Burn Notice Season Premiere Review
Jul 9, 2008 Burn Notice, Reviews
By Ted Cornelius for UGO
Pretty hard to believe that things actually get worse for “burned” covert-operations agent Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) after last season’s cliffhanger finale. Thought dead by his associates and family, and no closer to finding out who issued the Burn Notice on him (i.e. the official dismissal or discredit of an agent, leaving them stuck where they are and without assets), we last see Westen sealed up in the back of a tractor trailer, with no idea what to expect.
But as mentioned, things heat up - and quick - for Westen. Season 2 (debuting Thursday, July 10 on the USA network) opens as he literally walks into a gun fight, surrounded by dead bodies and a unknown hog-tied man as police sirens wail in the distance, clearly on their way to the scene of the crime. His only help is a mysterious woman on his cell phone, explaining what his “assignment” is in order to drop his Burn Notice.
What follows is more of what fans of this underrated show have come to expect - an utterly enjoyable mix of action and comedy set under the Miami sun. Westen’s relationship with his volatile ex-girlfriend, Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) heats up even more so, while his frightened-yet-outspoken mother, Madeline (Sharon Gless) takes a much larger role in his life.
However, once again, it’s Bruce Campbell’s Sam that manages to steal the show in a role that’s tailor-made for him. Campbell’s well-past-his-prime ex-Navy Seal once again provides a flawless, dry comic relief which plays perfectly off the rest of the cast, and keeps the story moving in ways on Campbell can. He still tries to be a ladies man, and in his mind he’s still got it, but clearly gets shot down at every turn.
Likewise, Donovan’s star power continues to rise, and manages to outshine his performance of last season. His Westen is the quintessential man’s man, who’s both likeable and a certified badass. The moments on screen between him and Campbell’s Sam are what keep the show moving, and you almost wish there would be more if not for fear of over saturation.
Burn Notice continues to be one of the more underrated shows on television, but given USA’s dedication to a second season, we’re hoping this show finds a larger audience and continues to grow.
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