DVD Review: Burn Notice Season One
USA Network Casts Jeffrey Donovan in Bourne Meets MacGyver Spy Show
Jul 9, 2008
As his own government deems him unreliable and possibly compromised within the intelligence community, he is relocated (with restriction not to leave town) to Miami. There, Weston resorts to work-for-hire gigs investigating criminals, taking jobs from defenseless locals, and furthering his search as to the culprit within the black ops milieu, who could possibly have issued a burn notice on him (and more importantly, why).
Conceived as a mixture of spy shows and marginal comedy, Burn Notice relies on a formulaic format, that of the "Case of the Week", each one involving some sort of scam where only the protagonist can make a difference.
Jeffrey Donovan as Action Hero Michael Westen in Burn Notice
Former bit part actor Jeff Donovan portrays Michael Westen as a cynical, yet determined adventurer, one at odds with his predicament, yet possessing a moral compass compelling enough to help those in need. Helping him in his weekly missions, are ex-flame and fellow spy Fiona Glenanne (played by the beautiful Gabrielle Anwar, Scent of a Woman, For Love or Money), and semi-retired former military Sam Axe (Bruce "The Chin" Campbell, of Evil Dead fame). Over the course of the first season, this trio foils money launderers, drug traffickers, kidnappers, corrupt federal agents, to name but a random few.
The story format of the show is remindful of the typical 80's TV actioners, such as A-Team, Knight Rider, and MacGyver, to a certain extent. Unlike more recent spy dramas with season-long story arcs, such as Alias, Burn Notice relies on isolated plotlines, while still keeping the overall premise fresh.
This burned spy wants to get back in the game, and must survive financially while he hunts for clues as to his fate. The show is narrated with voice-over by the main character, which helps in connecting the dots, in some of the more complex storylines.
Another fun recurring motif each episode, is Westen's ability to create and build spy tools and gadgets using commonly found electronics (cell phones, and various other such Radio Shack baubles, turning them into listening tools, tracking devices, etc...). This gives the show a MacGyver'esque tint, reflecting the protagonist's resourcefullness, having been stripped of his finances, reputation, and good name.
Notable Burn Notice Episodes
Amongst the best of this 12-episode DVD box set, are the stories involving shady characters from his former life as an operative. They provide the writers with excellent fodder for intrigue and pure action.
- Episode 3 , "Old Friends", pits Westen against a Czech assassin who's been sent to eliminate the threat he represents as a "burned" agent.
- Episode 10, "False Flag", pits Westen against an old adversary (Lucy Lawless, Xena Warrior Princess), whose skills impressively match his.
- Finally, the best is kept for last, with the two-part season finale, "Dead Drop" and "Loose Ends", where our hero Michael finally makes progress in tracking down the source of his forced exile out of the spy business, while also dealing with a dangerous mercenary who imperils his helpful cohorts.
Burn Notice DVD Features
Special Features include screen tests of the main cast; a short yet goofy blooper reel; an insight into the making and writing of the show, and audio commentaries by select cast members and series creator Matt Nix.
This box set is for anyone who enjoys spy-related dramas, and good natured humor and cynicism.
7.5 out of 10
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