Cable Network USA's ongoing slogan of "characters welcome" is the best TV mantra since NBC's "must-see TV" (which it ain't in my book, not for years, with only a few exceptions. Where too many crime shows of the CSI and Law and Order ilk are just way too serious or just plain clinical all of the time, USA's Burn Notice remembers its okay to put your heroes (yeah, they're heroes, thank you) in jeopardy, but also be F-U-N, too. The same goes for the network's companion show, Royal Pains, introduced last year and the best medical show (if you can really call it that) in a long time. But more on that one another time.
For those who still haven't found this no-guilt pleasure in the last few years, Burn Notice is about ex-spy Michael Westen, who was on the receiving end of a burn notice. As he explains in the series voiceover open, that means "You've got nothing; no cash, no credit, no job history. You're stuck in whatever city they've decided to dump you in. You do whatever work comes your way."
For Westin, played by Jeffrey Donovan, that city turned out to be his hometown of Miami and he becomes a go-to-guy for people who have no one else to turn to in solving their dire, always violence filled problems. He's joined by ex-or-are-they-back on again girlfriend and mistress of all weapons and big-boom pyrotechnics former IRA operator Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) and his life-lovin' ex-Navy SEAL Sam (the ever great Bruce Campbell, who in fact drew me to the show as he did with others). And then there's Westen's mom, Madeline (a chain-smoking - and we hope those cigs aren't real - Sharon Gless along with appearances here and there by Michael's younger brother, Nate.
So, it's all part spy intrigue, masquerades and sting-scams with the continuous subplots as Westen seeks to redeem himself, a little A-Team as the trio takes on all manner of bad guys, plus touches of romance, bickering, tips for spying as gadgets, gizmos and tricks of the trade are explained in more voiceovers. Donovan's no CW pretty boy, far from it and often looks and is bruised, battered and roughed up.
In Season 3, recently released on DVD, "the agency" (we're never sure if it's CIA or what) is no longer keeping enemies from finding him as they once were, which complicates his life further. Meanwhile, he's still on his search for the one burned him as he continues to help the pretty-much helpless.
There's a series of episodes with Tom Strickler, "agent to the spies," if you can imagine that. In in "A Dark Road," the team topples insurance scam artists who've taken advantage of a widow while the excellent "Friendly Fire," finds an old friend needing help to take down a child predator and in "Devil You Know" Westen deals with the guy who committed the crimes used to burn him. Plus, there's also a treat in a little reunion of Gless with her former Cagney & Lacey co-star Tyne Daily (Last seen on Judging Amy).
Best of all may be that Burn Notice is a summer show and always has been, which suits its Miami setting and makes for enterraining viewing as all the Idol and stars dancing nonsese is gone, along with that Lost hype stuff, too. Season 1 and Season 2 are also available on DVD, plus Blu-ray, while Season 4 began a few weeks ago on television Feel the burn.
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