The last time we saw Michael Westen, Burn Notice’s fired spy on a mission to clear his name, he’d just driven Sam’s Caddy out of Miami and onto the back of a cargo truck belonging to the deadly agency that “burned” him. Ostensibly, he was close to finally discovery the real deal behind his termination, blacklisting, and quarantining in his hometown: He just needed to go along for a little ride.
So where was the truck headed? Some mysterious high-security outpost in Mexico? A well-hidden Colorado bunker? South Dakota? Hollywood for a "let’s go to L.A." episode (must every show have one of these?) And who was the smoky-voiced woman (codename: Carla) who called him on the phone and claimed to be his new boss? Was she a goodie or a baddie? A hottie or a nottie?
Well, if you’d been following the behind-the-scenes of the show at all, you already knew that Carla (who appeared at the end of last night’s episode, taunting Sam with a crossword puzzle), would turn out to be Battlestar Galactica’s super-hot (if you love ‘em tall and blonde) Tricia Helfer (pictured, left). But if you’re like me, and you’ve been avoiding Burn Notice spoilers like trans fats, then you’re wondering if she’s just here to be Michael’s new handler (à la Charlie’s Angels’ John Bosley, sans lisp) or if she’s a potential love interest for our favorite covert agent.
More ‘Burn Notice‘ after the jump…
addCredit(“Tricia Helfer and Gabrielle Anwar; Dan Littlejohn”)
I, for one, am hoping for the former. I’m a Fiona fan through andthrough. I love Gabrielle Anwar (pictured, right), and I can’t believeMichael wouldn’t want Fi (and that awesome snow globe collection) inhis loft full-time. Sure, she could do to eat a steak or two (does shedisappear when she turns sideways, or is it just me?). But who wouldn’twant a girl so loyal? She jumped off a bridge while on one of theirmissions, for Pete’s sake. I just couldn’t stand to see her get herheart broken (she said last night that she’s through with Mike, but Idon’t buy it): Season 1’s Lucy Lawless episode, when Michael almostfell for the Warrior Princess, almost killed me. I also like thatMichael has no time for nookie. It makes me, and maybe some of you,feel not so pathetic.
Otherwise, I’m game for Mike and Carla to play cat and mouse for afew episodes. And I’m glad that he never really made it out of Florida.This show needs Miami. The truck dropped him off at an airstrip in thenortheastern part of the state, where he met up with a kidnappedcomputer tech Carla wanted him to help hack into a “security company”back home. “Security company” being code for group of mercenaries whohelp warlords torch poor African villages looking for diamonds.Considering how nefarious that sounds, I’m betting that Carla —despite her witchy woman ways — is on our side and that she’s usingMike to make the world a better place, not a worse one. More proof: Ifyou read between the lines of what Bruce Campbell says in this interviewwith my colleague Dalton Ross, you’ll realize that there will be fewer“jobs” this year. So what else could they be doing?That said,I don’t think Carla’s the head honcho of the burn crew either — so makeroom for more guest stars.
My only two beefs with yesterday’s show: I can’t look at PatrickFischler, the actor who played Jimmy, without thinking about his creepyrole in David Lynch’s Mullholland Drive and I missed Mike’sbrother Nate a bit. He added an interesting dynamic to the groupbecause he wanted so badly to be a good sibling, despite resenting Mikeover their various daddy issues. I also started to sense some sort ofromantic thing going on between Fiona and Sam that just made me plainuncomfortable. Sure they’re hot, but get Sam’s lady friend Veronicaback soon. That said, Jeffrey Donovan was tops as always. During Burn Notice’s hiatus, I’d been re-upping on his old USA series Touching Evil(produced by Bruce Willis and one of my Mom’s favorites). I wanted tohate this show for being an unnecessary remake of a Brit TV great — buthe just totally made it. You can start watching it on Youtube here.
Now, what did you guys think? Carla or Fiona? Should Nate come back orstay in Fort Lauderdale? A good start to a great show or a ho-humepisode? And most of all, what plans do you think Carla and co. havefor Mike?
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The only thing more played out than the “Let’s go to L.A. episode” is the “Let’s go to Vegas episode.” Glad to see the show is staying Florida for the time being. I know from living here that it’s just as wonderfully kooky (mostly just kooky) a place as any.
I’m also glad to hear I’m not the only one freaked out by the scene behind Winkie’s in “Mulholland Drive.”
Yes to Fiona, Yes to Nate coming back, but I’d like to see Fiona “move on” and stick it to Michael a little…maybe with Nate? Yeah, that’s hardly a twist thats never been done.
BTW: happy you pointed out how skinny Fiona is. I was counting spinal discs in the scene when they were rigging the boat up to blow up.
Let’s all send Gabrielle Anwar some food pronto. She is painfully thin. Did you see her spine when she turned around on the boat? And the scene where she was showing her torso – not healthy or sexy at all. I love her character but they need to make her eat something. She is even thinner this season than last. A “Feed Fiona” campaign? Love the show and glad its back!
Team Fi! Carla vs. Fi would be the best cat fight since Joan Collins and Linda Evans on Dynasty. And you know that Fi fights dirty. Loved the look on her face as she “missed” shooting at Michael. And I loved Michael’s explanation to his Mom why he wasn’t around for 10 years and her response was “Couldn’t you at least write”? And his letting Fi go was to protect her as well. They have the love/hate relationship that neither will never walk away from. Glad this show is back. We missed you Michael Weston!
Yes, let’s get Veronica back. Any time a Landers sister is on the screen it’s a good thing.
I agree about poor Gabrielle Anwar/ Fiona – rarely can it be said that a girl looks better fully clothed than in skimpy outfits than in her case. I wish she would gain some weight. But then I realize how hypocritical I am being – can’t we just enjoy a woman’s performance without discussing her weight? We aren’t saying anything about Sam!
Anyway, great show – love it love it love it and yes, we need more Nate and I would love it if Fiona started seeing someone else. But honestly, when do they have the time? The question that was also uppermost in my mind last night was: is Michael gonna get paid for these new jobs with Carla? How else is he gonna afford all those Hello Kitty cellphones he uses? Did I miss that part?
Haha! So funny yes I agree that when Fiona stands sideways she becomes invisible. Its makes me a little sick to look at her especially that bathing suit scene. She looks like an Olsen. Anyway great opening episode and I can’t wait for more show and more Mini TV Watches!
I really like Burn Notice and Jeffrey Donovan. I loved Touching Evil and was sad that I never saw it on tv again. That was a good show. I like what he brings to the characters he plays. I also am voting for Fiona and Michael, although I’m pretty sure they’re setting it up for a possible one night stand with Carla. And even though I’m all for Fiona and Michael being together I think that, for now, it’d be nice to see her with someone else and to see how Michael will react to that.
I’m totally into Fi & Michael but since they’re on the ‘outs’ I wouldn’t mind her hooking up w/ someone just so Mike will be miserable and miss her. BUT that someone better NOT be Sam – that’s just an awful, awful idea.
That’s funny… I can’t look at Patrick Fischler without remembering his creepy role in the infamous “Fur and Loathing” episode of CSI.
I am going to go against everyone else and put my vote squarely in the Team Carla camp.
I think, at this point, I prefer Fiona. But that was only ’cause they had Tricia Helfer at the end of the episode instead of all throughout (voice on the phone doesn’t count)! I didn’t notice that Anwar was so thin. I may look for it now, but I’ve always thought Anwar was very attractive.
I may change my vote to Carla before the end of the season, though. I just love Tricia Helfer, man (Spoiled by Battlestar Galactica)…
Sorry to hear the author of the blog’s not getting any nookie.
Regarding whether or not a dude would want a woman who’s so loyal as his girl, I will point you all to the Archie series. Betty bends over backwards for Archie, yet he dumps her at the side of the road whenever he can get a chance at Veronica, who often treats Archie like garbage.
I’m all for another hottie on Burn Notice and am happy to see Tricia Helfer’s got some post BSG acting gigs.
I’ve been waiting since Sept.20th for last night’s show. AWESOME! Loved the network countdown prior to the actual start. Definitely FI. Yes, she’s thin, but did you check out her arms. The girl has either been practicing “shooting them” or really working out. Jeffrey Donovan was incredible as usual. I hope they skip the one night stand with Carla. She’s not Michael’s type.
I love the character of Fi, but yeah, she definitely needs a biscuit. She doesn’t look healthy, she looks homeless.
All in all, it seemed like a good restart episode. Enough of a callback to the previous season to satisfy, but you can see the show’s headed in a new direction. Can’t wait for next week.
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I thought the episode, with the exception of the fake out shoot out, was rather ho-hum. I want to like Gabriel Anwar – I always think of her in the movie where she jumped a horse off a high dive and lost her sight – but she just doesn’t look good. She’s too thin and muscular. Plus, Fiona rather annoys me with her constant desire to Talk About Their Relationship. So, count me among Team Carla.
You might kick me, but I wish they’d recast Fiona. She’s too over-the-top with her sexuality, and she’s starting to look like a too thin piece of beef jerky. I’m glad they got her some new conditioner, never under estimate the awesomeness of volume and body!
I was kind of disappointed in the premiere. I think the show should stay in Miami, but I felt like things got to normal too easily. I was hoping they’d torture our beloved Mikey or do more than cart him upstate and give him another job. I’m excited for the rest of the seaon though! And I’m all for Mike being single…I want him to date a non-spy! Give civilians a chance!
I love the show but I agree Fi is too,too,skinny.Maybe if she put on some pounds her face would look better too,not so drawn!Michael needs someone else but NOT Carla.
I am squarely in Fi’s camp, but she looks bad this season. She lost weight and her hair got fat. NASTY. I thought she was skinny last season, but she looked hot and in good fighting shape. This season, she looks gaunt. I miss Nat, too. Love Burn Notice and I am waiting for Pysch and Monk to start. USA is my summer station.
I think Fi is Fabulous, i love this show. Michael is a hottie! His mom is awesome & i love Sam too.
Nothing wrong with a little Fiona/Sam! She could whip him into shape and he could whip her a little out of shape. And Bruce Campbell makes everyone within ten feet instantly more interesting and fun.
I am so glad other people like this show besides me. I felt like the only one last summer. I’m developing a major crush on Jeffrey Donovan. Sexy arms when shooting!! I’ve been a huge Bruce Campbell fan since Brisco County Jr. Him walking around in Michael’s too-small shirt was hilarious. I like Fiona too. She does seem a little needy for Michael’s affection. And she’s very, uhhh, in shape. Sharon Gless needs to do something else besides have hysterics. I could get used to a new female but it would be predictable to hook them up. And please stay in Miami!!!
What kind of fat cows are you hanging out with, to think that Fi is that thin? Anyway, good episode, although the tech guy was a bit annoying. Can’t wait for more.
i’m all for team fiona. her and michael deserve to be together.shes the only one who can put up with his bs
i’m all for team fiona. her and michael deserve to be together.shes the only one who can put up with his bs
Time to get shallow.
While I definitely agree that Anwar is WAY too thin, one thing I do love about her is that her face looks like a gorgeous, sexy, 38-year-old woman’s. No botox — I’ve seen forehead wrinkles. It does look a bit too stretched sometimes, but I think that’s the weight (or lack thereof.)
And I also love that this show is set AND filmed in Miami, and not LA-pretending-to-be-Miami. Let’s hear it for the Southeast!
I am not interested in Carla at all for some reason. Maybe I’m bored with the whole “who burned me” backstory for some reason. Ah, I have it: it doesn’t seem like Michael really misses his old life. Or I don’t know why he would, perhaps that’s it.
I have a couple suggestions to avoid getting too formulaic: how about NOT making every person Michael helps a scaredy-cat pea-brain he has to coolly reassure? How about Michael becoming ever so slightly more human? He just seems so above it all and distant. I like when his fears and insecurities get rattled just a little. (But I HATED the Lucy Lawless psychological manipulation of Michael’s abused inner child plotline. It was hammy.)
Is it me, or does Bruce Campbell look more handsome this season. I love that guy! Burn Notice is a great show and deserves a large audience. I hope more people tune in…and yes, please leave them in Miami. It’s gorgeous!
i watch burn notice every thursdaay night and have told a few friends about the show, If Fiona gone iam gone too she makes a great partner. Shes not that thin too me
I like this show but I would prefer Michael with a new chick, any chick. Fi looks terrible and I hate saying that because I love the character. Like that episode where Michael had to pretend to rob her and she just kept punching him in the face. Loved it but her tan and her rib cage is so distracting to look at. And a big NO to a Sam/Fi hook up. Love Nate and give Mama a boyfriend.