Burn Notice

[StreamOfTheSky]

Hey, just wondering if anyone else here enjoys this excellent program. I finally got my season 1 DVD (as it was just released), and season 2 is starting in about three weeks, so it seemed like a good time to start a thread.

Personally, watching each episode makes me sigh, and remember all the D&D games I tried to play a "social rogue" and too often found what I could do and roleplay limited by the DM's knowledge in how to react and the existence of the rest of the party, who were not inclined for such spy games. I think, by the time of september, when season 2's wrapped up and i've had my fix, I'll be hell-bent on having a "Rogue" themed game, like I've wanted to for years -- urban setting, strict classes allowed list for things like Rogue, Bard, Assassin, Spymaster, etc...

 

[horacethegrey]

My brother introduced me to this excellent show. He described it as a funnier Macguyver. Personally I think it's more of The Equalizer with a lot more comedy, as it's main character was a former spy and all.

I just love the main character Michael Westin. Despite the fact that he deals with such dangerous people and situations, he's a pretty likable and funny guy. Jeffrey Donovan plays him really well, and his deadpan delivery of some of the show's dialogue is incredibly hilarious. The rest of supporting cast are fine as well. Bruce Campbell is great as his slimy yet loyal ex-SEAL buddy, while Gabrielle Anwar is surprisingly hot as his ex-girlfriend from the IRA. But I must give props to Sharon Gless, who plays Michael's overbearing and harried mother, her interaction with Donovan provide some of the shows funnier moments.

I really look forward to Season 2, and hope it delivers.

 

[sydbar]

Its one of my favorite shows, it has a great cast, cool characters, and great ideas for gaming.

 

[Dog Moon]

A great show, and one I plan on purchasing once I have found another job. I still think it would have been better though had Fi kept her Irish accent. I'm a sucker for accents.

 

[Rl'Halsinor]

This is the only show that I can honestly say that I don't miss an episode. The stroies are great driven by both excellent characters and solid plots.

The thing that was intriguing was the woven bits and pieces week in and week out as Michael gained just a little more knowledge on his "burn."

That story arc was the glue to a lot of fun. I just hope the writers and producers can deliver in season 2.

Bruce Campbell, Gabriell Anwar, Sharon Gless, and the guy who plays the brother (can't remember the actor's name), are all excellent. Ya gotta' love Bruce. His part is perfect for him.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

I really, really enjoy this show, but sadly I always forget when it's on. I've missed pretty much the entire recap of the first season that they've been doing as a lead-in to season 2, and to date have only seen a handful of episodes.

 

[Grog]

I loved the first season of Burn Notice. It was great fun while it was on, and then I wouldn't think about it again until the next episode. The perfect summer show.

Here's hoping this season still has the magic.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Love the show. I've been looking forward to this show returning more than any other.

 

[Crothian]

It is very good.

 

[Felon]

Like Reaper, Burn Notice is very episodic and formulaic, and having participated in a couple of Reaper threads in this forum, I'm not surprised to see Burn Notice get raves here as well.

On the basis of the first half-dozen or so episodes I watched, my impression is that it's a charming throwback to shows like Rockford Files or Magnum PI, with a protagonist who keeps his own hours and winds up spending them sticking his neck way out for people he just met with little prospect of getting any kind of compensation for his lfe-endangering efforts. And of course, these good friends he made over the last hour disappear from his life right after the coda--even the women who he falls head over heels in love with ("it just wouldn't work out").

The hero comes off like a scoundrel, but you know he will ultimately make the selfless, heroic choice--even to the extent of keeping his karma clean by executing some overly complex scam to deal with the bad guys when he could just as easily exterminate them with a well-placed bullet or bomb. So basically, it's all the fun and unpredictability of rooting for the bad guy with none of the guilt, plus the comfort of knowing that the show's premise won't change on you because the hero's actions always result with him managing to just break even somehow.

Bottom line: cute, nostalgic show with interchangeable episodes, comfy in its unambitiousness.