DVD Review: Burn Notice: Season 2

When spies get fired, they don’t get a letter from human resources – they get burned. Get revenge as the USA Network original series Burn Notice Season Two explodes onto Blu-ray Disc and DVD June 16 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Combining the best action/thriller elements with surprising humor and an iconic new breed of espionage, the second season heats up as blacklisted spy, Michael Westen hones his unique skills for new clientele. After being fired as a professional spy and dumped in his hometown of Miami without money or resources, Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan; Changeling) struggles to put his life back together and find out why he has been “burned.” “Graced with a sly voiceover and strong supporting characters” (Brian Lowry, Variety), the show also stars Gabrielle Anwar (The Tudors, Scent Of A Woman) as Fiona, a beautiful ex-IRA operative who happens to be Westen’s ex-girlfriend, Bruce Campbell (Bubba Ho Tep, Army Of Darkness) as Sam, Michael’s closest buddy in town, and Emmy award-winner Sharon Gless (Queer As Folk, Cagney & Lacey) as Madeline, Westen’s hypochondriac mother.

Review:
Burn Notice is a refreshing mix of comedy, drama, and action that TV has been missing for years. If you haven’t caught it yet, you have no idea what you’re missing. Burn Notice tells the story of Michael Westen (Jeffery Donovan) who was a former CIA operative. He’s been blacklisted from the intelligence community and now is determined to figure how who burned him and why. Along with his pal Sam (Bruce Campbell) and his sexy and saucy ex-girlfriend Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), the trio finds themselves helping out the ordinary folks of Miami with their sometimes more than complicated problems. Think a Bourne Identity with humor along with the gadgetry of MacGyver. You can’t go wrong.

This is a series where you don’t have to see every episode to know what’s up. While there are a number of storylines that are serialized, each episode stands mostly on its own as a case that Michael is working along with his continued pursuit to figure out who burned him. There is a new villian in Season 2 who Battlestar Galactica fans should recognize – Tricia Helfer. Her intense relationship – and sexual tension – with Michael makes for a fiery cat and mouse chase throughout the season which climaxes with an unforgettable season finale.

What’s even better about this release is they’ve made it available on Blu-ray. We really hope they do this with Season 1 as well in the near future. The special features aren’t too shabby. There are audio commentaries on several episodes, deleted scenes, a “Nixin’ It Up” featurette, and a gag reel. All good basics, but I would have liked to have seen more featurettes. We had the pleasure of visiting the set last summer and we know that it’s a pretty kick ass place.

Great release though, and great series. Check it out if you haven’t already. This show is one of the favorites of the FanBolt staff.

Review by Emma Loggins

Grade: A
Official site: http://www.usanetwork.com/series/burnnotice/
Buy on Amazon: Burn Notice: Season 2

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