What did I do during the writers' strike, you ask? I got caught up on the first season of Burn Notice, which I regrettably missed the first time around.This show has got it all -- great characters, action-packed plots and layers of intrigue. Without simply saying that I love everything about Burn Notice, here is my list:
1. Jeffrey Donovan
The lead of Michael Westen could not be better cast. He is believable, but he layers on the quality of the performance with the best facial expressions on an actor's face that I can remember. I know when he is being a smart-ass, I know when he feels overwhelming love for his mom and I know when he knows he is in it deep.
2. The voice-overs
Yeah, I know. Sometimes voice-overs are the worst thing that could ever happen to a show. Not so in Burn Notice. They are done by lead character Michael Westen, who tells us little tidbits about what it is like to be a spy. They are funny, insightful to his character's history and experience, and help tie the storyline together. Here's one of my favorites:
"Thirty years of karate, combat experience on five continents, a rating with every weapon that shoots a bullet or holds an edge... Still haven't found any defense against Mom crying into my shirt."
- Michael Westen, Burn Notice
3. Michael's family
Take two likable actors (Sharon Gless of Cagney and Lacey and Seth Peterson of Providence fame), insert chain smoking, hypochondria and huge costume jewelry; a shady job, a questionably acquired mansion and a little sibling rivalry whining and you've got Michael Westen's mother and brother. It's a recipe for success and the perfect foil to the straight man spy, although we do get some glimpses of what the family life was like growing up and it wasn't all fun and games.
4. The chemistry between the three leads
There is sarcastic banter between Sam (Bruce Campbell) and Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), who say they don't like each other but I think they really have a deep respect for each other as colleagues. Michael and Fiona, who were a thing, then weren't, now are again. The dance of them getting there was fun because Fiona's got sass. And Michael and Sam? Their friendship runs deep and true. They'd do anything for each other and they mean that.
5. Yogurt
The only food that is ever in Michael's fridge is yogurt, with only beer to keep it company. It is reminiscent of Seinfled's cereal and it is funny. Someone is always grabbing a yogurt to eat while discussing surveillance or making fake explosives, and Sam has even been known to use the ol' "running out to get Michael some yogurt" excuse.
6. Gadgets
I tell ya, Michael Westen makes MacGyver look like a downright sissy. Westen and his partners make everything from homemade bugs to motion detecting devices to C4. And it is a whole lot more believable than an explosive made from a piece of gum and a paper clip.
7. The "burn"
This is a new concept to me, and I like it. The writers have layered the basic burn with conspiracy, intrigue, murder, set-ups and the like. It has all the makings of big secrets akin to X-Files and Alias. It make one wonder if there is a government agency out there that isn't corrupt ...
The season finale was gripping and really leaves us with a cliffhanger. The DVDs of season 1 come out in June, and season 2 is due out sometime this summer. I can hardly wait.
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Have any questions for Vik Sahay of Chuck? Ask them here!
Mike Henry and Daryl Hall on a Cleveland Show Thanksgiving
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-09-2008 @ 3:27PM
Keith McDuffee said...
I'll save you all the trouble:
HOW COULD YOU NOT MENTION BRUCE CAMPBELL YOU HEARTLESS WENCH!?! LAME LIST FOR NO BRUCE CAMPBELL!!
We now return you to the rest of TV Squad.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 4:35PM
rndmnme said...
What I love about Burn Notice
1. Bruce Campbell
The End.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 4:45PM
Colby Jack said...
I loved this show last year and have been eagerly awaiting it's return. I think the show is very clever and smartly written (some episodes weaker than others, but that's going to happen with any TV show) with doses of mindless sex (well ... scenery anyway) and violence to appease the most basic instincts.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 4:40PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Like the show but don't ever let the lead do an accent again...he's horrible with accents.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 4:41PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Also, he needs to kill more. Sorry but he took out the peeps in the first episode and so we thought we'd get a legit spy. Sadly he's gone all PG-13 in the subsequent episodes.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 5:12PM
tvguy said...
Love the article and love the show even more, I'll have my order for season 1 dvds placed very shortly as the show was so great i just need to watch it again ,
Also of note the usanetwork website says season 2 starts Thursday July 10 at 10/9c
And may i say after the cliff hanger last year i cant wait to see whats next, also i think im in love with Gabrielle Anwar.
Now to sit back relax and count the days till the dvd release and the second series starts
chris
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 5:35PM
mikey mike said...
I really tried to like this show, but the only thing likable for me was Bruce Campbell. And I think he's a little under-used (although I gave up a few episodes in, I admit).
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 6:01PM
Liz said...
Welcome to the world of entertainment that is Burn Notice!
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 6:10PM
Mark "Stingray2019" Santora said...
Best Quote is IMHO from the pilot.
"When you're being watched, what you need is contrast. A background that will make the surveillance stand out. An FBI field office is full of guys in their forties. At most South Beach business hotels, it would be tough to tell which middle-aged white guy was watching you. So you stay in the place where everyone is a Jell-O shot away from alcohol poisoning. If you see someone who can walk a straight line, that's the Fed. "
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 6:53PM
kickit said...
LOVE LOVE LOVE the show
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 7:04PM
DanGarion said...
Burn Notice is one of the best TV shows on. I hate that we have to wait so long for new episodes.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 7:36PM
rex said...
This is actually one of my favorite tv shows and I look forward to it coming back on for season 2. I am okay with the wait if it means it will be available in HD.
The show does a great job of balancing humor, action and cheesyness. It uses Bruce Campbell very well to support Jeffrey Donovan (who does a great job) and Garbrielle Anwar is tough and funny. It's like a weekly awesome B-movie (that may seem like a contradiction but it's not).
@YouFaceTheTick- I think the fact that Michael doesn't kill anybody after getting burned makes the show better. Yeah, it is kind of A-team at times, but it makes sense as the character does have to worry about the cops and going to jail.
It might also sound wierd, but one of my favorite things was watching to see how they would sneak the DirectTV advertisement into the show. I liked when Michael got Sam banned from his favorite bar and his complaint was "They're one of the last places that will let me keep a tab and they had DirectTV's sunday package showing all of my favorite football team's games!" funny stuff
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 9:06PM
kyle said...
what did i do during the strike? i got caught up on burn notice. and i agree with every single point on your list.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 9:23PM
MrMischevous said...
My wife and I were extremely happy when Anwar stopped attempting to do an Irish accent. That was physically painful.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 9:52PM
Pete said...
I was so psyched to see Richard Schiff on the show. I recognized his voice from the phone call to Michael and was hoping he would become a reg--
*cue "Don't Stop Believing".*
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 9:58PM
ScottH said...
I really love this show, too. It's like "MacGyver" crossed with "The Rockford Files", with 2 sexy lead characters and beautiful Miami to gawk at. And Bruce Campbell adds the perfect touch. Plus, Sharon Gless is awesome.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 10:45PM
Walt said...
I like the sass of the show, I enjoy Miami as a welcome change from the woods of Vancouver or the palm trees of LA, but I'm not feeling the love for Sharon Gless. Correction: Gless' character. I'm sure Ms. Gless is fine, but there are moments when she's there only as a possible target or love interest for some old dude, which makes her appearances look too orchestrated.
Mr. Cambell needs some lovin', and I did enjoy the early episodes where it looked like he was almost enjoying "giving up" our hero to the Feds. The character is unique as well, trying his best to do as little as possible to get by. I love a competent slacker.
I'm interested in where they take this show from here and I'm pleased it got a second season.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 11:29PM
Karen said...
I LOVE this show. It's not BSG, it's not Breaking Bad--it doesn't make me sit and consider life's big issues. It's just plain, pure, unapologetic entertainment.
And Jeffrey Donovan has been a revelation. Like Colin Ferguson on "Eureka" (another show I love), he's someone good-looking enough not to have any talent or humor, which makes his possessing both all the more appreciated.
Reply
4-10-2008 @ 10:28PM
Phish said...
totally lame! cause its comin from a gal who doesnt like BSG and Lost!
Reply
4-10-2008 @ 8:13AM
Jesse said...
That line was in the first episode and I knew right then I'd love this show. It's those clever voice overs that made me love each episode. I often wonder if they have an ex-spy as a consultant or if the writing staff is just very clever.
Some of my other favorites
"Spend a few years as a covert operative and a sunny beach just looks like a vulnerable tactical position with no decent cover. I've never found a good way to hide a gun in a bathing suit."
"Actually, losing a tail isn't about driving fast. A high-speed pursuit is just gonna land you on the 6:00 news. So you just keep driving like an idiot until the other guy makes a mistake. Again, all of this is easier without a passenger yelling at you for missing a decade's worth of Thanksgivings."
"If you're going to put prints on a gun, sticking in someone's hand isn't going to do it. Any decent lawyer can explain prints on a gun. But try explaining prints on the inside of the trigger assembly."
And those were just in the first episode.
Reply