warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

"Burn Notice" Is Back And Sizzling As Ever

Nicole Shoohed |
November 13, 2010 | 6:47 p.m. PST

Deputy Entertainment Editor

 

The “Burn Notice” season premiere provided an hour of action, drama and humor for fan and newcomer alike. The outstanding cast and mix of a phenomenal overall story line and remarkable new cases week after week make for another fantastic USA series, and the premiere seemed to suggest that this season will be no expection. 

On last season’s finale, we are left off with a final image of Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) shot and bleeding on the floor after a massive car accident. This

Burn Notice Cast (Creative Commons)
Burn Notice Cast (Creative Commons)
episode opens with Michael in the hospital with Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) and Sam (Bruce Campbell) by his side. 

The episode focuses on Michael both fixing the aftermath of his last case and attempting to decode all the names of the people that burned him in the encrypted Bible. 

Michael’s client from last time (Danny Pino from “Cold Case”) is on a revenge spree against the people who kidnapped his child. He hires Dennis (James Ransone), a bomb maker, to kill them in an explosion, ultimately bringing the victims of the massacre strait to Michael and his team. 

Though Dennis is hired for one bomb, Michael quickly finds out that Dennis is suffering from several psychotic problems, and is set on igniting another four. Michael decides he must stop Dennis from executing his plan of ridding the world of “degenerates,” posing as his number one fan to get close to him. 

As always, through a number of convoluted encounters and plans, and the help of Sam and Fiona, Michael is ultimately able to figure out where all the bombs are and successfully terminate them. 

Michael also enlists the help of Jesse (Coby Bell), who at the end of last season felt betrayed by the team after finding out they accidentally burned him before their meeting.  

After shooting Michael at the end of the finale—in an effort to save him, however—Jesse ends up helping Michael recover a list of people involved in his burning. 

More shockingly, however, is Jesse’s decision to blow up Dennis at the end of the episode. Michael, Sam and Fiona are all shocked by this choice to kill since, while Dennis was a criminal, the decision may not have been necessary. 

What prompted Jesse’s new desire to kill, and rather, kill so casually? Is it the feeling of betrayal by the people he once considered his closest friends? At this point, it is not necessarily known, but whatever Jesse is going through will most certainly be explored in other episodes and impact future cases. 

Reach Deputy Entertainment Editor Nicole Shoohed, here.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.