tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post2948311626853197759..comments2024-03-18T13:50:45.615-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Burn Notice, "Friends and Family": Wanted manAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16659025202676134432009-06-17T09:38:43.057-04:002009-06-17T09:38:43.057-04:00I liked the episode save for the utter implausibil...I liked the episode save for the utter implausibility of the authorities not investigating a waterside fire in the middle of the night.J-rodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11348149382409634033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70415237495251544512009-06-12T23:02:13.651-04:002009-06-12T23:02:13.651-04:00@rhys "My feeling is that maybe by the end of...@rhys "My feeling is that maybe by the end of the series he will finally quit the spy business and start a private security firm to do good deeds all over the world."<br /><br />Leverage crossover!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15746028962329267399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-28666955424583289192009-06-10T07:30:18.593-04:002009-06-10T07:30:18.593-04:00"Jeffrey Donovan works as a chameleon; Eliza ..."Jeffrey Donovan works as a chameleon; Eliza Dushku doesn't."<br /><br />Jeffrey Donovan is a good actor.Matter-Eater Ladhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07582100232490047227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-26270045657460325792009-06-05T19:49:34.547-04:002009-06-05T19:49:34.547-04:00I finally figured out where I'd seen the guy w...<i>I finally figured out where I'd seen the guy who played Harlan before. He starred as Butchie Yost in the tragically disappointing John from Cincinnati</i><br /><br />That's where I know him from! Thanks, Otto Man.<br /><br />I'm also another one who loves the titles. I was saying "El Jefe" at about the same time that title popped up, which made it funnier to me.deznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8753672511152747312009-06-05T18:17:45.375-04:002009-06-05T18:17:45.375-04:00As a big recent Burn Notice fan - I caught the sec...As a big recent <i>Burn Notice</i> fan - I caught the second half of season 2, then watched season 1 on DVD - I didn't think the episode was great, but was happy anyway.<br /><br />As a <i>Dollhouse</i> fan, I get not liking the show for empathetic/charismatic/difficult-to-root-for-Echo reasons, but (and I don't think I'm just carrying water for Whedon here, even though I probably would) that's kind of the show's <i>point</i>, and while softening that aspect of the show would probably make more people like it, it'd betray the extent to which the show is trying to seriously engage its own premises.<br /><br />And as a Jay Karnes fan I'm ridiculously over the top about hearing that he's coming back. Jay Karnes and Richard Schiff are at the top of my list of "presumably available television actors who I really can't fathom why they don't show up everywhere, all the time, because they're probably more interesting actors than whoever's supposed to be your lead." I'm glad <i>Burn Notice</i> recognized that both of them were worthy of screen time (and I was very glad of Schiff on <i>In Plain Sight</i>.medrawthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16245140880936526970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-74190938664360173262009-06-05T17:57:19.828-04:002009-06-05T17:57:19.828-04:00I think the subtitles are a nice little humorous p...I think the subtitles are a nice little humorous part of the show and I don't have a problem with them always being humorous.<br /><br />I didn't catch the "jefe" trick with Harlan, good call.<br /><br />The grab at the end was an awesome pay off like usual.<br /><br />I think they could better express Michael's motivation for wanting to get back in, but I don't have a problem with believing it personally. First, to me, this is this only thing he's known for years and he's good at it. What exactly else is supposed to do? My feeling is that maybe by the end of the series he will finally quit the spy business and start a private security firm to do good deeds all over the world. But for now, I can easily see a man as focused and determined as him not wanting to give up the only career he has known in his life so easily. Second, it might be a little more believable if they focused on the fact that an intelligence agency would also offer him protection from his enemies.rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11106822956424737053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-90933346288981291542009-06-05T16:06:17.936-04:002009-06-05T16:06:17.936-04:00In response to the question "why does Michael...In response to the question "why does Michael want to get back in?" They touched on that with Fi, plus it's the subtext for the next season, at least that's what I infer from the Nix interview. <br /><br />It's a good question for the rest of the season. I take it as something of you can't fire me, I quit. Also Michael wants his good name back. He's not a traitor, even if he doesn't go to jail for the false charge, it's not something someone wants hanging over one's head.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65267211853309036352009-06-05T14:15:07.975-04:002009-06-05T14:15:07.975-04:00Plus Donovan/Westen have charisma up the wazoo. H...Plus Donovan/Westen have charisma up the wazoo. His relationships with Sam, Fi, and Madeline give him something to do with his personality even when he's not taking on new cover identities. Dushku/Echo simply aren't given that opportunity.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-68293840337950409382009-06-05T13:11:18.724-04:002009-06-05T13:11:18.724-04:00Well, I think the difference is that Jeffrey Donov...Well, I think the difference is that Jeffrey Donovan infuses Michael with a good dose of humanity. I was watching the Pilot before the third season premiere and it occurred to me that Michael is a ruthless guy (kinda has to be in the spy business), but that he has some kind of heart. That makes the show work, whereas Dollhouse uses sci-fi principles to try and fill in the gaps left by each personality Eliza Dushku inhabits. That doesn't get people to root for Echo the way people root for Michael.Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-5369327905475530052009-06-05T12:56:47.847-04:002009-06-05T12:56:47.847-04:00It was hilarious to me how swiftly Michael changes...<i>It was hilarious to me how swiftly Michael changes personalities.</i><br /><br />One of the things that occurred to me during the Matt Nix interview, is that "Burn Notice" is kind of the show that Fox initially wanted "Dollhouse" to be: the main character adopts a new identity every week, and is a blank but interesting slate the rest of the time, and each episode is more or less its own genre (with action and comedy as constants within those different genres). <br /><br />Jeffrey Donovan works as a chameleon; Eliza Dushku doesn't.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-42292054763855110392009-06-05T12:48:49.091-04:002009-06-05T12:48:49.091-04:00My favorite part was after the initial meeting wit...My favorite part was after the initial meeting with the Gatekeeper (I still love the amusing subtitles, by the way) and Michael looks to see if he's watching, then pops his shoulder back in, screams in pain, then immediately growls and stalks away in anger.<br /><br />It was hilarious to me how swiftly Michael changes personalities.Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-401830277492609112009-06-05T12:06:37.744-04:002009-06-05T12:06:37.744-04:00And for any Sons of Anarchy fans, he was the guest...And for any Sons of Anarchy fans, he was the guest star in the infamous tattoo episode that finally won over Alan and many others. I wonder if his "bad" acting in this was part of his play, because he seemed much better after he revealed himself.<br /><br />I thought this was a solid episode to get things going again, and I'm looking forward to a Michael who can actually get in trouble. One thing, though: Didn't buy that the mercenary team would just believe some dude on the phone. I know they hesitate to show Michael kill anyone, but he should have offed Harlan himself, especially after his "That's all I needed to hear" line.Hatfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184680741873873714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-18532376744446549992009-06-05T11:44:26.087-04:002009-06-05T11:44:26.087-04:00I finally figured out where I'd seen the guy w...I finally figured out where I'd seen the guy who played Harlan before. He starred as Butchie Yost in the tragically disappointing <i>John from Cincinnati</i>.Otto Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14051682366565874144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-14252419724321922502009-06-05T11:09:33.564-04:002009-06-05T11:09:33.564-04:00The Michael Weston voiceover I really want to hear...The Michael Weston voiceover I really want to hear is "When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way . . ."Tyronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07591217842101911251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23023481287303745562009-06-05T11:01:14.999-04:002009-06-05T11:01:14.999-04:00I was a little surprised by the plotting that Mich...I was a little surprised by the plotting that Michael <i>wants</i> "back in." That he actually wants to be re-hired by some agency. He now knows who Management is, but what is the path to clearing his name so that he can be rehired? As for Sam, was it established that he's retired from an agency?Mapeelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12149683683413237283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-4149207209290676152009-06-05T09:29:05.377-04:002009-06-05T09:29:05.377-04:00Michael Westen voiceovers found their way into our...Michael Westen voiceovers found their way into our everyday lives long ago...<br /><br />The family talked about the Burn Notice return all day yesterday, raising the eyebrows of some teen friends who had no idea what we were talking about...<br /><br />We love the subtitles & the speed at which they arrive, answer questions (El Jefe) or change the status. It was over far too quickly. Why can't great shows be on 4x week instead of crap like "I'm a Celebrity..."OnceADaydreamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12159809833659579650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-92043991798870304932009-06-05T08:44:11.375-04:002009-06-05T08:44:11.375-04:00I've got no beef with the subtitles--I like th...I've got no beef with the subtitles--I like them, and like that they've been having more fun with them since mid 2nd season.<br /><br />I agree that Harlan was a weak link. His arrival wasn't convincing from the moment he bailed Michael out, and his sloppiness was a little over-the-top for a guy in Special Forces. So I did find myself waiting for the moment when he'd turn, and I liked that Fiona wasn't won over by him. I did think that Michael would have seen through him, though, or at least had a contingency plan for if Harlan turned on him. Maybe this is an example of his increased sentimentality.<br /><br />And the notion of doing Michael Westen voiceovers to narrate one's own life? GENIUS.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-82200602631071390072009-06-05T08:30:31.938-04:002009-06-05T08:30:31.938-04:00Agreed, the subtitles are always fun.Agreed, the subtitles are always fun.Greggnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-44156958175663627662009-06-05T08:04:35.563-04:002009-06-05T08:04:35.563-04:00loved the subtitles. don't think they could ev...loved the subtitles. don't think they could ever have TOO much fun with them. :)Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09412645118253860411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-32159189614196230572009-06-05T01:47:45.950-04:002009-06-05T01:47:45.950-04:00Pretty fun ep and yeah, that Harlan guy was not as...Pretty fun ep and yeah, that Harlan guy was not as good as the rest of them. I'm just happy the show is back.<br /><br />Re: upcoming eps, I couldn't stand Moon Bloodgood in the Terminator flick, so I'm not looking forward to her and her overly bright teeth hitting Miami.deznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41373002817204325612009-06-05T01:30:18.267-04:002009-06-05T01:30:18.267-04:00You guys are making me think of so many things tha...You guys are making me think of so many things that would be made more awesome by Michael Westen voiceovers. <br /><br />"When you're staring down a smoke monster, what you don't want to do is..."<br /><br />I'm going to be hearing that in my head all weekend. <br /><br />Sorry to be a broken record (I twittered this yesterday), but the third episode of the season is all kinds of awesome. Jay Karnes is the guest star and he and J. Donovan are 110 percent perfect together. It's a really good episode, a pretty classic BN in my opinion.Mo Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01685367085407381479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66388049146838931392009-06-05T01:13:57.233-04:002009-06-05T01:13:57.233-04:00I agree, the character of Harlan was the weak link...I agree, the character of Harlan was the weak link in this episode. We've seen old friends of Mike's who are charming and almost as skillful as he is, so the fact that this guy was so dull and seemingly dumb made it obvious that he was faking right from the beginning. Meanwhile, Mike's takedown of the baddie seemed a little too easy this time around.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to all the new obstacles the gang is facing this season (especially if that includes Moon Bloodgood), but I'd have to say this particular episode wasn't one of the best.BigTednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34489380517865257792009-06-05T00:57:24.271-04:002009-06-05T00:57:24.271-04:00I'm glad it's back, and it's as fun as...I'm glad it's back, and it's as fun as ever, but by god the actor playing Harlon was bad.Antid Otohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08507369612619066715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8258838845822357882009-06-05T00:28:45.538-04:002009-06-05T00:28:45.538-04:00Over the last few weeks, I've often found myse...Over the last few weeks, I've often found myself saying things like, "What would Michael be voicing-over right now in this situation?" I'm glad I'm not the only one!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66497971732411003582009-06-04T23:37:25.380-04:002009-06-04T23:37:25.380-04:00First off, I'm a long-time lurker, first-time ...First off, I'm a long-time lurker, first-time commenter, and I love the blog and columns.<br /><br />Anyway, I wanted to say that I agree with your point about the narrations, and add that they're also useful for getting through mediocre action movies. I caught <i>Point Break</i> on TV a couple weeks back, got bored in the middle, then found myself imagining a Michael Westen commentary track detailing all the things the characters were doing wrong. "When you're upset, it's never a good idea to shoot your gun in the air. The bullets have to come down somewhere."Bryannoreply@blogger.com