Burned Out


"Start from the beginning, start with: 'My name is Michael Westen. I use to be a spy.'" — Fiona, "Burn Notice"

On Thursday, with little fanfare, "Burn Notice" came to an end after seven seasons on USA. Now, USA has built a little niche for itself in a crowded cable market. It has some nice shows that have done well and it seems poised to continue.

But when "Burn Notice" debuted, that wasn't the case. Joining "Psych," which itself is nearing the end, "Burn Notice" was one of the first original break out hits for USA. And at it's prime, the show was fairly enjoyable.

The premise was simple: A guy who worked black ops for the CIA was burned, meaning he was cut off, and had to figure out what to do with his unique skill set and without the protection of the government. That meant, during the middle seasons, helping people in need alongside his friends.

This was an enjoyable show, with a little action and a little comedy. There was always the ongoing story of trying to discover how and why the CIA cut Michael Westen loose, but the bulk of the show was about the characters.

The changed a few years ago. The plots got more convoluted and the CIA played a more prominent role. That's the been the case all along during this final season. A season-long arc has sapped a lot of the elements I liked about the show, and that made it one of the most popular on USA.

That being said, it ended in a satisfying way. It went back to being about the core characters and what they wanted to be. Michael's no longer a spy, but he seems a lot happier. The big government plots are resolved and Michael finally gets a chance to see what life will be like without his old life hanging over his head.

Finales are hard. You have to balance story with the weight of fan expectation. "Burn Notice" slipped off quietly into the ether, which is fitting for a show that never got credit for the audience it built.

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