What I’m Watching: Burn Notice (Season Finale)

Burn Notice: Season 4, Episodes 17 & 18 “Out of the Fire” & “Last Stand” (B+)

I sometimes feel a bit left out of the fun on this show because I didn’t watch from the very beginning (my own fault; I gave the pilot a C+ and didn’t pick the show back up until learning that Tricia Helfer would be recurring in season two). That becomes problematic when I’m not sure whether I’ve actually seen Larry before (and it’s perfectly possibly I have and have just forgotten) or whether I’m supposed to know who Dylan Baker is when he ushers Michael into the CIA office in DC at the very end of the episode (some quick research indicates I’m not). In any case, this finale is certainly game-changing, and in a far clearer way than last year’s, where Michael found himself arrested and then seated comfortably on a chair in someone’s living room. Now, he may finally have gotten himself back into the game, which could be a great pathway for introducing some new series regulars and straining his relationship with the people who stuck with him throughout his time being burned. I liked this episode because of its intensity and the very mortal attitude which all the characters took on during it. Jesse and Fiona discussing her relationship with Michael was a nice treat, and Michael talking to and later smooching with Fiona was also nice. Sam really came through on his end by bringing the cavalry at the right moment, and now we have yet another villain who’s gone before we really knew what he was up to – Vaughn. It’s been a good season, and we have at least two more to look forward to thanks to an early renewal back in April. Season five shouldn’t be far off, likely premiering in July.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Jeffrey Donovan