I was in the US recently and saw posters for Burn Notice's third season. I was discussing it with my brother (who lives there) and he described the plot to me and my partner, said how very average it all was and expressed surprise that it would have gotten as far as a third season. However, unbeknownst to him, my girlfriend loves easy television and, given that Burn Notice is essentially Life (which she loved) in the way it has an episodic "case a week" structure with a background mystery to keep it together she decided to pick it up and start on season 1. Watching it with her I must say that my brother's summation of it because it is all very basic in terms of what it does – but his opinion is limited as he hasn't ever really watched it. What he is missing out on is the fact that it is actually quite entertaining even if it does feel like a show that doesn't quite have the love given to it (in terms of money, writing and gloss) that it could really do with.
I say this because, while it doesn't feel cheap, it doesn't manage to have the professional sheen of even something like Life (now cancelled after 2 seasons). The film stock doesn't look glossy, the zooming camera effects aren't quite as impressive as your CSI's, the sets occasionally feel like they could have done with a bit more time from the decorators to make them work as real places – mostly cosmetic stuff like that. This does matter though because this time of network stuff is reliant on the superficial to get people in the door because, let's be honest, there is not a lot of depth in there to be had.
The specific jobs provide some weekly fun and they are mostly pretty enjoyable as Michael does his thing and the other main characters do theirs. The mystery around the burn notice itself is mostly kept close and not allowed to drop off into the background even if there is not a lot of actual progress made during the season. It does have the air of being a plot device to be cranked up when a cliff-hanger or season finale is required (and indeed that is what they do) but they do keep it consistent and prevent it being obviously that. The lack of "polish" does hurt it a bit though because, while I enjoyed it, it doesn't ever feel as exciting or engaging as it should be, nor does it ever feel like it is realising its full potential in terms of delivering the "fun". Both of these (and others similar) just need to be addressed with a bit more love and effort in to point the corners and polish some of the dulled surfaces that appear to have been accepted as "good enough" and it will make a big difference. It is hard for me to put into words but watch season 1 after watching a more professional network show like CSI and you'll see what I mean.
The cast help because, although their material needs just a bit more "oomph" put into it, they are pretty fun. Donovan in particular is a cool, likable lead. He looks great and just needs the camera to do a little more to help him with his physical presence when he is the focus of the shot – maybe it is deliberate as part of his character but he seems to "give" space to others when he shares a scene. Anwar wisely is allowed to drop the AWFUL Irish accent that she failed to do in the pilot (although it worries me that nobody made that decision about 5 minutes into her first scene – it is that obviously a nonstarter). She has an amazing figure but hasn't aged that well in her face. Fortunately though she is mostly quite fun in her superficial and flirty character. I think she could do with a bit more meat in her character but she is still quite fun and fits the material. Campbell is a good bit of casting as he brings a certain cult appeal but also has a casual swagger that is engaging and comic. Gless is reasonably good but wisely not used a great deal as a character (also – good call on changing her "look" from the pilot). The various weekly guests vary in quality but at worst they do what is needed and when they are good they do make an impact on the show.
Burn Notice is disposable TV and was clearly didn't have bid expectations on it. It is quite fun though but I hope that the second season sees it rewarded for "success" by having more love put into it. The visual appearance of the show needs polish, the writing needs a bit more impact and sharpness to prevent it feeling "low-rent" at times. With this extra resource it will still have the same problems when it comes to the substances but, in this type of vehicle, superficial improvements can have a significant impact on the overall show. Easy fun though and just about enough to make me come back for the second season.
I say this because, while it doesn't feel cheap, it doesn't manage to have the professional sheen of even something like Life (now cancelled after 2 seasons). The film stock doesn't look glossy, the zooming camera effects aren't quite as impressive as your CSI's, the sets occasionally feel like they could have done with a bit more time from the decorators to make them work as real places – mostly cosmetic stuff like that. This does matter though because this time of network stuff is reliant on the superficial to get people in the door because, let's be honest, there is not a lot of depth in there to be had.
The specific jobs provide some weekly fun and they are mostly pretty enjoyable as Michael does his thing and the other main characters do theirs. The mystery around the burn notice itself is mostly kept close and not allowed to drop off into the background even if there is not a lot of actual progress made during the season. It does have the air of being a plot device to be cranked up when a cliff-hanger or season finale is required (and indeed that is what they do) but they do keep it consistent and prevent it being obviously that. The lack of "polish" does hurt it a bit though because, while I enjoyed it, it doesn't ever feel as exciting or engaging as it should be, nor does it ever feel like it is realising its full potential in terms of delivering the "fun". Both of these (and others similar) just need to be addressed with a bit more love and effort in to point the corners and polish some of the dulled surfaces that appear to have been accepted as "good enough" and it will make a big difference. It is hard for me to put into words but watch season 1 after watching a more professional network show like CSI and you'll see what I mean.
The cast help because, although their material needs just a bit more "oomph" put into it, they are pretty fun. Donovan in particular is a cool, likable lead. He looks great and just needs the camera to do a little more to help him with his physical presence when he is the focus of the shot – maybe it is deliberate as part of his character but he seems to "give" space to others when he shares a scene. Anwar wisely is allowed to drop the AWFUL Irish accent that she failed to do in the pilot (although it worries me that nobody made that decision about 5 minutes into her first scene – it is that obviously a nonstarter). She has an amazing figure but hasn't aged that well in her face. Fortunately though she is mostly quite fun in her superficial and flirty character. I think she could do with a bit more meat in her character but she is still quite fun and fits the material. Campbell is a good bit of casting as he brings a certain cult appeal but also has a casual swagger that is engaging and comic. Gless is reasonably good but wisely not used a great deal as a character (also – good call on changing her "look" from the pilot). The various weekly guests vary in quality but at worst they do what is needed and when they are good they do make an impact on the show.
Burn Notice is disposable TV and was clearly didn't have bid expectations on it. It is quite fun though but I hope that the second season sees it rewarded for "success" by having more love put into it. The visual appearance of the show needs polish, the writing needs a bit more impact and sharpness to prevent it feeling "low-rent" at times. With this extra resource it will still have the same problems when it comes to the substances but, in this type of vehicle, superficial improvements can have a significant impact on the overall show. Easy fun though and just about enough to make me come back for the second season.
