Burn Notice - Season 2 [DVD]

Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan) thought that finding out who burned him would be a good thing. Instead, finding out has made this former spy's life much more complicated. Now that Carla (Tricia Helfer) has stepped out of the shadows as the organization's mouth piece, he has to do her bidding. She has him on some assignment, and Michael thinks it isn't a good thing. So he's trying to find out all he can about the organization and the big picture so he can try to stop them.

But, meanwhile, he needs to eat, so he continues to take on assignments for people in desperate trouble. There's the woman stalked by a drug dealer, the ex-con being roped back into a life of crime, the man who was lost his life savings to medical scam artists, and the football player being harassed by car thieves. Heck, Michael even gets involved in tracking down a Haitian fugitive.

Fortunately, Michael has the help he needs in the form of ex-FBI agent Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell) and ex-girlfriend Fiona Glenanne (Gabriella Anwar). Then again, those two often bring him clients with simple problems that turn complicated. Not making things any easier is Michael's mother Madeline (Sharon Gless) who insists on family bonding moments at the worst possible times.

As much as I enjoyed season 1 of this show, I got even more hooked on season 2. Everything was stronger. The on going storyline is more than enough to keep anyone coming back from week to week. Carla seems to be one step ahead of Michael the entire way, and I wanted to know what was going on as much as he did. The weekly stories were just as strong. I never saw how Michael and his friends would save the day. And if you want tricky gadgets and plenty of explosions, this is the show for you.

But the human element of the story actually becomes stronger, too. They play up the relationship between Fiona and Michael even more this season, making both those characters more real. I wasn't a fan of Madeline in the first season, but I warmed to her here. I still wouldn't mind if she was only a recurring character, but I do feel she adds to the show now.

As I write this, season 3 has just started, and they are building admirably on what came in this season. Believe me, if you like action and suspense, this show is for you.

Burn Notice airs on the 'USA Network' in America, the same cable channel that shows Monk Seasons 1-6 [DVD] and Psych - Season 1 [DVD] [2006] amongst other things. It started life as what is known in the US as a 'Summer Show'; in other words a low key effort put out in the television off-season when all the major American networks such as NBC and CBS are showing repeats or reality shows. As such it was never really meant to be that successful, but somehow Burn Notice bucked its humble beginnings, drew in an audience and has just finished airing its 3rd season on US TV, which was shown in two blocks; half in its original summer slot and half during the peak Winter TV season. Its also been renewed for seasons 4 to 6.

The reasons that Burn Notice has proved so popular (picking up 7 million viewers in the US) are on display in Season 2 of the show. Although ostensibly a light drama about spies set in Miami in reality its more like a contemporary and far cooler take on those shows that were popular back in the 80's like MacGyver, the A-Team or Knightrider where a lone hero fights for justice on behalf of the little guy each week. In Burn Notice's case the lone hero is Michael Weston, a former spy who has been given a 'Burn Notice' by his erstwhile employers and banished to enforced retirement in Miami. Aided by on/off girlfriend and former gunrunner/terrorist Fiona, fellow former spook and pal Sam (the legendary Bruce Campbell) and his mother, Michael uses his spy skills to help those who need him whilst he also works to find out why he was 'burned' and declared persona non grata.

Mixing some great writing, fantastic character interplay and solid action Burn Notice is by turns exciting, funny and dramatic. Whilst Season 1 did a great job setting up the show Season 2 expands on that success, introducing a compelling background story arc involving the mysterious Carla (Tricia Helfer) and some great guest stars (Tim Matheson and Michael Shanks being standouts). It also progresses and develops all the regular characters, making them all more rounded, relatable individuals. This is one of the show's particular selling points; whilst it might look like a light-weight action adventure show it actually takes the time to make you care about Michael, Sam, Fiona etc. It doesn't pull its punches either, with people dying or being hurt on a regular basis. In both respects its a far more adult affair than many of the TV shows that preceded it. In Burn Notice when cars crash the bad guys don't simply walk away shaking their heads like they did back in the 80's.

Most of all however, Burn Notice is fun. Michael's voiceovers, as he describes the skills of a spy whilst putting them into action on screen, are a particular hoot. The whole show has an energy and a vibe that makes it enjoyable to watch and there are enough twists and turns to the mystery behind Michael's Burn Notice to keep you coming back to find out what happens.

I will certainly be picking up Season 3 when its finally released on DVD here in the UK

Our family enjoys watching films together, but a great box set gives you a lot of viewing pleasure for not a lot of money.

This is one of the very best, we all really love this. It is good looking, driven by great characters, full of exciting action scenes, with a witty voiceover full of spy hints and tricks. The main characters are likeable and amusing, while the peripheral characters are less annoying this time out. Onto the second series and it is still fresh, with not a single dud episode here.

In each episode Michael Westen goes beyond the law to sort out someone's problems, generally besting the criminal or corrupt with considerable guile. His use of different personas to trick people is a real joy. There is also an overarching story arc where Michael attempts to find out who was responsible for the original burn notice and why. The danger with any series is that they settle into a familiar format and style which then becomes repetitive. The overarching story arc avoids this, as do the shifting dynamics of the key and peripheral characters. The story arc inevitably hots up considerably at the start and end of the series with friends and foes appearing again.

There are a few extras, and the delight of a disc with former Cagney and Lacey star, Sharon Gless on it. Four discs are packed into a standard DVD size, handy if you don't want DVDs taking over your house.

I've got the next series on pre-order and cannot wait for it to arrive. If you enjoy stuff like N.C.I.S. - Naval Criminal Investigative Service - Series 1 - Complete [DVD], Sledge Hammer - Series 1 [DVD] and Leverage - Complete Season 1 [DVD] [2008] and you can get this then you are in for a treat.