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What I love about Burn Notice
by Debra McDuffee, posted Apr 9th 2008 4:27PM
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.
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