned.

Answering your question regarding, "in the field," I can only answer by saying that answer was determined in "speculation."

yeah, from the promo, it looks like there are small squares cut out of the newspaper on the page just before the crossword puzzle page. (so that only certain letters in the puzzle show through.)

not as tricky as i had imagined.

"Agee" is actually 12 Across...There is no 4 across...HMMMMM...4 down is Seance.

You're right. My bad.

Still, no "beets."

Okay, seriously... Has anyone here used "beets" as an answer to a crossword, up, down, or whatever?

Beets Me.....!


(sorry, couldn't help myself!!!! )


KA23

..did anyone else catch 9D 'admonish?' I wonder if it may have any relevance towards future episodes, Michael being chastised or punished for somethng yet to be determined...

...I'm thinking Veronica (Sam's honey) will be Carla's boss. Call me crazy, but hey it could happen, her intro was just to coincidental & what a great cover.
I'm such a Scorpio sometimes, suspicious of everything.

I stand...or at least sit....corrected....good call....do you work on the show or something


KA23