Finalewatch '07: 'Burn Notice'

September 20, 08:24 PM

Burn Notice! Two-hour season finale! Now! On USA! (Yeah, I'm a little pumped. Wanna fight about it?) We open with an artful shot of Michael working out shirtless. Did I mention I love this show? Oh, and the Charger (for those who, like me, were saddened by its brush with explosives last week) is back in prime condition, incredibly enough. And then, as if it couldn't get any better, Michael heads out to meet Cowan, the man who burned him. And, as we all know by now, he's played by Richard. Freaking. Schiff! Toby!!! This show has the greatest casting ever, you guys. (Gabrielle Anwar and her cruddy American accent and skeletal figure excepted, of course.)

Fiona brings up a valid point, though, while Michael is trying so hard to talk to Toby. Why does he want so badly to get back in to the CIA? He's helping people in Miami, he has Fiona (not so great according to me, but still), they keep trying to kill him... He says he wants to clear his name and find out why he was burned, but I can't help but agree with Fiona on this one, at least a little.

Once he finally does make contact with Toby he only gets a wave and a coded message. Oh, Toby. So cryptic. So mysterious. So missed by me. Michael cracks Toby's code and is rewarded with a meeting time and another message. In the meantime, Nate (Michael's ne’er-do-well brother) is back in town to watch out for their mom, and Sam heads out to take a case on his own. About dang time! Goooo Sam! A security employee is being blackmailed into smuggling drugs, and wants out. Sam, clever fellow that he is, recruits Fiona to help. Fiona agrees, for a price. They manage to track down the bad guy, but it turns out he's not the bad guy after all, and the employee is being set up by a friend whom she thought was also being blackmailed. Ouch. They recruit Michael to help turn the double blackmail until a triple blackmail. Unfortunately, the Charger's windshield gets a bit shot up in the process. Oh, and the client (and Michael) almost get blown up. And, Michael's shirt gets dirty! It's hard out there for an (ex-)spy. Plus, while helping Sam and Fiona, Michael has managed to miss his meeting with Toby.

He and Toby finally meet up, though, and my heart fills with joy at seeing Richard Schiff on TV again. Toby claims that he didn't burn Michael after all--that it was a much larger conspiracy. Though he does cop to trying to have Michael killed, so there's that. Apparently, the "powerful, dangerous people" that Toby works for have big plans for Michael. And in the injustice to end all injustices, they snipe Toby in the chest right as he's explaining everything. Well, cryptically hinting at everything, anyway. But more importantly: NOOOOOO!!!! TOOOOBBBYYYYY!!! Just as my heart was swelling with joy! With joy!!! There aren't enough exclamation points in the world to express my sorrow. Oh, and in the meantime, things only go downhill for Sam and Fiona as the lower-level smugglers get themselves exploded, and Sam gets himself kidnapped by the higher-level smugglers, so...super. Sam: kidnapped. Toby: dead. Thank God it's a two-hour finale, and not a cliffhanger! You'd better make it up to me in the second hour, Burn Notice. Consider yourself on notice.

We return to find Michael's place surrounded by the folks who killed Toby and had him burned. Fiona calls him in a panic, and he and Nate, who is helpfully playing chauffer, head off to her rescue. And, hopefully, Sam's rescue (if not, USA Network is getting a strongly-worded letter from yours truly). Sweet shoot-em-up-ness and homemade truck/bomb-ness ensues. I really, really love this show. They make it out okay, but emerge Sam-less. Michael gets Nate to bring their mom to Nate's place (their new hideout) for safety, while Sam gets the tar beat out of him by his heroin-dealing captors for refusing to talk. It's really tough to watch, but at least he has some pretty good post-punch comebacks. Alias-worthy, even. Michael tries to negotiate Sam's return while Fiona gathers weaponry. You know, just in case. Sam, for his part, discreetly tries to discourage Michael and Fiona from even bothering a rescue. Don't give up, Sam! My viewership next season is partially dependent on your survival!

The government-types who shot Toby clearly want to bring Michael in, and when Michael and Fiona head over to check them out, they barely make it out safely. A mysterious woman, one of the burners, calls and wants to talk about Michael's burn notice and his past, but Michael's more worried about Sam at this point. Barry the money launderer helpfully and semi-unwillingly steers Michael toward some other heroin dealers who might know who has Sam. A few explosives and threats later (I feel like I say that a lot, recapping this show), Michael gets the heroin boss's name, and heads out with Fiona to check out the operation and set a meeting with the boss. Sam tries valiantly to get himself killed, so that Michael won't step into a trap trying to rescue him. Aw, Sam! He's such a loyal BFF. But seriously, dude, cut it OUT.

It takes some doing, but Michael convinces his mom to leave town with Nate. Of course, they get themselves a little bit followed. She would be the worst spy ever, yo. Michael saves the day, as usual, allowing Nate and his mom to get out of town, but only by agreeing to come in alive after the burners give him 12 hours to save Sam. Otherwise, he threatens suicide. Um, there are only ten minutes left in the episode at this point. I smell an unsatisfying ending!

Michael and Fiona share a goodbye kiss before riding off into the sunset to save Sam. (Fiona's there too, of course, but up on a building playing sniper.) When most of the bad guys leave their hideout (a boat) to supposedly meet Michael and Fiona, Michael scubas over to the boat, SEAL-style, and stages a crazy rescue. Complete, as always, with homemade explosives and plenty o' shooting. (Best moment: When the bad guy calls Michael to finish the deal, only to hear a phone ringing outside the door. Oh, and the obligatory "running away in slo-mo as the boat explodes" shot. AWESOME!)

In the ultimate act of gratitude, Sam lets Michael borrow the Cadillac to drive off to find his destiny. And also the reason he was burned. And who burned him. And what they want from him now. The mysterious woman is very much looking forward to meeting him, and Michael tells himself that some information is worth risking everything for, as he drives the Cadillac into a giant truck parked on a bridge. And...that's all she wrote, unfortunately. As USA unhelpfully reminds us, Burn Notice returns with all-new episodes NEXT SUMMER. So until then, I'd suggest re-watching this season, checking out Chuck for your spy fix, and maybe getting a screen grab of Michael's shirtless workout. You know, for the memories. It's been fun, y'all!

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in Burn Notice , Cable , Finales , Recaps

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Comments (22)

Comments

Color me confused.

Did Lucy Lawless' charachter actually get shown dead last week when she jumped off the building. It went to commercial and I can't remember ever seeing what happened after that.

If not, then I think the mysterious womans voice could be hers. Otherwise the whole idea of her charachter doesn't really make a lot of sense.

I hate that their waiting for summer to bring this back, why couldn't it be in January like they do with Psych and Monk. What's up with that?

sac | Sep 21, 2007 4:18:14 AM | #

sac, yes Lucy Lawless' character did fall to her death last week. I'd really doubt that's her voice on the phone.

However, it could be Sam's lady friend, Veronica. We've only seen her on screen once or twice, so it's hard to tell if that's her voice or not.

I love this show, and hate to have to wait until next summer. USA better show reruns of this season until then! Preferably in marathons lasting all day.

Linda | Sep 21, 2007 4:41:16 AM | #

One of the best, quickest and most suspenseful season endings ever! Those 2 hours flew by and the wait until summer is going to be long and anxious.

USA you have a bonafide hit here... don't do anything that might screw it up!

BurntNoticeMan | Sep 21, 2007 5:37:18 AM | #

Holy cow! That was Lucy Lawless. I am so completely bummed that I have to wait until next June/July for Burn Notice!!! This show grew so much from its Pilot. I love it. And I have always loved the main character since "Touching Evil". Another great show cancelled.

Kathryn | Sep 21, 2007 7:40:39 AM | #

Gabrielle Anwar is not trying to do an American accent. Fiona is a former Irish Republican Army operative.

None | Sep 21, 2007 8:51:24 AM | #

What a fantastic finale! Loved the opening with the shirtless Michael (man is he in shape!). Quit picking on Gabrielle Anwar. As someone already noted, she's supposed to be Irish. She is a tad skinny, though. But she's perfectly cast as Fiona.

sep | Sep 21, 2007 9:52:58 AM | #

If you watched from the beginning, Fiona was with the IRA and she said at one point that she couldn't live in Miami and continue to sound like a leprechaun. So, she is doing an Irish accent trying to sound like an American. Funny part is she is English.

MLB | Sep 21, 2007 11:22:28 AM | #

I tell you, USA has done a great job of finding and producing quality TV shows the past few years. Burn Notice by far is one of the best. That first hr flew by and sorry Liz, but Toby getting shot(shocking!!! My draw dropped)would have been a great cliffhanger if it was a one hr finale. But itwasn't and still ended on a great note other then the, "tune in next summer for more Burn Notice".

Chris | Sep 21, 2007 11:39:04 AM | #

Nah, it's Patricia Wettig on the other end of the phone...other people have two shows, why not her? Kidding, of course. Seriously, I'm as flummoxed as the next guy about who she is, and I really was hoping they'd at least do what they did on the first half of Ugly Betty, before revealing that the mysterious woman in the sweet outfit and head cover was Alex. Still and all, this was the type of two-part episode I was hoping for. The death of Cowan (and so quickly!) really did come as a complete shock for me, since I had him figured for the puppet master from day one. Seeing him touted as a guest star for over a month, only to have him shot and killed in less than ten minutes, was one hell of a twist. My favorite scene, though, was watching Gabrielle Anwar in mortal peril, doing most of her own stuntwork as she raced back and forth between two sets of bad guys coming at her on the bridge where she had been listening in to the hapless smugglers just before their ride went boom. It was a little Woo-ish for my taste, but still well-done, and Anwar showed that she does action heroine almost as good as The Bride. And as for Sam...very few actors could play a part like this and pull it off without bringing the entire show to a screeching halt every time he opens his mouth. His cracking wise even while getting his features rearranged was worth watching (even as I winced at every punch...how on earth do they choreograph rabbit punches to the gut while sitting down?). Bruce Campbell is and has long been an underrated actor, but I think this may finally be the role where people get to see how good the guy actually is at what he does. Sure, he plays pretty much the same character in every role, but nobody does it better. So the only changes I would make? Get rid of Sharon Gless. She annoys me every time she's on screen, and I have yet to see what benefit she brings to the show. Nate is kinda growing on me, and I half expected to see him as one of the bad guys. His reappearances always seem just a little too convenient. The only thing really missing? A dog. Michael needs a dog. Other than that, nine months is going to just draaaaaaaag by, but at least the DVD will be out sometime next spring, we can hope. Great show, wish there were more on like it. And kudos to USA for having the balls to put on shows that the regular networks always seem to pass on. Idiots. They pick Kid Nation over Burn Notice? Pfft.

Dark Disciple | Sep 21, 2007 12:18:11 PM | #

yea whats with the LOST 9months to come back B.S. Why this show isnt on Network channel is beyond me. This show would beat any mid season show in the spring 24 and Idol not included

| Sep 21, 2007 3:24:55 PM | #

Does any one know what brand watch Michael wears o the show?

T C | Sep 21, 2007 6:06:21 PM | #

I think Sam's girlfriend is in the mix somehow or another.

I also wonder if Fiona knows exactly who/why he was burned and was trying her best to get him to quit searching.

I would put Burn Notice against any Faux Reality Show and much of the scripted programming on the big three networks.

Terrible Towel | Sep 22, 2007 4:21:00 AM | #

Good call on Fiona, in the episode she does mention a reason why she isn't a spy.

One could view it if like being a spy is distasteful to her and then there was that whole hostile attitude with Sam in the beginning.

If it were at all possible I'd suspect Michael's mother. With Westin being 'groomed' for something sounds like a 'mother' preparing her 'son'. Besides nobody's THAT simple or stupid - it could be a really good act.

BurntNoticeMan | Sep 22, 2007 7:01:42 AM | #

Another great recap, Liz. The show's producers must be reading these message boards because they gave us what we wanted in the 2-hour season finale. My favorite parts were: Michael/Nate's brotherly bonding, the tearful farewell with his Mom, saving Sam, kissing Fiona, and watching a shirtless Michael do crunches. ;-)

I can't believe that the four big networks turned down the pilot for Burn Notice. I could have seen this type of show on Fox's Monday nights, after Prison break and before 24 starts their season. USA has a bonafide hit-- they even made Entertainment Weekly's "Must List"!

I didn't recognize the woman's voice on the phone who said that she was behind the burn notice. I was thinking it could be Lucy Lawless again, but maybe the producers haven't decided which actress should be cast yet. I can't wait until next June for the answers!

Paige | Sep 22, 2007 8:44:16 AM | #

Love the show...but it is time to get rid of Michael's mom.....while I loved Sharon Gless as Christine Cagney when I was a teen.....in this role she is just obnoxious....maybe it is the writing....but I cringe when I hear her on the screen.

mark3557 | Sep 22, 2007 9:54:09 AM | #

The "voice" is tyne daly...well wouldn't that be interesting

wholetruthy | Sep 22, 2007 11:01:33 AM | #

Love the show. Can't wait....

Karen | Sep 24, 2007 6:29:18 AM | #

I love this show! It is one of those hidden shows being that it is on USA and doesn't get the fan fare that it deserves! I tell everyone about it and I am bummed I have to wait for the return.

All I can say is Michael should go shirtless a lot more often -- damn that is one fine male speciman.

Andrea | Sep 24, 2007 9:25:56 AM | #

Great show, but WAAAAAA, I don't wait to wait until NEXT summer!! I agree, why not do what Monk and Psych does, two other really great shows by the way.
I actually like skinny Fiona and was happy when they sorta kissed. I love Sharon Gless but her character smokes way too much, its almost distracting when she's on screen.

Jo | Sep 24, 2007 10:54:27 AM | #

The only, only thing I didn't like about the finale of "Burn Notice" was the info that it won't be back until next summer. Next summer! Geez. Oh, and I was shocked when Richard Schiff's character was killed off so quickly, but it was a good twist.

Liz, I luv your reviews, but I think you're a little too hard on Gabrielle Anwar. Others explained the accent deal, and, yes, she's skinny but I wouldn't say she's skeletal. I like funky, crazy Fiona. Who else would be able to deal with Michael's lifestyle?

meggins | Sep 24, 2007 11:59:05 AM | #

I love the show and I love the recaps. I almost feel like I was there myself reading them.
And to think I'm only watching because this show followed the Starter Wife... But it can really hold its own. There is nothing like it on network TV, well maybe Chuck (24 is way too serious), I'm very surprise to hear it was passed on by the networks!

Wendy | Sep 28, 2007 9:57:18 AM | #

Monk and Psych air 9 episodes in the summer and 7 episodes in the winter. These 16 episodes comprise 1 season for the show.

Burn Notice aired 12 episodes (the season finale counting as two).

So, if Burn Notice was aired like Monk and Psych, we'd end up with a few more episodes, but not many.

Anna | Oct 1, 2007 10:59:10 PM | #