REVIEW - Burn Notice - SERIES FINALE - S07E13

How do I even begin to describe this episode? It was heart breaking. Beautiful. Cyclical. Emotional. Brilliant. You will definitely cry.

This week's episode ended the era that was burn notice. Seven amazing seasons with incredible plots, and it seemed as if the writers had been planning everything meticulously to culminate and fall into place during this final episode.

There were cheeky little reminders of how it all started, with familiar lines and relationships. There were sacrifices and second chances. There was humor and the strengthening of friendships.

Micheal’s original characteristics that define him so well return, however, so does an immediate death wish. He is broken, feeling guilty, ashamed and worthless, and it seems to the point where he can never come back.

Michael is then given the ultimate second chance, a chance that came at the ultimate price. It is at this point that Michael breaks out of his death stupor, and his cunning and will to live pours out of him in his attempts to get rid of James once and for all.

As James attempts to use everyone that Michael loves against him, even 3-year-old little Charlie, Madeline’s strength and devotion to her children shines through. The regrets she has obviously felt surrounding the issue of her late husband, and her urge to protect them, accumulates into one act of pure love.

[SPOILERS]

Sam, Jesse and Fi continue to relentlessly support Michael and his family, and towards the very end of the episode, there is a slight window left open for a possible spin of as Jesse and Sam carry on the legend of Micheal’s amazing work with the citizens of Miami.

Michael and Fiona realise the obvious fact that they are supposed to be together, and decide that if they are going to go down, they are going down fighting, and together.

The episode then comes in a wonderful full circle, as Michael asks Fiona what he supposed to tell little Charlie of his past when he is older. Fi's reply is to tell him the truth. She says, “Start with: My name is Michael Weston. I used to be a spy...”

The loyalty of the audience and they way this show hooks anyone who watches it really is a testament to the people behind the scenes, particularly the writers. This show has engaged and entertained so many people over its seven seasons, and it sure is sad to see it go.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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REVIEW - Burn Notice - S07E11

This week's episode was epic, encapturing the very definition of 'being on the edge of one's seat'. The audience was left craving more as the plot thickened on the second last episode ever, with the return of a crazy, homicidal foe, and the final break-up between Michael and the CIA.

The episode if full of tension as Michael's mission with the CIA is coming to an end. For once, the CIA is one step ahead of James, although they are tested to their limits as James' men slaughter the alpha-team.

The alpha-team are not the typical CIA agents however, and are lead by the one and only Simon – the man that attempted to blow up half of Miami, and who Michael personally put away forever, or so he thought. The betrayal Michael felt at this indiscretion of the CIA was the final straw on a long list of wrongdoings by the CIA. Michael finally cracks, and realises his faith in the CIA may not be exactly right – an idea Sam, Jesse and Fi have been trying to instill in Michael for a long time.

Throughout the elaborate schemes Michael is carrying out for the CIA in order to capture James, Michael realises this and then throws the mission, turning his faith to James himself – the very thing his loved ones were afraid of.

This, however, does not necessarily mean Michael has 'turned to the dark side'. As any avid watchers will know, James is confusing – he is portrayed as 'the bad guy', but we see so many good values within him.

All in all, this is a very conflicting and intense episode, with only more tension to come as Michael's friends attempt to reach Michael before the CIA does.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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REVIEW - Burn Notice - S07E10

To be honest, I don't know what or how to feel after this week's episode. Michael continues to do 'whatever it takes' to complete the mission, however, he has now made the complete transition from the spy who gets the job done with zero fatalities, to the spy who is willing to kill a friend.

This new 'facade' Michael is putting on is just a little too convincing, and although I realise this is a part of the story line developing, and that Michael can't stay the too-good-to-be-true hero forever, I don't like it one bit. The audience are left wondering, where is the line when it comes to saving his loved ones? Are all of the lost lives worth their own? And possibly worse than the wondering, is that Michael knows it is not what his friends would want, and hides his actions from them.

Carlos comes back into and out of the picture in the one episode, and knows exactly how it feels to have the lives of others sacrificed for their own. He is captured by an old gang leader, and Fi, almost hysterical, calls in a long overdue favour from Michael. Michael's loyalty to Fi really shines through during this incident, as he is willing to go to extreme lengths to save the man Fiona loves, even endangering his own life, and sacrificing many others.

Although we all know that Michael is doing what he is for his friends and family, there is that nagging feeling in the back of our minds that reminds us of the hundreds of successful missions Michael has completed without fatalities, and we realise we are beginning to see the old Michael slip away.

I don't know what the last few episodes have in store for us, but lets just hope it was all worth it.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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Review - Burn Notice - S07E09

This week's episode was full of tension and suspense as the audience tries to guess what will become of each of the character on the final episode, which is, sadly, only four episodes away.

There is lots of confusion surrounding James. He is the supposed 'bad guy' who Michael is trying to take down on behalf of the CIA. However, if you didn't know this, you would honestly think he was the good guy. So far, although he tortured Michael, which remains the only reminder of his potentiality, he has had Michael perform a number of seemingly moral missions, this week's being protecting a peace reformist.

Michael, Jesse, Sam and Fi are all in on the mission, making you feel all comfy and familiar...right before it is about to be ripped out from under you. The tension is high as the success of the mission is very questionable, and Fi's death seems imminent. Fi was left behind by the 'team leader' of the mission, and Michael will stop at nothing to save the woman he loves.

The confusion sets in again as James 'punishes' the team leader for leaving Fi behind (a seemingly justified reason), however, his methods are more then questionable, to the point where even Michael tries do defend the team leader.

Michael’s mother even receives a personal visit from the elusive James, putting Maddie in a very bad state of mind as she more than freaks out about the idea of being watched, although, if you ask me, with Michael as her son, she should be a bit more used to it.

Overall, this episode was great in context of the seventh season, however, it seems the storyline is beginning to take over the awesomeness and brilliance of Michael's wit, making you miss Michael's little side missions from the previous seasons more than ever.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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REVIEW - Burn Notice - S07E08

I'm not going to lie, this episode of Burn Notice lacked the shock value that characterises the tv show. It revolved around Michael doing an assignment for 'James' – the new villain in town – in order to establish a relationship with him, as the CIA wants to take down the terrorist organisation, and James is the new way in.

Not much develops in this episode – Fiona is still rocky with Carlos, Maddie is still putting all of her time into little Charlie, Jesse is again attacked from behind, and Sam is continuously Michael's breath of fresh air from the criminal world. We do, however, see a new, darker side appearing in Michael, following the intense torture he underwent last week.

We are introduced to a new character, someone who has maybe the most rightful reasons to hate James. We only see him towards the end of the episode, during which time a piece of his past with James is uncovered, and with this, the reason for his pure hatred towards James. This has caused 'John Doe' to team up with the CIA in order the bring James down.

All in all, there wasn't as much development and the good old special effects as usual which in turn caused the episode to lack suspense and action. It was however still enjoyable, and leaves a pretty good opener for next week, so I for one think that there will be a complete turn around in the pace of the show.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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Review - Burn Notice - S07E06

This week's episode had a lot of confusion and twists that I'm not sure the audience would really appreciate. With Burke now being gone, Michael is clinging to Sonya as his only chance of completing his mission and keeping his loved ones out of incarceration, and the CIA are following right in suit, doing anything neccessary by any means in order to keep the mission alive. This desparation leads the CIA to blackmailing Fiona into helping with the mission, as they cannot deny her skills. When Michael hears that Fi is being forced into this mission, he refuses to let it happen in a desparate attempt to keep his promise to her, however, the CIA couldn't really care less about his personal morals and override his decision.

This leads to Michael and Fi working as a team together back in Miami, which gives a sense of home to the audience. It begins to feel as though nothing has happened and everything is as it was between Michael and Fiona, however, Fiona constantly gives Michael very clear messages that the past is the past, and once she has dealt with it, she is gone. This constant reminder of Fi and Michael's failed relationship kills a little more hope of their revival within the audience, however, I for one know I am not giving up on them.

The storyline takes an unexpected turn as Sam, Jesse, Michael and Fi end up doing Sonya's dirty work. The job requires taking down some big time criminal hackers, which makes it seem right, like it is one of Michael's jobs he used to do as a favour for those in need, however, it is for Sonya's selfish reasons, who is a highly wanted criminal herself. 

As Fi is recently single, and she begins to work with Michael more closely, the audience are givin just a little hope for their relationship, however, (SPOILER!!) Michael finally cracks under the pressure of the sacrifices he has made in regards to his family and friends, and more specifically Fi, and sleeps with Sonya. The audience are never given a clear insight into his true motives, whether they be to advcance in the mission, or due to his own desires, but we are definately given a rare glimpse into Michael's introvert self, that is, his feelings, desires and regrets.

This portrayal of Michael deepens his character and thus the audience's connection with him, however I'm not so sure the path to this insight will be favoured.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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REVIEW - Burn Notice - S07E05

This week’s episode was very much welcomed after a week of absence. All of the explosions and cunning really felt like home. This, combined with the recruitment of Fi, makes the show even more familiar and gives you the feeling it will never end.

This episode centres around a new Russian woman, Sonya, who rivals the wit and cunning of Michael himself. When you add this to the viciously clever policewoman who is after Sonya, Michael certainly has his work cut out for him, but once again, he succeeds in the seemingly impossible task of smuggling Sonya past the entire Russian and Columbian police force, slipping out right under their noses. 

Sam and Jesse are again involved, and although Burke is now gone, their mission continues. Their teamwork and friendship really shine through in this episode, as all of their lives depend on each of them working perfectly together and reading each other. 

Fi is recruited against her will, so even though she is mad about it, it looks like her contact with Michael is going to become a whole lot more frequent, as Michael’s mission takes him back to Miami (yay!). There is a little conflict in what seems right for Fi, as Carlos lets her go lovingly, however, I think everyone would agree with me in saying, it doesn’t matter how nice the guy is, he isn’t Michael.


This episode held true to the brilliant show we have all come to know and love, with big unnecessary explosions, cleverness and lots of deception, and ended with the excellent promise of the return of the old team back together, blowing up things in Miami.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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REVIEW - Burn Notice - S07E04

This week's episode was once again, of course, brilliant. The introduction of a new character, and the death of an old one, causes the mystery to deepen, while Sam and Jesse are still wrapped up in Michael's CIA undercover mission and Fiona again feels compelled to help Michael. The episode focuses around a kidnapping in Miami, and the escaping of a woman from a kidnapping in Cuba.

Throughout this episode, viewers begin to see this cover that Michael has taken on envelop him even further, and we are left wondering if the old Michael really still exists as he points a gun at a sleeping child. This change in Michael this season is unsettling and does not sit well, however, that seems to be the aim of this season. Michael's quick wit however continues to be everyone's saving grace as Michael, as always, takes one for the team and endures torture to keep the others safe.

This idea of selflessness is better used to describe Burke, oddly enough. Throughout this episode, viewers are shown a different side of this criminal that causes us to almost feel sorry for and admire him. His love for the people around him, including Michael, is brought out through one very courageous and selfless act.

When Fiona gets a call from Michael for help, she can't help but become involved, and even she doesn't know why. She hides her involvement from her boyfriend Carlos, and instead enlists the help of Maddie yet again. Maddie is getting a taste for the spy life, as a natural talent for this line of work shines through whilst she is helping Fiona kidnap a Russian man.

With the death of one character comes the introduction of another, however, a very brief introduction before she manages to slip through the cracks, with the episode ending upon yet another great mystery.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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REVIEW - Burn Notice - S07E03

This week's episode certainly didn't disappoint, with all the action and suspense of an end-of-season cliffhanger. We are only three episodes into this final season, and already another complex, mystifying and suspenseful plot line beginning to unfold.

Sam and Jesse are incorporated into the CIA mission that Michael is working on in the Dominican Republic, and the audience are, I'm sure, welcoming this renewal of the kick-ass trio that is Michael, Sam and Jesse. This resurrecting of the trio however leads to Micheal pulling the guys into his problems, problems which results in moral conflict, particularly for Sam, as he chooses what is more important - his best friend, or innocent bystanders. There is, however, the gaping absence of Fi that feels like the elephant in the room as she is never mentioned, although, there hasn't yet been the need for a huge, spontaneous supply of C4.

Fi is still a big part of Maddie's life however, and when Maddie calls with trouble from Nate's old 'bookie', Fi resolves the problem in the way only she knows best - a big explosion. There is an all time first for Fi however as she lets Maddie press the button, which results in a priceless look of satisfaction plastered all over Maddie's face.

When Michael is again in a sticky situation (when is he ever not, right?), he uses that good old cunning and connection with his friends that makes everyone laugh and admire him at the same time. There is however the revealing of yet another mystery, but not the mystery itself, just the fact that there is one. This leads to one hell of a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting so much more.


All in all, this episode starts to feel like the good old days of the earlier seasons, with the more prominent roles of Sam and Jesse, and the absence of Michael's facial hair. There is however the missing of Fi, as well as the Miami landscape, and the lack of small subplots that used to be in each episode - Michael is no longer helping people, and in fact, does more killing than helping, which we all know is not Michael Weston's style at all. The reason for this however, is revealed in this episode.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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REVIEW - Burn Notice - S07E02

This week's episode of Burn Notice was the show's one hundredth episode, and it sure packed in all of the impact one would expect, with this episode possibly being the most heartbreaking in all of the series. The show starts with Madeline's desire to know if her son is ok getting in the way and making things harder, like always. Her determination is to be admired, but as all fans of this show would know, it is often very frustrating. Her determination however, does result in Michael having to make contact with her, which incidentally worked out pretty well for Madeline. The first heartbreak of the show however happens now when Michael yells at his mother. After Maddie is satisfied that Michael is ok, all she asks for is a hug, and then she lays low for the rest of the show. 

The same cannot be said for Sam, Jesse, Fiona, and Fiona's new boyfriend, Carlos, (who, by the way, looks to be a recurring character). They all begin an investigation into the man that is tracking down Michael, and even if both Fiona and Carlos are helping begrudgingly, they all once again put their lives on the line for a man who they have had no contact with in the past nine months, trusting that they are doing the right thing. The CIA however is following their investigation, sometimes more closely than they are themselves, using Michael's friends as bait and just sitting back and waiting for them to do all of the hard work. This does not sit well with Michael, but he is under orders, orders which eventually cause him to crack. Michael is put in control of surveillance, and watches his friends day in, day out, through a grainy camera lens. Heartbreaking moment number two occurs during this time, as Michael watches Fiona kiss another man and complain about having to clean up after Michael yet again. As Michael watches Fiona, the audience are granted a glimpse into the softer side of Michael, as he reminisces about when he first met Fiona, again adding more heartbreak to the show as we see his love for Fiona is as strong as ever. 

While watching his friends during an operation, Michael sees Fiona get kidnapped by the man who is after him. This causes Michael's burning desire to see his friends to cut more and more deeply throughout the episode, until he gets to the point where he can't take it any more. Once Michael learns that the CIA is planning to use his friends as bait, not caring for their safety or lives, he abandons the CIA and flees to stop his friends entering a death trap, which leads to yet another heartbreaking confrontation between Carlos and Michael. Michael then devises a plan which involves the cooperation of both the CIA and his friends, in order to save Fiona and kill the man who took her. It is at this point that the episode reaches its most devastating. Michael sends a code to Fiona in the form of a childhood anecdote that Fiona had shared with him many years before. Fiona remembers, and we see just a glimpse of that fierce, undying love Fiona has for Michael in her eyes as bullets fly around her. Michael then saves her, and she leaves him with just a brush of her lips against his cheek, and the knowledge that she has moved on, as she walks over to Carlos.

Overall, this was a great, yet heartbreaking episode, with all of the impact and tension that one would expect from the one hundredth episode of a show of this calibre.

Review by Emma Laaarkamp

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REVIEW - Burn Notice - S07E01

Burn Notice, Season 7, kicked off with all of the excitement and action that has characterised this show since its beginning in 2007. Although there are a few noticeable changes, with the absence of the well-known, burn-notice-style captions and the extreme close ups on shirtless men rather than bikini clad women (don’t worry guys, they are still there too), the basic essence of the show still holds true. 

Viewers are shown a much different, darker side to Michael Weston. The show continues on nine months after the season finale, and Michael Weston has taken his ‘deep cover’ to a whole new level. Viewers are confronted with an alcoholic, disgruntled ex-spy who is based in Columbia and fighting to make a living. This, of course, is all a part of a government program which puts Michael in constant, serious danger. This cover has changed him though, with the merciful Michael Weston that we all know killing two people in the first episode. However, this exciting start to the show is not only set in Columbia. The tension is also felt back in Miami, with all of the characters we have come to know and love once again risking their lives to protect Michael. 

Once Sam gets wind of Michael, and the fact that he is in danger, he will stop at nothing to find his friend. This commitment however, almost gets Sam and Jesse blown up half way through the first episode of the season. The audience experiences a devastating blow in the first ten minutes as Fi kisses another guy, implying a long-term boyfriend. Despite this, she is just as fiery and loyal as always, and commits herself to protecting Madeline, who accidently secures Michael’s dangerous fate.


Madeline herself is fighting to get custody of little Charlie Weston (Nate’s son) and the audience is reminded of that gut-wrenching moment when Nate died in Michael’s arms. But don’t worry, it isn’t all sad and dark, there is still an impressive Hollywood explosion and the opportunity to see Michael with a beard. 

Overall, this has been an impressive start to great show…it makes you wonder how it ever got cancelled.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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March Madness - Psych

Worst. Episode. Ever. Now I'll be the first to say that I am a big fan of the television show 'Psych', I like its humour and strange twists, however, Season 5, Episode 16 ('The Polarizing Express') just made me laugh. This episode was a Christmas special, and had everything from a Christmas elf to 'guide' Shawn through his concious, to bad jingles and the constant falling of snow. Even inside.

If you haven't previously seen the show, the basic storyline is that Shawn Spencer grew up with quite a different childhood to most. His father, Henry Spencer, was a detective, and would constantly drill him on his deductive skills. This made Shawn a killer detective. Shawn however, did not like the idea of becoming a detective in the slightest, and so when he was called into the NYPD on the grounds that he had suspiciously supplied too many tips to the police, naturally, he told them he was a psychic. The show then revolves around him using his 'powers' to consult with the NYPD and solve crimes, with only a select few people knowing the truth.

This episode naturally starts with a problem caused by Shawn's egotistical attitude and problems with authority. Due to Shawn's complete lack of regard for the law, there is the very real possibility of a high end criminal walking free, which results in the police department not only suspending Shawn, but also firing his father. Like I said, this episode starts off fine. It isn't until the opening credits that this show takes a turn for the worst. First, there is the new Christmas jingle and special effects which are horribly cheesy. But even that is nothing compared to what happens next. The show turns into a fully fledged Christmas cheese ball. Shawn falls asleep, and suddenly he 'awakens' (in his dream that is) to find a Christmas elf ready to take him on some kind of spiritual journey through his concious, in order to show him that he takes people for granted and needs to grow up...like everyone didn't know that already. Although there are a few jokes throughout this sickeningly clichéd episode, they can't be appreciated because the episode just emanates stupidity...I mean, at one point, the elf blows some kind of magical snow in Shawn's face in order to 'transport' him to another part of his concious...come on! And just to make matters worse, as he comes to the painfully obvious, epiphanic realisation that underneath his adult facade, he is just an egotistical child, his 'inner child' appears out of nowhere to give him advice.

If you were thinking that after he woke up it would go back to normal, you are wrong. He wakes up with another, completely irrelevant epiphanic realisation, that helps solve the crime. Then, towards the end of the episode, there is a moment where Shawn stands up in front of a crowd to address them with the most corny speech I have ever heard, and one by one, people join in as they gain the confidence to stand up for themselves against the criminal, as he himself watches on, and might I say, acting terribly. After that, everything is right with the world again, leaving you with the urge to throw up from a cheese overload. Both Shawn and his dad get their jobs back and reconcile after a fight, with the typical 'finding-him-asleep-and-putting-a-blanket-over-him' situation.

All in all, this episode made me lose a little faith in 'Psych', and it took me several good episodes to get over it. Normally, with an episode as bad as this, I would say 'watch it if you are in the mood to make fun of something', but this episode seriously isn't even worth that. I think that the fact that they try to be funny and fail miserably just makes it annoying. So in conclusion, if you like the show, skip that episode, or I guarantee that you will die a little inside.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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