I'll admit it: I dont watch as much "first-run" television as I used to. Many times, I will "discover" a show in syndication, years after it premiered, and--in some cases--after it's initial run has ended. It happened with "The Office" and "Futurama." heck, it even happened with "Seinfeld" - which I consider to be the best show ever produced. I wasn't always that way: When I was younger, you couldn't tear me away from a TV when a new "Miami Vice" aired. But, nowadays, the bulk of "new" programming I tune in to falls in the "sports" or "reality" arenas. Maybe it's the nature of today's programming? Maybe it's the flood of repeated showings/syndicated episodes of shows? maybe it's a bit of both? Nevertheless, it is what it is. However, every once in a while, an exception to that rule makes a welcome appearance.
Enter "Burn Notice." If you're not aware of the show, it chronicles the life and adventures of Michael Westen: A spy who, for reasons unknown to him, has been "burned" (aka "fired") by the US government at the peak of his career. He is summarily dumped in Miami and left to fend for himself. As a result, he reconnects with an ex-girlfriend (who also happens to be a gun-toting ex-operative), a former SEAL buddy, and, oddly enough, his own mother. Westen is relegated to taking occasional "jobs" that call for his specific talents to not only make a living, but to help further his primary goal: to find out who burned him and why.
When it premiered in 2007, Burn Notice was a bit of a novelty. It was one of the few original basic cable programs on TV to become instantly AND massively successful, joining the ranks of "Monk," "The Shield," "Nip/Tuck," "Rescue Me," "Psych" and "BattleStar Galactica." Since then, it has consistently ranked as one of the highest rated television programs of it's kind and maintains a rather rabid fan base.
But why should you be watching it?
1) The Cast - One of the hallmarks of most of those aforementioned shows has been the talent involved in each. This is not to say they all enlist A-list actors; it simply means the actors involved are engaging, extremely talented, and perfectly suited to the roles they play. This is the case with Burn Notice. Jeffrey Donovan IS Michael Westen. He wears the skin of a savvy super spy as if it were his own. When he's on screen, all eyes are on him--and even when he's not visible, all ears are on him as well, as his running narration can't be missed. One could assume his connection with the role is due to his being a relative unknown before the premiere of the show, but I firmly believe it's due more to raw talent.
Joining Donovan is industry stalwart Brice Campbell, whose on-screen charm remains undeniable, and is pitch-perfect as the hard-drinking, easy living Sam Axe. Gabrielle Anwar (Michael's ex Fiona) switches gears between sex kitten and sniper faster than her blue sportscar, and Sharon Gless (Westen's mother) continues to be one of the most underrated television actresses of the past few decades. Rounding out the cast is new(er) addition Coby Bell - who breaks the hated, long-standing TV tradition of new cast members that all but destroy a show's chemistry. On the contrary, he;s a welcome addition.
2) The Concept - In the 1980's, TV was home to a bunch of what I like to call "hero for hire" shows: "The Equalizer," "The A-Team," "Knight Rider," "MacGyver,""Riptide," etc. Why so many? It's no secret that people love heroes, but even more so, people like heroes that help the average joe with believable issues: An abusive spouse, a custody battle, a wrongful termination, a stalker, an embezzler in their company, etc. For a while, this kind of show took a back seat to police procedurals (Law and Order), medical dramas (Er, House), high-concept dramas (Heroes, Lost) and hateful reality TV. Nowadays, the "hero for hire" concept is muddied by so-called "complex" characters who spend angst-ridden existences contemplating their navels in dour, 60 minute installments. For my money, I prefer heroes who stop whining, make a plan, pick up a .45 and get down to business. Perhaps it's time for the classic "hero for hire" to make a comeback, no?
Burn Notice stands as a "hero for hire" show for a new generation. And while not TRULY "episodic"like it's 1980's forefathers (there is an serialized story arc that runs from season to season), viewers can still feasibly tune in after missing an episode and enjoy that particular episode in the same way we enjoyed those old 80's shows--only with better acting and writing... and no mohawks.
3) The Style - Sometimes, a show will burst on the scene attempting to seduce an audience with some flashy camerawork, nifty editing or unique narrative structure--and little else. Burn Notice has it's share of style--at times it oozes it--but its always merely a facilitator, and always secondary to the story. Cinematography is clean, colorful and vibrant--thanks in large part to the setting of Miami itself (Not since "Miami Vice" has a city made such a case as legitimate co-star). Editing is brisk but not dizzying. Action is all filmed so you can actually SEE it, and direction is crisp and fat-free.
Burn Notice creator Matt Nix' most effective stylistic choice is the inclusion of Michael Westen's "espionage for dummies" commentary and how-to videos. Not only do they serve the story, but they are both ingenious and fascinating. It may seem like a rather simple addition after seeing it in action, but it's nevertheless wildly compelling. I contend a show filled solely with Michael's tips on how to effectively bulletproof a minivan or how to steal data from a business while posing as an IT professional would be as good as any show on TV. Sure, maybe some of his tips are complete nonsense, but who cares? It sounds perfectly doable, and you actually feel informed. Simply put, Michael is the cooler, gun-toting little brother of McGyver, and little brother nails it.
4) The Enjoyment Factor - A bit nebulous, for sure, but this point is actually three. Too often, shows of this nature take themselves too seriously--even those that claim to be "comedy-dramas." Not once during an episode of Burn Notice will you feel that. The cast looks like they're having a ball almost all the time, and because they are, you start enjoying the ride by proxy. It's like watching the old rat pack shoot scenes for the original Ocean's Eleven, just without all the on-set alcohol and terrible dialogue.
Additionally, the individual stories are extremely satisfying, in an old-school, wrapped-in-a-bow kind of way. Whether it be a complex tale of exposing a corrupt attorney or an admittedly sappy and somewhat generic revenge plot against a deadbeat dad, even the most jaded viewer will undoubtedly be rooting for Michael Westen's team to "get the bad guy" by show's end.
Lastly, for an action show to be enjoyable, well, it has to have enjoyable action. And, as many a film aficionado will contend, the best action is action that's not completely lost in a polluted sea of A.D.D. editing and "I just saw a wachowski film" camera work. As mentioned above, the sequences here are well planned, easy to follow, and, most importantly, never excessive. Things don't blow up for the sake of blowing up. A fight scene isn't edited like Michael Bay on crack. Weapons aren't used unrealistically, and technology and tactics all seem to be grounded in some reality--even if it really isn't. As a result, the action in Burn Notice never feels jarring in tone, disjointed or sensational--instead, it's acceptable and engaging, and never halts the flow of each week's tale.
Now, of course, I could rattle off a a multitude of other reasons why Burn Notice works so well, but these four should do nicely in convincing you to give this basic cable gem a chance. As I mentioned, don't fret if you tune in and you're slightly our of the loop regarding the larger story arc: Stay with it until Westen's team has wrapped up a job and are sipping umbrella drinks on the beach. A taste might be all you need. Even if you're like me--a creature of habit that normally subsists on syndicated Law and Order and Seinfeld--you may find this is your one exception--and your one new addiction. After a few episodes, it will be hard to resist the charm of the cast, the brisk pacing of the stories and the jaunty vibe Burn Notice so deftly emanates.
Before long, you'll be craving a Mojito and pondering new ways to use your office's flourescent lighting system against potential attackers.
Who knows? The latter may actually save your life someday.
