Michael and Operations relationship is based on a mutual respect for each other capabilities. However, Operations is very ambivalent in his dealings with Michael. On one hand, he is Michael's mentor - keeping Michael in the loop, trusting his judgment. On the other, he treats him as incompetent if he fails to deliver what Operations wants or if Operations suspects him of covering for someone (namely Nikita).
Over the past year, Operations' actions (authorizing Michael's death to save Madeline, questioning his ability to crush Nikita's spirit, his threat to report Michael's questionable judgement when faced with running Section alone, removing Michael as Nikita's mentor) has deteriorated his relationship with Michael.
Although Michael is one of the front runners to replace Operations, he can no longer trust Operations. Michael has now started to subtly challenge Operations (as seen in his threat to reply to Operations report on how he ran Section during Operations and Madeline's absence).
With the removal of Nikita from his mentorship, his unawareness of her role in Adrian's takedown, and his betrayal of Nikita, may have forced Michael into a path that he is not ready to take - forcefully taking over.
The relationship between Michael and Madeline is one of many levels. Michael has been in Section One for fourteen years--since he was twenty. When he was recruited to Section One, he was young, passionate, and idealistic. His intelligence and other potentials were carefully noted and followed by Madeline through his training with Jurgen.
It is common knowledge that Madeline also had a part in developing Michael's skills as a "seducer of beautiful women." Only Michael, Madeline and Operations know exactly how far Madeline's training went. It has been shown from surveillance tapes that Michael changed from being outwardly emotional and passionate recruit to the closed, seemingly unemotional operative we see before us now. It is known that this change took place in the last six months of his two years training, and that Madeline was extremely involved with his training during that time.
It is still obvious to this day that:
1) Michael appears somewhat uncomfortable in Madeline's
presence, as
evidenced by his continued efforts
to control his body language.
2) Madeline retains a somewhat proprietary attitude
about Michael, as
evidenced by her straightening
his tie and flicking ‘lint' from his jacket, prior
to a mission.
Surveillance tapes from Section One confrontation with its founder, Adrian reveal that she accused Madeline of "sleeping with all the young studs." This only confirms this observer's suspicions that there is a prior sexual relationship between Michael and Madeline. Madeline made no response to the accusation, but the look on her face would have turned anyone less than Adrian to stone. There was no response from Michael that this observer could see from the available surveillance tapes.
Whether there
is still any active aspect to their relationship is unknown at this time,
however, it is entirely possible that Michael is Madeline's weakness.
She has done everything possible to keep him functional since the loss
of Simone. Whether this is for the good of Section or because he
is her weakness remains to be seen.
Michael appears to have a good working relationship with Birkoff. If the rumor is true that Birkoff was kidnaped into Section, the possibility that Michael is the one who brought him in is high (which would account for the wariness that Birkoff shows around Michael).
It is interesting to note that although Birkoff respects Michael and his
abilities, he is afraid of him.
Michael's relationship with Walter is undefinable. He neither
acts warmly or coldly towards the weapon's master.