Photo : USA NETWORK
There are very few shows that consistently deliver engrossing, high stakes season finales and returns (like FRINGE or SUPERNATURAL). Four and a half seasons and I’m happy to say BURN NOTICE keeps the streak alive.
By : TAMARA BROOKS
There are very few shows that consistently deliver engrossing, high stakes season finales and returns (like FRINGE or SUPERNATURAL). Four and a half seasons and I’m happy to say BURN NOTICE keeps the streak alive.
When we last saw the crew, a meet-up with a bad guy had gone terribly, horribly wrong and resulted in a profusely bleeding Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) loosing consciousness after pulling himself out of a mangled car. “Eyes Open” picks up immediately after Michael goes black.
Admittedly I was very excited to watch the episode and was concerned it might lead to a let down of some sort. A sub-par villain perhaps? An unsatisfying resolution? A less than enjoyable case? That’s a big no on all fronts. What’s great about the episode is that it blended callbacks from the first half of the season with aspects that set the trajectory for the remaining run. It also served up a few “holy crap!” moments and explosions which are always good. We get resolution to a few big plot points but, as viewers are accustomed, there are still more questions than there are answers and the encrypted NOC list remains at large.
Photo : USA NETWORK
For those concerned that Jesse Porter (excellently played by Coby Bell) wouldn’t be around anymore, it looks like he’ll be in the picture for the foreseeable future. Whether he’ll be a friend or foe remains to be seen given how tenuous his relationship was with everyone. There is something that Jesse does towards the end of episode that I found very interesting, especially considering how little we know about his previous time in the field and the kind of spy work he was doing.
Donovan continues to put in fantastic work as Westen and the various characters he takes on. The way he shifts back and forth is subtle but definite, a distinction some people may not pick up on. In order to get close to the baddie in “Eyes Open,” Michael must play a fanatical loon. The way he can instantly change the glint in his eyes is genius. Donovan is definitely one of the most underrated actors on TV.
Fiona Glenanne (Gabrielle Anwar) got more screen time than Madeline Westen (Sharon Gless) and Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell) but they all made the most of their scenes. Gless had two very memorable moments – the way she’s been racking them up I can easily see her getting another Emmy nomination.
For new viewers, this may not be the best episode to jump in on but they fill in most of the pertinent backstory in the “previously” montage. For Burners, break out the yogurt and cheer because this is a good one.
Burn Notice Premiere : Thursday, November 11th : 10/9c on USA Network
