Customer Reviews

Burn Notice Season 3

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I would never promote drug usage of any sort, but this show is media crack! They lure in the audience with their superb storylines, witty banter, romantic teasing, and "how-to tips." The chemistry between the cast and the way they outsmart the bad guys...priceless. Throw in some interesting clients and wacky side-kicks and you're hooked. I started watching the show during it's third season. After viewing a couple of episodes during a marathon one day, I found myself out purchasing seasons 1 and 2 DVDs. I fell in love. In season 3, you will see how the characters have developed and genuinely love each through thick and thin. Now, I'm going through withdrawals waiting for the remainder of season 3 to return in January 2010. What can I say? I'm addicted. This IS must see T.V.

Season three of BURN NOTICE does much to forward the story of ex-spy Michael Westen's attempt to rejoin the spy world while at the same time rounding out the story of Michael Westen the human being. While that may not sound like much in a weekly action series that takes some doing. To do so with the perfect combination of action, humor and story is even tougher. But the people behind this series make it seem easy.

If you recall from the origin of the series, Westen was a super spy who was put on burn notice. A burn notice is when a spy gets left out in the cold or as he puts it in the voice over at the start of each episode "...when you're burned you've got nothing; no cash, no credit, no job history. You're stuck in whatever city they've decided to dump you in. You do whatever work comes your way." Fortunately for Westen he was left stuck in Miami.

And in Miami Westen was fortunate to have contacts like an ex-flame Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) who has an explosive temper to match her skills with weapons and bombs, a friend from his past and ex-Navy SEAL Sam (Bruce Campbell) who keeps him in touch with information and his mother Madeline (Sharon Gless) who, well, does all the things a worried mother would do. I mean what would have happened had they stuck him in a small Midwestern town?

Westen, played superbly by Jeffrey Donovan, has shown in two previous seasons that while killing was his living while going up against bad men around the world, he truly has a heart of gold. Each episode formed around two core stories, the first being about Michael attempting to find out who burned him and the second being a case where he had "clients" that he had to help with one problem or another. Season two put him in touch with a lead that could have led him to the person behind the burn. But that season ended with her being shot and "management" telling him they would stop protecting him.

Thus we start season three with Michael still stuck in Miami with the same crew. The only difference is that now the agency that prevented people from finding out he was alive and where he was located, have stopped all protection. This results in bad guys around the world coming in search of Michael while he continues trying to find a way back in as well as help a new client each episode.

A lead takes Michael into meeting with an agent of sorts who takes on former spies and uses them as mercenaries for various tasks. Once again Michael has the chance to find out who burned him and to get back in. But as we've seen all along, former love Fiona would be happier if he put his past in the past and focused on their future. But Michael is driven by a need to help, a need to serve his country and a need to find out who did this to him not just to get back in the game but to make sure the people he cares about are safe as well.

What makes this series work is the same thing that a number of series have begun to take seriously: the cast. When you have a cast that gels well together and that you can believe, it makes the difference. Think back to a series with a cast of 4 or more people that didn't work and you'll see what I mean. When it works the viewer cares about the characters and is willing to invest time to be with them each week. And while they shoot people and blow things up, these are characters you begin to care for.

Each actor does a job that unfortunately has gone unrecognized by awards programs thus far. Anwar is great as the sexy love interest whose emotions are much more revealed than her character would be in any other show. Gless does a great job as a worrying mother trying to make up for the past. Campbell takes his iron jawed, womanizing, best bud character and makes him the kind of guy you'd want to have a drink with. And Donovan as Westen is amazing.

Each week Westen is called on to turn himself into another cover, another person, to do the job he needs to do. Donovan in short plays not just Westen but Westen playing other people, be it mentally challenged individuals, terrified accountants, tough talking deal makers or cold blooded murderer. He does so with ease while making Westen's character seem like the most competent spy that ever existed.

Season three brings Michael closer to finding out who had him burned. It provides several stories that show the depth of character and truly caring person he really is. It offers plenty of action for fans. And it shows that Michael has more familial feelings than even he would care to admit. Season three has it all. The only thing missing that can fault this DVD offering is that season four isn't there and ready to go as well. It will start soon though and you have the choice of catching up and becoming a fan by renting/buying all three previous seasons before it begins or just jumping onboard now. No matter what, this is one series that deserves to be watched.

One bonus for TV fans in season three: the reunion of actresses Gless and Tyne Daly, the former stars of CAGNEY AND LACEY, together again in one episode. If you were a fan, you'll love seeing them together again.

Our family thinks "Burn Notice" is the best show on TV now with "The Closer" 2nd. Great character development on both shows. Note: To get the full flavor of both shows and the character development, we think you should start at Season One with both series. No matter how tempted you are to get to the "meatier" shows in the following seasons, take the time to watch season one's set-ups for both of them. Don't get us wrong, they are *both* great first seasons, but the characters and plots get much more complex as the shows mature. Trust us on "Burn Notice" however, the shows a winner, and should be up for multiple Emmy Awards. This show has some of the best writing, casting, acting, directing and editing on TV.

Chances are if you're reading about season 3 of Burn Notice, you're already a fan of the show. I'm not going to talk about the episode quality in detail here, it's the same fun show it always was. But this DVD set is completely bare bones when compared to seasons 1 and 2. There are no audio commentaries, no gag reel, no deleted scenes, pretty much no extras to speak of except for two short, simple featurettes involving the stunts of the show and some fun with Bruce Campbell at Comic-Con. These extras were alright...but that's all you get.

Regardless, season 3 is definitely worth owning, but unless you're a die hard fan that needs to have these episodes on display right now, consider waiting for the price point to drop. You're pretty much getting JUST episodes with these DVDs, and it would be a much cheaper route to just purchase the episodes in a digital format instead of shelling out close to 50 bucks retail. Let's hope season 4 gives us the stuff we want to see with a television DVD release.

EDIT: The specs of the season four DVD set (releasing this summer) are quite promising. Kudos to them picking up the ball again.

Having purchased Season One and Two of Burn Notice and was very pleased with the contents, I was very, very disappointed when I received the discs for Season Three. Missing were the special commentaries of the directors and main actors and deleted scenes, etc. What was inexcusable was the missing scene selections for each episode and the synopsis of each episode. I wish I had known that these basic options were not included; I would not have opened the package and I would have immediately returned the purchase.
Unhappy BN Fan.

Lack of any commentaries, gag reel, outtakes, deleted scenes makes this DVD set a real disappointment. Matt Nix, we can assume this was your decision....you addressed this on your tweet as a message to those who wanted this, saying it would be tough to get everyone together and how tough it is to find the time or some such garbage. Not a good decision, Matt. Has the show become so popular that you don't think you have to give the extra effort anymore? Check out the message boards on the show's page on USA Network to see that your fans are not happy with this. Never a good idea to take your fan base for granted.

Updating this review in late August....I had a hunch Matt Nix's focus was too divided what with starting the new series, "The Good Guys." Maybe that was the reason he didn't take the time and effort to add the expected extras to the BN 3rd Season DVD set. Even so, I dutifully, set the DVR to record the new series, expecting it to match the caliber of BN. Gave it a shot but couldn't make it past the 2nd episode. Not a winner and, sure enough, it's been pulled.

Message to Matt: You're probably not a "one-hit wonder," but, seriously? You've hit the target on Burn Notice. But try to stay humble. I'm of the opinion that your creation, its concept and writing, are all first rate....BUT....without the cast you have in place, it may not have been such a hit. As good as BN has been, it's the synergy (hate that word) of all the elments in BN that have made it a winner, including the ones you don't have to renew contracts with....the gorgeous city of Miami and God's glorious ocean. Those components were completely absent in Good Guys. Before you absorb all the accolades and begin to believe all the press proclamations of your genius, stay focused on keeping BN the top show it is and don't let yourself get too scattered. Your first foray away from your "home" wasn't great. Slow down, regroup and keep your eyes on the prize. And always remember it's the fans that will make or break you. Be nice to us. And by now, after all the disappointment over the Season 3 DVD set, you know precisely what that means.

Not as good as Season one & two and season 4 was better. We didn't need any extra regular characters, better with just the four.

I adore Burn Notice and I was so thrilled to buy these DVDs. I saw the two special features listed but I figured that was IN ADDITION to the standard episode commentary, deleted scenes, and outtakes. Boy was I wrong! Don't be fooled. I loved season 3, it has some of my favorite episodes, but this product...the DVD set put out by Fox...is a huge disappointment. I have all of these episodes on my tivo or I could download my favorites from Amazon on demand or iTunes. The ComicCon panel can be found on YouTube. Save yourself the money and just burn your own dvds...they'd probably be the same quality.

It's such a shame because this show has great writers and actors who can speak both eloquently and hilariously about their work. When I asked USA execs about these DVDs I was told that the DVDs and all merchandising goes through FOX. When we asked FOX about the DVDs we were told that Matt Nix was in charge of what would be on the DVDs and they didn't want to pressure him while he was working with his new show. I really don't know who is responsible here, but all parties involved need to get their act together before they completely alienate their fanbase.

If you really want these DVDs, try to find them somewhere with the deepest discount you can get because they're certainly not worth the list price. Again, I love the show, but these DVDs are just embarrassing.

Season one of this show blew me away, I loved it, however they seem to be moving more and more towards the same old guns, explosions and no police in sight formula that makes up any american action show. Still one of the best shows around, but steadily losing ground. If not for the first season putting the hook in me I doubt I would be watching. The cast is the one element that remains positive.

Jeffrey Donovan does a great job with his role of Michael the former spy that's been burned. Very enjoyable