SHUT EYE Review

Article first published as SHUT EYE Review on Seat42F.

My name is Charlie Haverford. I used to be a magic trick inventor. Until I became a fake psychic for a bunch of gypsies. When you’re a fake psychic, you’ve got nothing: no say in what you do. You do whatever work the Romas who control the area send your way. You disappoint anyone who’s still talking to you: an unsatisfied wife, a screw-up sister, kids, too, a hypnotist, if you’re desperate. Bottom line? Until you figure out how to get out from under the Roma thumb, you’re not going anywhere.

OK, so fun with the intro to this review aside, there are major difference between Jeffrey Donovan’s previous USA series, Burn Notice, and his new drama on Hulu, SHUT EYE, premiering this week. Still, it’s hard not to draw some parallels. Donovan’s Charlie used to be great at something, has gotten into a situation where he’s not doing what he wants to do, and doesn’t have an easy way out, sort of like Michael Weston. Also, those around him, while supportive, are not the A team he might pick, but he’s committed to them.

Yet, I like SHUT EYE a lot better than Burn Notice. Burn Notice was a thin, case-of-the-week procedural that rarely went anywhere until the end. SHUT EYE is a much more complex, ongoing tale in which a man who has been beaten into submission gains an actual clairvoyant gift, which may just be what he’s been waiting for to make some changes.

Donovan is good, building upon his success in Fargo last year. He’s someone who can play pathetic and obedient well, but there’s an edge to him that is interesting. He is surrounded by a decent cast that includes KaDee Strickland (Private Practice), Isabella Rossellini (Alias, Joy), Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage), Susan Misner (The Americans), David Zayas (Dexter), Mel Harris (Saints & Sinners), Dylan Schmid (Once Upon a Time), and Angus Sampson (Fargo). Almost all are well cast, and the dynamics are set pretty solidly in the pilot.

The world is one not often portrayed in long-form, that of con men and women running a very successful racket of an industry, which I appreciate. Of course, those involved are little better than thugs and gangsters, and who is on top is purely a matter of showing strength and effectively threatening. It’s seedy stuff, but a new version of the dark worlds that currently populate television.

Somehow, though, through it all, Charlie comes across as being a likeable character. Rossellini’s Rita says it best when she calls him an honest liar. Charlie does engage in the same trickery as the others, but he also helps people and cares about people. He is loyal and he follows the rules, until he is pushed past a breaking point. Even then, his intentions are good, and he’ll only turn on those who deserve it. He’s a bit noble, which is surprising, given his profession and the situation he’s in.

SHUT EYE is set up to be a hero’s journey. We’re likely to see Charlie find his inner spirit and fight back when he needs to. We’ll see him rise from his lowly position and be a man to be proud of. Hopefully at least Linda (Strickland), his wife, will see that, and maybe stop fooling around with Gina (Chriqui) on the side, not that viewers are likely to blame her in the moment; Charlie hasn’t yet awoke when that occurs. Still, I find myself rooting for them to fix their marriage, and thinking Charlie might forgive her if he learns the truth.

SHUT EYE isn’t a perfect series. The story isn’t as gripping as one might like, with the flaws in the characters being a detriment to engaging with the story. Some of the plot twists or momentum seems forced and artificial. None of the performances are the type to make you start thinking of awards season, though they’re serviceable across the board. But it’s pretty good, and I do want to see more of it.

SHUT EYE will release its entire first season Wednesday, December 7^th on Hulu.

Fire Goes Out On BURN NOTICE

Article first published as DVD Review: 'Burn Notice - Season Seven' on Blogcritics.

USA’s Burn Notice came to an end last summer after seven seasons. The story of Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan), a burned CIA spy, wrapped itself up relatively neatly as Michael and his friends faced some of their most difficult challenges yet. Now, those last thirteen episodes are available in a four-disc DVD set.

Season Seven begins with “New Deal.” Michael has negotiated the freedom of his compatriots in exchange for serving the government. Specifically, Agent Andrew Strong (Jack Coleman) tasks Michael with going undercover to report on an old friend, Randall Burke (Adrian Pasdar). These Heroes alum are Michael’s final mission, sort of, as doing this job will supposedly earn back the life Michael has longed for all these years, as well as protect the people he cares about.

Of course, Michael is strongest when he is with his friends. Season Seven begins with Mike off on his own, separated from those who love and ground him. It doesn’t take long for Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), Sam (Bruce Campbell), Jesse (Coby Bell), and Maddie (Sharon Gless) to find out what’s going on and get involved, but from the start, there’s a level of distance between Michael and the crew that is sure to make long-time fans uncomfortable and the plot unpredictable, especially as this new dynamic continues well past the first few hours.

Besides identifying and stopping the bad guys, Michael has some personal challenges to get past in season seven. Maddie is still angry at Michael for the death of his brother, Maddie herself taking on the responsibility of raising her grandson. And Fiona, Michael’s true love, has moved on with someone else, Carlos (Stephen Martines), who seems a good match for her. All of this makes coming home hard for Michael, and puts his loyalties in doubt, especially as he suffers the effects of long-term, deep-undercover work.

Unlike the first six season, the final season has a very serial format, trying up some loose ends and giving closure. However, given series format of serial chapters and mini-arcs, the final season isn’t really a culmination of the entire seven years. Only two returning guest stars, Tim Matheson and Garret Dillahunt, figure into this plot, and only in limited ways. But these 13 episodes do tell a tale that feels like a fitting ending for the characters.

The series finale itself, “Reckoning,” is fairly solid. There’s some disappointment, such as the unnecessary death of one of the main characters, and the very small, far-too-late role the great Alan Ruck is given, but overall, most Burn Notice viewers should nod and smile and anxiously await the rumored TV movie or movies that could continue the tale. Plus, Sharon Gless delivers another memorable moment, and Donovan surprises everyone by showing some real acting chops.

I watched Burn Notice from the beginning, and although I considered giving it up a few times in the middle of the series, I do think season seven is some of the best work the actors and writers delivered over the whole run. I did find the ending a little hollow, but no more so than fit the tone of the rest of the show. It’s popcorn entertainment, it never pretended to be anything else, and it ended in the same vein.

As far as extras go, there’s a great audio commentary for the episode “Forget Me Not,” which is the second episode of the season and the 100th episode of the series. A featurette about the ending of the show is present, and a gag reel and deleted scenes round out the bonuses. One could justifiably wish for more, but there’s enough here to avoid complaints that fans were robbed.

Burn Notice Season Seven is available now.

BURN NOTICE Gets Its "Reckoning"

Article first published as BURN NOTICE Gets Its "Reckoning" on TheTVKing.

*WARNING: If you have not yet watched this episode, there are major spoilers within this review.

USA's Burn Notice came to an end after seven season this week with "Reckoning." The original premise, former spy Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan) looks for those who burned him so he can try to get his life back, is long gone. In the final year, Weston discovers the CIA a cold, unforgiving place, and emotionally messed up, considers leaving the agency on his own terms. This comes to a head in the series finale.

Because of the plot arcs going into the year, Burn Notice chooses to mainly end the recent tale told, rather than culminate the entire show's run. I guess the writers feel like they've already tied up most of that, and there's no sense in revisiting it. This is a bit of a let down, since Burn Notice has such larger swings in earlier years, and the ending just comes across as a little anti-climatic.

And, for some reason, the great Alan Ruck shows up in a small role in this episode, a guest part that comes out of nowhere and seems wasted.

A central theme of Burn Notice has always been relying on one's friends. Michael has never been alone, much as he frequently tries to be, with Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell), Fiona Glenanne (Gabrielle Anwar), his mother, Maddie (Sharon Gless), and, in later seasons, Jesse Porter (Coby Bell) helping him out. In the end, it's these people that save him and stand with him against the Big Bad, James Kendrick (John Pyper-Ferguson).

Early on, the story sets up a major turning point. Michael chooses to hang onto his love for Fiona, burning his bridge with Kendrick. Because Kendrick is now mad at Michael, Michael can't finish his mission to bring Kendick in, infuriating his CIA boss,  Andrew Strong (Jack Coleman), so everyone is against Michael and crew. Sort of just how it should be, since no organization has ever really embraced them, brave rebels on the frontier.

I was disappointed when Jesse splits off to protect Maddie and her orphaned grandson, Charlie (Wilson Pennell). After all, Maddie is frequently on the outside, but Jesse is not. We get some great Jesse / Sam moments early and late in the episode, but for awhile, it's just the original trio fighting the bad guys, which has a poetic justice, but doesn't quite serve Jesse's character, making him unjustly feel he has not earned him place with them.

Story-wise, Jesse must be with Charlie and Maddie because that leaves Maddie to sacrifice herself. It's a triumphant moment for Gless, even if it is a frustrating one for the viewers, not feeling right to lose Maddie. It would be much easier to accept one of the gang going down than the mostly-innocent mother of Michael. Jesse gets a touching moment with Maddie, Michael has a teary goodbye call, and Maddie herself gets to go down in a very cool way. Yet, one cant help but feel that there weren't that many soldiers nearby, and Maddie and Jesse could have dispatched them easily enough without having to kill off the beloved matriarch of the series.

Meanwhile, Michael, Sam, and Fiona have a confrontation with Kendrick. For some reason, Sam escapes, leaving Michael and Fiona alone. This is sets up the ending of the episode fine, but again, feels false and doesn't quite fit with the bond between the three. Why doesn't Sam stick by Michael the way Fiona does? It doesn't seem like he really has a vital purpose to get away to.

"Reckoning" seems to kill off Michael, Fiona, and Kendrick, but this triple death never felt real to me. Even as the story proceeded as if Michael and Fiona were dead, I knew it had to be a trick. In this, the show failed to build the appropriate tension and grief. Sure enough, a few minutes later, they are revealed to have escaped. Ick.

Months later, we first get Sam and Jesse's ending. I love that the two pals end up together, doing what they do. Sam gets a cheesy, fan-pleasing line, and they get to honor Michael's sacrifice. It's not clear if they know Mike and Fiona made it out alive, but they better have. Otherwise, Michael is a total douche. But for them, this finale is right.

Lastly, we glimpse Michael and Fiona, snug in a cabin with Charlie. Look, I know this is the emotional conclusion everyone wants, and the dialogue calls back the opening sequence in a satisfying way, but it just doesn't make sense. I can't imagine Michael and Fiona would ever settle down, under any circumstances, maybe being together comfortably, but not getting out of all dangerous games. And where does everyone think Charlie is? Surely, the CIA would have kept tabs and noticed the orphan, who was presumably in foster care, gone missing? Maybe it was a reward by the CIA to give them this set up, but then, why would they also honor Michael's "heroic death"? It doesn't gel.

At the end of the too-quick hour, one is left with a disappointing, hollow feeling. Burn Notice has never been high-quality entertainment, frequently falling short of its potential, too neatly resolving stories, stretching out others too long, forcing case-of-the-weeks for years, and introducing great characters, only to kill them off long before they should have been. The last couple of years have shown improvement, but apparently not enough. In a way, it is fitting the series finale should echo flaws of the previous years. But on the other hand, Burn Notice could have redeemed itself in this final hour, something I held out enough hope for to stick around all those times I considered giving up on it. It did not. It was somewhat entertaining popcorn action, but not much else, lacking the true depth and consistency many discerning viewers wish for. Burn Notice died how it lived.

BURN NOTICE Better In SEASON SIX

Article first published as DVD Review: 'Burn Notice Season Six' on Blogcritics.

Burn Notice, USA’s steps up its game in leaps and bounds in Season Six, elevating above the standard case-of-the-week, old-school-USA, fluff summer show. It is now available on DVD.

From the two-parter in which the central team is trapped in a foreign country to losing a major recurring character, to seeing a main player sit in jail for quite awhile, the series comes across with a new energy.

Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan), the center of Burn Notice, grows as a character a lot. We see him run the gamut of emotion in Season Six, from pure, unadulterated fury, proving he is capable of scorching the earth, to deep, soul-wrenching grief, to fiery love, to being helpless. Michael is put to the test in a variety of ways, and it finally gets him out of the pattern he has been stuck in.

The most shocking and jarring development for Michael is probably when his brother, Nate (Seth Peterson), is killed. In the past, the series has avoided removing any of the important players, but despite Nate’s recurring status, he is a vital member of Michael’s family. It’s an unexpected, gutsy move, and one that provides much motivation for Michael moving forward.

We also see the evolution of Michael’s relationship with Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar). It’s a challenge to show it   on screen, especially as she serves time in prison, but there is a strong, passionate bond between them that transcends that. Michael doesn’t open up much, not even to the audience, but Fiona owns his heart. Which leads to him by season’s end to one the most difficult decisions of his life.

With Michael going on revenge missions and getting involved in government work, Sam (Bruce Campbell) and Jesse (Coby Bell) are forced to step up and pick up the slack, while making sure he stays on the proper path. Sam has known Michael a very long time, and it’s gratifying to really see that pay off when Sam sticks by him during the tough times. Jesse enters the game much later, of course, not even being an original cast member, but is now completely intertwined and invaluable to the ensemble.

As usual, Michael’s mother, Maddie (Sharon Gless), is somewhat wasted. Don’t get me wrong, she has some absolutely brilliant moments to play this year in saving lives and losing a son. However, Gless is a masterful actress who really breathes something special into this role. As such, in the episodes where Maddie barely appears fans miss her soulful presence. She is essential to Michael’s humanity, maybe even more so than Fiona, and Gless deserves some serious pay off in the end.

Among the supporting players populating the show, a handful really deserve recognition for their work in Burn Notice Season Six. Jere Burns (Justified, Bates Motel) plays Michael’s greatest foe to date, Anson Fuller, a man who is as crafty as he is ruthless. Meanwhile, Lauren Stamile (Community, Grey’s Anatomy) hits the other end of the spectrum as Agent Pearce, a member of the FBI Michael learns to like and trust. Sadly, both complete their runs during Season Six, but for awhile, they expand the world of Burn Notice in new and incredibly interesting ways, becoming much more memorable than previous guest stars. Also, Sonja Sohn’s (Body of Proof) Agent Riley, while more familiar and less fresh, is still an entertaining addition.

Now, Burn Notice is not counted among the best shows on television, nor even on USA, and Season Six has some mediocre installments. But this is the year where it becomes a show worth telling others about and viewers can actually get invested in the tale, rather than just flip it on randomly some week. If the final season is as good as this one, or even builds upon it a bit, it will be a worthwhile and satisfying pay off.

The extras on Burn Notice Season Six are a little light. We get audio commentary only on a single episode, the standard deleted scenes and gag reel, and a single featurette, “Matt Nix Gets Burned. The latter is six minutes of behind-the-scenes talk about the creator of the show as the Season Six finale is being filmed. It’s an attempt at a humorous mockumentary in the style of Burn Notice, and it somewhat succeeds, though it lacks continuity, which for a short, shouldn’t be difficult to achieve.

If you are a fan of Burn Notice, Season Six is the best one yet, and especially if you have drifted away from the show, I do recommend checking it out. It could be better, but it’s a couple of steps above what has come before it, and regular viewers should be very satisfied.

"New" BURN NOTICE

Article first published as BURN NOTICE Review on Seat42F.

Grade: 90%

As USA’s final season of BURN NOTICE begins this week with “New Deal,” Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan) hasn’t been heard from by his loved ones for nine months. He’s deep undercover in the Dominic Republic, and all they know is that they were released from federal custody without a trial and haven’t seen Michael.

It isn’t hard to do the math that Michael has made a deal to protect those closest to him, and they are smart enough to realize this. Which might be why they don’t hate him, and when a creeper comes to town and questions them on Michael’s current status, they do what they can to not give the guy any information.

The bad guy does manage to get the drop on Michael’s friends, as, like him, they work best in a united team, and their team is missing one of its number. The slip up is regrettable, but understandable, and certainly not done to hurt Michael. Yet, it happens all the same. This is evidence that the gang must be put back together.

BURN NOTICE has moved from procedural to serial as it ages, ramping up the stakes and excitement. Uncovering who burned Michael may no longer be the primary premise of the show, but Michael is not free and clear, and every new story development only pulls him deeper into the muck. In this last run of episodes, it’s certain that Michael will once and for all try to get away from his past, which should make for some serious action and a few nasty explosions, just what the fans want.

But in order to clear his name, Michael is going to need some help. No man is an island, and while Michael likes to try to go it alone sometimes, in the name of being a protector, he is strongest when he has Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), Sam (Bruce Campbell), Jesse (Coby Bell), and even his mother, Maddie (Sharon Glass), around him. What that tells viewers is that we should not expect Michael to remain isolated in a foreign nation forever. He will eventually make it home.

Not that coming back will be entirely easy. Sam seems to have settled into a sort of easy retirement, while Jesse runs a security company. Both would probably either give those things up for Michael, or at least make some time for him on the side, as they do, without his knowledge, in “New Deal,” but they aren’t just hanging around, waiting. And while Maddie is fighting to get custody of her grandson, who has no capable parents left, she probably wouldn’t be opposed to assisting her son, as long as it didn’t endanger the child.

Fiona remains the sticking point. Fiona was once closer to Michael than anyone, having lived with and loved him. His departure, along with other actions, feels like a betrayal to her. Fiona being Fiona, she hasn’t just rolled over and cried; she’s too tough for that. She has moved on both professionally and romantically, and while she’s fine with supporting Maddie, has no intention of helping Michael anymore.

Can Michael win her back? He does what he does with good reason. But, in the past, she hasn’t excused good reason when it means lying and abandoning people. Fiona has a fiery temper and cannot be messed with. Michael should know her well enough to realize this by now. I predict their reconciliation will happen (because the fans really want it to), but it won’t come quick or smoothly.

Michael is a bit busy, too, getting close to a former “friend” (Adrian Pasdar, Heroes). This is the spy side of the episode, and it’s pretty enjoyable, especially because it isn’t a typical mission. We know that Michael has been deep undercover in the past, but “New Deal” is the first time BURN NOTICE explores this scenario, usually operating in limited-run missions. I would like the series to let this play out for a while, if for no other reason than it gives us a glimpse of a component the spy life that has been unexplored up until now. Even with the end of this installment, which points to a break from this arc, I think this is possible.

“New Deal” continues the improved BURN NOTICE delivered the last couple of years, a step above what the show once was. It also sets up some juicy conflict and potentially rocky run-ins. It’s a great way to begin the season.

BURN NOTICE airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on USA.

Burn Notice keeps on running and changing

Burn Notice - "You Can Run"
Grade: 85%

USA's Burn Notice is an interesting story. It started out as an intriguing mystery series about a spy who has been burned by the agency he works for, quickly became a procedural, and then lost steam in the middle seasons as the original premise grew thin. Each time Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan) got a step closer to learning who was behind his bad luck, that person would be taken out, and another layer peeled back, only to reveal more layers.

Season six has been an interesting reinvention, though. There have been a few cases of the week, but by and large the writers have committed to a large arc, wherein Michael, back in the government's good graces, uncovers his former mentor's misdeeds, kills him, and then goes on the run with his friends, hunted ruthlessly these last few episodes by an Ahab-esque agent named Riley (Sonja Sohn, The Wire, Body of Proof), who will stop at nothing to catch her man.

This week, the year came to a close with the two part "You Can Run" and "Game Change."Riley gets more and more dangerous, capturing Jesse (Coby Bell), her men wounding Sam (Bruce Campbell), and then partnering with a drug cartel who almost kills everyone. It's a high-adrenaline stunt, raising the stakes higher than they've ever been, making the situations more dangerous, and finally seeing Michael somehow find a way out, as he always does, saving the day for everyone he loves.

The first impression I have when watching "You Can Run" and "Game Change" are that they are great episodes. After all, my blood is pumping, I'm thrilled to not have to deal with some random person who needs assistance from the team, and I get to see some characters I love at their best. Add to that some surprise returning guest stars, like Campbell (Gary Weeks) and Bly (Alex Carter), and it seems like a culmination of years of good story.

The problems arise when one begins analyzing the elements of the two hours, though. Once more, we are given one dimensional villains who poorly represent the body they work for, and make the whole CIA seem inept (Riley), a would-be savior who can clear the situation, but is quickly killed before he has an real impact (Bly), and even the cameos by past characters fail to give us any real insight into them.

Burn Notice does a pretty fair job defining its main characters. From Michael to Sam to Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) to Madeline (Sharon Gless), and even Jesse, who hasn't been around as long, we get to see what makes them tick, and what thoughts go into their decisions. But for virtually everyone else, especially CIA types, who should be at the top of their games, the show rarely keeps them around long enough for them to matter, and even when they stick, they don't get past stereotypes and surface images.

The exception to this rule is Lauren Stamile's Agent Pearce, who I dearly miss.

The result is a very fake world, that a few interesting people just happen to inhabit. Keep your eye on the focus, like in a magic trick, and you can be impressed. Start to examine things too closely, and it all falls apart. I like Burn Notice, but the best elements tend to be shafted in favor of flash, and the show continually plays against its strengths.

I think the disappointment with "You Can Run" and "Game Change" stings a bit more than in past instances. That's because season six showed us that Burn Notice can be better, and can deliver something bigger and more complex than is routinely presented. For most of this year, the flaws started to fade, and there is noticeable story improvement. But a cheat of an ending, as happens when Michael re-enlists in the CIA, seemingly as a boss now, after turning himself in in a way that made little sense, considering his running earlier, and the lack of changed circumstances (he could easily kill Riley in this episode and reset the status quo, rather than do the right thing), takes away a lot of that accomplishment.

The good thing is, Burn Notice isn't going anywhere, and still has time to continue to improve. If it learns the right lessons from this year, season seven could be the best yet. Or it could revert to an earlier quality level, and jump the shark. Either way, we'll find out this summer.

Burn Notice will return in mid-2013 to USA.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on TheTVKing

Burn Notice gets desperate

USA's Burn Notice returned this week with two hours of new episodes. The first, "Desperate Measures," is a follow up to the summer finale, "Desperate Times," centering on the team trapped in a foreign land. The second mostly moved on to another story, but kept some of the serial elements surrounding Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) this season as he seeks to get justice for his brother's death.

"Desperate Measures" is an exciting, action-packed episode as the team attempts to get out of Panama. Having captured Tyler Gray (Kenny Johnson), the man who actually shot Nate, it is soon clear to both Michael and Tyler, after some inconveniences that delay a return home, that their beef isn't with each other. Tyler has been lied to by Card (John C. McGinley) about the threat that Michael poses, and Tyler was simply following Card's orders when the tragedy occurred.

Donovan really handles the emotion swelling within Michael well in this episode. As a mostly collected guy, it's rare that we see Michael really loose it. His brother's death sparked some heavy grief, and because of that, Michael is definitely a danger to Tyler and himself. But, in the end, Michael's hero goodness wins out, and he spares Tyler, knowing that they are both somewhat in the same boat.

But then, in the second hour, "Means & Ends," Michael gets to confront Card, and he gets dangerous again. Michael has kept it together when dealing with people who don't deserve his rage, and he has above average abilities to empathize with others, and to try to help them. However, when he finally gets in a room with Card, his friends not around to even try to calm him down, it ends with Michael putting a bullet in Card's head.

I can't recall ever seeing Michael quite like this. It's clear that a line has been crossed for him. We know that Michael is a spy, and has probably killed people before. But after watching six seasons of him go out of his way to avoid getting lethal, it's chilling to see the lead character murder someone like Card, especially when Card is not posing an immediate threat. In this one instance, Michael moves beyond justice and goes for revenge. Sam (Bruce Campbell) or Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), or even, to a lesser extent, Jesse (Coby Bell), might have been able to talk him out of it, but without his moral compasses in the room, Michael takes that big, irreversible step.

How will this change Michael, going forward? Will this mean that he's going to be colder, with a sharper edge? Fi and Sam are still around, so there will be influences to draw him back to the light, if he can let himself be happy with them. But will that be enough? What does it do to one's soul to commit such an act? I hope that Burn Notices gives Michael the time to fully explore the ramifications of his actions.

One thing does seem certain, and that's that Michael's mother, Maddie (Sharon Gless), will not be around to help. Unable to forgive Michael for letting Nate get killed, and disgusted with her living son's inability to be honest with her, no matter how good his intentions might be, she decides to leave town. Will this be the end of Maddie on the series? Let's hope not. Her sorrow is completely understandable, as are her negative feelings about Michael. But he is her son, the family she has left, and hopefully that will be enough to let her move past it.

There are other things going on, too. In "Means & Ends," Fiona's old prison friend needs the team's help. But at this point, these side missions take a backseat to the main arc, which is finally being given the attention it deserves. Burn Notice will probably continue to deliver some case of the week type stories, but the more it shifts focus to the big stuff, the better it becomes.

Burn Notice airs 9 p.m. on Thursdays on USA.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

"Desperate Times" for Burn Notice

USA's Burn Notice has had a heck of a summer. Finally dropping a mandatory case-of-the-week in each episode format, the show commits to an arc and sticks with it, allowing much more movement in the story of Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan) than the first several seasons combined. This is gratifying, even when the onion, which we thought done, peels yet another layer into the conspiracy.

In "Desperate Times," the CIA finds Nate's (Seth Peterson) killer. Tom Card (John C. McGinley) agrees to let Michael take his team down to Panama to hunt the shooter, but only sends them with one agent as back up. Things go awry, of course, and it isn't long before Michael discovers that Card has set them all up to die. The only thing to do is let Card believe he succeeded, leaving the effort of taking down their latest foe for the next run of episodes, beginning in November.

It seems like the agent sent with Michael and company to Panama is only there so someone can be killed off. He gets a bit of development, which is nice, before biting the big one. But that doesn't mean we care about him all that much. This sort of low stakes game is why Burn Notice still ranks a little lower than other summer shows. However, with the recent loss of Nate, perhaps it is too soon to kill another important character. I just wish it hadn't been set up so obviously.

Other than that complaint, "Desperate Times" is fairly great. McGinley makes a terrific villain, even if viewers are growing weary of the deeper and deeper plots against Michael, wanting him to finally catch a lasting break. Maddie (Sharon Gless) gets to let out some of that raw emotion she does so well talking to Card about Nate, even as we know Card is playing her. And Jesse (Coby Bell) having to run around with no shoes is very amusing.

The action is good, too. Lately, Burn Notice has been splitting up the team, which does lend itself to more story and a larger world. But it's great to see the ensemble working together again, because they really do have an entertaining chemistry. Michael, Jesse, Fi (Gabrielle Anwar), and Sam (Bruce Campbell) have such different personalities, and when separated, sometimes that can be forgotten. Seeing them slip back into their familiar roles is comfortable.

Comfortable is what works for Burn Notice. Yes, we want some change and movement from week to week. However, the show is not going to abandon its roots and alienate those viewers who prefer the older style of predictable storytelling. Balancing this with the superior way things are being handled keeps the show from truly soaring, but it does allow improvement, and it was never bad to begin with. Burn Notice is fun entertainment, especially in the summer. And what's wrong with that?

Will Burn Notice continue the new trend of larger arc this winter? Will Michael stop Card, only to find another man behind him? Will something bad happen to Maddie before she can realize that Michael and his friends are still alive? And will Jesse get some new footwear? All of these questions are on hold for now. But I can't wait to find out!

Burn Notice returns in November to USA.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

A "Shock Wave" rips through Burn Notice

Last night's installment of USA's Burn Notice, "Shock Wave," was huge, in terms of plot development. The major characters are split up. Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) and a team go after Anson (Jere Burns), whom they have located. But when Michael's brother, Nate (Seth Peterson), who is accompanying the squad, gets reckless, he and Anson are both killed. Meanwhile, Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) avoids British intelligence long enough to earn her CIA-approved release, and Sam (Bruce Campbell) protects Barry (Paul Tei) from some of Fiona's former gun-running associates.

Make no mistake about it. This is a game changer. Michael is devastated by the loss of his brother, and will surely blame himself for getting Nate involved, even if Nate's own dumb actions led to his demise. It's a good thing Fiona is out of prison, because Michael is going to need a lot of comfort, and he will be driven even more by a longing for revenge than before, so he'll need some reigning in. Otherwise, both Weston brothers could be in body bags before long.

The question is, will Maddie (Sharon Gless) blame Michael? She hides out at home for most of the episode, but "Shock Wave" ends with Michael delivering the tragic news. Because of Michael's character, he will not defend himself if Maddie begins getting accusatory. It's no secret that she doesn't like a lot of Michael's activities, and after this, expect bigger push back from her to bring this whole spy life to an end.

Would that be so bad? With Anson down, yet again Burn Notice reveals a deeper level of conspiracy. Every time Michael catches someone who is involved in his burn notice, that person is killed, and he learns that there's someone else behind them. It's an endless cycle. Fans might be forgiven for thinking Anson was at the bottom of the whole thing, having stuck around longer than most previous villains, and being played oh so well by Burns. But nope, someone has Anson killed, so there's more to discover.

It is supremely disappointing that, after being strung along this long, Anson is not the real power behind Michael's bad luck. It's predictable, of course, given the series's pattern. But it's starting to feel like this will never end for Michael. The best thing he can do now is to try to forget it all and move on. Which won't happen because Michael is not good at letting things go.

But with Nate's death, it really looks like Michael might either have to give up his elusive white whale, or go down like Ahab. Which will it be? It's a decision that cannot possibly be revealed until the series finale, and because of USA's sunny nature, it will probably be neither, with Michael ending up triumphant, no matter how unrealistic that is, or how against the grain it goes with the path that has been revealed. Of course, to be fair, Burn Notice is a hero tale, and that kind of bleak outlook would betray the tone of the series.

That has always been my problem with Burn Notice. No matter how great it is, and trust me, "Shock Wave" is a terrific episode, with lots of action and suspense, there is always some nagging feeling that it's not quite living up to its potential. Perhaps in the age of the antihero, so well played on other networks, the happy ending and lightheartedness seems trite. This episode comes as close to greatness as the show has ever been, with each of the original trio getting their own thrilling tale, and the stakes being quite high. But then, as soon I start reflecting, the larger picture makes the good feelings begin to crumble again. Luckily, it's entertaining enough to survive such doubts, and emerge out the other end, still immensely watchable.

The other problem I have with "Shock Wave" has nothing to do with the episode itself, and everything to do with the impatient culture currently reigning. I stopped watching previews of next week's episode long ago because networks, all networks, have little respect for the surprise twist. But avoiding trailers and clips are not enough to stay in the dark anymore. It was no secret for anyone on the internet that Burn Notice would feature a major death last night before the episode even began.

As soon as I started watching "Shock Wave," it was obvious who it would be. Burn Notice wouldn't dare kill off one of their main characters, who are all pretty popular with fans, because it would be a little too dark for the mood the series sets. And while some theorized that Barry would bite the big one, the longer his story with Sam went on, the more obvious it was that they were both dead or neither of them were. Given rule number one, that made Barry safe, too. Though, the Barry and Sam stuff was beyond cool!

But Nate started making mistakes right out of the gate. He disobeyed Michael, and didn't know at all how to handle himself. Without the knowledge that a death was coming, this might have made me think he would be taken hostage or something, because killing him off really is a bold, unexpected move for Burn Notice to make. However, because of the spoiler that was nearly impossible to avoid, the death was anything but surprising by the time it actually happened. Which is a real loss for storytelling, which was great in this episode when taken alone, without the leaks.

So I guess the lesson is, stay off the internet. Funny for an internet-based reviewer to be saying that, though reviews almost always deal with what already happened, not what is going to happen. Even if it's your favorite show you just can't wait to get some nugget of information about, someone is going to ruin some of the best parts if you're not careful. "Shock Wave" is a spectacular episode when viewed in a bubble, but suffers repercussions because of hype and people who just can't help but share when they have a juicy piece of gossip. It's not tantalizing to tease a big event. It's a slap in the face to regular viewers.

Despite the spoil sports, definitely continue to watch Burn Notice, because "Shock Wave" and the earlier episodes this season have established a new pattern. The show is playing a higher level game than before, and it's working extremely well for it.

Burn Notice airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on USA.

Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Article first published on TheTVKing

Burn Notice is "Under the Gun" and I like it

USA's Burn Notice continues its bold sixth season with "Under the Gun." Michael (Jeffrey Donovan), Jesse (Coby Bell), and Sam (Bruce Campbell) are following a lead when the encounter Rebecca (Kristanna Loken, Painkiller Jane, The L Word), the member of Michael's CIA team that betrayed him. Rebecca takes Sam hostage, leading Michael and Jesse on a dramatic, high stakes chase.

Applause to Burn Notice for continuing to chuck case of the week over interesting, longer story arcs! The return of Rebecca comes at the perfect time! Like Michael, Anson (Jere Burns) has some leverage over her, meaning there will have to be at least another episode where Michael and company try to help her. It's a worthy development, continuing the Anson plot, and finally raising the stakes of the series.

"Under the Gun" is pretty cool. It's not the first time we've seen Sam in danger, but he makes an entertaining hostage. His interactions with Rebecca are fun enough, but with that hint of danger that keeps the pace moving and the episode enticing.

Also, seeing Rebecca match wits with Michael and Jesse, with neither really gaining an advantage for quite awhile, is pretty neat. As the stories have gotten better on Burn Notice, so too have the villains. In this episode, not only does the bad guy get to be complex, not really being all that bad, but she's also smart, testing Michael on many levels. It's this kind of writing that will keep fans coming back to Burn Notice, and frees it of any age curse.

There might also be hints here of how Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) raises Michael's game. Without her, he has seemed a little lost. He doesn't bring the firepower she frequently supplies, and he's distracted. Donovan's acting may not be flawless when he has to dig into sorrowful emotions, but it's effective and appropriate for the character. Having Fiona in jail is doing a number on Michael, which might explain why he can't quite stop Rebecca throughout "Under the Gun."

In the subplot, Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) make a friend in prison named Ayn (Zabryna Guevara, 3 lbs.). It's clear that someone, most likely Anson, really wants Fiona dead, and the would-be assassins keep coming. To stop the latest pair, Fiona asks Ayn to orchestrate a shake down, which she does, building a little trust among the two women.

It comes not a moment too soon. Fiona is marked for death, and how long can she keep it at bay? Sure, she's stopped a couple of attempts thus far, but people are just going to keep trying to take her out. Having Ayn in her corner makes it a little more difficult to get to Fiona.

As Fiona's part of the bargain with Ayn, she must have a package delivered to the prison. This is easier said then done, which Madelaine (Sharon Gless) discovers when she attempts to retrieve it from Ayn's ex. She leaves with a black eye. Poor Maddie! She needs more good story, and when she gets some, one would prefer not to see her beat up during it.

Of course, Michael avenges his mom in a very serious fashion, letting some anger boil over. It's a testament, once more, to how much he misses Fiona. Yes, Michael will not let anyone mess with his mother and get away with it. But he's also on edge because of the situation, making him less predictable.

Going forward, surely Fiona will be freed before she is killed. But until that point is reached, how far will Michael go? How much will he break down? These are the questions driving the current batch of episode, and they are doozies, to be sure!

Watch Burn Notice Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on USA.

Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Read every Burn Notice review I've ever written. Article first published as Burn Notice is "Under the Gun" and I like it on TheTVKing.com

The "Scorched Earth" of Burn Notice

USA's BURN NOTICE returned last night with the season six premiere, "Scored Earth." Picking up the moment that season five left off, Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) goes on a very personal vendetta against Anson Fullerton (Jere Burns, Justified), determined to make him pay for his part in landing Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) in jail. But Anson is not done yet, and has a few more tricks up his sleeve.

Generally, no matter how much serial plot is included in a BURN NOTICE episode, the writers still force a case of the week in to keep with their formula. "Scorched Earth" does not have such an addition, which makes it that much better. BURN NOTICE has some wonderful characters with a very interesting story. Why it insists on being a procedural is beyond me, when "Scorched Earth" proves that they can do better. I'm not saying ditch the clients entirely, but they are not needed every week.

Admittedly, "Scorched Earth" starts a little rough. For some reason, the acting between Donovan and Bruce Campbell, who plays Michael's best friend, Sam, is absolutely horrible in an early confrontation. The scene just sets one's teeth on edge. These performers usually do so much better, and it feels like a bad, cheesy TV movie for one entire scene. Then it recovers beautifully, and the two men remind us why they can carry a series, playing more subtle, nuanced, and less hammy for the rest of the hour.

Michael's anger, which oozes through every minute of "Scored Earth," is an awesome thing to tackle. Yes, viewers know that Michael is a spy who has done some seriously questionable things in his life. But never before has he been this scary. This episode changes that, showing fans exactly how bad Michael can get, in a situation that no one would want to be in. Anson is threatening Fiona, the love of Michael's life. As bad a guy as Anson has been, and as dangerous as he seems, one is more concerned for his safety than Michael's in this episode.

There is also something primal about Michael's emotion, and there is a worry of how it might change him. Should he lose Fiona permanently, it is very easy to picture how Michael might go over the edge, blazing through everyone in his path, single-mindedly destroying his own life while focused on one purpose. He could not be easily stopped. This is a Michael that is not the likeable characters fan of BURN NOTICE have grown accustomed to, and it's a side of him that, while thrilling to see here, is not one that anyone is eager to have brought out again.

Sam's loyalty is really driven home in "Scorched Earth," as he is the only thing that stands between Michael and psychotic. Unlike in other episodes, where Sam is content to let Michael work through things, he never leaves Michael's side this time. While Michael does give up a little too easily in the factory, giving Sam a weird, unwarranted smile, Sam's constant presence, as well as wise words, are what keep Michael from flying off the handle completely. Were Sam not present in this situation, there is no doubt that things would have ended much more tragically for someone, or multiple someones, possibly Michael himself.

Agent Pearce (Lauren Stamile) also ends up being a calming factor. She doesn't take Michael's crap, talking back to him as he berates and bullies her. But she doesn't give up on him either. She does find men to back up Michael, and comes to his aid. Her chemistry with Michael, and what she represents for the show, have really earned her a place on BURN NOTICE. Should the series want to add another main character, and it should, she is candidate number one.

Anson is the lowest of the low, killing innocents and going after Michael's loved ones to get what he wants. He is also incredibly smart, which makes him the perfect villain for Michael to go up against. Not easily defeated, every bit a match for our hero, thank goodness BURN NOTICE does not kill him off, as it has done with so many other recurring characters before their potential has been fully realized. Look for Anson to reappear again, hopefully as the ultimate antagonist at the end of the series.

In "Scored Earth," Anson sends a killer after Michael's mother, Maddie (Sharon Gless). We have seen Maddie handle herself time and again, and helped by her very quick mind. Which is why she manages to hide from the murderer, and survive until help can arrive.

Jesse (Coby Bell) runs to her rescue, but letting Madeline save Jesse is a great twist, really giving the actress something fun and brave to play. Every time Maddie gets a scene like this, it reminds us that she is often wasted. Get her more involved, writers! She can handle it!

While all of this is going on, Fiona sits behind bars, being interrogated by a familiar face, Jason Bly (Alex Carter). Bly is the prime example of how the good guys aren't always all that good. On one hand, he is just doing his job, questioning a known criminal. Lying to Fiona, telling her that Michael is dead, is a smart tactic. On the other hand, though, viewers have come to love Fiona, knowing that she has a good heart, and doesn't deserve to be put through this pain. That's why Bly comes off as the one to hate here, even if, from a totally objective viewpoint, he isn't doing anything wrong.

Of course, Fiona doesn't buy that Michael is dead. At first, it looks like she might believe it, but she figures out the deception. She is worthy of Michael, and an equal partner for him in every way. While behind bars, she will definitely be missed in any hairy emergency that Michael and the others might face.

"Scored Earth" does a good job setting up the larger arcs of the season, with Michael, Sam, and Pearce working to clear Fiona's name, since Anson is not brought to justice, or yet proven responsible for the crimes Fiona is accused of. It also gives Michael somewhere to grow, both on a personal level, and a professional one, as he must trust the system to maintain the new, legitimate life he is building, even though his instincts are to fight it.

Will BURN NOTICE stretch out this story for an entire season, only spending scant moments on it each week, while helping client after client? Or will it stick to this much better strategy of letting the characters fully explore themselves and their situation for the entire hour? Common sense says the former, unfortunately, but tuning in is the only way to know for sure. And even when BURN NOTICE falls short of its potential, it still a pretty darn entertaining show.

Watch BURN NOTICE, Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on USA.

Burn Notice Season Five on DVD

USA's Burn Notice recently began its sixth season. It is appropriate, then, that season five recently came out on DVD. Fans who missed the lead up to the great season six premiere will want to know that back story of how Michael (Jeffrey Donovan), Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), and the others got to the point where they are. This four disc set answers those questions quite nicely.

Season five, itself, is a wonderful story, with more ambitious arcs than earlier runs of the series. Picking up with Michael back in the CIA's good graces, hunting down the people that burned him, Michael's work is finally legitimate. He even has a new partner named Max (Grant Show, Private Practice, Melrose Place)!

But this status quo does not last long. Max is murdered, and Michael comes under suspicion for the crime, leading to the appointment of Agent Pearce (Lauren Stamile, Community, Grey's Anatomy) to oversee things. Michael struggles throughout the year to prove himself to her and to stay on the job. This is made more complicated with the arrival of Anson Fullerton (Jere Burns, Justified, Dear John), a psychiatrist who burned Michael, and now wants to blackmail him for his own purposes. Which Anson does by making it look like Fiona committed murder.


The various factions warring on this season of Burn Notice, with bad guys, CIA agents, a lover, and Michael's regular crew all competing for attention and story time, make the year not only jam packed with excitement, but one of the most complex stories on the network. Michael's focus becomes frayed, often splitting the team into two groups, simultaneously working separate missions. There are twists and turns, many with high stakes and unintended consequences. Bringing in new faces like Anson and Pearce not only mix up the dynamics, but also rejuvenate a formula that had begun to grow stale.

Besides Donovan and Anwar, original cast members Bruce Campbell, as Michael's friend Sam, and Sharon Gless, as Michael's mother Maddie, continue to shine, getting their moments in the spotlight. Coby Bell's Jesse, added to the cast the year before, also settles into the group's chemistry, and cements his status as one of the main players.

Among the highlights of the summer run of season five are: "Company Man," where Michael is first seen working as a government operative; "Mind Games," in which Fiona urges Michael to move on from his past, which he refuses to do when he realizes that there is still an active, ongoing conspiracy; "No Good Deed," which finds Michael trying to avoid blame for Max's murder, while also searching for the real killer; "Enemy of My Enemy," where Sam is abandoned by the CIA during an undercover mission for them; "Hard Out," involving the team tracking a bomb maker, as well as Maddie finding love; "Army of One," in which Maddie is taken hostage at an airport; and the fall finale "Dead to Rights," which clears Michael of Max's murder, introduces Anson, and brings back old foe Larry (Tim Matheson, Hart of Dixie, The West Wing) one finale time.

The shorter fall batch of episodes also has great moments. "Damned If You Do" finds Anson sending Michael and Fiona to Puerto Rico. In "Necessary Evil," Maddie's boyfriend is exposed as an agent of Anson's, with tragic consequences. "Acceptable Loss" features a friend of Jesse's who is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to bring down a very bad man. And the season concludes in "Fail Safe," with Michael running a very important CIA operation, which Anson screws up, and Fiona turns herself into the police to free Michael from Anson's control.

This four disc DVD set includes a number of special features. There are lots of deleted scenes spanning all the discs. "Army of One" gets the extended treatment, while "Fail Safe" has an optional audio commentary. There is also a gag reel and a featurette on the villains of Burn Notice, which profiles such memorable bad guys as Carla (Tricia Helfer), Vaughn (Robert Wisdom), Mason Gilroy (Chris Vance), Larry, and Anson.

Burn Notice Season 5 will likely be remembered as the year when the show raised its game a level. There are still clients in every installment, but the serial elements of the series finally get more attention, and the characters show real growth and development. This is a DVD set any fan should own.

Buy Burn Notice Season 5, on sale now.

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Burn Notice is "Damned If You Do"

     As USA's Burn Notice returns to finish their fifth season in "Damned If You Do," Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan) is sent by Anson Fullerton (Jere Burns) to get a computer guy hiding down in Puerto Rico. Michael and Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) make the snatch, but when the guy takes them to his girlfriend (Carla Gallo, Bones, Men of a Certain Age), a cocaine dealer is soon after them. Michael figures out how to get the info Anson wants, let the guy and girl escape, and have the cocaine dealer end up in jail. All in a day's work.

     Carla Gallo should guest star in every series, and she is well on her way, with many credits already under her belt. She is cute, funny, and a pretty darn good actress. Despite her very small role in Burn Notice, she still adds to the episode's enjoyment greatly. Wonderful decision to cast her.

     Anson is making Michael do things that aren't right. Anson isn't the first man that leads Michael down a dark path, but this time, the stakes are considerably high. If Michael doesn't keep doing as Anson asks, his love, Fiona, will spend the rest of her life in prison. But what Anson asks is not only dangerous and illegal, but could get people hurt. In "Damned If You Do," Michael gets a horrible virus for Anson that could cause some real damage. Considering what a psychopath Anson is, there is no telling what he might use it for. Is saving Fiona from being behind bars really worth other lives?

     Even scarier, Agent Pearce (Lauren Stamile) ups Michael's security clearance with the government this week. Michael now has more access to sensitive things, and Anson will surely take full advantage of that. Since, somehow, he knows. Is there a leak in Pearce's camp, or even higher up the food chain?

     At some point, Michael is going to decide that it's not worth it. He has to. True, he could end up clearing her name first, but it would be far more interesting if he doesn't, and has to sacrifice Fi. Of course, he wouldn't let her stay in prison. There could be a Prison Break-esque arc where Michael and friends break Fi out and spirit her away. This would make a fantastic final season, as the gang, or possibly just the couple, dodges bad guys and authorities alike. Given Burn Notice's penchant for taking some chances and changes, but not going too far, this probably won't happen. But how cool would that be?

     Instead, Michael and co. will find some way to clear Fiona's name and stop Anson. That's how the series works. On that front, Sam (Bruce Campbell) and Jesse (Coby Bell) get Madeline (Sharon Gless) to break into a police laptop in "Damned If You Do." The point is to discover if there is currently any evidence in the investigation on Fi. Or rather, the bombing Anson promises to frame Fi for. Not only don't they find anything helpful, but Anson reveals he knows what they're doing, and he's too smart to be tricked. His arrogance may be his undoing, but for now at least, he maintains the upper hand.

     For some reason, the opening of Burn Notice remains the same as it was in season one. This isn't cool, because Michael is no longer burned. Plus, Jesse, now a main character for two seasons, isn't a part of it. It's past time to change the opening. It's understandable that the series is going for consistency, but this is one area in which it needs to stop. It used to fill the viewer in on what is going on. Now, it may just confuse them, if they are not up at current plot.

     Watch Burn Notice Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on USA.

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     Read every Burn Notice review I've ever written.

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Burn Notice is not "Dead to Rights"

     USA's Burn Notice summer finale, "Dead to Rights," finds Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan) clearing his name in the murder of Max (Grant Show). But that's just the beginning of the episode. Then the real murderer (Andrew Howard) jumps to his death, and criminally insane Larry (Tim Matheson) returns to wreck havoc once more. Before the smoke clears, Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) makes a tragic mistake, and Michael is under the thumb of Anson Fullerton (Jere Burns, Justified, Breaking Bad), one of the men behind the company that burned him.

     This season of Burn Notice is a satisfyingly slow investigation into who kills Max. Clues come together bit by bit as Michael looks into who is framing him, and tries to stay a step ahead of his new work buddy, Agent Pearce (Lauren Stamile, Community, Grey's Anatomy). Things end perfectly in the penultimate episode, as Michael is arrested by Pearce, who doesn't believe his frame claim. But that plot is dispatched with in the first few minutes of "Dead to Rights," instead of making it the tense, exciting installement that it should be. As far as long plot arcs go, this one fizzles out at the end and highly disappoints. Not the first time Burn Notice does this, but still incredibly upsetting, given the high quality of much of this season.

     That being said, a Larry episode is always welcome, especially with a powerful Fiona bend. If there hadn't been such a big let down, there would be nothing to be upset about with "Dead to Rights." Not only does Larry's return challenge Michael, it also puts Fiona in a very tough spot. Michael wants her to stay away from the situation, but she distracts their friends and takes out Larry herself. Probably. With Burn Notice, one is never quite sure if a character is dead, even though it doesn't appear as if Larry has any chance at all of surviving the explosion. But the point is, Fiona proves how much she still loves Michael, despite how tough the transition to living together seems to be.

     Now it's not Larry's fault that Fiona kills two civilians in the process. No, the new big bad, Anson, is behind that. It's a tragic turn that wrecks Fiona emotionally. While Fiona is one tough cookie, and she wouldn't blink twice at taking out those who deserve it, she also just doesn't kill for fun. She has compassion for others. Knowing that she is responsible for taking innocent lives, even if not directly, hurts her badly. Will she blame Michael, too, since rescuing him is the reason she acts? What kind of lingering effects might her guilt have? This remains to be seen.

     Besides Fiona, "Dead to Rights" also gives Sam (Bruce Campbell) and Jesse (Coby Bell) a chance to prove their loyalty to Mike. After Mike is arrested by Pearce, they decide to ram the CIA convoy in order to get her attention. It's the only way they think she will listen to them about how Michael did not kill Max, and they may be right. But they risk serious trouble themselves. There is no fleeing from their stunt. They are committing a crime and turning themselves in for it in the hope that it will give Michael a chance. That shows some real affection.

     Unfortunately, after the brief, desperate act, Jesse all but disappears from the episode. Madeline (Sharon Gless) is barely in the hour, too. This is a crying shame. While both have interesting stories this year, they are also not as involved as Fiona and Sam in Michael's activities. Considering the strongest episodes often feature all five working together, it is always sad when one or more of them are left out. Sure, there really isn't anything for them to do with the way that the plot unfolds, but surely that could have been changed.

     Pearce is a really interesting player. Like most of Michael's contacts, it is easy to assume that Pearce will disappear when her limited arc ends. Yet, even though Max's murder case is closed, Pearce says she is staying in Miami, and continuing to work with Michael. This is a wonderful move, keeping a fine actress on the series, as well as setting up a whole new dynamic, now that she no longer trusts Michael. How long Burn Notice will keep the new arrangement is circumspect, as the series usually ditches its great recurring characters. But Pearce has already lasted longer than most, so here's hoping.

     Anson is a whole new mystery. The surprise of his evil reveal is only half unexpected, because of huge telegraphing, but still works out, since the stakes are so high. Not only is he one of the two founders of the company that ruin Michael's life, but he also has connections, the extent of which are currently unknown, to Michael's father. Dad has come up many times over the years, but mostly in vague terms. Having Anson mention him in "Dead to Rights" seems to indicate that the mysteries of Michael's other parent may soon be explored. For an aging show that must constantly keep things moving, it's a predictable move, but not one that sucks. In fact, such a plot should give Madeline continued deeper involvement in future episodes, a good thing.

     And what does Anson want? With Michael under his control, and a promise that he will use Michael, anything is possible. Anson's motivations are still very murky, but it could very well be that he wants Michael to help rebuild the company Michael so recently destroys. Does that mean Michael will have to take it down all over again? Should be easier, with insider knowledge. As squirm inducing as it is that Michael will have to continue to betray and keep secrets from Pearce, the Anson factor is interesting, and Burns is a good choice to pull it off. Assuming Burn Notice lets Burns do more than a few episodes.


     Burn Notice will return next winter to USA.

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Article first published as TV Review: Burn Notice - "Dead to Rights" on Blogcritics.

Burn Notice plays "The Enemy of My Enemy"

     This week's Burn Notice on USA is called "Enemy of My Enemy." Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) helps Pearce (Lauren Stamile, Community, Grey's Anatomy) recover a stolen military warhead by sending Sam (Bruce Campbell) undercover into the hands of dangerous heroin kingpin, Carmelo (Todd Stashwick, Men of a Certain Age, Heroes). Sam convinces Carmelo that the Serbians that took the warhead really have Carmelo's drugs. Things take a dangerous turn, and Michael finds the CIA unwilling to help Sam. Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) and Madeline (Sharon Gless) are not pleased with Michael's willingness to risk his best friend's life.

     Fiona and Maddie seem to think Michael is being awfully selfish in sending Sam into such a risky situation. Are they right? Michael certainly seems to give them consideration when they confront him. But in this scenario, Michael is already known to Carmelo, and there is a lot at stake in recovering this warhead. Michael is worried sick about Sam, and goes in himself to rescue his friend when things get dicey. Yes, Michael is shown to be too-mission driven plenty of times, often at the expense of his friends. But in this case, there is a lot more going on than just looking into revenge. Michael knows he is playing a dangerous game, but Sam is willing, and the end result is important.

     It's great to see more of Jesse (Coby Bell) this week, as the fifth main character has been absent much screen time this season. This is due to plot circumstances, and understandable. But it is also regrettable, as Bell is now a valued member of the cast, deserving of his fans and attention.

     Fiona and Madeline have their own side mission, attempting to find the man who looks like Michael on a security camera, furthering the investigation into who killed Max (Grant Show). Anwar and Gless have delightful chemistry. Their characters are different in many ways, but both are tough, and they deeply love Michael, so they also have things in common. Any time they can go off together is a good time. Their aliases are very humorous, matched only by yet another variation of Chuck Finley.

     Speaking of Max's death, why is it that Burn Notice has a tendency to kill off wonderful recurring characters so quickly? This is far from the first time it has happened. Richard Schiff and John Mahoney have also been victims of this trend. It would be nice if the series would keep around some of the very strong talent it attracts for a more considerable length of time. Which is not to say that Show's replacement, Stamile, is inferior in any way. But he is still missed.

     Not everyone on Burn Notice gets killed off. "Enemy of My Enemy" actually returns several previously seen characters. Sugar (Arturo Fernandez) puts in his fourth appearance, while Carmelo is in a 2007 episode. Agents Manaro (Brendan O'Malley) and Bailey (unable to find the actor name) are in the TV movie, Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe, which conveniently was released on DVD this week. They are silly in a good way, and hopefully will return to bother Sam again.

     Burn Notice airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on USA

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Article first published as TV Review: Burn Notice - "Enemy of My Enemy" on Blogcritics.