When intelligence agencies need to dispense with one of their spies they serve a burn notice. A burn notice informs other agencies that the spy has become unreliable, effectively ending his or her career. The USA Network's BURN NOTICE follows Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan), whose intelligence career comes to an abrupt halt after a botched job in Nigeria. Westen returns home to Miami, Florida, only to discover that he has been cut off from all his contacts in the agency and his bank account has been frozen. Without a penny to his name, Westen decides to work as an unlicensed private investigator, using the money he makes to launch his own investigation into his fate with the intelligence agency. Westen's new career presents him with plenty of opportunities to delve into Miami's seedy underbelly, with drug dealers, gunrunners, prostitution rings, and gangsters all coming under his watchful eye. A strong supporting cast includes Gabrielle Anwar (SCENT OF A WOMAN) as Westen's ex-girlfriend and former IRA agent Fiona Glenanne; Bruce Campbell (THE EVIL DEAD) as Sam Axe, an aging lothario who is Westen's only remaining connection with the intelligence world; and Sharon Gless (CAGNEY & LACEY) as Westen's overbearing mother, Madeline. Vital clues into Westen's burn notice are revealed as the film progresses, and he often has to use all his ingenuity, including some intricate skills with electronic devices, to find the answers. This release includes every episode from the first season of the show.
This is one of the shows that was mentioned to me awhile back when I was looking for recommendations. I've watched 7 episodes so far, and am enjoying it immensely, though if I have one complaint, it's that it's not angsty and dark enough. Maybe this is so cynical of me, but why does every episode turn out with the good guy winning without risking a whole hell of a lot? Maybe I should be glad of this, but after watching "Firefly" and subsequently "Serenity", I find myself dissatisfied with how wonderful everything turns out in the end.
Plus, though Michael Westen has had a messed up family life, he still comes across as very well-adjusted. His aversion to relationships seems completely normal to me for a former spy. Why doesn't he have a drinking problem or extremely violent tendencies like his ex-girlfriend?
Still, it's been fun to watch, especially as we watch him come up with ways to solve his cases, both with inventive technology and the use of his friends Fi and Sam, who, btw, is portrayed by Bruce Campbell, who was kind of a hottie in his day in a cheesy kind of way. What was it, "Zena Warrior Princess" or "Hercules" or one of those campy shows he was on. Anyway, his character is entertaining, and it's fun watching him and Fi have their arguments - they just look like they're having a ball.
The jury is still out on Michael Westen. He's likable enough, but my first memorable experience seeing him act was in "Changeling" with Angelina Jolie, and I strongly disliked his character - and that's a little hard to get past. He does have some sex appeal, don't get me wrong, but so far it hasn't fully worked its magic on me. However I'm willing to be convinced ;)
Have you seen this show?
If so, what do you think of it?
Labels: Burn Notice, television
posted by Stacy~ at 4/20/2009 06:51:00 AM
| 6 comments
