388 replies to this topic

[Righty007]

Aw, drat, I missed it--for failing to check in here! Any chance to they'll repeat it before Monday?

I don't know. I missed it too and then bought it on iTunes. I recommend doing the same thing.

[Professor Dent]

You can also watch the episode for free on the USA Network website.

Best quote from the episode:

"Staging a fake death and a believable emergency response is almost impossible on a budget."

[darkpath]

Is this season even shorter than Season 1? "Double Booked" is listed as episode 208, which suggests that the 'Season Finale' is episode 209 (and 210 if it's a 2 hour or 2 part episode). Season 1 had 11 episodes, of which, episode 11 was a 2 part episode (so arguably 12). If next week's episode, 209, is the end of the second season, doesn't make Season 2 even shorter?

I'll reach out to my contacts at USA and see what I can find out; but I'd welcome any information anyone else has.

[Matt_13]

It certainly has felt like a short season, but a good one nonetheless. I wish it weren't almost over. Is it true that more episodes are coming out in January or is that just a rumor?

[sark]

You can also watch the episode for free on the USA Network website.

Best quote from the episode:

"Staging a fake death and a believable emergency response is almost impossible on a budget."

I did like that bit. It was more believable than all those movies and TV shows where somehow the hero's manage to get together a bunch of squad cars, ambulances, and firetrucks, complete with crews, without visiting a loan shark first.

[Righty007]

It certainly has felt like a short season, but a good one nonetheless. I wish it weren't almost over. Is it true that more episodes are coming out in January or is that just a rumor?

That's 100% true. The season will be split into two parts, with Episodes 1–9 airing in the summer, and the Episodes 10–16 in early 2009.

I don't like how they're using "season finale" to describe the next episode. It is the finale for the summer season, yes, but not the finale for Season 2. USA Network is stupid for wording it like that.

[dodge]

Caught it, guys, and thanks for the tip. As luck would have it, the ep re-ran last night. And I enjoyed it immensely. I kept thinking how one critic had groused, at the start of the season, about the mixture of weekly caper and ongoing burn theme. For me, that's the part that has worked the best--week by week, we have had pretty entertaining capers....with strong, rousing steps forward to the burn issue resolution. The balance, imo, has been perfect.

[Bryce (003)]

Indeed Dodge.

I caught the last three of the marathon. As always, damn good stuff!

"When you're dealing with professionals, it's like playing chess. When you're working with criminals it's like playing checkers with a three year old. They always want to change the rules."

"Navy SEALS are trained to hold their breath for three to five minutes. If you're a former Navy SEAL, odds are you've still got the chops."

I'll tell you, whoever goes to the trouble of compiling all these great narratives and publishing them into a book, I'll be the first to pre-order and keep on the top shelf with all my Fleming and other tradecraft manuals.

[Righty007]

Indeed Dodge.

I caught the last three of the marathon. As always, damn good stuff!

"When you're dealing with professionals, it's like playing chess. When you're working with criminals it's like playing checkers with a three year old. They always want to change the rules."

"Navy SEALS are trained to hold their breath for three to five minutes. If you're a former Navy SEAL, odds are you've still got the chops."

I'll tell you, whoever goes to the trouble of compiling all these great narratives and publishing them into a book, I'll be the first to pre-order and keep on the top shelf with all my Fleming and other tradecraft manuals.

You should read the Burn Notice paperback, The Fix, because it's full of great Michael Westen lines.

[Matt_13]

Indeed Dodge.

I caught the last three of the marathon. As always, damn good stuff!

"When you're dealing with professionals, it's like playing chess. When you're working with criminals it's like playing checkers with a three year old. They always want to change the rules."

"Navy SEALS are trained to hold their breath for three to five minutes. If you're a former Navy SEAL, odds are you've still got the chops."

I'll tell you, whoever goes to the trouble of compiling all these great narratives and publishing them into a book, I'll be the first to pre-order and keep on the top shelf with all my Fleming and other tradecraft manuals.

You should read the Burn Notice paperback, The Fix, because it's full of great Michael Westen lines.

I've been meaning to give that a look, is it a solid read?

[Bryce (003)]

You should read the Burn Notice paperback, The Fix, because it's full of great Michael Westen lines.

Just waiting for my copy to arrive via Amazon.

[Righty007]

Indeed Dodge.

I caught the last three of the marathon. As always, damn good stuff!

"When you're dealing with professionals, it's like playing chess. When you're working with criminals it's like playing checkers with a three year old. They always want to change the rules."

"Navy SEALS are trained to hold their breath for three to five minutes. If you're a former Navy SEAL, odds are you've still got the chops."

I'll tell you, whoever goes to the trouble of compiling all these great narratives and publishing them into a book, I'll be the first to pre-order and keep on the top shelf with all my Fleming and other tradecraft manuals.

You should read the Burn Notice paperback, The Fix, because it's full of great Michael Westen lines.

I've been meaning to give that a look, is it a solid read?

I'm not done with it yet but I absolutely love it so far! It reads as if it's an episode of the show (narrated by Michael) and I'm surprised the author isn't one of the show's screenwriters because he nails the characters perfectly.

"Sam winked, because that's what a guy like Chazz Finley would do, and Harvey opened the door for him."

You should read the Burn Notice paperback, The Fix, because it's full of great Michael Westen lines.

Just waiting for my copy to arrive via Amazon.

[dodge]

Indeed Dodge.

I caught the last three of the marathon. As always, damn good stuff!

"When you're dealing with professionals, it's like playing chess. When you're working with criminals it's like playing checkers with a three year old. They always want to change the rules."

"Navy SEALS are trained to hold their breath for three to five minutes. If you're a former Navy SEAL, odds are you've still got the chops."

I'll tell you, whoever goes to the trouble of compiling all these great narratives and publishing them into a book, I'll be the first to pre-order and keep on the top shelf with all my Fleming and other tradecraft manuals.

I'd be interested in hearing, Bryce, about your tradecraft manuals? Would you be willing to share...or should that remain privileged? Cheers.

[dodge]

Oh, by the way, if anyone hasn't seen the trailer for Clint Eastwood's upcoming film Changeling: the brief clips featuring Donovan are absolutely smashing. This guy looks ready to make the transition to film.

[Bryce (003)]

I'd be interested in hearing, Bryce, about your tradecraft manuals? Would you be willing to share...or should that remain privileged? Cheers.

Section 26, Paragraph 5

But, just as an i.e. for you Dodge -

"Getting into a hospital isn't as easy as it used to be unless you're a patient. Cameras, security on the lookout for infants being grabbed. The best idea is two-fold. A distraction and a shift change.

A pretty girl in a short skirt with a minor scrape on her thigh can gain the attention of most any doctor. Then it's just a matter of walking in the right door at the right time. Bringing your own stethoscope and a wearing a nice shirt with a tie helps. Grab a clipboard and keep your head down. Act like you know where your going. The rest is just reading signs."

That's a "Bryce Notice" for you.

[Jackanaples]

BURN NOTICE really kicked it up a notch this season I thought. Richer characterization, the action budget got upped, solid scripts from first to last, and some nice surprises. They even made use of Michael's mom and brother this time round in interesting ways.

Jeffrey Donovan really shined. He continues to show new facets with each episode. I'm getting a sort Eastwood/Coburn early in their careers vibe from him. Methinks he has the potential to be a big movie star if he plays his cards right.

[dodge]

BURN NOTICE really kicked it up a notch this season I thought. Richer characterization, the action budget got upped, solid scripts from first to last, and some nice surprises. They even made use of Michael's mom and brother this time round in interesting ways.

Jeffrey Donovan really shined. He continues to show new facets with each episode. I'm getting a sort Eastwood/Coburn early in their careers vibe from him. Methinks he has the potential to be a big movie star if he plays his cards right.

Interesting observation, jack. I've had a good feeling about Jeff along. But recently it became a great feeling--for a couple of reasons.
--In the trailer for Changeling, he reveals in a couple of seconds that, unlike Bruce Willis, he can dispense with all the TV mannerisms and tics. His performance appears to be brilliant.
--The season's last episode really did provide him with the chance to shine. Best fight scene since the series began. And, man, that high-powered scene where he pretends-or-not-completely-pretends to break down on the phone.

[Bryce (003)]

Agreed!

Jack - It's funny you should mention Coburn. Matt oo4 and I were chatting about BN and he mentioned that JD could be great as a contemporary Derek Flint.

We're both of the mind that the Flint films should NEVER be remade of course, but a NEW Flint film might be an interesting idea. Coburn always said that there were plans for a third Flint movie but it just never came to be.

Donovan could certainly do it, but as talented as he is, he probably wouldn't want to be typecast as the "spy guy" in all of his roles.

He certainly is the driving force behind Burn Notice though as are the rest of the cast.

Again, as I have before stated in this thread -

Fiona = Hottest, gun-toting, spy-chick on TV. She joins the ranks of Emma Peel, Cathy Gale, April Dancer and Honey West.

[dodge]

I'd be interested in hearing, Bryce, about your tradecraft manuals? Would you be willing to share...or should that remain privileged? Cheers.

Section 26, Paragraph 5

But, just as an i.e. for you Dodge -
"Getting into a hospital isn't as easy as it used to be unless you're a patient. Cameras, security on the lookout for infants being grabbed. The best idea is two-fold. A distraction and a shift change.

A pretty girl in a short skirt with a minor scrape on her thigh can gain the attention of most any doctor. Then it's just a matter of walking in the right door at the right time. Bringing your own stethoscope and a wearing a nice shirt with a tie helps. Grab a clipboard and keep your head down. Act like you know where your going. The rest is just reading signs."

That's a "Bryce Notice" for you.

Thanks, Bryce. You're the bomb.

[Binyamin]

"Guns make you stupid. Better to fight your wars with duct tape. Duct tape makes you smart."

-Michael Westin

Edited by Binyamin, 21 September 2008 - 07:05 PM.

[Jackanaples]

Bryce, I believe that the third Flint movie turned into THE PRESIDENT'S ANALYST. I'm not finding any verification on that at the moment so maybe I'm wrong though.

Donovan might be the one actor capable of playing Derek Flint in today's talent pool. Like you, I see no reason for him to do it (and frankly no reason for anyone to even attempt it).

Much of what is great to me about Flint is just James Coburn himself. Much the way that "The Man With No Name" is down to Clint Eastwood. Sure you could get some other actor to play the character, but any attempt seems ill advised at best.

Should someone have the urge to cast Donovan on the big screen in a spy role, here's hoping it's a role that he can really sink his teeth in --along the lines of Donald Hamilton's Matt Helm or Holden Carver from the comic series SLEEPER by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Both would afford him the opportunity to play a very different character to Michael Westen.

Edited by Jackanaples, 21 September 2008 - 10:34 PM.

[Professor Dent]

Great 'partial' season (or whatever they are calling it until it returns this winter). One of the few shows that didn't suffer the sophomore slump. They really intertwined the Burn Notice story thread into the weekly missions rather well. Still find it a little odd seeing Westin wearing flip-flops, though.

[Bryce (003)]

Bryce, I believe that the third Flint movie turned into THE PRESIDENT'S ANALYST. I'm not finding any verification on that at the moment so maybe I'm wrong though.

Donovan might be the one actor capable of playing Derek Flint in today's talent pool. Like you, I see no reason for him to do it (and frankly no reason for anyone to even attempt it). Much of what is great to me about Flint is just James Coburn himself. Much the way that "The Man With No Name" is down to Clint Eastwood. Sure you could get some other actor to play the character, but any attempt seems ill advised at best.

Cheers Jack.

From what I've been able to gather, TPA ended up being part of Couburn's deal at Fox back in the day. In Like Flint was nearly a disaster by some accounts and Couburn himself ended up directing a good portion of it as the credited director was ill at the time when they shot the last half on St. Thomas.

Anyway, BOT - In this day, if the powers that be were to attempt relaunching the Flint character and films, Donovan would be my choice. However, as we've noticed (no pun intended) he really has just made this role and this series his own.

This is the character he'll be remembered for.

The smirk/grin he gives Carla after going under the semi was priceless in the last episode. Shades of NSNA sans the tux.

I do also love the very well done subtle nods they've given to Bond as well throughout the series. Looking forward to January and feeling the Burn once again.

"You know Bond fans...Bunch of bitchy little girls."

[Blofeld's Cat]

"You know Bond fans...Bunch of bitchy little girls."

Oh my God! From now on Bryce everytime I read your posts I'm gonna see Bruce Campbell!

Just saw "The President's Analyst" for the first time the other day. Subject matter is very relevant in this day and age. Great remake material.

[Bryce (003)]

Oh my God! From now on Bryce everytime I read your posts I'm gonna see Bruce Campbell!

Fine. Everytime I'm missing beluga or smoked salmon from my fridge, I'm thinking of you.

Damn cat....

*grumbles*

[Jackanaples]

"You know Bond fans...Bunch of bitchy little girls."

Ain't it the truth.

A friend of mine and I agreed that we love hearing that whole litany at the beginning of each new episode. It never gets old.

[Bryce (003)]

Cheers Jack.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Oh my God! From now on Bryce everytime I read your posts I'm gonna see Bruce Campbell!

Fine. Everytime I'm missing beluga or smoked salmon from my fridge, I'm thinking of you.

Damn cat....

*grumbles*

"Bitchy little girl!"

[dodge]

"You know Bond fans...Bunch of bitchy little girls."

Oh my God! From now on Bryce everytime I read your posts I'm gonna see Bruce Campbell!

Just saw "The President's Analyst" for the first time the other day. Subject matter is very relevant in this day and age. Great remake material.

The film is still amazing. And so were Coburn's choices at the early part of his career, after a lonnnnnng apprenticeship and winning his breakthrough part at near-forty. The films that stick out in my mind are: TPA, Waterhole #3, Dead Heat on a Merry Go Round...and, to a lesser extent, Duffy. At this point, when JC could have been making actioners and films with the Necessary Ingredients, he chose to explore what I've come to think of as The Rogue Not Taken:

He was far more interested in charm and wit than action, and more interested still in the American Rogue. Even when working within the system, as in TPA--or, later on, The Carey Treatment--the character is a rogue. This is still more evident in Waterhole and Dead Heat, with their then controversial amoral endings. JC could set up a villain and mow him down in cold blood, and get away with it because of his cool killer smile. He forced us to think of what we value and how we judge.

Anyway, he didn't get to do this for all that long. If he'd done another Flint, or thrown in a few actioners, his power base might have grown. He continued working, even making some great films, but the early vision faded. He remained more than a bit of rascal and rogue, but not the closet, coolest thing to an American Cary Grant we're ever likely to get. George Clooney? Don't make me laugh. See TAP or Waterhole or Dead Heat.

Thus endeth Dodge's rant.

[jaguar007]

Burn Notice has been renewed for a 3rd season! YEah!

http://ausiellofiles...enews-burn.html

God bless the USA Network!

Sources confirm that the NBC-owned cabler has renewed two of TV's most entertaining series, Burn Notice and Psych, for a third and fourth season respectively. Both shows received orders for 16 episodes.

BN and Psych are scheduled to kick off the second half of their current seasons in January (although Psych will air a special Christmas-themed hour on Nov. 28). The newly greenlit seasons would likely follow in summer '09.

Are you as, ahem, psyched by this turn of events as I am? If not, please resist the urge to corrupt the comments section with your negativity. But if you absolutely must be a Debbie Downer, do us all a favor and at least be clever about it.